SERVICE OUTLINES
ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY
Brief description of program:
The main objectives of the course are to train the student in postmortem techniques, to provide
practice in writing descriptions of gross lesions observed, and to develop a general
understanding of the nature of common pathologic lesions and their interpretation in light of
clinical history. Students are assigned to cases from Monday through Saturday and are
required to be on-call on Sunday throughout their rotation.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean coveralls and rubber boots and name badge.
BEHAVIOR
Brief description of program:
The rotation involves receiving behavioral clinical cases and arriving at a diagnosis and
treatment plan for each case. In addition, students should contact previous clients for progress
updates. Students will also be encouraged to assist with ongoing clinical research projects.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Students will be required to carry a standard stethoscope, watch and a clean lab coat and
appropriate attire.
CARDIOLOGY
Brief description of program:
The students will actively participate in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiac
patients, provide in-hospital care of patients, and participate in daily discussions, rounds,
seminars, etc., within the Small Animal Hospital. Limited exposure to large animal cardiology is
anticipated. The emphasis of the rotation will be to help the student become comfortable with
the diagnostic techniques of cardiac physical examination, electrocardiography, radiography,
and echocardiography, and medical therapy of cardiac disorders. Students are responsible for
evening and weekend care of hospitalized patients.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Students will be required to carry a standard stethoscope, watch. Clean lab coats and have
cardio-vascular notes. For Dr Kittleson's rotation you should have access to a copy of “Small
Animal Cardiovascular Medicine” by Kittleson & Kienle.(Mosby)\
COMPANION AVIAN & EXOTIC PET MEDICINE
Brief description of program:
This service is designed to provide training in avian (companion and wildlife species), small
exotic mammal and reptilian medicine & surgery. The emphasis of this service is to expose
veterinary students to the basic components (care, nutrition, handling, diseases, medical &
surgical treatment regimes, etc.) of Avian / Exotic animal practice. Students will be responsible
for receiving, treatments, (during the week, weekend, holidays) and on-call duty (during the
week, weekends, and holidays).
Any students participating in Companion / Avian Exotic Pet Medicine clinics are required
to have Rabies titer. In addition, (MMR / Measles, Mumps and Rubella) & tetanus
vaccines must be up to date.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Students must wear small animal clinic lab coats. Stethoscope, penlight, blue surgery scrub
suit, bandage scissors, clean neat clothes (no jeans) and name badge.
DENTISTRY AND ORAL SURGERY
Brief description of program:
The students will gain exposure to and participate in the examination, diagnosis and treatment
of dental cases within the Small Animal Hospital. Limited exposure to large animal and exotic
animal dentistry is possible. Students will be also be responsible for pre-anesthesia physical
examination of assigned cases and for client communication. Minimum of two weeks; Three
weeks recommended for Non-UCD students. After-hours night duty on a rotational basis.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Neat clothes, clean white lab coat, scrubs and stethoscope.
DERMATOLOGY
Brief description of program:
The students will actively participate in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of patients
with skin disease, provide in-hospital care of patients, and participate in daily rounds,
discussions, etc. within the Small Animal Hospital. Students will be responsible for owner
communication and assist in informational calls from the lay public. Training in large animal
dermatology is contingent on available caseload. Students on this rotation will be assigned to
Weeknight / Weekend after-hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which students are required to provide for this clinic:
S. A. Clinic lab coats, appropriate attire, watch, stethoscope, penlight, and lighted magnifier and
name badge.
EQUINE FIELD SERVICE
Brief description of program:
The course is designed to provide on-farm practical experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention of equine disease problems. Students are directly involved in history-taking, animal
handling, clinical examination, case management and client relationships. Students under staff
supervision will perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including minor surgery.
Students on this rotation will be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after-hours resident assist
duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Watch, stethoscope, large animal thermometer, penlight, hoof knife and pick, coveralls, work
shoes or boots and name badge.
