Content Differentiation in Equine Medicine 

In the clinic in equine differentiation, the emphasize is on diagnosis and treatment of patients, diagnosis and treatment of acute cases such as colic, lameness diagnosics, certification and issuance of passports on horses, use and maintenance of endoscopic equipment. In addition, students will have a week of practical anesthesia and pain management as a part of the specialization in anesthesia. This week is in addition to the 10 weeks (see the subject Anesthesia and pain management)

Content Clinic periods

In the equine differentiation  it is emphasized on practicing what the student has learned in active clinic and have the opportunity to more independently assess and treat patients, including horse owner contact. There will be room for more skills training than in active clinic. The students will write detailed records on a defined number of patients.

Content Radiology

Radiology deals with the use of imaging diagnostics in companion animal practice. Emphasis will be on radiology diagnostics, but other modalities such as ultrasound, scintigraphy and CT will also be reviewed.

Content Clinical pathology 

Principles of sampling, evaluation of pre-analytical factors and interpretation of test results in clinical chemistry, clinical endocrinology, hematology and cytology. Practical exercises in preparation of hematology/cytological, cell slide samples and microscopy will be included. Special emphasis is placed on interpretation of test results from horses.

Content Reproduction

The following topics are theoretically taught:

Reproductive physiology and pathology, insemination with fresh and frozen semen, obstetrics, diseases in foals.

The following topics are practical: Palpation training.

Content Horse diseases 

Lameness diagnostics, Immobilization of fractures in the field, Cardiology, Colic Treatment, Fluid therapy,  Wound care, Joint infections, Respiratory diseases, Neurological disorders, Emergency treatment of eye diseases. Signalement, passsport, pony measurement. Prohibition times, doping regulations.

Content Scientific and methodological specialization related to the thesis 

Self-study and preparation work to be able to implement a thesis over 10 weeks.

Optional labarotory animal science: Content

To create interest and knowledge of the various tasks a laboratory veterinary has. We will look at the career opportunities a vet have within laboratory animals and teach the students to start thinking critical and ethical like a real scientist. To increse the student's skills in practical handling and simple methods (like blood tests and injection methods) and surgical methods (like OVHV and tooth pull) of rabbit, rat and mice. Aswell as get to know these species as laboratory animals, we would like to have a closer look at them as pets. 

Learning outcome Clinical part

Builds on the learning outcomes descriptions of 9th semester

After completing the course the students will:

• Have acquired a good knowledge of independent practicing clinical diagnostics, perform treatment and advise on disease prevention
• Have good ethics that are beneficial for veterinary profession and the costumers we serve.

Aim and Learning outcome Anesthesia and pain management 

The course focuses on the theoretical background for sedation, anesthesia and pain management in veterinary horse practice. 

After the theory and practice, students shall possess knowledge and manual skills to plan and implement sedation, anesthesia and pain management of equine patients. 

Aim and Learning outcome Radiology

The course will provide a thorough introduction to imaging diagnostics as a tool for horse practice and provide students with knowledge about the practical implementation of rads taking to interpretation.

After the course the student shall be able to understand the imaging diagnostics in equine practice.

Aim and Learning outcome Clinical pathology 

The course will provide students with a sound basis for using clinical chemistry, clinical endocrinology, hematology and cytology in equine practice.

After completing the course the student should be able to:

• Assess indications for various tests, know the most common pre-analytical factors that influence test results and have a basic understanding of the interpretation of test results.
•  Present microscope samples (hematology/cytology) of diagnostic quality.

Aim and learning outcome Reproduction

Give students a solid foundation in order to assume responsibility for managing studpractice.

After completing the course the student should be able to work as a stud veterinarian.

Aim and learning outcome Horse diseases

After completing the course, students will have the theoretical knowledge that is required to go into the ambulatory equine practice.

Mandatory: Aim and learning outcome Compound feed 

To provide students with knowledge of the development of compound feed for production animals and horses and to train students to deal with problems that one might encounter as a practicing veterinarian regarding the quality of the feed.

Be able to assess whether the compound feed may be partial causes of disease states

Mandatory: Scientific and methodological specialization related to the thesis

Give more time associated with the tasks that require extra preparation.

External work experience rather than mandatory clinic (1.5 ECTS x 2, 1-2 weeks)

Under special circumstances, up to two of the mandatory clinic weeks can be taken at an external clinic if approved by the supervisor. The clinic must provide 24 hour service and the student must be on call according to the regulations at the Equine Hospital. 

It is required 100 % attendance and approved clinical records.

This can also take place at acknowledged hospitals abroad after the approval of the responsible for the differentiation direction.

The same requirements for quality assurance as for the optional programs (see this).

It is essential that this is a full day horse practice with 24 hour service.

Responsible: Siv Hanche-Olsen

Program anesthesia and pain management

In addition to the theoretical lectures, the students must participate on anesthesia in the clinic week, and one of the patient described as a case report. 

