Companion Animals and Horse Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course provides knowledge on aetiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, control and therapy of the most important infectious and parasitic of horses and companion animals.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the knowledge of the main infectious and parasitic diseases of horses and companion animals related to etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and control measures, therapy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student with the knowledge acquired during the course will be able to identify the infectious and parasitic diseases of horses and companion animals, identify the most efficient diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis, apply adequate preventive measures and suggests appropriate control and therapy.
Autonomy of judgment
At the end of the course the student will be able to identify infectious and parasitic diseases, suggest the most appropriate interventions to control them. The student will be able to read and critically analyze documents and information on infectious and parasitic diseases.
Communication skills
Based on what has been learned from the course, the student will be able to explain what he has learned in a simple and clear way using correct and appropriate scientific terminology.
Life long learning skills
The student will have to demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to evaluate unespected cases of which he has not had direct experience.
The student will acquire the knowledge of the main infectious and parasitic diseases of horses and companion animals related to etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and control measures, therapy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student with the knowledge acquired during the course will be able to identify the infectious and parasitic diseases of horses and companion animals, identify the most efficient diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis, apply adequate preventive measures and suggests appropriate control and therapy.
Autonomy of judgment
At the end of the course the student will be able to identify infectious and parasitic diseases, suggest the most appropriate interventions to control them. The student will be able to read and critically analyze documents and information on infectious and parasitic diseases.
Communication skills
Based on what has been learned from the course, the student will be able to explain what he has learned in a simple and clear way using correct and appropriate scientific terminology.
Life long learning skills
The student will have to demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to evaluate unespected cases of which he has not had direct experience.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
In order to take the exam, students must have passed the Veterinary Anatomic Pathology I exam, as established by the study schedule.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning assessment will consist of a written exam and a practical test aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of correct understanding and ability to manage the course topics.
For the module "Parasitology and parasitic diseases of companion animals, horse and non-conventional animals" the written test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and will also include questions on diagnostic techniques taught during the exercise activities of the course. The student will have to demonstrate that he or she can illustrate its purpose and field of use depending on the host species, be able to identify parasites and parasitic elements isolable with diagnostic methods applied during practical activities. For this purpose, images can also be inserted in the test. Each correct question will be scored 0.5 points and incorrect questions will be scored 0 points. The test is considered passed with a score of at least 18 points and the test will last 35 minutes.
The examination of the modules 'Infectious Diseases of the Horse' and 'Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat' will be conducted together. For the 'Infectious diseases of the horse' module, the examination consists of a written examination with 11 multiple-choice questions, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding of the course content, and is based on the reference material. The written test will last 30 minutes. The assessment of the test will take into account the accuracy of the answers. Each correct question will be scored 1 point and incorrect questions will be scored 0 points. The test is considered passed with a score of at least 6 points. The mark obtained will be added to the mark obtained in the "Infectious diseases of dogs and cats" test and the grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
The written examination 'Infectious diseases of cats and dogs' consists of 9 multiple-choice and 3 open-ended questions, again aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding of the course content, and is based on the reference material provided. The written test will last 60 minutes. The assessment of the test will take into account the accuracy of the answers. Each correct question will be scored 1 point if multiple-choice (incorrect questions will be scored 0 points) and a maximum of 3 points if open-ended. The test will be considered passed with a score of at least 10 points. Passing the written test will give access to the practical test with argued discussion of a case study, which may add a maximum score of 2 points. The score obtained will be added to the score obtained in the 'Infectious diseases of the horse' test and the final grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
The teaching material available on the Ariel platform allows questions to be formulated to test knowledge of the subject and the ability to critically analyse the content. The test will be marked in thirtieths. The final grade will take into account the accuracy and quality of the answers. The final mark will be derived from the weighted average of the marks obtained in the Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases parts.
For the module "Parasitology and parasitic diseases of companion animals, horse and non-conventional animals" the written test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and will also include questions on diagnostic techniques taught during the exercise activities of the course. The student will have to demonstrate that he or she can illustrate its purpose and field of use depending on the host species, be able to identify parasites and parasitic elements isolable with diagnostic methods applied during practical activities. For this purpose, images can also be inserted in the test. Each correct question will be scored 0.5 points and incorrect questions will be scored 0 points. The test is considered passed with a score of at least 18 points and the test will last 35 minutes.
