Year 6

Supervisor: Modest Vengušt

Practical work under professional supervision:

• familiarisation with current clinical, outpatient and field work in the morning
• taking medical histories, conducting clinical and laboratory examinations of patients, making diagnoses, preparing an animal treatment plan or making other decisions based on an animal's health
• communication with experts, clients and other veterinary institutions

Supervisor: Modest Vengušt

Students gain practical experience at the providers of veterinary healthcare services and public veterinary/inspection service activities and learn about work at veterinary institutions in Slovenia and/or further afield. Extramural clinical rotations means the active treatment of veterinary problems under the supervision of a professionally qualified mentor with an appropriate veterinary licence.

Execution

Clinical practical training can be carried out at clinical units of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and verified veterinary clinical institutions outside the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Slovenia and/or further afield.

Public veterinary service/inspection activities are carried out within the National Veterinary Institute, the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection, the Vremščica Infrastructure Centre for Sustainable Recultivation, in a cheese factory or similar institutions abroad. To a limited extent, the public veterinary part/ inspection activities can be carried out as part of the selective breeding of equidae.

Precise timing of the implementation of professional practice

Within the subject Professional Practice, students must complete at least 60 contact days of practical work, of which at least 50 contact days are in a clinical environment and at least 10 contact days must be completed in the inspection/analytical activities of the public veterinary service.

As part of the clinical part of the professional practice (at least 50 contact days), students must complete:

• at least 14 contact days of practice at the Clinic for Small Animals of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• at least 12 contact days of practice at a large practice/producer of animals
• at least 24 contact days of practice on the species of your choice
• students must participate in at least six (6) 24-hour shifts; of which they must carry out at least four (4) 24-hour on-call duties in practice with production animals

Part of the 24-hour duty can be done through an internship at the Vremščica Infrastructure Centre for Sustainable Recultivation during lambing.

Inspection work - public veterinary service (at least 10 contact days):

• in units of the National Veterinary Institute (NVI)
• the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection (UVHVVR)
• at foreign institutions providing a public veterinary service similar to the NVI and/or the UVHVVR
• the dairy of Vremščica Infrastructure Centre for Sustainable Recultivation

Students can complete a maximum of five contact days of professional practice carrying out inspection/analytical work, also within the selective breeding of equidae at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

During the period of professional practice, students must complete the prescribed documents, which record the fulfilment of obligations in the internship and are the basis for the evaluation and discussion of the practical work of students with the coordinator of professional internship.

A student may participate in professional practice in the 6th year by volunteering with a professional practice provider who has signed a contract with the VF to provide professional practice.

• Encouraging students to deepen and analyse processing of knowledge of veterinary medicine
• Encouraging students to deal with long-term study material and knowledge
• Preparation for independent production of scientific and/or professional works
• Independent searching and processing of literature from various analogue and electronic bibliographic sources
• Independent public presentation

Supervisor: Martina Klinkon Ogrinec, Jožica Ježek

In this subject, students enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of clinical laboratory diagnostics (clinical pathology). Students will be able to properly prepare samples, perform the most common laboratory analyses, select appropriate parameters (investigations) in connection with clinical pictures, and evaluate and interpret the results of laboratory analyses in different species of animals.

Subject Description

In veterinary medicine, the examination of biological material is an important adjunct in making a reliable diagnosis and prognosis of the disease and monitoring the course of treatment. Nowadays, much of veterinary science is directly related to laboratory diagnostics. A reliable laboratory report helps to assess the state of health and ensures quality and effective treatment.

The aim of the clinical/laboratory practicum is to deepen students' knowledge of the use of the most common laboratory analyses of biological samples in various species of domestic and other animals:

• Haematological and biochemical blood tests
• Biochemical tests of milk
• Urine tests
• Investigations of samples of various biological materials

The emphasis is on the interpretation of the results of examinations in connection with the clinical picture of the disease in an individual animal or herd.

With the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge, students will learn to use the results of laboratory analyses in practice as an aid in the diagnosis of diseases and assessment of the health status of various species of animals.

Methodology and Teaching Aids

The practicum is conducted in the form of theoretical and practical lessons in a clinical laboratory (Laboratory of Clinical Pathology). Biological material taken from clinical patients is analysed. A variety of laboratory equipment and apparatus is available. Students are divided into groups and perform analyses independently.

Supervisor: Alenka Seliškar

The elective subject Anaesthesiology is taught in year six of the undergraduate study of veterinary medicine.

The course includes 15 hours of lectures and 30 hours of individual clinical exercises. The lecturer is Associate Professor Alenka Seliškar, assisted by Assistant Professor Barbara Lukanc. They are also assisted by Katerina Tomsic, Phd, Matic Pavlica, DVM, and Jerneja Sredenšek, DVM.

Aim of the subject

The aim of this subject is to familiarise students of veterinary medicine with the basics of veterinary anaesthesiology. It is expected that each candidate will be able to anaesthetise animals with a lower anaesthetic risk under appropriate supervision. The course is particularly recommended for those students who want to continue their professional path in a small practice. All surgical, dental and some diagnostic procedures are performed on anaesthetised animals, thus lack of, or poor, knowledge of anaesthesia severely limits veterinarians’ work. As a result, all too often this results in short-term interventions in young, healthy or less affected animals. The real challenges of treating old or critically ill animals are avoided due to the high anaesthetic risk as a result of poor knowledge of anaesthesia, which thus lowers the level of veterinary practice services.

Anaesthesia techniques for horses and economic species are not considered in this course, as students learn the basics in other subjects. Nevertheless, those who intend to work in a large practice will gain a lot of knowledge in this subject that will be useful to them when working with large animals, as the basic principles of anaesthesia apply to all animal species.

Connection with other fields

The subject is highly interdisciplinary. In its theoretical foundations it touches on anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, while in the clinical part it deals with internal medicine, surgery and intensive care medicine. In the practical part it combines knowledge of diagnostics, internal medicine and surgery and is one of the most specialised clinical subjects in the undergraduate study of veterinary medicine.

Programme of lectures and training

Lectures are held according to the following programme:

• Introduction and brief history of anaesthesia
• Control of animals during anaesthesia
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Pain treatment
• Local and area anaesthesia
• Special anaesthesia (pets, farm and laboratory animals)
• Basic anaesthesia protocols in healthy cats and dogs
• Basic anaesthesia protocols in sick cats and dogs
• Complications during anaesthesia 

Lectures build on the material that students complete in year three in the module Anaesthesia within the compulsory subject Surgery and Ophthalmology. In year three, students are familiarised with the following chapters:

• Procedure prior to anaesthesia
• Premedication
• Injectable anaesthetics
• Inhalable anaesthetics
• Inhalation apparatus and respiratory systems
• Pain treatment
• Control of animals during anaesthesia
• Specifics of anaesthesia of individual animal species
• Basics of resuscitation
• Basics of intensive care for critically ill animals

Following the lectures, students present a clinical case to their fellow students in pairs. They then begin individual clinical exercises performed on clinical patients at the Small Animal Clinic. Individual clinical exercises are conducted on the principle of one student one anaesthetist, which is the only acceptable approach due to the nature of the work and the responsibility of the anaesthetist.

Individual exercises include:

• Admission and clinical examinations of animals
• Assessment of condition and selection of anaesthesia technique
• Preparation of animals (premedication, demonstration of basic methods of restraining of cats and dogs, control of aggressive animals, introduction of venous catheters, introduction to anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation)
• Anaesthesia management, writing anaesthesia protocols, monitoring
• Postoperative care and intensive care of animals
• Administering fluid therapy

Student responsibilities

After completing the exercises, students take an oral colloquium (Assistant Professor Barbara Lukanc) and then an oral exam (Associate Professor Dr. Alenka Seliškar).

Study literature is available in the e-classroom, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine library, from the course providers and on the internet.

Supervisor: Ana Nemec

This subject deals with the most common diseases of the maxillofacial region, oral cavity, teeth and periodontal tissues in cats and dogs. In the lectures, students are familiarised with the appropriate minimum equipment of dental surgeries, recap their knowledge of anatomy, histology and physiology of the oral cavity and teeth, and learn how to obtain a correct anamnesis and examination of the oral cavity, teeth and periodontal tissues, including dental X-rays. Following the lectures and practical exercises, students are able to identify periodontal diseases, traumatic injuries of the teeth and maxillofacial regions, tooth resorption, cat stomatitis, emergencies in veterinary dentistry and the most common neoplasms in the oral cavity. They will also learn how to treat such conditions and/or refer patients to a specialist if necessary. In 2019, students rated the course as excellent.

Supervisor: Nataša Tozon

Students learn the basics of diagnosis and treatment of oncology patients. Clinical exercises are intended for direct work with patients and learning basic diagnostic procedures (biopsy techniques, appropriate selection of diagnostic methods, learning about treatment methods). The seminar task gives students an opportunity to practice written and oral (presentation) expression and performance skills in front of an audience. Students also visit the Department of Experimental Biology at the Oncology Institute, where they learn about preclinical research work in the field of cancer detection and treatment, and the Department of Radiotherapy at the Oncology Institute in Ljubljana, where they learn about human radiology.

Lectures (16 hours)

Lectures include a summary of acquired knowledge and an introduction to clinical work:

• Tumour biology (Professor Maja Čemažar; Oncology Institute)
• Basic diagnostic and therapeutic principles in veterinary oncology (Professor Nataša Tozon, Associate Professor Dr. Tanja Plavec)
• Some of the most common oncological diseases of cats and dogs (Professor Nataša Tozon)
• Some of the most common oncological diseases of other animal species (Assistant Professor Joško Račnik)
• Current research in the field of translational and clinical oncology (Professor Nataša Tozon)

Clinical exercises (18 hours)

Clinical exercises include direct work with patients:

• In 3 hours of programme exercises students learn the basic techniques of biopsies, preparation of preparations and methods of staining. The acquired knowledge is then applied directly in a 3-day clinical practice, which provides an insight into clinical developments in the field of veterinary oncology, including the basics of diagnostic cytology.

The aim of clinical exercises is to demonstrate:

Diagnostic procedures

• Clinical examination of an oncology patient - identification and determination of potential oncological changes
• Selection of appropriate diagnostic methods for determining the characteristics of changes and the clinical stage of the disease (biopsy techniques, basics of clinical cytology, imaging techniques, laboratory tests)

Method of treatment

• Communication with owners
• Selection of the most appropriate antitumour treatment
• Selection of appropriate supportive care
• Monitoring the course of treatment and expected results

Seminar (6 hours)

Students prepare a seminar task of their choice individually and present it to their fellow students in order to supplement the topics of the lectures and to enhance their skills at writing and performing in front of an audience.

Field exercises (3 hours)

Students will visit the Oncology Institute in Ljubljana:

• Department of Experimental Oncology, where students will learn about research work in the field of basic and applied/translational oncology 
• Radiotherapy sector, where students will be taken through the process of preparation and treatment of people using radiotherapy

Supervisor: Andrej Pengov

The main objective of the organisation of health and production control systems (herd health) in herds of animals whose products are used for human consumption is to maintain the health status of animals and their productivity at a level that provides owners with the highest income. We try to achieve this goal by constantly monitoring health and production results and by eliminating possible errors and shortcomings.

Supervisor: Tina Kotnik

Learning about skin diseases of cats and dogs by individual groups (bacterial, fungal, parasitic ... etc.), learning about methods and procedures in the diagnosis of skin diseases, the general principles of skin disease treatment and specific treatment for individual diseases, and clinical work including communication skills, interdisciplinarity and teamwork.
Students who work in a small practice following graduation may one day find eight cats and dogs and their owners waiting for them in the waiting rooms. As many as six of these animals may have skin problems ... It is estimates that as many as three-quarters of cats and dogs who come to the vet for help come because of skin problems or have skin problems in addition to an underlying disease.

Through the course of eight lectures, students will acquire theoretical declarative knowledge, which will be the basis for practical work with patients. Each lecture will be rounded off with an interactive presentation of clinical cases (medical history, photographs), thus students continuously consolidate their acquired knowledge.

