B8420 - Safe Animal Approach and Containment

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student is able to safely approach and correctly handling farm and companion animals. In particular, the student: knows how to approach and handle animals while maintaining the safety of both the animal and the veterinarian; is aware of the biosafety aspects related to the management of the operating room, the surgeon and the patient, with a focus on preventing nosocomial infections and antibiotic resistance.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "The Background for the Veterinary Profession".

The Integrated Course aims to provide the student with adequate skills in veterinary biosecurity, an understanding of proper laboratory practices within a quality assurance framework, and techniques for handling and approaching animals that prioritize the safety of both the animal and the operator. Additionally, the student develops zoological knowledge and zootechnical classification of animals relevant to veterinary practice, along with a critical perspective on their ethical use.

The Integrated Course "The Background for the Veterinary Profession" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 1.10, 1.12, 1.17, 1.29.

Specific Course contents:

Risks related to handling and restraint of animal, animal welfare during clinical activities, biosafety and biosecurity, in clinic and operating room, while veterinarian interacts with animals. Safe handling and restraint of dog, cat, horse, cow and small ruminant. Fundamentals of safe approach and containment of new companion animals (rabbit, birds and reptiles).

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

• Veterinarian’s safety and animal welfare in clinical practice (2 hours)
• Handling and restraint of companion animals -dog, cat and horse (3 hours)
• Handling and restraint of cattle and small ruminant (1 hour)
• Handling and restraint of new companion animals -rabbit, birds and reptiles (1 hour)

Practical session:

• Containment of companion animals in veterinary teaching hospital (2 hours)
• Containment of cattle and small ruminant (1 hour)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Required readings:

• Lectures slides
• Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A comprehensive Guide. Chapman Stella J., Wiley,2017
• Veterinary Surgery, Small Animal 2 nd Edition, Johnston and Tobias Eds, Elsevier, 2018
• Small Animal Surgery, 5th Edition, Fossum Ed, Elsevier, 2018
• Auer – Equine surgery 4th ed. Saunders 2012
• Fubini Ducharme – Large animal surgery Lea Febiger 2006

 

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions

The course will be organized in frontal lessons and practices in groups, including clinical skill lab, flipped classroom and Veterinary Teaching Hospital activities. Problem solving based learning will be also used as a tool to encourage student’s involvement and interaction

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Integrated Course "The Background for the Veterinary Profession" consists of two parts.

• The first part is a written test comprising 30 multiple choice questions, covering topics from all components of the Integrated Course, and is designed to assess the student's comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter.

  Each correct question will earn 1 point; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answer or unanswered question. The use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc. is not authorized during the test. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on the wrong answers.

  The test assignment will last 1h and will be considered as successful with a minimum grade of 18/30. The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact.

• The second part is an OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) aimed at evaluating the acquisition of practical and verbal competences in specific topics of the Integrated Course. This practical part of the exam will consist in 15 different stations, each testing a specific skill. Each station has a fixed duration of 5 minutes and, if completed successfully, can earn up to 2 points. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the OSPE. The result of the OSPE will be communicated at the end of the session. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by averaging the scores of the two assessments. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

Students can register for the exam through the online AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

In case of failure, the exam may be retaken after a minimum of three weeks.

In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations, Article 16, Paragraph 5, students are entitled to refuse a passing grade on one occasion. This should be done by informing the course contact via email within 5 working days from the exam. The designated course contact for this course is Eleonora Nannoni .

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PC, video-projector.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Armando Foglia