Animal Health, Management & Welfare 1B

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 information about Students Experiencing Disability

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

Topics include animal production systems; principles and practices of feeding domestic animals; animal behaviour in relation to management of dogs and cats, housing, handling and restraint of individual animals, including native species and laboratory animals; and codes of practice for the management, nutrition, housing, transport, health, welfare and care of dogs and cats, pigs, horses, sheep and alpacas. 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 (60%). Assessment of individual and group portfolio written assignments regarding the Dookie practical during semester (30%) – time for submission to be advised at the beginning of semester. One half of the 30% assessment based on group assignment (each student contributing 1,500 words), 45% from individual reviews (1,000 words) and 5% from group participation. Written assignments in Veterinary Public Health to be prepared as electronic portfolios and submitted online (10%) as indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester with each student contributing 700 words to the group assignment. 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 VETS10003. 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, and two weeks at urban animal or wildlife shelters.

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 environments;

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

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