Program Radiology

Radiology is structured as a combination of lectures and assignments. In addition to basic radiology and physics, any step in the study of individual body parts will be systematically reviewed. Which patients are appropriate for the different modality of examination, how the examinations are done, the choice of projections, assessment of images etc.

Program Horse diseases

Teaching takes the form of lectures and demonstrations. 

Program Compound feed 

The course will include theoretical lectures and a visit to a suitable production place. There will mostly also be a social event with dinner and accommodation one evening.

Maximum number of students is 20. Students in Equine differentiation are prioritized.

Optional laboratory animcal science: Program

From 2016, this course will be an "inverse classroom". It means that the students will get access to lectures in form of instruction videos and they have to reviewing the syllabus in the form of own work. The gatherings (flipped sessions) with lecturer will be used for review of group assignment, discussion and practical work with the animals/cadavers

Part 1: Laboratory animal science

We will delve into the subject and specifically look at what tasks a vet can have within laboratory animals. 

Part 2: Clinical examination techniques on living animals.

We will work specifically with clinical examination and simple techniques (like blood samples and injection methods) on rabbits, rats and mice.

Part 3: Surgery methods

We will work specifically with surgical methods (like OVHV and tooth pull) on cadavers of rabbit, rat and mouse.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Differentiation in Equine Medicine 

The courses and clinic is mandatory. Night duties are also mandatory (minimum 1 evening pr. week). In the clinic a maximum of one day documented absence is allowed. All absence from weekend and night duties must be retaken.

During the mandatory weeks of clinic each student will submit 5 case reports from patients the students have been involved in. Case reports are based on the record and it is envisaged that students will go deeper into the diseases, etiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment. In the case report it shall be referred to references from current literature. Case reports must be approved by the supervisor before passing the clinics. One casereport in anesthesia is also mandatory (see more information under anesthesia and painmanagement)

Students are expected to demonstrate cases for younger students.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Clinic periods

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Anesthesia and pain management 

The students must participate in a one week of anesthesia during the clinic period. Each student must write their own case report, and there is only one student who can write about each anesthesia. 

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Radiology

At least 80 % attendance required

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Clinical pathology 

At least 80 % attendance and passed multiple choice test

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Reproduction 

At least 80 % attendance is required.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Horse diseases 

At least 80% attendance is required

Mandatory teaching and program requirements:

All days of the course are mandatory to get the course approved.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Optional animal laboratory science

- Attendance: All gatherings (flipped sessions 1, 2 and 3) is mandatory.

- Participation in the review of the group tasks. 

Evaluation Clinic periods

To pass the clinic period, all program requirements must be passed. In addition, the student must have been sufficiently present and possess widely acceptable professional and ethical standards as described in Part 2 of the document: Clinical Rotation 8th and 9th semester, information and forms.

Assessment of academic study subjects:

To pass the academic specialization all records, papers, presentations and tests must be approved in line with what has been described for each subject. Students may have to wait until next year unless the records, papers, presentations and tests are approved within 3 attempts. In, addition, the minimum presence must be met. By valid absence of more than 20 %, an agreement on clinical rotation and task must be approved by the responsible of the subject. By not valid absence, the student must follow the subject the following year.

The responsible of the subject keeps lists of students and the approved topics in academic specialization, these  are filed. The subject responsible acknowledges the subject as approved on the censorship form to the student.

Review of optional part

Presence and mandatory activities have to be completed in order to get approved. It is the students responsibility to ensure that the optional part is completed, and it will not be given extra lectures unless the students can document valid absence.

Course supervisor gives diploma/certificate and/or acknowledge the evaluation form where the chosen part will be listed. Only 100% completed optional tasks is approved. 

Evaluation Thesis

To pass the differentiation direction in equine medicine, the following two parts must be passed:

• Thesis (15 ECTS): Passed: Norwegian and English names should be applied the diploma
• Specialization in equine medicine: Passed consisting of the mandatory part (clinic and subjects) and elective part

Censorship form and 2 copies of the thesis must be delivered to SFA no later than two weeks before the end of the term for the diploma to be issued to the exam completion.

External work as an optional part (1.5 ECTS x 4, 1-4 weeks)

4 weeks of the elective courses can be taken externally. It may be possible to take up to 1 extra optional week internally. This requires 100 % attendance and approved records.

This can also take place at acknowledged hospitals abroad with approval from the main supervisor for equine specialization. It is essential that this is a full day horse practice including 24 hour service.

Requirements for approval of external clinics

The external hospitals must provide both surgical and medical workups, and have emergency service and patients stabled.

Responsible: Siv Hanche-Olsen

Optional Laboratory Animal Science: HES

Quarantine regulations: No contact with  rodents or rabbits last 48 hours. No animal contact abroad last 72 hours.

Give information if you have  any allergies to animals, dust or hay.

Open for following students:

Open for all, maximum 12 participants

Requirements for own equipment

Work clothes, hard toe shoes, stethoscope and scissors.