Birds and Non-Domestic Animals

Subject VETS40005 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 41 lecture hours.
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment 70 hours (minimum).
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Recommended Background Knowledge: Nil
Non Allowed Subjects: Nil
Core Participation Requirements: Prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with the Faculty's Academic Requirements Statement http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqs.pdf

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Amir Noormohammadi

Contact

Email: amirh@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Diseases of birds: topics include clinical signs, diagnosis, pathogenesis and epizootiology of diseases in individual animals as well as affected flocks; poultry management, nutrition, preventive medicine; and cage and aviary bird medicine.

Diseases of non-domestic animals: topics include the role of the veterinary surgeon in wildlife work; characteristic anatomical features of various groups of native mammals; diseases and husbandry of marsupials including orphans; other native mammals; exotic (zoo) mammals; reptiles; veterinary role in regulatory activities and wildlife disasters; and diseases of fish.

Objectives:

At the end of this course students should:

  • be aware of the management and welfare issues associated with the keeping of poultry and other birds;
  • be aware of the variety of diseases affecting poultry and other birds;
  • understand the factors influencing outbreaks of disease in flocks and/or individual animals;
  • be able to suggest a probable diagnosis/differential diagnosis from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and gross post-mortem lesions;
  • be able to recommend appropriate ancillary tests to facilitate a definitive diagnosis and prognosis;
  • be able to specify appropriate therapy or other course of action for affected flocks and/or individual animals;
  • be able to recommend appropriate measures for disease control and/or prevention;
  • know the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances/vaccines in these animals;
  • be familiar with the various groups of Australian mammals;
  • possess the essential information to be able to clinically examine and make a diagnosis of disease in non-domestic mammals;
  • understand specific features of the husbandry of these animals as they relate to disease prevention and the management of clinically ill animals;
  • be familiar with the legislation governing protected animals, particularly legislation with specific veterinary involvement; be familiar with the husbandry, clinical examination and the principal diseases of reptiles;
  • be familiar with the principal features of the management of farmed and aquarium fish, be able to carry out a clinical examination, diagnose and treat specific diseases of fish.
Assessment:

One 3-hour written paper Birds (60%) and Non-domestic animals (21%) and one 15-minute oral examination on Birds (19%) all at the end of semester. Students are required to pass all three components of assessment.

Prescribed Texts: Nil
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

After completing this subject students should have developed:

  • cognitive, analytic and problem solving skills, involving independent thought, rational enquiry and self-directed learning;

  • professional and technical skills; and

  • respect for intellectual integrity and professional ethics.

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