VSC463 Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services (8)

This rotation is based on-campus in Wagga Wagga and is conducted in the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory or another approved Diagnostic Laboratory. Students will rotate on a weekly basis through Anatomical Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 3 (90)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC463. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)

Prerequisites

VSC415 and VSC426 and VSC427 and VSC450 and VSC451 and VSC453

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to perform a complete mammalian and avian necropsy examination and describe the gross findings accurately in a written report;
  • be able to recognise, interpret, provisionally diagnose and further investigate lesions in gross anatomical and / or necropsy specimens;
  • be able to plan and perform appropriate ancillary sampling for further investigation of the lesions (e.g. histology, microbiology, cytology, parasitology);
  • be able to predict the likely functional effect of an observed lesion (e.g. the likely functional effects of acute severe pneumonia, or advanced liver atrophy or extensive chronic colonic ulceration);
  • be able to suggest likely aetiologic factors, and make a gross/differential diagnosis;
  • be able to recognise and describe the normal histologic structure of liver, lung, intestine, kidney and skin;
  • be able to recognise and discuss the essential gross and histologic features of inflammation and repair, necrosis, infarction, thrombosis, haemorrhage, oedema and neoplasia;
  • be able to suggest possible underlying pathologic processes which could give rise to such lesions (e.g. "atrophy and fibrosis", "chronic inflammation with focal suppuration", "acute fibrinous inflammation", "malignant neoplasia", "developmental malformation", "venous obstruction");
  • be able to interpret culture results in light of gross and microscopic findings;
  • be able to explain the value of biopsies and how they might be used to assist clinical diagnosis;
  • be able to perform a complete blood count (CBC), including blood smear preparation, staining and examination;
  • be able to interpret a CBC and biochemical profile in light of history, signalment and other findings to inform diagnostic and treatment decisions;
  • be able to perform a complete urinalysis and fluid analysis;
  • be able to sample lesions cytologically to create a monolayer; stain and examine these preparations with a view to characterising the lesion and writing a cytologic report;
  • be able to relate changes within the CBC/biochemical profile as well as cytological samples to processes occurring within the animal (eg. neutrophilia with a left shift indicates inflammation, azotaemia and isosthenuria strongly suggests renal failure, hyperalbuminaemia indicates haemoconcentration);
  • be able to work within a group in a professional and cooperative manner;
  • be able to communicate clearly and succinctly in written and oral form to his or her peers, professional colleagues and lay persons;
  • be able to demonstrate appropriate time management and organisational skills to permit completion of clinical and assessment responsibilities.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

- Diagnostic pathology
- Clinical pathology
- Clinical microbiology
- Diagnostic parasitology

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 15 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students have to attend a Veterinary Diagnostic Services for these rotations

Special Resources

Students have to provide their own travel and accommodation for these rotations

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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