|
Rabbits and Rodents TimeOnline |
| NEXT COURSE: Monday 19 May - Sunday 29 June 2008 |
| Tutor: Dr David Vella |
| Venue: Completely online via WebCT |
| Course Investment (All prices in $AUD and are inclusive of GST) |
| Category |
Full Course Price |
| Member Click here to join the PGF |
$355.00 |
| Non-Member |
$395.00 |
|
Introduction
Pet rabbits and rodents are presenting to veterinary practitioners in ever increasing numbers. As the numbers climb, so too does the general public’s expectation on veterinarians to provide these unique species with excellent veterinary care. The pet rabbit and rodent patient can provide unique challenges that set them apart from the more common canine and feline medicine disciplines.
This course aims to provide the practitioner with a general overview of rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse veterinary medicine. Beginning with the basics in rabbit and rodent biology, the course will then explore clinical anatomy and physiology relevant to recommendations on husbandry, nutrition and preventative health. Further clinical information will be detailed encompassing handling, restraint, physical examination, clinical techniques, diagnostics, therapeutics and general anaesthesia. A summary of common problems in rabbit and rodent health will be highlighted.
Upon completion of this course, participants should feel more confident in approaching pet rabbit and rodent patients and be able to formulate a measured diagnostic and therapeutic methodology to their common problems.
Topics
Please use this as a guide only. You can complete courses more quickly if you wish. The course will comprise 10 topics and will take approximately 10 hours to complete. The topics are:
- Rabbit and rodent natural history and biology
- Clinical anatomy and physiology
- Husbandry
- Nutrition and preventative health
- Handling, restraint and physical examination
- Clinical techniques
- Rabbit radiology and radiography
- Therapeutics
- Anaesthesia
- Common problems
Please note: The above timetable is a guide only. The above is just an estimate on the time it will take you to complete each unit. They may take longer. You have six weeks to complete the course.
Each unit will take the participant through a general overview of the topic. Particular clinical characteristics of each particular species will be highlighted throughout each topic. Case studies will be presented throughout the course. Images, radiographs and videos will also supplement the material. Short quizzes will also feature within the course.
Course content
| UNIT |
CONTENT |
| 1 |
Rabbit and rodent natural history and biology |
This unit will provide an introduction to rabbit and rodent natural history and biology. Firstly, a brief outline of the natural history of these species will be reviewed. The major biological characteristics of rabbits and rodents will then be addressed and compared, including taxonomy, breeds, reproduction and vital statistics. |
| 2 |
Clinical anatomy and physiology |
An understanding of normal anatomy and physiology is the backbone of species specific veterinary medicine. This unit will cover the some of the anatomy and physiology of rabbits and rodents clinically pertinent to the veterinary practitioner. |
| 3 |
Husbandry |
Appreciating and providing adequate husbandry is essential in promoting good animal health, this is especially so with pet rabbits and rodents. The captive requirements of these species are distinct and well studied (utilizing information from the laboratory setting). Husbandry requirements will be examined closely. |
| 4 |
Nutrition and preventative health |
Like husbandry, correct nutrition is vital to promoting good health. Many disease states seen in pet rabbits and rodents are thought to have a strong link to inappropriate diets. This unit will address nutritional recommendations as well as other preventative health principles. |
| 5 |
Handling, restraint and physical examination |
Being confident with the handling of patients is important in terms of animal welfare, public relations and safety aspects. Handling and restraint techniques are probably best learned by doing, though some guidelines will be offered. Physical examination methods will then be explored. |
| 6 |
Clinical techniques |
Some of the clinical techniques applicable to rabbits and rodents will be explored, including blood, urine and other sample collection, medication delivery, nutritional and environmental support. |
| 7 |
Rabbit radiography and radiology |
Basic radiographic techniques of rabbits will be introduced. The radiology of rabbit soft tissue and skull will then be explored. |
| 8 |
Therapeutics |
Therapeutics relevant to these species will be explored. Important medical contraindications will be highlighted. Fluid therapy will also be addressed. |
| 9 |
Anaesthesia |
Anaesthesia in these species can present unique challenges. Important principles and species specific anatomical and physiological traits will be emphasized in relation to providing balanced anaesthesia. |
| 10 |
Common problems |
It is important to be able to diagnose and treat the more common problems seen with these species. Some of the more common ailments such as ectoparasites, dental disease and respiratory infection will be discussed. |
Course
resources
The
Post Graduate Foundation, like many other Australian educational institutions,
is committed to greater flexibility in its approach to learning and teaching,
and supports the adoption of student-centred pedagogical strategies through the
implementation of a more flexible and blended approach to learning.