The examination of the modules 'Infectious Diseases of the Horse' and 'Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat' will be conducted together. For the 'Infectious diseases of the horse' module, the examination consists of a written examination with 11 multiple-choice questions, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding of the course content, and is based on the reference material. The written test will last 30 minutes. The assessment of the test will take into account the accuracy of the answers. Each correct question will be scored 1 point and incorrect questions will be scored 0 points. The test is considered passed with a score of at least 6 points. The mark obtained will be added to the mark obtained in the "Infectious diseases of dogs and cats" test and the grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
The written examination 'Infectious diseases of cats and dogs' consists of 9 multiple-choice and 3 open-ended questions, again aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding of the course content, and is based on the reference material provided. The written test will last 60 minutes. The assessment of the test will take into account the accuracy of the answers. Each correct question will be scored 1 point if multiple-choice (incorrect questions will be scored 0 points) and a maximum of 3 points if open-ended. The test will be considered passed with a score of at least 10 points. Passing the written test will give access to the practical test with argued discussion of a case study, which may add a maximum score of 2 points. The score obtained will be added to the score obtained in the 'Infectious diseases of the horse' test and the final grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
The teaching material available on the Ariel platform allows questions to be formulated to test knowledge of the subject and the ability to critically analyse the content. The test will be marked in thirtieths. The final grade will take into account the accuracy and quality of the answers. The final mark will be derived from the weighted average of the marks obtained in the Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases parts.
Equine infectious diseases
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching
Equine bacterial infectious disease (2 hours)
Equine viral infectious disease (6 hours)
Equine bacterial infectious disease (2 hours)
Equine viral infectious disease (6 hours)
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching
Teaching Resources
Books
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2017): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 3a edizione, EDRA
Debra C. Sellon and Maureen T. Long (2014): Equine Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed., Saunders
Markey B., Leonard F., Archambault M. Ann Cullinane, & Maguire D. (2014): Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, 2nd ed., Mosby Elsevier
Slides of the course on MyAriel platform
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2017): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 3a edizione, EDRA
Debra C. Sellon and Maureen T. Long (2014): Equine Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed., Saunders
Markey B., Leonard F., Archambault M. Ann Cullinane, & Maguire D. (2014): Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, 2nd ed., Mosby Elsevier
Slides of the course on MyAriel platform
Companion animals, horse and new companion animals parasitology and parasitic diseases
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching:
Parasitic diseases of horses: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (6 hours)
Control and therapy of parasitic diseases of horses (2 hours)
Companion animals parasitic diseases: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (7 hours)
Control and therapy of companion animals parasitic diseases: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (3 hours)
Parasitic diseases of non conventional animals (3 hours)
Diseases caused by fungi (3 hours)
Practical activity:
The practics consist in analyzing biological samples (feces, blood, scarified) collected from horses, companion and non conventional animal by basic parasitological techniques (copromicroscopic tests, serological tests). The goal is to introduce the student to the techniques for diagnosing parasitic diseases of animals, to the correct medical reporting and choice of the antiparasitic drug (16 hours).
Parasitic diseases of horses: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (6 hours)
Control and therapy of parasitic diseases of horses (2 hours)
Companion animals parasitic diseases: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (7 hours)
Control and therapy of companion animals parasitic diseases: endo and ectoparasitic diseases (3 hours)
Parasitic diseases of non conventional animals (3 hours)
Diseases caused by fungi (3 hours)
Practical activity:
The practics consist in analyzing biological samples (feces, blood, scarified) collected from horses, companion and non conventional animal by basic parasitological techniques (copromicroscopic tests, serological tests). The goal is to introduce the student to the techniques for diagnosing parasitic diseases of animals, to the correct medical reporting and choice of the antiparasitic drug (16 hours).
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching and practical activities
Teaching Resources
Books
TAYLOR-COOP-WALL. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie degli animali. 4° ed., 1199 pagg., 200 ill., Edra-EV, gennaio 2022
Garippa G., Manfredi M.T., eds (2011). Guida alla diagnosi e terapia delle Malattie Parassitarie degli Animali. Prima Edizione Italiana di Veterinary Parasitology di Foreyt J.W., EMSI Roma pp 276.
Teacher slides will be available on the MyAriel platform: https://mmanfredip.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
TAYLOR-COOP-WALL. Parassitologia e malattie parassitarie degli animali. 4° ed., 1199 pagg., 200 ill., Edra-EV, gennaio 2022
Garippa G., Manfredi M.T., eds (2011). Guida alla diagnosi e terapia delle Malattie Parassitarie degli Animali. Prima Edizione Italiana di Veterinary Parasitology di Foreyt J.W., EMSI Roma pp 276.