Prior to starting practical work, students undertake a written colloquium (elective assignments). This will be followed by programme exercises where diagnostic procedures in dermatology are learnt followed by exercises with clinical patients. During the clinical exercises, students take a medical history, perform clinical and dermatological examinations of patients, collaborate in making a diagnosis and monitor patients’ treatment.

Students take an exam at the end of the practicum whereby they treat a patient in the Dermatology Clinic of the Clinic for Small Animals. Students’ knowledge will be assessed based on two assessments: an assessment of theoretical knowledge (written colloquium) and an assessment of practical work with the patient.

Supervisor: Aleksandra Domanjko Petrič

Cardiovascular diseases in cats and dogs are quite common diseases that can lead to heart failure, sudden death, and pose a risk for anaesthesia, while also affecting the quality and length of life of the patient. For pet owners, this can also mean the risk of losing a pet in all periods of an animal’s life.

Identifying and correctly assessing the condition is therefore important for the quality of life of patients and coexistence with their owners.

In practice, veterinarians often face challenges in identifying, for example, why a dog is coughing, why it has difficulty breathing, or whether it is a lung or heart problem. Proper differentiation and diagnosis are crucial in resolving such clinical problems.

The course includes 10 hours of lectures, which are a supplement to the programme ‘Medicine of Cats and Dogs’, a compulsory course in year 5, and includes chapters that are limited or not covered in the basic course, including:

• Systemic diseases that can affect, and how they affect, cardiovascular function (vascular diseases, endocrine diseases, electrolyte abnormalities, gastrointestinal and renal and haematological diseases)
• Therapeutic options for individual heart diseases
• Clinical cases – an overview of the most common and interesting cases - interactive lectures
• Differential diagnostic respiratory problems

In 20 hours of practice, the emphasis is on:

• Independent treatment of patients (anamnesis, clinical examinations, electrocardiograms, interpreting X-rays and understanding of ultrasound examinations)
• Work taking place on clinical patients

In the elective course ‘Cardiology of Cats and Dogs’ student will learn how to:

• independently manage anamneses and perform detailed clinical examinations
• recognise and understand different heart tones and noises
• record and interpret electrocardiograms
• interpret thoracic radiographs, which are an eternal diagnostic challenge
• understand an ultrasound examination of the heart
• puncture the chest, abdomen, pericardium when indicated
• understand individual heart diseases and their pathophysiology

Do join us, we will have fun to the rhythm of the heart and learn a lot!

Supervisor: Breda Jakovac Strajn

In this subject, students deepen their knowledge of the basics of cat and dog nutrition, which they acquired in the subjects ‘Physiology of Animal Nutrition’ and ‘Hygiene and Pathology of Animal Nutrition’.

Lectures (10 hours)

• Answers to the most common questions from owners about proper nutrition for cats and dogs
• Evaluation of examples of advertising food for cats and dogs from practice (what is, and isn’t in accordance with the law)
• In depth discussions on the most common diets for dogs

Exercises (5 hours of seminar tasks and 10 hours of laboratory work):

• meals are calculated
• various clinical cases are discussed
• independent work - seminars in groups
• independent work in the laboratory

Field exercise

Visiting guests from practice or visits to a small pet store.

Supervisor: Modest Vengušt

Familiarisation with the physiological adaptations of the body to physical strain in sports. Learning about the most common medical problems arising from specific sports activities and the consequences of the use of banned substances in sports.

What is covered

• Integrative physiology of sport - basic adaptation to physical strain in sports, and expression of physical abilities are not tied to a particular species
• Training physiology
• Factors that limit the positive effect of training
• Clinical fitness tests - how to recognise a winner
• How to clinically identify, prevent and/or treat overtraining

And even more… in the form of:

• interactive learning
• problem-oriented approach
• relaxed communications
• independent work on horses/patients

More information is available in the e-classroom.

Supervisor: Gorazd Vengušt

Why breed game?