The PGF aims to provide
an accessible, adaptable and challenging learning environment to meet the needs
of its regional, national and international veterinary communities.
WebCT
WebCT is a software
program developed in Canada which provides a platform and a set of web course
teaching tools for online learning. WebCT will allow you to access discussion
forums, quizzes, and course notes via a computer, a modem and a web
browser. Your
course material will be provided in an online format only.Your
course will have an online Discussion Forum for you to use to keep
in touch with other participants in the course and your tutor.
Technical
requirements
To
optimise your use of WebCT for online learning we recommend the following specifications:
PC
-
Operating
system: Microsoft Windows 98 second edition, Me, NT, 2000, XP
-
CPU:
Pentium Class 266 MHz or faster processor (500 MHz recommended)
-
Memory:
64 Mb RAM memory (128 recommended)
-
Browser: Netscape 6.2.x, 7.0, and 7.1,
Mozilla 1.5, 1.6,
Microsoft IE 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 or
AOL 7.0, 8.0, 9.0
-
Modem: Minimum
56 kbps, preferably Broadband ISDN, ASDL, and an Internet Service Provider
-
Hard disk:
At least 150 Mb available space
-
Multimedia:
x16 spin CD-ROM
-
Colour
monitor capable of 800 x 600 pixels at High colour (16 bit)
-
Software:
Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Quicktime Media Player
Macintosh
-
Operating
system: Macintosh 0S 9.2, OS X v.10.1x, v.10.2x, v.10.3x
-
CPU:
Power Macintosh (G3 and G4) or higher
-
Memory:
64 Mb RAM memory (128 recommended)
-
Browser: Netscape 6.2.x (OS 9.x and OS X), 7.0 & 7.1 (OS X),
Mozilla 1.5, 1.6 (OS X),
Microsoft IE 5.1 (OS 9.x and OS X 10.1) and 5.2 (OS X 10.1, 10.2, 10.3),
Safari 1.2
-
Modem: Minimum
56 kbps, preferably Broadband ISDN, ASDL, and an Internet Service Provider
-
Hard disk:
At least 150 Mb available space
-
Multimedia:
x16 spin CD-ROM
-
Colour
monitor capable of 800 x 600 pixels at High colour (16 bit)
-
Software:
Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Quicktime Media Player
For more information regarding WebCT technical requirements go to http://www.usyd.edu.au/webct/student/getstart/requirements.shtml
Please note:
- It is possible to access courses offered online on computers with lower specifications than those described above. However, the quality of the connections and functionality will be variable and may be unreliable.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 on Macintosh OS 9 is no longer supported. See Updating my browser for help.
- If you are having problems using some parts of WebCT, it could be due to your browser settings. Go to http://www.webct.com/tuneup to prepare your browser settings for WebCT.
- Other problems may be due to Anti-virus software or popup/ad blocking software. See Pop-up blockers and WebCT for help.
Email
We
recommend that you have access to an email account. If you do not have your own
Internet connection, you can set up an email account with a free email provider
such as gmail (2.5G storage) or Yahoo (1G storage).
If you need any assistance in doing this, please contact the PGF and we will be
happy to help you.
Register for this course
Before
you register:
-
-
Receive a discount on this course - become
an Member of the Post Graduate Foundation
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