Teacher slides will be available on the MyAriel platform: https://mmanfredip.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Dog and cat infectious diseases
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching
Viral and bacterial infectious disease of dogs (4 hours)
Viral and bacterial infectious disease of cats (4 hours)
Practical activity:
Practical sessions will be held both in the classroom and in the laboratory, totalling 16 hours. Classroom sessions (8 hours) will involve in-depth discussions of various infectious disease case studies in dogs and cats. A particular focus will be placed on diagnosis and vaccine-based prevention, including the analysis of vaccination records for students' own pets. Repeated group laboratory sessions (8 hours) will focus on analyzing biological samples (serum, other samples) collected from dogs and cats. Interns will apply both basic diagnostic techniques (bacteriological exams, molecular biology tests, serological tests) and various commercial in-clinic tests available in Italy and commonly used by veterinary practitioners to assess vaccine protection.
The primary goal of these exercises is to familiarize students with techniques for the direct and indirect diagnosis of infectious diseases in dogs and cats, ensuring accurate reporting, guiding the selection of appropriate antibiotics, and evaluating the necessity of vaccination.
Viral and bacterial infectious disease of dogs (4 hours)
Viral and bacterial infectious disease of cats (4 hours)
Practical activity:
Practical sessions will be held both in the classroom and in the laboratory, totalling 16 hours. Classroom sessions (8 hours) will involve in-depth discussions of various infectious disease case studies in dogs and cats. A particular focus will be placed on diagnosis and vaccine-based prevention, including the analysis of vaccination records for students' own pets. Repeated group laboratory sessions (8 hours) will focus on analyzing biological samples (serum, other samples) collected from dogs and cats. Interns will apply both basic diagnostic techniques (bacteriological exams, molecular biology tests, serological tests) and various commercial in-clinic tests available in Italy and commonly used by veterinary practitioners to assess vaccine protection.
The primary goal of these exercises is to familiarize students with techniques for the direct and indirect diagnosis of infectious diseases in dogs and cats, ensuring accurate reporting, guiding the selection of appropriate antibiotics, and evaluating the necessity of vaccination.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching and practical activities
Teaching Resources
Books
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2025): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 4a edizione, EDRA
Sykes J.E. (2023): Greene's infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 5th ed., Elsevier
Markey B., Leonard F., Archambault M. Ann Cullinane, & Maguire D. (2014): Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, 2nd ed., Mosby Elsevier
Dall'Ara P. (2024): Vaccini e vaccinazioni del cane e del gatto, 2a edizione, EDRA
Slides of the course on Ariel platform
Poli G., Dall'Ara P., Martino P.A., Rosati (2025): Microbiologia e immunologia veterinaria. 4a edizione, EDRA
Sykes J.E. (2023): Greene's infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 5th ed., Elsevier
Markey B., Leonard F., Archambault M. Ann Cullinane, & Maguire D. (2014): Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, 2nd ed., Mosby Elsevier
Dall'Ara P. (2024): Vaccini e vaccinazioni del cane e del gatto, 2a edizione, EDRA
Slides of the course on Ariel platform
Modules or teaching units
Companion animals, horse and new companion animals parasitology and parasitic diseases
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Shifts:
Professor:
Manfredi Maria Teresa
1 - 4 turni da 5 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Manfredi Maria Teresa2- 4 turni da 3 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Zanzani Sergio Aurelio Giorgio3 - 4 turni da 4 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Gazzonis Alessia Liberaturno unico per tutti gli studenti
Professor:
Manfredi Maria Teresa
Dog and cat infectious diseases
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 2
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Professors:
Dall'Ara Paola Emanuela Maria, Lauzi Stefania
Shifts:
Professor:
Dall'Ara Paola Emanuela Maria
1- 4 turni da 4 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Dall'Ara Paola Emanuela Maria3- 4 turni da 2 ore per gruppi di studenti
Professor:
Lauzi Stefania4 - 8 turni da 2 ore per gruppi di studenti
Professor:
Lauzi Stefaniaturno unico per tutti gli studenti
Professor:
Dall'Ara Paola Emanuela Maria
Equine infectious diseases
VET/05 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
Professor:
Lauzi Stefania
Professor(s)
Reception:
contact me by mail or phone
Reception:
every day (with previous appointment by e-mail)
Lodi, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS)