65975 - Basis Of Comparative Pathology Of Animals

Learning outcomes

During the course the student will acquire the basic knowledge of the causes of diseases, both inflammatory and degenerative, and their main morphological features. The student will be able to collaborate with veterinarians in the diagnostic process, sampling of lesions and animal health safety.

Course contents

FOR COURSES THAT ARE PART OF AN INTEGRATED COURSE UNIT (I.C.): “EPIDEMIOLOGIA, PARASSITOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA VETERINARIA”.

 
1: Introduction to Comparative Pathology (4 hours)
• Definition of disease: concepts and terminology
• Importance of studying veterinary pathology
• Methods of investigation in pathology
• General information on cellular adaptations (atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia) and causes of reversible and irreversible cellular damage

2: Pathology of Regressive Processes (4 hours)
• Atrophy: mechanisms and types, physiological and pathological causes.
• Cellular degeneration (hydropic degeneration and lipidosis)
• Pathological accumulations and calcifications
• Necrosis: definition, types, and clinical implications.
• Apoptosis: differences from necrosis and relevance in the veterinary context.

3: Pathology of Progressive Phenomena (2 hours)
• Hypertrophy: definition, types, and activation mechanisms.
• Hyperplasia: differences from hypertrophy, mechanisms, and associated conditions.

4: Circulatory Disorders (3 hours)
• Edema: definition, causes, and clinical manifestations.
• Hemorrhage: types and management.
• Thrombus and embolism: formation mechanisms and impacts on animal health.
• Hyperemia, ischemia, and infarction: mechanisms and clinical consequences.

5: Inflammation (4 hours)
• General characteristics of acute and chronic inflammation.
• Exudative inflammation: types of exudates and their diagnostic significance.
• Histology of inflammation and tissue response.
• Repair: healing mechanisms and complications.

6: Classification of Causes of Disease (3 hours)
• Infectious, non-infectious, and neoplastic causes.
• Predisposing factors and triggering factors.
• Practical examples with a focus on farm animals.

7: Diseases Caused by Physical, Chemical, Dietary, and Biological Factors (4 hours)
• Diseases caused by physical agents: trauma, extreme temperatures, radiation.
• Diseases caused by chemical agents: toxins, food contaminants.
• Diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies and overload.
• Infectious diseases: bacteria, viruses.

8: Examples of Diseases in Farm Animals (6 hours)
• Overview of common diseases in farm animals: cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry.
• Discussion of clinical cases and zootechnical implications.
• Preventive and therapeutic approaches in relation to the diseases discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials (PDF files of the lessons and handouts) are available on the virtual platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Further reading:

• Marcato PS: Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica Veterinaria. Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna
• Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, Deyrup AT: ROBBINS - ELEMENTI DI PATOLOGIA E DI FISIOPATOLOGIA. Edizioni Edra

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures with video projections, interactive quizzes on Kahoot, classroom exercises with slide projections, and interactive discussions.

Assessment methods

Written exam, consisting of 10 questions (5 multiple choice and 5 short answers questions) (45 minutes). Each correct answer takes 3 points, wrong answers and unanswered questions take 0 points. Short answer questions an 1 multiple choice question per each test allow partial score. The results of the exam will be published on the teacher's web page and exam papers will be available for th student by appointment. The final evaluation score is the weighted average with the evaluation of the other modules that are part of the course. The cerifying teacher is Dr Laura Stancampiano.

Students can register for exams through the 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.

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

PowerPoint presentations, video projector, in-class quizzes, online resources from Veterinary Pathology portals.
If students have difficulty understanding the subject matter, the instructor is available to meet with them for clarification by appointment via email.

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 Maria Morini