EQUINE MEDICINE
Brief description of program:
The course is designed to provide further practical experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and
case management of equine disease problems. Students are directly involved in receiving,
case management, and client relationships. Case management is discussed individually and in
daily group rounds. Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are to be performed by students
under staff supervision. Students on this rotation will be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend
after-hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Watch, large animal stethoscope, thermometer, hoof pick, coveralls or surgical scrub suit, work
shoes or boots and a name badge.
EQUINE REPRODUCTION
Brief description of program:
The course is designed to provide on-farm practical experience in all aspects of equine
reproduction as well as assisted reproductive techniques such as embryo transfer and semen
cryopreservation. Students will also gain experience in the evaluation of infertility of both mares
and stallions as well as equine perinatology and obstetrics in cases referred to the VMTH.
Students will be assigned out-of-hours duty during weekends and at night on a rotating basis.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Stethoscope, large animal thermometer, penlight, coveralls, work shoes or boots.
EQUINE SURGERY
Brief description of program:
Students will be assigned to Equine Surgery services on a rotating basis. They will participate
in all aspects of the surgery service. This will include receiving duty, assisting in surgery, and
treatment of hospitalized cases. They will also be assigned to out-of-hours duty during
weekends and at night on a rotating basis. No specific lectures or laboratories will be
presented; however, there will be case discussions of clinic cases on an informal basis.
Students on this rotation will be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after – hours emergency
assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean coveralls, two pairs of blue surgical scrub suits, stethoscope, thermometer, penlight,
bandage scissors, hoof knife, hoof pick, lead rope and name badge.
FARRIER SHOP (Behind B Barn)
Brief description of program:
Students learn the basics of Farriery. Which includes shoe pulling, trimming, nailing and
replacing of the horseshoe. Paring an abscess. Sharpening of Farriery tools.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Jeans, surgical scrub suit, closed toe shoes and notepad.
FOOD ANIMAL REPRODUCTION / HH
Brief description of program:
Students will participate in dairy reproduction field calls and receive extensive practical
experience with rectal palpation and computerized dairy health records. The service is also
involved in herd health programs for goats, sheep, and beef cattle. Students on this rotation will
be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after – hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic.
Stethoscope, thermometer, coveralls and rubber boots and name badge.
LARGE ANIMAL ANESTHESIA
Brief description of program:
The objectives of this clinic are to encourage and provide additional time for the development
and proficiency in large animal anesthesia/critical patient care methodology. We will also
encourage proficiency in anesthesia and acute care problem-solving and decision-making
through supervised case management of healthy and physiologically stressed patients,
attendance at rounds and seminars, and the use of related training aids and audiovisual
equipment. Students on this rotation will be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after – hours
resident assist duty. For safety reasons, students are asked not to wear open toed
shoes/sandals.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Stethoscopewatch, thermometer, pen, work shoes or boots, surgical scrub suit, and name
badge.
LARGE ANIMAL RADIOLOGY
Brief description of program:
Students will learn the art of making quality radiographs of our large animal patients. Students
will be invited to attend daily radiology rounds, and weekly Nuclear Medicine rounds, where the
radiographic interpretation of each case is discussed. Experience handling horses is desirable
but not required.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Name badge
LARGE ANIMAL ULTRASOUND
Brief description of program:
Students will learn to perform and interpret sonographic examination of predominantly equine
cases presenting from the equine medicine and surgery services. Emphasis is placed on
performing thorough and complete evaluations. A good background in equine locomotor
anatomy is required. Students are asked to attend weekly Combined Imaging Rounds with
Large Animal Radiology.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Watch, stethoscope, large animal thermometer, lead rope, penlight, bandage scissors, hoof
knife and pick and large animal anatomy test.
NEUROLOGY / NEUROSURGERY
Brief description of program:
At the conclusion of the program, the student will be able to:
 Perform a complete neurological examination and “localize” the lesion (make a
neuroanatomic diagnosis) in neurological cases.
