Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with the Faculty's Academic Requirements Statement

http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/AcademicRequirements.pdf

and infomation about Students Experiencing Disability

http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/Disability.pdf

Topics include animal production systems including aquatic animals; principles and practices of feeding domestic animals and fish; animal behaviour in relation to management, housing, handling and restraint of individual animals; and codes of practice for the management, housing, transport, health, welfare and care of dogs, cats, cattle and horses. Introduction to public health, food safety, biosecurity, risk management and prevention of bioterrorism associated with animals and animal products.

At the end of the sequence Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1A and Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1B students completing these subjects should:

• be able to describe the principles of nutrition and the nutritive value of feeds, and be able to provide practical advice on the feeding of individual or groups of animals;
• be familiar with the management of individual animals commonly treated by veterinarians in Australia - cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, pigs, caged birds, dogs, cats, pocket pets, and wildlife;
• be able to catch and restrain individual animals in a safe and humane manner, and apply basic animal care (husbandry techniques);
• understand the principles of animal behaviour as they relate to management and handling of each of the domestic animal species (and some wildlife species) and demonstrate acceptable practical animal handling skills;
• be familiar with animal welfare issues, and understand the application of the appropriate codes of practice for the welfare of animals during their production, use, transport, and processing;
• understand and describe the hygiene and disease prevention principles followed by veterinarians when handling individual animals.

A 2-hour written examination at the end of semester (70%) and one 30-minute computer based or written assessment (10%) during the semester, computer based quizzes associated with practical classes during semester (10%) and indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester. Written assignments in Veterinary Public Health to be prepared as electronic portfolios and submitted online (10%) and indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester. Participation in practical exercises is compulsory.

Students must complete one week of training in animal handling (sheep, cattle, horses & pigs) and occupational health and safety during their vacation period in summer or winter, prior to completion of 250-107. This training is provided at an external venue at a cost of approximately $800. Completion of no less than eight weeks of experience in animal handling, care and management during the vacations of the first and second years is required before the end-of-year examination in second year. Six weeks of the work must be carried out on approved farms or animal enterprises, two weeks at urban animal or wildlife shelters and a report of no more than four pages must be completed for each period of practical work.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the end of the sequence Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1A and Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1B students completing these subjects should be:

• Able to demonstrate skills in independent and self directed learning;

• Able to write high quality written reports and demonstrate ability to work in collaborative learning environment;

• Able to manage information and produce appropriate material for a given audience from this informatio; and

• Able to show an understanding and adherence to professional ethics.