Training Course 03: Bovine Health Management | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2023/2024

Max ECTS

128

Overall hours

SSD

AGR/18 VET/02 VET/03 VET/05 VET/06 VET/08 VET/09 VET/10

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Veterinary Medicine (Classe LM-42)-Enrolled Since 2009/10 Academic Year

Learning objectives

provide future veterinarians with technical-scientific and cultural "tools" so they can effectively integrate into the buiatric system with adequate health, nutritional and management skills. These tools will consist not only of theoretical bases, but also of a set of information and techniques related to the main aspects of the buiatric profession. Through an educational system consisting of discussion and case analysis, specific knowledge will be consolidated with practical experience in health and livestock management of the herd. The practices carried out in farms will give the student the opportunity to deepen directly in the field the main programs of reproductive, health and zootechnical management of the herd, highlighting the positivity and criticality of each farms. One of the peculiar aspects of the course will be the direct interaction of the students with the owners, administrators, farm veterinarians and other technicians of the farms.

Expected learning outcomes

Theoretical and practical technical and scientific knowledge relating to physiological, parasitic and infectious diseases and nutrition aspects of bovines in the context of the intensive breeding system.

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Manfredi Maria Teresa

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus

Prerequisites for admission

no preliminary knowledge is required

Assessment methods and Criteria

Learning assessment will consist in a presentation of a case study of a dairy or beef cattle farm aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of correct understanding and ability to manage the course topics. The test will be evaluated out of thirty.

Clinical rotation

Course syllabus

In the document of the Day one competences "(DOCs), drawn up by the European Coordinating Committee on Veterinary Training, there is a list of knowledge and skills that the new graduate must possess. The electronic logbook lists the practical skills that the student must acquire to satisfy what is reported in the DOCs document. The hospital rotation is aimed at making the student acquire the skills and competences shown in the electronic logbook which from time to time it will be appropriate to apply on patients and case studies assigned.

Teaching methods

Practical work on referred for visit and hospitalized patients and on biological material provided for diagnostic purposes at the Teaching Veterinary Hospital. The work will be carried out by the students individually or in groups under the direct guidance of the teachers. All students will carry out activities in the Companion Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in the Ruminant and Swine Clinic, in Equine Clinic and in the facilities of the diagnostic services.

Teaching Resources

No specific reference material is foreseen. In relation to the activities carried out from time to time, students may be asked to research and discuss scientific literature on specific cases observed.

Reproductive physiology

Course syllabus

The main chapters will cover neuroendocrinology of reproduction and lactation, endocrinology of pregnancy and childbirth, and postpartum (4 hours). In addition to the topics of metabolism, welfare will be developed analyses and discussions regarding molecular physiology, endurance physiology and resilience to better understand the importance of comparative aspects among different breeds of cattle (4 hours). These topics form the basic building blocks for students for their future professional lives regarding climate change, reduced energy consumption and One Health.
Farm visits: 8 ore

Teaching methods

An initial part of the course will be conducted frontally (max. 4 hours) in order to resume and collaboratively identify with students current topics of interest to them related to reproductive physiology, lactation endocrinology and metabolism. Based on the topics to be covered, companies will be chosen in which to conduct an operational teaching activity in which students will interface with entrepreneurs, veterinary physicians and other professionals for appropriate analysis, evaluation and mastering of new methodological insights. In all this, the lecturer will mainly play the role of supervisor as the students themselves will self-produce their own and most useful teaching model.

Teaching Resources

No specific books are provided, and students will be given bibliographic pointers and links to maximize their educational process.

Parasitic diseases

Course syllabus

Parasitic diseases of adult cattle (4 hours)
Parasitic disease of young cattle (4 hours)
Farm visits (8 hours)

Teaching methods

The first part of the course includes face-to-face meetings with the students and will be aimed at pointing out the main parasitic diseases of dairy cattle in an intensive farming context, analyzing the main risk factors and preparing control plans. In the second part, through visits to farms, practical surveys will be carried out to highlight the farm differences that entail different epidemiological conditions relating to parasitic diseases.

Teaching Resources

There is no specific material, it will be recommended to read scientific articles that will be indicated by the teacher

Prevention and hygienic management of udder diseases

Course syllabus

Bedding critical point on the farm (4 hours)
Structures and critical points (4 hours)
Data Analysis with DC305 (4 hours)
Case report (4 hours)

Teaching methods

Visits to farms with different types of bedding and structures in order to evaluate the critical points through analysis of functional controls and according to the bacteriology collected

Teaching Resources

Manuals and articles related to bovine management provided by the teacher

Bovine breeding and nutrition

Course syllabus

· Practical analysis of the main critical points of beef cattle rearing system, and how to find the main critical points e how to approach them to plan specific management strategies, nutritional and management strategies for critical phases (4 ore)
· Proper animal handling, use of practical tools to evaluate animal response to the different nutritional and management approaches: welfare assessment check list and feces sieving and risk factor indicators (BCS, Fecal Score, Rumen fill, health status) (4 ore)
· Farm visits (8 ore)

Teaching methods

The first part of the course includes face-to-face discussion on the nutritional and management factors that lead to a welfare and health status reduction. The topics will be approached on the base of the most important and earlier scientific studies. In the second part, will be discussed practical experiences and ration example related to health disorders.

Teaching Resources

Scientific bibliography, and slides and materials have from the teacher

Course structure

Bovine breeding and nutrition

AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 1

Practicals: 16 hours

Professor: Sgoifo Rossi Carlo Angelo

Clinical rotation

VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/08 - VETERINARY CLINICAL MEDICINE
VET/09 - VETERINARY CLINICAL SURGERY
VET/10 - VETERINARY CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Practicals: 64 hours