Veterinary pharmacology

Duration

Part 1 : 54h Th
Part 2 : 10h Th, 21h Pcl Pr.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Part 1 : Pascal Gustin
Part 2 : Pascal Gustin

Coordinator

Pascal Gustin

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics


Pharmacokinetics, sometimes abbreviated as PK  is a branch of pharmacology dedicated to determining the fate of substances administered externally to a living organism. The substances of interest include pharmaceutical agents and toxins (xenobiotics). It attempts to discover the fate of a drug from the moment that it is administered up to the point at which it is completely eliminated from the body. Pharmacokinetics describes how the body affects a specific drug after administration through the mechanisms of absorption and distribution, as well as the chemical changes of the substance in the body and the effects and routes of excretion of the metabolites of the drug.  Pharmacokinetics is studied in conjunction with pharmacodynamics; the study of a drug's pharmacological effect on the body.  The properties of the main pharmacological groups are then studied before the systems pharmacology. The  properties of drugs are related to their potential therapeutical use taking into account the safety for target species, consumers and environnement. The concept of the quality of the drugs is considered in the context of the current legal framework. Public health and environmental problems are also discussed. The therapeutic approach is integrated into a context of socio-professional skills developed through an extensive survey of veterinarians (Vandeweerd et al, 2014). The most diverse professional situations are grouped into 13 families. Knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to make optimal decision are identified and listed in a chronological order corresponding to the sequence of decision-making (Vandeweerd et al., 2012). This reference to the most common professionnal situations allows a progressive construction of the therapeutic decision as practiced by veterinarians, since the beginning of the management of the case until its monitoring.
Concepts
Competency framework: which format for which target. Vandeweerd JM., Cambier C., Romainville M., Perrenoud P., Desbrosse F., Dugdale A., Gustin P. J. Vet. Med. Education. 41(1): 27-36, 2014.
Understanding veterinary practitioners' decision-making process: implications for veterinary medical education. Vandeweerd JM., Vandeweerd S., Gustin C., Keesemaecker G., Cambier C., Clegg P., Saegerman C., Reda A., Perrenoud P., Gustin P. J Vet Med Education. 39, 142-151, 2012.
See VETE2065-1

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Knowledge: basic knowledge in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, pharmacological properties of active compounds classified in main pharmacological groups.
The student will be able to use drugs rationally in a scientific, clinical and legal context, taking into account animal health, public health and the environment.
For more details:
"FORMATION EN PHARMACOTHERAPIE VETERINAIRE:  Acquis d'apprentissage, Moyens pédagogiques, Modalités d'évaluation."
(ecampus)
Knowledge: basic knowledge in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, pharmacological properties of active compounds classified in main pharmacological groups.
The  ratioonal use of drugs  in a scientific, clinical and legal context, taking into account animal health, public health and the environment will be illustrated.
For more details:
"FORMATION EN PHARMACOTHERAPIE VETERINAIRE:  Acquis d'apprentissage, Moyens pédagogiques, Modalités d'évaluation."
(ecampus)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Prerequisites: basic scientific matters especially biochemistry, physiology, immunology, bacteriology, virology, biology...
Co-requisites:  general pathology<br /><br /> see VETE2065-1

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

When students have acquired a sufficient knowledge in pharmacology, examples of therapeutic decisions taken in connection with the families of professional situations are discussed interactively during lectures. Students are trained to the decision-making process focused on therapeutics. Seminars are based upon the Team Based Learning approach.
Attendance at seminars is compulsory and essential for admission to examinations. No seminars are held between the two sessions. A refusal of admission to the first session automatically implies the refusal to the second session.
Lectures

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

interactive lectures (64h) seminars:21h
Lectures

Recommended or required readings

Syllabi (in french): office des cours; on line version (e.campus) Reference books : Veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 8th edition, Adams. ISBN: 0-8138-1743-9

Lecture(s) obligatoire(s) : syllabi
Lecture(s) conseillée(s)

Antimicrobial therapy, Prescott and Baggot (ISBN: 0-8138-0779-4)
Principles of veterinary therapeutics, Jones and Starmer (ISBN: 978-0-8128-0656-3)
See VETE2065-1

Assessment methods and criteria

Written examination about knowledge and decision making process in pharmacotherapy.
An optional oral examination will be held. Students with a note revealing a serious deficiency (less than 09) will not be admitted to the oral exam. 

Written examination: 100% (or 50% in case of oral examination)

Oral examination: 0 ou 50%
see VETE2065-1

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

see assessment methods
see VETE2065-1

Contacts

P. Gustin, E-mail : p.gustin@ulg.ac.be Tél. : 04/ 366 41 75<br /><br /> P. Gustin, E-mail : p.gustin@ulg.ac.be Tél. : 04/ 366 41 75