 Outline the proper diagnostic investigation of the more common neurological problems
and understand the basis for the diagnostic procedures used.
 Prescribe the proper treatments and form a prognosis for the more common
neurological problems.
 Understand the basic interpretation of advance imaging modalities (MRI, CT)
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean lab coat, pediatric reflex hammer, hemostatic forceps, penlight, stethoscope, blue
surgery scrub suit and name badge.
ONCOLOGY
Brief description of program:
Students gain experiences in medical management of animal cancer patients. This includes
history taking, physical examinations, and collection of specimens. Emphasis will be placed on
interpretation of clinical and laboratory findings. The student will gain experience in biopsy
methods. Non-surgical treatment methods including chemotherapy and radiation therapy are
used routinely by the Oncology service. Students on this rotation will be assigned to Weeknight
/ Weekend after – hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean laboratory coat with name badge, stethoscope, penlight, metric ruler, and scissors and
name badge.
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Brief description of program:
Students are to be present during receiving, and be available to assist in surgery and medicate
patients. They will be responsible for the care of their patients. Students will be exposed to
ophthalmology specialty practice. They will learn how to take histories, examine the eye, and
perform basic diagnostic procedures; methods of ocular therapy will be included. Patients will
range from domestic small and large animals to non-domestic animals. Students will rotate
through after-hours and weekend ophthalmology emergency service. Students on this rotation
will also be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after – hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
White lab coat, professional dress and blue surgical scrubs.
SHELTER MEDICINE
Brief description of program:
This rotation is designed for students with an interest in working with shelters, rescue groups,
and other small animal populations such as catteries or kennels, or for those with a particular
interest in small animal infectious disease. The student will spend the majority of time working
alongside Shelter Medicine Program veterinarians (director, residents, and contract
veterinarians) providing primary care to shelter populations at local shelters (Yolo and
Sacramento area). This will include performing physical exams, providing preventive care such
as vaccinations, and diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured animals. Surgical procedures
such as spay and neuter may also be included, but will not be emphasized. The student will
spend time in all areas of the shelter, including observation of animal relinquishment and
adoption, field services, behavior programs and animal care functions. The student will also
accompany Shelter Medicine Program personnel on shelter visits for the purposes of
consultation, outbreak investigation, training or other special projects as available. The student
will be exposed to a variety of shelters. The student will participate in weekly Shelter Medicine
Rounds while on this rotation.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean scrubs plus one full spare set daily, stethoscope, clipboard, pen, penlight, name badge, close-toed
shoes. Students should bring clean clothes and shoes to change into at the end of the day.
SMALL ANIMAL ANESTHESIA - Open to graduating class of 2008 only
Brief description of program:
The objectives of the S. A. Anesthesia summer clinic program are to encourage and provide
additional time for the development of proficiency in small animal anesthesia methodology. We
will also encourage proficiency in anesthesia and acute care problem-solving and decisionmaking through supervised case management of healthy and physiologically stressed patients,
attendance at rounds and the use of related training aids and audiovisual equipment. “Afterhours” and/or on-call responsibilities are included in the program.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Stethoscope, watch, pen, penlight, and scrub suit. A pocket calculator may be useful.
SMALL ANIMAL EMERGENCY SERVICE - Open to graduating class of 2008 only
Brief description of program:
100% Emergency Receiving. Receive patients and create Problem Lists, Assessment, and
Plans (diagnostic, therapeutic, client education) .implement plans, keep medical records.
Rounds will be held on a daily basis to discuss the cases and related topics. Students are
assigned to any of several receiving schedules including nights & weekends.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Three white lab coats, stethoscope, pen, thermometer, neat clean clothes (no jeans or
sandals), scrubs are acceptable, and name badge.
