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Unit of Study VMED3008 - Small Ruminants, Avian, Exotics, Wildlife and Emerging Industries (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.

Unit description

This unit provides Year 4 veterinary students with theoretical and hands-on clinical training in  medicine and surgery and population health practices in small ruminant industries. The unit builds upon systems knowledge to develop essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and professional clinical skills. Through immersive case-based learning and practical experiences, students will refine their ability to assess and manage common diseases, applying logical clinical reasoning to formulate evidence-based diagnostic and treatment plans. Students will engage with real-world clinical cases, discussing clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions while integrating reflective practice to enhance their clinical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting diagnostic test results and applying them effectively in intensive animal production system management. By completing this unit, students will gain the confidence and competence required for  clinical practice, preparing them for clinical rotations in rural or production industry practice undertaking medicine, surgery, and broader veterinary professional settings.

Unit content

  1. Small ruminant clinical medicine I: individual animal cases
  2. Small ruminant clinical medicine II: herd health & population medicine
  3. Small ruminant neonatal care & surgical interventions
  4. Wildlife, avian, and exotic animal medicine I
  5. Wildlife, avian, and exotic animal medicine II
  6. Emerging animal industries and clinical practice

 

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2026

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

evaluate and discuss clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options of common diseases in small ruminant patients while engaging in reflective practice

apply clinical reasoning and integrate critical thinking to diagnose and manage diseases in avian, native, wildlife, exotic, and zoo animals by interpreting clinical presentations, selecting appropriate diagnostic tests, and formulating evidence-based treatment plans

analyse the unique challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations associated with emerging animal industries, evaluating their impact on animal health, welfare, biosecurity, and sustainability

interpret clinical presentations and diagnostic test results to diagnose and manage diseases in avian, native, wildlife, exotic, zoo animals, and small ruminants. Formulate evidence-based treatment plans using clinical reasoning and case-based learning. Integrate practical experiences to enhance decision-making and application of veterinary principles in these species.