University of Pretoria Department of Paraclinical Sciences

University of Pretoria Department of Paraclinical Sciences

The Department of Paraclinical Sciences is one of five academic departments of the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The Department was formed in May 2001 following restructuring at the Faculty. The Department comprises four sections representing the primary disciplines of Pathology, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Veterinary Public Health. The Phytomedicine programme is also hosted in the Department. While each individual section is responsible for the maintenance and development of their respective disciplines, they function as a unit in pursuing the Departmental mission.

The following laboratories are located in the Department:

• Diagnostic Pathology Reference Laboratory
• Immunohistochemistry Laboratory
• Phytomedicine Laboratory
• Veterinary Pharmaceutical Analytical Laboratory
• Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory
• Cell Culture Laboratory
• Veterinary Public Health Laboratory

The Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology also serves as an information centre for veterinary drugs and animal poisonings.

Undergraduate modules

The Department is responsible for the training of undergraduate and post-graduate students. Various undergraduate and diploma modules are presented annually in the different disciplines:

• Veterinary Nursing students
• Pharmacology
• Animal Science students
• Pharmacology
• Veterinary Science students
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Public Health

The faculty of veterinary science offers undergraduate training for both the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions. As part of the standard curricula the Department of Paraclinical Sciences offers both theoretical and practical training in the sciences that support the veterinary profession. These include course in Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Toxicology and Veterinary Pharmacology.

Veterinary nurses:

Pharmacology 120

Veterinarians:

General and Organ Pathology 300
Diagnostic Pathology 400
Diagnostic Pathology 510
General Pharmacology 300
Toxicology 300
Veterinary Public Health 510

Veterinary Nursing students

PHARMACOLOGY 120
(FAK 120)
Fundamental principles of Pharmacology required by veterinary nurses. The basic study of groups of functional, systemic and chemotherapeutic drugs used in domestic animals. Regulatory requirements, control and use of veterinary medicines by veterinary nurses.

Veterinary students

PATHOLOGY

Diagnostic pathology 400

(DPT400)

Planning and conducting necropsies; diagnostic approach to the fatal conditions and diseases of dogs, cats, pigs, poultry and horses.

Diagnostic pathology 510

(DPT 510)

Planning and conducting necropsies; diagnostic approach to fatal conditions and diseases of small stock and cattle.

General and organ pathology 300

(GOP 300)

Definitions and common causes of basic lesions in tissues and organs. Pathogenesis of basic lesions including, reversible cell injury, pigmentations, necrosis, apoptosis, circulatory disturbances, inflammation, immunopathology, growth disturbances and neoplasia. Organ pathology (with the emphasis on macroscopic changes and pathogenesis) of the various organ systems of the body.

Veterinary Toxicology 300

(TOX300)

General principles of veterinary toxicology, with emphasis on the relevant factors and circumstances contributing to poisoning; advanced toxicology with regard to inorganic and organic compounds, fungi, cyanobacteria, plants, rodenticides, zootoxins, etc. Plant poisonings, mycotoxicoses and inorganic and organis poisonings are discussed under the following headings: epidemiology and species affected, description, identification, distribution and poisonous principle (if applicable), mechanism of action, toxicity, clinical signs, pathology (limited to the most important lesions); diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and control of prevention. A pressed plant collection or a poisonous plant collection in digital format has to be submitted.

General veterinary pharmacology 300

(VPH300)

General principles of pharmaceuticals, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Regulatory control of veterinary medicines and dispensing requirements. A study of groups of functional, systemic and chemotherapeutic drugs uitilised in general veterinary practice with emphasis on their pharmacological effects, general indication, safety and side effects.

Veterinary public health 510

(VPH 510)

The role of the veterinary surgeon in veterinary public health. Veterinary food hygiene and nutrition-related diseases of importance regarding food of animal origin. Meat and milk hygiene; all necessary measures, including legislation, to ensure that food of animal origin is safe, sound and wholesome at all stages of production and manufacture, up to the consumer. Veterinary aspects of environmental health. Zoonoses in veterinary science. Introduction of the use of laboratory animals in biomedical research and relevant aspects relating to animal welfare. Introduction to the social aspects of the human-animal interaction by protecting and promoting human health in communities, veterinary extension and risk communication.

Postgraduate programmes

Prospective students can enrol for the following post-graduate qualifications offered by the Department:

• MMedVet (Hyg)
• MMedVet (LAS)
• MMedVet (Path)
• MMedVet (Pharm)
• MMedVet (Tox)
• MSc (Veterinary Science)
• MSc (Veterinary Industrial Pharmacology)
• PhD

A DVSc degree is conferred by virtue of publications.

Table of Post-graduate modules

Postgraduate programmes and modules

1. Masters

2. PhD

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