Equine Private Practice Clerkship

Virginia-Maryland Regional
College of Veterinary
Medicine

General Information

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DESCRIPTION: The Equine Private Practice Clerkship is composed of clinical experiences obtained by association with an approved equine specialty veterinary practice within either Virginia, or Maryland (core experience), or anywhere else in the world (elective experience). The student will assist the licensed practicing veterinarian(s) that are employed by the said practice in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, surgery and the organization and implementation of preventive veterinary medicine programs of client animals. The student will also receive instruction in the business management of the private practice with which they are associated.

JUSTIFICATION: The final year veterinary student needs exposure to and experience with the problems and clinical cases seen within the confines of the private veterinary practice. Interaction with animal owners, veterinary practitioners, and clinic staff members should serve to bring didactic instruction into focus as it relates to the management and prevention of diseases for both the individual animal and for populations of animals confined to the farm setting.

SCHEDULING: Advance scheduling is recommended with the preceptorship practices on the attached approved list to discuss suitability, time of year, housing arrangements (if any available), etc. Once the student has received an academic schedule of clerkship courses for the year from the Associate Dean's Office for Instruction, he/she should contact the practice to confirm the dates for clerkship visitation. The student's track advisor, course leader(s), Carreer Advisor (Dr. Frank Reardon) and Associate Dean for Instruction must all approve the arrangements in advance. Contact your track advisor and/or the course leader(s) for advice as to which practices may suit individual student objectives or to discuss scheduling problems.

REQUIREMENTS: Students are expected to arrive at their respective preceptor practices on Monday a.m. the first day of the block. They should meet with the preceptor to discuss work hours, emergency or on-call assignments, meet clinical staff and other professional staff of the practice. They shall be dressed in an appropriate professional manner that reflects the status of the practice with which they are associated and in a manner representative of the College of Veterinary Medicine. They shall also have with them clean coveralls, penlight, stethoscope, hemostats, bandage scissors and thermometer to facilitate clinical examinations; and they are also expected to have with them pen and log book for recording case signalment, brief history, physical exam findings, diagnotic plan, treatment and follow-up comments of each animal attended during the clerkship.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will be able to examine the animal(s) in the presence of the client, discuss the history of the medical problem(s) in question with the client, develop a diagnostic and therapeutic plan under the supervision of veterinary practitioner with input from the client.

2. The student will assist the practitioner in sedation and/or anesthesia of patients, assist in performing diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical treatments, and where time allows follow the convalescent progress of the animal(s) so treated.

3. The student will collect or assist collection of specimens/samples for laboratory analysis, evaluate results of such diagnostic tests/procedures and correlate them with signs exhibited by the patient(s) to allow development of a differential diagnosis.

4. The student will observe and participate in the documentation of services rendered each client animal, the calculation of client charges for said services, and become familiar with the routine business office management of the veterinary practice(s) with which they are associated.

5. The student will maintain a daily case log of client animal visits which shall include the chief complaint, signalment, brief history, physical exam findings, differential diagnostic list, diagnostic and/or therapeutic plan and where practical provide an addendum to reflect follow-up examinations and/or response to treatment.

6. The student will select one case from the above log to write-up in case report format (JAVMA style) to be submitted to the course leader(s) and participating practitioner(s) for evaluation.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. An attempt by the responsible veterinary practice(s) will be made to provide students with experience in the the following clinical areas. Variations in annual caseload will dictate the actual exposure obtained.
a. Routine diagnostic procedures
i. Rectal palpation/Ultrasonography
ii. Lameness examination/Ultrasonography/Radiography
iii. Pre-purchase/Soundness examinations
iv. Dental examinations
v. Neonatal health examinations
vi. Client chief complaints concerning other bodily systems: Respiratory Dermatologic Cardiovascular Renal Reproductive Metabolic Ophthalmic Gastrointestinal Neurologic
b. Routine preventive veterinary medical procedures
i. Immunizations
ii. Parasite control programs
iii. Hoof care, shoeing and trimming
iv. Dental/ Teeth Floating/ Tooth extraction
v. Nutritional consultation
vi. Stable design, housing and environmental hygiene
c. Surgical procedures
i. Castration
ii. Vulvoplasty
iii. Laparotomy for colic
iv. Orthopedic
v. Lacerations, tumor resection & other cosmetic procedures
vi. Others as deemed appropriate by the practice
d. Emergency medical treatments
i. Laminitis/ Grain overload
ii. Foaling assistance/ Dystocia/ Retained fetal membranes
iii. Colic
iv. Exertional rhabdomyolysis/ Azoturia
v. Fractures vi. Lacerations
2. Behavioral Objectives
a. Clinical Proficiency: The student will demonstrate the ability to obtain historical information pertinent to each case seen and perform a thorough physical examination. Routine procedural, sampling and examination tasks should be accomplished with dexterity and with confidence.
b. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ability: The student will be expected to develop diagnostic and/or therapeutic plans for clinical cases examined. This will be under the guidance and supervision of the practitioner, with input from the client as to factors pertaining to cost- effectiveness, practicality and suitability for the needs of the animal(s) involved.
c. Preventive Medicine Programming and Client Education: The student will be expected to demonstrate proficiency at analyzing trends in disease patterns within populations of animals. It will be expected that recommendations for diagnosis, management and control of such problems should be discussed with the practitioner, and if elected, with the client in the practitionerÕs presence. The student should demonstrate an ability to discuss and convey information to the client in terms appropriate to their level of understanding.
d. Husbandry Practices: The student should obtain a basic understanding and appreciation for agriculture in the practice area. This should be reflected by an understanding of the climactic, topographical and economic limitations faced by respective clients; these considerations should be taken into account when offering diagnostic, therapeutic or other management interventions.
e. Professional Attitude: The student should conduct him/herself in a manner acceptable to the profession. The student will interact with technical, lay and professional staff of the practice and its clientele in a manner that is conducive to the delivery of the best veterinary care possible.