Study Programmes 2015-2016
VETE0476-1  
Internal medicine and autopsies in new pets (unconventional mammals, birds, reptiles)
Duration :
18w Clin.
Number of credits :
Specialised master in specialised veterinary medicine9
Lecturer :
Didier Marlier
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
All year long, with partial in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Thorough internal medicine course for vet willing to develop a practice dedicated to new companion animals mainly non conventional small pet mammals and free-living indigenous wild mammals. Main common internal diseases of pet birds, free-living indigenous wild birds and reptiles are also included in the course. Students take part in medical examinations, treatments and necropsies of animal species described above either sent directly by owners or by veterinarians for specialized examinations .
According to legal limits visits of production units or bird / small mammal rehabilitation centers improve this teaching.
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of the course students will be able
  • to make a complete anamnesis and to collect clinical signs
  • to analyses clinical data and to make a differential diagnosis
  • to determine how and when to refer complex cases
  • to propose complementary examinations and to set up a treatment
  • to face emergencies
  • to establish a vital, sporting or zootechnical prognosis
  • to settle preventive measures
for main internal common or uncommon diseases of non conventional small pet mammals (rabbit, guinea-pig, rat, chinchillas, ...) and main free-living indigenous wild mammals.
He will also be able to diagnose main common internal diseases of pet birds, common free-living indigenous wild birds and reptiles.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Notions dedicated to birds, rabbits, and new companion animals that are developed during the theoretical courses from previous years (anatomy, physiology, propaedeutics, parasitology, bacteriology, virology, ...) are of the uppermost importance. A thorough knowledge of the course " Medicine of birds, rabbits and rodents " (VETE0439-1VETE0027-1) is mandatory.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Individual discussion with veterinarians in charge of clinical examinations, complementary examinations or treatments of inpatients and outpatients in the bird, rodent and rabbit clinic.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
18 weeks of clinical activities.
Recommended or required readings :
See ref. VETE0027-1
Further readings :


  • Clinical Avian Medicine (2-volume set), Harrison G.J., Lightfoot T.L. 2006, Spix Publishing, ISBN: 00-9754994-0-8,
  • Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Quesenberry K.E. et Carpenter J.W. 3rd Edition, Elsevier Health Science (Ed.), 2012
  • BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, Fifth edition, ISBN 978 1 905319 16 9
  • Bradley Bays T, Lightfoot T, Mayer J (eds): Exotic Pet Behavior, Saunders, 2006
  • Clinical Radiology of Exotic Companion Mammals, Blackwell, 2008
  • BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging, 2013
  • BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets. 2009
  • BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine, 2014
  • Textbook of rabbit medicine, (Varga) 2013
During the weeks spent in the Clinic, students are strongly advised to read articles or book chapters linked with the clinical cases on an evidenced-based vet medicine choice framework.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Permanent evaluation by the staff of the work, the behaviour, the knowledge during the clinic.
A written work on a clinical subject may be required.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
During the year students must live in the Faculty (room provided) and must take part in the emergency duty.

Clinical works include teaching to students in Vet Medicine Master.
The attendance at the clinic is compulsory. Absences have to be justified by official certificates. The unjustified absences will be taken into account at the time of deliberations.


Administrative rules of the clinic are available in the Service.
Students must use their official email address of the ULg to contact the service.
Contacts :
Chairman
Associated Professor Dr (DVSc, DVM) D. Marlier, Dip. ECZM (small mammals), Clinic for Birds, Rodents and Rabbits, B42, Sart-Tilman, B4000 Liège, dmarlier@ulg.ac.be

Assistants Dr (DMV) F. Gandar, fgandar@ulg.ac.be
Dr (DMV) H. Deflers, hdeflers@ulg.ac.be