250-317 Cattle 1

Students completing this subject should be able to: collect a history and epidemiological information of relevance to an individual or herd case; perform a thorough clinical examination of all body systems; suggest a reasonable diagnosis and differential diagnoses from the history, epidemiology, clinical signs and lesions observed in an individual cow, calf or bull, or a herd of cattle; recommend appropriate ancillary laboratory tests, submit a detailed request for a laboratory examination, and interpret the results of the laboratory reports; ascertain if the welfare of a cow or herd is being compromised; specify appropriate therapy or other course of action; provide the owner with a prognosis; advise the owner of the appropriate withholding periods for milk or of the animal from slaughter when antibiotics, drugs or chemicals are administered or applied; explain to the owner the economic costs of the disease; recommend measures to control a disease in a herd or other population; recommend measures to prevent a disease from occurring; prepare a written report for the owner or attendant, or a referring veterinarian; demonstrate competence in the analysis of records of production, health and reproductive performance of cattle herds; and present clinical case material in a professional manner.

Diseases and production management of cattle are covered in this subject. Topics include clinical examination, infectious, metabolic, nutritional and parasitic diseases; diagnosis, treatment and prevention; and herd management and economics.

At the end of the sequence Cattle 1 and Cattle 2 students completing these subjects should have:

• skills in collecting information from various sources;

• skills in collating information and interpreting it with reference to scientific literature; and

• developed professional behaviour and communication skills.

One 2-hour written examination at the end of semester (90%) and assessment during the cattle component of the ruminant rotation (10%). Students are required to pass each individual component of assessment.