There are many answers to this question from breeders and experts, however, in this subject only those that stand out the most are covered. The first is income, which is higher in the breeding of game than in that of domestic ruminants. Deer need less food than cattle, cause less damage to pastures, mature sexually faster and are able to reproduce in pens for up to 20 years. As game is very adaptable, it can be bred on a small area and on various types of terrain. Due to the quality of meat, which is rich in protein and lean in fat, the demand for game meat is increasing from year to year.

The first small pen was set up in Slovenia in 1988, which was exclusively engaged in the breeding of fallow deer for meat production and the production of meat products. This was followed by a sharp increase in the number of fallow deer. In the last decade, red deer have also been found in pens as an independent animal species or in combination with fallow deer. Today, there are over 500 pens in Slovenia, in which more than 6,000 animals live, mostly fallow deer and red deer. In addition to the mentioned species, mouflon and wild boar are found in the pens, and there are also pens for breeding field hare, field chickens and common mallards.

The main reason for delving into the study of deer breeding in pens is the increasingly frequent problems accompanying deer breeding in Slovenia, such as poor knowledge of breeding technology, health status, lack of knowledge of dosing and the effect of anaesthetics and measures during or after their use, lack of data on diet and physiological values, and poor knowledge of the welfare of farmed deer. Hence, students of veterinary medicine will acquire this knowledge, as veterinarians may encounter these issues on a daily basis.

The subject covers the following chapters:

• familiarisation with wild species suitable for breeding in enclosed areas
• use of technology for breeding wild animals in enclosed areas
• health issues, reproduction, nutrition, methods of putting to sleep, transport of wild animals in enclosed areas
• stunning, use of stunning agents and handling of stunned animals
• models of disease eradication in animals in enclosures
• legislation

Students will gain knowledge about the breeding of wild animals in enclosed areas, stunning animals, and specific current issues in farmed game. Students will be able to apply all the acquired knowledge in practice and will expand their insight into a slightly more specialised field, which includes game breeding in enclosed areas. Based on theoretical principles and acquired practical knowledge, students will be able to critically study and define such problems in practice and also resolve them successfully.

As part of all-day exercises, students visit three pens with deer and a pen with wild pigs and will take a special look at the breeding of pheasants. They will learn about bred animals, breeding technology, nutrition, methods of stunning and the health issues that accompany breeding.

As part of field exercises, students will take a look at and get to know the operation (breeding, shooting, carcass procedures, operation of a hunting pen) of hunting grounds, with a special emphasis on bears. In the evening, students have an opportunity to spot game approaching the feeding ground from the hunting pen.

Conclusion: oral exam (the final grade is single).

Supervisor: Mitja Gombač

More detailed familiarisation with some specific legal acts in the field of expertise and civil procedures, preparation of a comprehensive expert opinion on the basis of cases from case law in accordance with the rules for the preparation of expert opinions.

Subject description

The subject Veterinary Proficiency acquaints students with the manner and procedures of processing more complex cases from case law, which arise due to damage caused to animals, people, things and other animals. It also acquaints them with case law cases dealing with criminal offences or misdemeanours that veterinarians may commit in their professional work, and human responsibility for torturing animals. It also deals with those court cases in which veterinarians participate as an expert, expert witness, or witness.

The knowledge acquired in the field of expertise will be used by graduates of veterinary medicine in their daily work in making decisions on personal professional responsibility or liability to customers for damage in all areas of veterinary medicine (small and large practice, veterinary public health, animal protection, food and feed safety, etc.).

Conditions for enrolment

• regular enrolment in year six with an average grade of at least eight (8)
• 10 students can enrol (if there are more candidates, the course lecturer will conduct an individual interview with each candidate)

Student responsibilities

Independent examination of a case law case, preparation of a comprehensive written expert opinion in accordance with the rules for the preparation of an expert report under the mentorship of participating pedagogues and public presentation and defence of the studied case.

The subject Veterinary Expertise takes place in the form of seminars, with introductory instructions from the course lecturer.

Supervisor: Vlasta Jenčič

In addition to freshwater and marine fish, this subject also deals with shellfish and crustaceans. Students learn the basics of fish, shellfish and crustacean farming technology in terms of disease prevention. The conservation importance of aquatic animals is also emphasised.
 
