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Clinical and Laboratory Diagnostics I

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ķīmi3016, Organic Chemistry

VeteB004, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals III

VeteB010, Physiology II

VeteB040, Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine I

Course abstract

The aim of the clinical and laboratory diagnostics study course is to acquire animal examination methods (basic, additional, etc.) to learn their practical application at the animal (propaedeutics), to acquire knowledge about symptoms (semiotics), their pathogenetic origin, significance, thus mastering the diagnostic process of diseases. The course also learns the importance of laboratory examination of various bio substrates. Students learn to interpret the results of the obtained symptoms, including clinical tests. Guided by the results obtained during the examination of the animal, it is learned to establish a diagnosis using methods of differential-diagnostics. All three parts of the study course follow and complement each other sequentially.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge of: clinical manifestation and genesis of symptoms in cases of pathologies (diseases) of organ systems; methods of fixation and clinical examination of animals and their application; the use of additional diagnostic methods; the interpretation of data from the examination of biological substrates. Knowledge is tested and evaluated in 4 tests for each block of topics.
• Skills: methodically correctly obtain anamnesis, examine the organs of animals (cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, cats) and their systems using the main physical examination methods (inspection; auscultation; percussion; palpation); to carry out the methods of fixation and diagnostic manipulations of the animal necessary for the examination of the relevant organs or organ systems; methodically correctly obtain samples of biological substrates and prepare them for sending to the laboratory. Students' skills in examining an animal are evaluated during practical classes.
• Competence: ability to find symptoms of diseases and the relationships between them; as a result of the analysis of the symptoms found, the ability to establish a primordial clinical diagnosis; The acquired competence is evaluated during practical classes in discussions, as well as at the end of the study course, during the analysis of clinical cases.

Course Content(Calendar)

For full-time on-site studies:
1. Introduction. Symptoms and diagnosis. Systematics, methods of examination. Examination hygiene. Diagnostic errors. (3 h)
2. General clinical investigation. Fixation of the animal. Registration, anamnesis. Habitus. (3 h)
3. Itegumentum commune, examination of mucous membranes. Skin disorders. Symptoms. (3 h)
4.Hair /plumage examination. Symptoms. (3 h)
5. Body temperature. Examination of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels (3 h)
6. Arterial pulse. Capillary filling time (3 h)
Test
7. Examination of the head area (eyes, ears, vision, hearing), symptoms. (3 h)
8. Examination of nostrils, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Feed and water intake. (3 h)
9. Examination of mouth cavity. Chewing and swallowing. Eructation and rumination. (3 h)
10. Appetite, thirst. Vomiting. Regurgitation. (3 h)
Test
11. Examination of the cranial part of the neck. Examination of the larynx and throat. Symptoms. (3h)
12. Jugular groove. Examination of the trachea and esophagus. Examination of the jugular vein, and pulse of the veins. (3 h)
Test
13. Chest examination. Respiratory movements. Dyspnoea. (3 h)
14. Examination of the lungs, auscultation of the lungs, and pathologic noises. (3 h)
15. Pulmonary percussion, symptoms. Cough. Discharge after cough (3 h)
16. Ictus cordis. Percussion of the heart ( 3h)
17. Auscultation of heart tones. Heart murmurs (4 h)
Test

Requirements for awarding credit points

No more than 30% of the total number of practical works can be missed. If more than 30% of the total number of classes have been missed, then the course must be retaken.
Successful completion of 4 tests (colloquiums/tests).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students are provided with access to e-learning materials. Throughout the semester, student on-call duties in the veterinary clinic are organized, thus ensuring the strengthening of theoretical knowledge in practice, ensuring practical acquisition of clinical examination.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Students' knowledge and skills are assessed in accordance with the criteria of the 10-point system scale specified in the Study Regulations.
To obtain the final assessment of the study course "pass", all four colloquiums/tests must be scored with a successful grade.
For a successful completion of the course, a mandatory prerequisite is to attend on-call training in the LBTU veterinary clinic.

Compulsory reading

1. Jemeļjanovs Ļ., Manevičs Z., Dūrītis I. Dzīvnieku iekšķīgo slimību klīniskā diagnostika. Jelgava-2007, ISBN 9984-19-978-9, 242 lpp
2. Jemeļjanovs Ļ., Dūrītis I., Beinerts J. Dzīvnieku iekšķīgo slimību laboratoriskā diagnostika. Jelgava-2010, ISBN 978-9984-39-914-0, 95 lpp
3. Veterinary hematology and clinical chemistry / edited by Mary Anna Thrall ... [et al.], Ames, Iowa : Wiley-Blackwell, 2012, 2-nd ed. -762 lpp;

Further reading

1. The Veterinary Workbook of Small Animal Clinical Cases / Ryane E. Englar.- Great Easton, Essex : 5M Books, 2021, 699 lpp.
2. Illustrated Textbook of Clinical Diagnosis in Farm Animals / Philip R. Scott.- Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2022, 401 lpp.
3. Laboratory Medicine: Interpretation and Diagnosis. 3rd ed. 2004. – 532 lpp
4. Walter Baumgartner. Klinische Propadeutik der Haus- und Heimtiere. Parey, 2009. -525 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Wiley Blackwel, ISSN: 1939-1676
2. The Veterinary Journal, ISSN 1090-0233

Notes

Compulsory course of second cycle professional higher education study programme Veterinary medicine