69932 - Semeiotics and Surgical Pathology of Large Animals

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge required for the proper performance of the clinical examination, to describe the methodology for the recognition and interpretation of clinical signs and symptoms, and to ensure the appropriate use of ancillary diagnostic techniques in food-producing animals. For the most common diseases affecting domestic food-producing species, students will acquire the knowledge necessary to understand their definition, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostic procedures, recommended treatments, disease progression, potential complications, and prognosis.

Course contents

Component of the Integrated Course: Veterinary Semeiotics, Surgical Pathology, Anesthesiology and Operative Medicine

Course-Specific Prerequisites

To facilitate a better understanding of the course contents, students are recommended to have previously acquired knowledge of the philosophy of science, normal anatomy, zoognostics, and physiology.

Course Contents

The course is organized as follows:

Theoretical Lectures

General Section

• General clinical examination
• Pathological processes (inflammation, necrosis, fistulas, atrophy, hypotrophy, dystrophy, metaplasia, anaplasia)
• Wounds
• Displacements and abnormal organ positions (flexions, ptosis, prolapse, intussusception, torsion, volvulus, hernias)
• Retentions
• Fluid and tissue collections

Systematic Section

• Bovine podiatry
• Vagal indigestion
• Rumenotomy
• Dehorning
• Digital amputation in cattle
• Right flank laparotomy in the standing cow
• Equine colic
• Clinical examination of lameness in the horse
• Tibial fractures in cattle
• Cesarean section in the sow
• Teat lesions in dairy cattle

Practical Sessions

• Clinical examinations of horses and cattle
• Lameness examination in the horse
• Fundamentals of bovine surgery and equine farriery

Readings/Bibliography

Hendrickson DA, Baird AN. Turner and McIlwraith’s Techniques in large animal surgery, bovine general surgery. Ed. Wiley, 2013

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures and practical sessions/laboratory activities.

The theoretical lectures will be delivered through traditional face-to-face teaching, supported by slide presentations and blackboard illustrations.

Practical sessions will be conducted in the field, including activities in cattle barns and horse stables.

Attendance at practical sessions requires students to wear a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for the specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of an oral examination.

The result of the oral examination is communicated to the student at the end of the interview. The examination is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Students will be asked two questions: one covering the General Section and one covering the Systematic Section. If the answer to the first question is deemed unsatisfactory, the second question will not be asked, and the examination must be repeated.

The oral examination is assessed according to the following grading criteria:

• 18–22: Preparation limited to a very small number of topics covered during the course, with analytical skills demonstrated only with the instructor's guidance; overall use of appropriate language.
• 23–26: Preparation covering a limited number of course topics, with the ability to perform independent analysis only on straightforward, procedural issues; correct use of terminology.
• 27–29: Preparation covering a broad range of course topics, ability to carry out independent critical analysis, and good command of the appropriate technical terminology.
• 30–30 with Honors (30L): Thorough and comprehensive preparation on the course topics, ability to perform independent critical analysis and establish meaningful connections between concepts, complete mastery of technical terminology, and excellent reasoning and argumentative skills.

A failing performance does not result in a numerical grade but is recorded as either withdrawn or failed in the electronic examination record on AlmaEsami. Therefore, it does not affect the student's academic record.

The results of the individual assessments and the final examination grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/ ) within five working days after the examination date.

Students may reject their grade once (as provided for by the University Regulations) by notifying the examining lecturer via email within five working days of the publication of the results.

The lecturer responsible for recording the final grade for this course is Prof. Noemi Romagnoli.

Students may register for examination sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Examination sessions are scheduled within the periods established in the academic calendar. Additional examination sessions are reserved for students who are beyond the prescribed duration of their degree programme.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the relevant University Office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti ). The Office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days before the examination. The instructor will evaluate the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the course learning objectives.

With regard to the assessment of learning, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Power points, videos

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Rinnovati