Aquaculture is the breeding of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and seaweed. In China, fish were already being farmed 2,000 years BC, and today fish, shellfish and crustacean farming is the fastest growing livestock industry, as natural resources are dwindling and human consumption needs are increasing. Progress requires a scientific approach from biologists, agronomists, chemists, environmentalists and, last but not least, veterinarians.

Challenges for veterinarians

• Diseases and diagnostics
• Disease prevention
• Study of fish immunology
• Selection of resistant fish species
• Diet and nutritional supplements to increase immunity
• Treatment that is harmless to humans and the environment
• Improving biological safety in breeding
• Study of new, nature-friendly breeding technologies 

Content of the elective subject

• Environmental importance of fish, shellfish and crustaceans
• Modern technologies for breeding fish and shellfish for food
• Anatomy and physiology of shellfish and crustaceans
• Diseases and modern diagnostic methods
• Impact of breeding on the environment
• The use of fish in science
• Fish immunology
• Disease prevention
• Fish as pets

The role of veterinarians in the healthcare of fish, crustaceans and shellfish

• Disease detection and treatment
• Eradication of disease
• Disease prevention - biosafety plan
• Advice and education
• Research work
• Individual treatment of aquarium fish and fish in garden ponds

Slovenia

• Fish are bred for the settlement of watercourses and for human consumption
• Rainbow trout and/or other trout species are bred in about 200 fish farms
• Carp are bred in polyculture in about 100 fish farms
• In the Slovenian sea, mussels and saltwater clams are bred at three locations, while sea bass and sea bream are bred in one fish farm

Supervisor: Vlasta Jenčič

Students learn about beekeeping technology in connection with the risks of disease and beekeeping hygiene to prevent such risk. The defence mechanisms of bee families and the causes of disturbed and destroyed defences and the occurrence of diseases are discussed, especially in connection with beekeeping technology in modern agriculture; methods of treatment of bee families with an emphasis on the use of biological or apitechnical methods; new beekeeping technologies in terms of preventing and controlling bee family diseases and protecting bee products, the environment and beekeepers; conditions for continuing the beekeeping tradition and the opportunities provided by organic beekeeping.

Beekeeping has a long tradition in Slovenia, from which world-famous beekeeping theorists and practitioners derive. The indigenous breed of bee (Apis mellifera carnica) called the Carniolan grey bee was created on Slovenian territory, and the country is also proud of its culture of painting beehive frontal panels and its typical beehives.

The importance of beekeeping today

• Pollination
• Obtaining bee products
• Production of bee colonies and queens
• Beekeeping tourism
• Apitherapy
• Preservation of cultural heritage

Slovenia

• about 160,000 families of bees
• about 11,000 beekeepers
• about 14,000 beehives
• one of the countries that is most densely populated with bees
• the number of beekeepers is still growing

The role of veterinarians in the healthcare of bees

• Studying the biology of bee families
• Study of diseases and pests
• Study of bee poisoning
• Modern diagnostic methods
• Supply of medicines and treatment of bee families
• Bee nutrition
• Education of beekeepers
• Research work

Content of elective subject

• Bee families and their significance
• Modern beekeeping technologies with an emphasis on breeding of queens
• Diseases, pests and poisoning of bees
• Risk factors for the spread and development of diseases and pests
• Impact of climate change and agricultural landscape change
• The role of veterinarians in professional and amateur beekeeping

Exercises

• In the laboratory and in the apiary
• Inspection of queen breeding and bee production
• Working with a veterinarian in the field
   

Supervisor: Marina Štukelj

Students acquire theoretical (block lectures twice for 2 school hours), and especially practical knowledge in the field of pig healthcare. The course is based on practical work on a large pig farm, where students visit the farm in small groups every day for a week.

At the pig farm, students are familiarised with the weekly rhythm of tasks such as:

• production technology
• reproduction
• breeding tasks
• healthcare
• biosecurity

The knowledge acquired will be of great help to students in their further professional work.

During their time at the pig farm, students keep a personal diary of veterinary procedures. At the end of the period, they select a clinical case in which they had been involved and describe the problem in a little more detail.

