Unit of Study VMED3002 Applied Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

288 credit points in 3508006 - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)
Co-requisites

VMED3003 - Applied Equine Medicine and Surgery

Enrolment information

Students must have completed all units in Year 3 AND must have completed PCWIL (4 weeks) and CWIL (2 weeks) before enrolling in this unit. 1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.

Unit description

This unit provides Year 4 veterinary students with theoretical and hands-on clinical training in companion animal medicine and surgery, building upon systems knowledge to develop essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and professional clinical skills. Through immersive case-based learning and practical experiences, students will refine their ability to assess and manage common diseases, applying logical clinical reasoning to formulate evidence-based diagnostic and treatment plans. Students will engage with real-world clinical cases, discussing clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions while integrating reflective practice to enhance their clinical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting diagnostic test results and applying them effectively in companion animal patient care. Additionally, this unit fosters the development of teamwork and communication skills, essential for working in a veterinary clinical team. Students will collaborate with peers and mentors to discuss case management strategies, justify clinical decisions, and communicate findings clearly and professionally. By completing this unit, students will gain the confidence and competence required for companion animal clinical practice, preparing them for clinical rotations in companion animal medicine, surgery, and broader veterinary professional settings.

Unit content

Juveniles, prophylactic protocols and health for life stage
Conditions affecting sensory systems, nerves and immune system
Dermatological presentations
Vomiting/diarrhoea and GIT conditions
Renal, hepatic and urogenital conditions
Lameness, geriatrics and miscellaneous conditions

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2026

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

discuss, evaluate and create diagnostic approaches and treatment plans for clinical presentations of common medical diseases and life-stage issues in companion animal practice while engaging in reflective practice and using evidence based veterinary medicine

apply diagnostic testing principles to design, defend and deliver effective diagnostic testing plans for companion animals with medical conditions

design, defend and deliver therapeutic plans (medical and surgical) for companion animal patients using a logical clinical reasoning framework through practical and case-based learning

demonstrate adherence to professional veterinary principles, effective teamwork and communication skills while participating in a veterinary clinical team in a companion animal setting.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
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