VET-10005 - Animal Management for Health and Production
Coordinator: Joshua Onyango
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 45
Study Hours: 450
School Office: 01782 733928

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module in the first year of the BVetMS programme will introduce the students to the concepts of effective animal management for health in a wide range of commercial and domestic species. Lectures, tutorials and case-based workshops will be enhanced by visits to Harper Adams farm and other facilities elsewhere which will increase the appreciation of management methods for the commercial and other domestic species. Practical classes will enable acquisition of the animal handling skills required to enhance the experience to be gained in EMS (Extra-Mural Studies) in Animal Management in the early years of the degree and underpin effective clinical examination for the later years.
This module addresses the following RCVS competencies:
8 - Understand the economic and emotional context in which the veterinary surgeon operates
17 - Handle and restrain animal patients safely and humanely, and instruct others in helping the veterinary surgeon perform these techniques
21 - Assess the physical conditions, welfare and nutritional status of an animal or group of animals and advise the client on principles of husbandry and feeding
37 - Advise on, and implement, preventative programmes appropriate to the species and in line with accepted animal health, welfare and public health standards.
This module addresses the following RCVS underpinning knowledge:
The structure, function and behaviour of animals and their physiological and welfare needs, including healthy domestic animals, captive wildlife and laboratory-housed animals.
A knowledge of the businesses related to animal breeding, production and keeping.
The principles of disease prevention and the promotion of health and welfare.

Aims
The aims of this module are to introduce the common management methods for a wide range of animal species found in the UK and contextualise this in terms of commercial and recreational functions. In addition this module will introduce the concept of management for health and will enable students to gain practical experience and enable the development of handling skills for a range of species.
The module also aims to:

1. Enable competence in handling a wide range of the animal species likely to be encountered by a practising veterinary surgeon;
2. Give an understanding of the management methods that are current in the UK for farm animals, equines, companion animals and a range of common exotic animal species;
3. Encourage an appreciation of the role of animal management in the health of a wide range of common animal species;
4. Contextualise the commercial elements found in the management of farm animal species.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain in a commercial context, the management of cattle (beef and dairy), sheep, pigs and poultry (meat and eggs) and in a commercial and recreational context the management of horses: 1,2
Discuss the range of animal species used as companion animals and their management: 1,2
Demonstrate safe and effective handling and restraint in core animal species (cattle, sheep, horses and dogs) and understand handling of other species, Instruct others in helping perform these techniques: 1,2
Identify and explain the management issues that can challenge animal health: 1,2
Understand the application of a simple animal management or health plan: 1,2

Study hours

Lectures - 120 hours
Practicals - 60 hours
Tutorials - 54 hours
Seminars - 18 hours
Independent Study: 198 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exam weighted 60%
Short answer and multiple choice question (MCQ) exam (2 hrs)
In situ, closed book timed (2 hour) exam. MCQ and short answer question format sampling knowledge and understanding of all indicative content

2: Assignment weighted 40%
Written assignment
Two 1500 word assignments exploring the relevance of good management to animal health. Two assignment titles will be chosen from the range on offer. Each student will choose one from farm mammal, one from equine, avian or piscine, and one from companion or exotic animal. The first assignment in the portfolio should be submitted in term one to allow formative feedback.