Students who successfully pass the written exam are awarded a final grade.

Nosilec: Darja Pavlin

This subject covers the enhancement of students’ basic knowledge of emergency medicine for cats and dogs, which students can use to work in clinical practice to address more serious emergencies. Special emphasis is placed on gaining practical experience through various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in emergency situations and the principles of care and advanced monitoring of critically ill animals.

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were woken up by your phone ringing in the middle of the night?

In the elective course ‘Emergency Cat and Dog Medicine’ students learn the answer to this question, and much more, not necessarily limited to:

• how to perform emergency triage without becoming an embarassment
• how to deal with a patient in shock without yourself, or your client, being traumatised
• what to do when a patient can’t breathe and you can’t remember the lyrics to ‘Breathe Breathe With Me’
• how to react if your patient has been hit on the head 
• can there really be too much chocolate? (What a question! NEVER! Or…)
• how to deal with a patient’s acidic blood without a sour smile
• what to do when a Pekingese has taken the instruction too literally to ‘throw a tug’ at a neighbour’s dog
• how to help if a heart is no longer beating as it should as the loving pet owner is still waiting nervously in the waiting room
• how to tell an owner, and to survive the experience, that the cost of Rex's treatment will reach the price of a used BMW
• and, last but not least: how on earth is a landline phone used!

You are cordially invited! We take care of the patients, while you will have to take care of the coffee and Red Bull yourself.

Supervisor: Metka Kuhar

This subject provides in-depth communication knowledge and skills for successful everyday communication in veterinary practice, especially for dealing with more complex communication situations and for professional communication in various contexts. Students learn about integrated clinical models of veterinary consultation in a practical manner.
 
In recent years, an increasing amount of research has shown the exceptional importance of mastering communication skills in veterinary practice, which are often placed alongside clinical skills. During this course, students have the opportunity to learn the key features of effective and satisfactory communication with clients (e.g. establishing contact, active listening, empathic attitude, etc.), including optimal structuring of veterinary consultations and insight into the communication aspect of specific situations that are a special challenge (euthanasia, emergency, reporting their own mistakes, resolving conflict situations, etc.). Communication characteristics in the context of social trends are considered, such as changing the relationship between humans and animals and changing the nature of the doctor/veterinarian-client relationship. A large part of the course is of a practical, experiential nature and includes work in pairs and small groups, role plays, viewing recordings of veterinary consultations, presentations of professional papers on the subject of the course, etc. The course requires ongoing active participation, in addition, the assessment consists of a final exam or research paper (optional/of students’ choice).

Supervisor: Jaka Žgajnar, Emil Erjavec

Within this subject, students learn the role and importance of entrepreneurship, prepare tools for business analysis and learn to find answers to the challenges of running their own company in the veterinary business. The course builds on students’ basic knowledge in the field of financial statements and analysis of the performance of veterinary companies. It covers basic modelling approaches and the preparation of models in the form of spreadsheets to support business decision-making and new product development. Through project work in the form of creating a business plan, students are familiarised with business planning, which includes basic knowledge in the field of new product development, marketing, management, financial and business analysis.

Supervisor: Modest Vengušt, Irena Zdovc

Excessive and misuse of antibiotics leads to the development of various forms of secondary resistance.

Occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria (MRSA, MRSP, ESBL…)

Subject aims

• Reasonable, independent and professional treatment of infectious diseases
• Protection of human and animal health
• Environment protection
• Understanding the factors influencing the choice of antimicrobial drugs
• Understanding the difference between the in-vitro and in-vivo action of antimicrobial drugs
• Relevant analysis and evaluation of the success of antimicrobial treatment
• Familiarisation with the specifics of treatment of different types of animals, breeds, age groups and populations
• Understanding the origin and consequences of antimicrobial resistance
• Relevant knowledge of pharmacogenetics

Using a problem-oriented approach:

• a clinician, microbiologist and pharmacologist will select interesting cases of bacterial diseases from general veterinary and specialist veterinary practice and students will learn about them.

More information is available in the e-classroom.