PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020/2021

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

5-year Single Cycle Master's Degree Programme in VETERINARY MEDICINE

Language:

Italian

Moduls:

PHARMACOLOGY

5 credits
TOXICOLOGY

3 credits
CHEMOTHERAPY

2 credits

Credits:

Programme Year:

Hours of classroom activity:

120

Prerequisites:

The student must have basic knowledge of subjects related to Chemistry and Biochemistry, to the morphology and physiology of the various organs and systems, to Microbiology and to General Pathology. In addition, to access the exam, the student must have passed the exams of veterinary microbiology and immunology and general pathology.
The Integrated Course interfaces not only with basic subjects but also with clinical subjects in relation to the animal's prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.

AF code:

40001696

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

During the verification of results, the student must demonstrate:
1) KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: 1) to know the fundamentals of the use of the main classes of clinically useful veterinary drugs, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic uses, side and toxic effects; 2) to know the fundamentals of toxicology, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics of the main xenobiotics responsible for poisoning in animals.
2) ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: 1) to apply acquired knowledge for the correct choice and use of drugs in clinical practice, eg. choice of administration route, emergency therapy, maintenance therapy, species-specific differences, veterinary drug legislation 2) to apply the acquired knowledge to recognize and treat acute and chronic intoxication in animals.
3) CRITICAL AND JUDGMENT SKILLS: to have a good reasoning and evaluation ability, even in a transversal way, and to connect the various topics covered, also within the three Modules of the Integrated Course.
4) COMMUNICATION SKILLS: to have good presentation skills and to be able to use the appropriate terminology and adequate scientific language, which constitute a good index of knowledge of the topics covered. Both lectures and practical training sessions are useful to stimulate the ability to study and analyse in this way.
5) LEARNING SKILLS: to have a good ability to use and apply acquired knowledge throughout the general process of medical and professional education. Both lectures and practical training sessions are useful to stimulate the ability to study and analyse in this way.

The Integrated Course contributes to develop some skills that the student can use in his profession from the first day of work:

1.10 Use professional skills to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge and the One Health concept to improve animal health and welfare, quality of animal care and veterinary public health.
1.26 Prescribe and dispense medicinal products correctly and responsibly in accordance with the latest legislation and guidelines.
1.27 Report suspected adverse reactions through the appropriate channel.
1.28 Apply the principles of biosecurity correctly.
2.2 Research methods, contribution of basic and applied research to veterinary science and implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
2.8 Medicines legislation and guidelines on responsible use of medicines, including responsible use of antimicrobials and pesticides.

Examination methods:
the exam consists of an oral test aimed at verifying the knowledge required in the objectives of the Integrated Course and of the Modules that constitute it. During the exam, questions on Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology are administered; the student must use appropriate scientific terminology and language; he must demonstrate to know and explain the asked topics in an adequate manner, also with cross references between the modules and with other related discipline. To pass the exam it is necessary to have passed all the three Modules.

Teaching period

Single Annual Cycle

Objectives

The student must acquire 1) basic knowledge on the main molecules and active ingredients used in clinical practice: drug classes, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic applications, side effects, contraindications; 2) knowledge of the legislation that regulates the use of veterinary drugs (prescription), the risk / benefit ratio, handling and antibiotic resistance in case of antibacterial drugs; 3) knowledge of the sources of intoxication, the main substances responsible for acute and chronic poisoning as well as the prophylactic measures and therapeutic treatments to be implemented in case of poisoning.
The general objective of the Integrated Course is aimed at improving and protecting animal health from a One Health perspective.
The Integrated Course aims to stimulate the student a) to apply therapeutic protocols for the prophylaxis and treatment of animal diseases in order to achieve the therapeutic goal b) to apply appropriate protocols and strategies in case of exposure to toxic substances and to the set pharmacological and antidotic treatment of the main intoxications.

Contents

General concepts on drugs and toxic substances with reference to the routes of introduction, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Classification of xenobiotics, sites of action and mechanisms of action. Evaluation of the therapeutic use of the main classes of drugs on various organs and systems, of unwanted and toxic effects, useful and harmful interactions and useful associations in clinical practice. In particular, drugs of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive systems and drugs of the autacoid system. Evaluation of the therapeutic use, toxicity and drug resistance of the main classes of chemoantibiotics, anthelmintics, antiprotozoans, ectoparasiticides. Evaluation of the main classes of xenobiotics causing intoxication, in particular the Toxicology of Pesticides, of inorganic and organic compounds, of Mycotoxins, Environmental Toxicology and Residue Toxicology.
The Integrated Course comprises theoretical and practical lessons. A brief introduction on issues related to biosecurity in the laboratories and structures where the exercises take place is made before carrying out the practical activities.
The topics covered in the Integrated Course are aimed at learning and improving the health and welfare of animals from a One Health perspective.
For detailed contents and programs, see each single Module

Recommended Bibliography

See each Module

Teaching Methods

The Integrated Course consists of 10 CFU for a total of 110 hours of which 85 of theoretical lectures and 25 of practical lessons. Lectures are held through the presentation of slides while the practical activity takes place in the following sites: Laboratory Animal Enclosure (authorized from the Minister of Health), Computer Room, Didactic Laboratory and Veterinary Didactic Hospital (clinical rounds). Practical trainings are carried out in 3 groups to better guarantee didactic quality; each group consists of a number of about 10-12 students. Clinical rounds groups are composed of two students each. Topics of practical trainings are decided each year.
During practical training sessions, the student carries out and develops the exercise under the supervision of the teachers and following a guided learning method. At the end of each practical training session, an interactive discussion on the developed subject takes place. At the end of the session, the student will transfer the activity carried out to a personal work sheet. During clinical rounds the student must list the educational objectives achieved in a form containing the stamp of the Didactic Veterinary Hospital and the sign of the guide teacher. The educational goals acquired in the Didactic Veterinary Hospital will be checked during the exam.
In this way, the student learns, for example, to perform calculations for the administration of active ingredients, to prescribe veterinary medicines according to the methods and regulations in force, to use analytical tools, to acquire methods for enzymatic and toxicological analysis, to interpret the results of pharmacokinetic investigations of xenobiotics.
For each topic covered in the practical sessions, please refer to the single Module.
In the event of cases of positivity to COVID-19, lectures will be carried out remotely using the Microsoft Teams platform in accordance with current regulations.

Contacts/More Information

Other resources: Lessons’ slides available on Moodle
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Reception hours: Reference teachers receive the following days: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11.00 to 13.00.

PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

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