SMALL ANIMAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Brief description of program:
(VISITING STUDENTS ACCEPTED ONLY WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION)
Attend patient rounds at the beginning of the shift (day or swing) and receive patient
assignments; perform physical examination, review ICU record, and critically evaluate patient
care plan; work with AHT’s, students, and clinicians to assure optimal ongoing patient care; give
rounds on your patients at the end of the shift. Separate rounds with ICU clinician will be held
three times, weekly to discuss cases and related topics. You will have swing shift duties.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Three sets of scrubs for ICU; stethoscope & pen, clean neat clothes (no jeans or sandals) and
name badge.
SMALL ANIMAL MEDICINE
Brief description of program:
Students assigned to the S. A. Medicine service take case histories, perform examinations,
obtain samples, interpret results, conduct special procedures and assist faculty and residents in
the diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of disease. The objective is to improve
clinical skills of students in all of these areas. Students on this rotation will be assigned to
Weeknight / Weekend after – hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Three white smocks or coats, stethoscope, pen, clean neat clothes, name badge. (No jeans, no
sandals).
SMALL ANIMAL OUTPATIENT
Brief description of program:
The Outpatient Service gives students an opportunity to practice preventive care and develop a
practical and systematic approach to problem solving in a general practice setting. History
taking, physical exam, problem list formation, appropriate diagnostic work-up, client
communication, common problems and record keeping will be emphasized. Four days a week
are spent receiving the kind of cases you will see in general practice, including preventive
medicine, common problems, and some follow-up of chronic cases. One day a week is devoted
to reproduction and genetics cases and rounds with Drs. Bannasch, Davidson and Grundy.
Rounds cover preventive medicine and common problems including vaccine protocols, common
gastrointestinal parasites and dewormers, heartworm diagnosis and prevention, feline viral
tests, flea and tick control, ear infections, etc. Skills emphasized include history taking and
physical exam skills, developing a problems list, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic and
treatment plan, and client communication.
Brief description of Small Animal Medicine Reproduction Service:
Receive Small Animal Reproduction cases, Return Small Animal Reproduction consent calls,
work-up cases as necessary. Please take repro quiz in Small Animal Medicine student handout
before rotation.
Brief description of Genetics rotation:
Receive genetics cases, discuss consults received during the week, obtain a working
understanding of veterinary genetics.
Equipment which student is required to provide for theses clinics:
Three white smocks or coats, blue surgical scrub suit, stethoscope, pen, clean neat clothes,
name badge. (No jeans, no sandals).
SMALL ANIMAL RADIOLOGY
Brief description of program:
Students will attend daily rounds, participate in technical aspects of getting radiographs,
interpret radiographic studies and participate in ultrasound exams. Students on this rotation will
be assigned to Weeknight / Weekend after – hours resident assist duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Clean lab coat and name badge.
SMALL ANIMAL SURGERY
Brief description of the program:
This course is designed to help the student gain competence in preoperative, operative and
postoperative care of the Small Animal Surgery patient. There are two services during summer
clinics, those two can either be: Soft Tissue, Orthopedics or General. All students will be evenly
divided into the services on duty.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Stethoscope, white lab coat, blue surgery scrub suits, bandage scissors, reflex hammer and
name badge.
ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE ROTATION
Brief description of program:
This rotation is an introduction to the medicine, surgery and husbandry issues involved in
zoological medicine (captive and free ranging). Students will spend time at the Sacramento
Zoo, Zoo Med Service at the VMTH and other Northern California institutions. Students will be
responsible for receiving, treatments, monitoring anesthesia and entering medical records
(during the week, weekend, holidays) and on-call duty (during the week, weekends, and
holidays) under the supervision of the faculty and first year resident. Students are required to
complete and present a small project during the rotation.
Any students participating in Zoological Medicine Rotation are required to have a current
(last 12 months) TB test and Rabies titer. In addition, (MMR / Measles, Mumps and
Rubella) & tetanus vaccines must be up to date.
Equipment which student is required to provide for this clinic:
Students must wear clean appropriate attire (no jeans, shorts or t-shirts, no tennis shoes or
sandals). Pen, stethoscope, penlight, blue surgery scrub suit, and coveralls should be available.