VET329 Differentiation in Small Animal Medicine

Anesthesia and analgesia

In addition to the theory, students participate in anaesthesia during clinical rotations. One of the patients will be written up as a case study.

Radiology

Radiology teaching combines lectures and problem solving. In addition to basic X-ray technique and physics, all steps in the examination of the individual body parts will be systematically reviewed. Which patients are relevant for the different types of examinations, how the examinations are done, choice of projections, assessment of images, etc. are reviewed.

Clinical neurology

Video-based case reviews and discussions about the assessment of patients with neurological signs as well as lectures on diseases of the nervous system in dogs and cats.

Clinical pathology

The course includes lectures, case studies, microscopy of haematology and cytology cases. The main focus is haematology and cytology, however, clinical chemistry profiles are also evaluated as well as urine examinations

Reproduction/Obstetrics

The teaching activities in the differentiation course Reproduction, obstetrics, and pediatrics are practical training in ultrasonography of the reproductive organs, mammae case reports, lectures, group works, and a guided tour to - and through - a private small animal hospital.

Optional: External shadowing (1 week)

The optional clinic week can be carried out at an external clinic. 100% attendance and approved clinical records are required. Shadowing in Norway can only be carried out at DNV-approved clinics. Shadowing can also take place at reputable clinics abroad after approval by the course leader. It is a prerequisite that this is a full day of small animal practice and that the student writes a reflective report. The scope of the report is decided by the person responsible for the subject.

Assessment of clinical part

To pass the clinical part, 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 specialisation topics

To pass the academic specialisations all records, papers, presentations and tests need to be approved in line with the subject descriptions. Students may need to wait until the following year if records, papers, presentations and tests are not approved within 3 attempts. In addition, the minimum attendance requirement must be met. For valid absence of more than 20%, work experience and an assignment must be agreed with and approved by the course leader. Non-valid absences will require the student to retake the subject the following year.

The course leader keeps and files lists of students with approved topics in the academic specialisations, and acknowledges the subject as approved on the evaluation form to the student.

Assessment of optional part

Attendance and mandatory activities have to be completed in order for approval. It is the students responsibility to ensure that the optional part is completed. Extra lectures will not be provided unless the students can document valid absence.

The course supervisor awards a diploma/certificate and/or acknowledges the evaluation form where the elective subject is listed. Only 100% completed optional tasks are approved.

Assessment differentiation year

To pass the differentiation year in companion animal medicine, the following 2 parts must be passed:

• Specialisation thesis (15 ECTS): Passed. Norwegian and English names should be applied the diploma.
• Specialisation in companion animal medicine: Passed. Consisting of the mandatory part (clinic and course subjects) and elective.

The evaluation form and 2 copies of the thesis must be delivered to SFA no later than two weeks before the end of term in order for the examination diploma to be issued.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Clinical rotations

The clinic service is divided into a) outpatient clinic and emergency/critical care, b) anaesthesia, c) surgical clinic and d) medical clinic. The students must write journals / case reports from their stay at each unit, which are to be approved by the lecturer.

• Students have 2 evening/night shifts per week during clinical rotations. This includes weekends and bank holidays.
• Students will demonstrate the case for younger students.
• One of the rotation weeks is a night shift rotation.

Clinical rotations are mandatory. Weekend and night shifts are also mandatory. For clinical rotations, up to 1 day of valid absence per week and up to 1 day of valid absence per. night shift rotation per. 5 day shift, is permitted. All absences from weekend and night shifts must be retaken.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Anaesthesia and analgesia

The student must have participated in a one week anaesthesia rotation during their time in the clinic.

Within 14 days after the clinical rotation anesthesia the students must deliver a anesthesia casuistry based on the patients the students have been responsible for in the clinic. Records shall be approved by the lecturer.Each student must write their own anaesthesia case report. Only one student case report may be written per anaesthetic patient.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Radiology

80 % attendance, at least

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Clinical pathology

At least 80 % attendance and passed multiple choice test.

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Reproduction and obstetrics

80 % attendance, at least

Mandatory teaching and program requirements: Clinical Neurology

80 % attendance at classes, and participation in the presentation of the homework

Approval of external clinics:

Clinics in Norway must be DNV certified or specially approved by head of the Small Animal Section

Shadowing at clinics in universities must be at an accredited EAEVE / AVMA institution. Beyond this, shadowing at a foreign clinic needs to be approved by the subject leader.