SAMS 5217: SMALL MAMMAL AND AQUATIC MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF SMALL ANIMAL MEDICINE
Course coordinators:
Stephen J. Hernandez-Divers
Assistant Professor, Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoo Animal Medicine
Exotic ward ext 25527, Office #209 ext 26472, Email: shdivers@vet.uga.edu
Heather Wilson
Instructor, Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoo Animal Medicine
Office # H306 ext 26328, email: hwilson@vet.uga.edu
Exotic animal or zoological medicine encompasses all those species that are not truly domesticated, from tiny spiders to bears and beyond. It is a truly fascinating subject that will cover the basics from examining a snake or taking blood from a ferret to restraining an elephant-and much more besides. As might be imagined, the field of zoological medicine has continued to grow rapidly, and this has necessitated an expansion in the didactic courses. There are now three courses offered. Even private practitioners may be frequency asked to tend to injured wildlife or consult with a local zoo.
These courses are:
1. SAMS 5218: Avian and Reptile medicine. This 1.5 credit hr (23 contact hr) course will include the husbandry, diagnosis and treatment of the common diseases of commonly kept exotic pet birds and reptiles.
2. SAMS 5116: Zoo and wildlife medicine. This 2.0 credit hr (30 contact hr) course will include the husbandry, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases affecting captive animals in zoo settings (‘zoo’) and free-ranging (‘wildlife’) species.
3. SAMS 5217: Small Mammal and aquatic medicine. This 1.0 credit hr (15 contact hr) course will include the husbandry, diagnosis and treatment of rabbits, rodents, ferrets and pet fish.
These courses will be scheduled as follows:
Spring of odd years (starting Spring 2003) Zoo and wildlife med offered to classes 2004, 2005, 2006.
Fall of odd years (starting Fall 2003) Small mammal and aquatic med offered to classes of 2005 and 2006.
Fall of even years (starting Fall 2004) Avian Reptile Med offered to classes of 2006 and 2007.
Small Mammal and Aquatic Medicine (Starting fall 2003)
This course concentrates on the following aspects of rabbits, ferrets, rodents (including guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, mice, rats, and gerbils), and fish species:
Husbandry and management.
Reproduction
3. Disease diagnosis
The material will be presented using slide (and video) illustrated lectures, and time will be given at the end of each lecture for questions. All participants are encouraged to be proactive and ask questions.
Instructors: Dr. Stephen Hernandez-Divers
Dr. Heather Wilson
Dr. Sonia Hernandez-Divers
Objectives:
Make students aware of the resource materials (journals, books, CD-ROMs etc) that are available.Course notes will be made available in the form of either a CD-ROM or a printed handout.
To encourage students to read the course notes, review the reference list, and investigate and research areas of exotic companion animal medicine for discussion in class.
3. Prepare the student for the elective clinical rotations and then medical practice.
Course Ethics
It is the responsibility of each student to inform themselves of the standards of academic honesty at the University of Georgia. Honesty and ethical behavior are essential to the practice of veterinary medicine. The following are examples of acts that constitute academic dishonesty in this class. This is not an exhaustive list.
1. Copying another’s answer on an examination or quiz.
2. Using any type of notes on the quizzes.
Giving a dishonest excuse for missing classes, quizzes, or tests.
Removing a medical record or radiograph from the Teaching Hospital, so that it is not available for patient care or for other groups to examine.
Course Attendance
Attendance is required as per College policy. If students develop academic difficulty with the course, lack of attendance may be part of the explanation.
Assignment of Grades
There are 200 points available in the course:
2 quizzes (30 points)
1 Mid-Course Examination (70 points)
1 Final Examination (100 points)
A = 180-200 points (90-100%)
B = 160-179.9 points (80-89.9%)
C = 140-159.9 points (70-79.9%)
D = 120-139.9 points (60-69.9%)
F = <120 points (<60%)
Testing Procedures
Quizzes: Quizzes are closed book due to time limit of 10 minutes.
Quizzes begin promptly at the beginning of the class. No quiz will be distributed after the class has started (one minute after the hour or later).If you arrive late, you will need an excused absence from the Dean’s office before you will be allowed to take the quiz. No unannounced quizzes are given.
Examinations: The mid-course examination is an open book, take home test that must be completed by students individually and returned within 5 days.The final examination is a supervised 2-hour open book examination given in the calc room. In this final examination students may use any texts or notes but time limits will be strictly observed. Calculators may be required but must not be shared.
General: No retests will be given. No quiz or examination will be given at a different time unless the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs provides a written excuse.If the quiz or examination is not taken at the scheduled time, the instructors may choose to give a different examination. An unexcused absence from a quiz or examination will be recorded as zero.
Textbooks and Journals
The reference list below is an indication of which books and journals are most accessible. They are not required for the course. However, their use will aid in the study of exotic small mammal and fish medicine and better prepare students for the examinations.
Journals
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Compendium for Continuing Education-Exotics Section
The Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Practice (not peer-reviewed)
Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine (not peer-reviewed)
Exotic DVM Magazine (not peer-reviewed)
General Texts
Fowler ME and Miller ER (1999). Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Current Therapy 4.WB Saunders, Philadelphia.
Small Mammals
Hillyer E, Quesenberry K.Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents.WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996 (but new edition expected in early 2002).
Fox JG.Biology and Diseases of the Ferret.Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 1998.
Fish
Noga EJ. Fish disease, diagnosis and treatment. IOWA State University Press, Ames, IA, 2000.
Our Expectations:
1. Read this syllabus at the beginning of the course and ask if you have any questions.
2. Attend class.
3. Read the required material prior to the lecture.
4. Prepare for the quizzes, mid-course and final examinations.
5. If you have any problems with the course schedule an appointment with Dr. Hernandez-Divers or Dr. Wilson.
|
No |
Topic |
Instructor |
|
1 |
Course intro Ferret Anatomy/Physiology/Nutrition |
Wilson H1 |
|
2 |
Ferret non-infectious diseases |
Wilson H2 |
|
3 |
Ferret infectious diseases |
Wilson H3 |
|
4 |
Rabbit Anatomy/Physiology/Nutrition |
Wilson H4 |
|
5 |
Rabbit non-infectious diseases |
Wilson H5 |
|
6 |
Rabbit infectious diseases |
Wilson H6 |
|
7 |
Rodent husbandry & medicine |
Hernandez S1 |
|
8 |
Rodent non-infectious diseases |
Hernandez S2 |
|
9 |
Rodent infectious diseases |
Hernandez S3 |
|
10 |
Small mammal anesthesia & surgery |
Hernandez S4 |
|
11 |
Small mammal dental disease |
Divers SH1 |
|
12 |
Fish anatomy/physiology/nutrition |
Divers SH2 |
|
13 |
Fish husbandry |
Divers SH3 |
|
14 |
Fish diseases and diagnosis |
Divers SH4 |
|
15 |
Fish anesthesia and surgery |
Divers SH5 |
Please note that the course is subject to change