Small Animal Clinics (VETS5030)

Course overview

Students develop their clinical skills in the practice of small animal and fauna medicine and surgery through participation in activities of the School's clinical facilities and in its partner practices.

The purpose of the Small Animal Clinics Rotation is to assist in the transformation from veterinary student to veterinary practitioner and, in the process, attain a high professional standard in the practice of small animal medicine and surgery. This course involves the practical application of medicine, surgery, and shelter medicine of dogs, cats, birds, exotic pets, and wildlife. The students will rotate through various service area groups and actively participate in the diagnosis and treatment of client-owned animals in the small animal teaching hospital, Combined Vets of Logan City, and RSPCA Wacol. This course requires close involvement by students, particularly in the form of discussion in the clinics, hospital, clinical meetings, and seminar/practical sessions. An important component of this course is using a problem-based approach to clinical case management, which is relevant to all species. The course is competency-based and individual competency expectations for each component are provided.

The course consists of two rotation blocks:

Shelter Medicine Rotation Blockﾠ

2 weeks of Shelter Medicine at the RSPCA, Wacol.

Small Animal Clinical Rotationﾠ

8 weeks of Small Animal Clinical Rotation at Small Animal Hospital with exposure to Primary Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Avian & Exotics, and Emergency & Critical Care (See VETS5028 course profile). Within these 8 weeks, most students will also have the opportunity to participate in desexing procedures at the Combined Vets of Logan City. ﾠ

Although all timetabled together in the 8 week block, the Emergency and Critical Care component contributes only to VETS5028.

Course requirements

Assumed background

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Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

VETS4010, VETS4022, VETS4035, VETS4034, VETS4040.

Restrictions

Enrolment restricted to Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) students.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placement Schedule

Prior to enrolment in the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program (Year 5), you will be allocated a schedule of Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in UQ’s placement management system, InPlace. A condition of your enrolment in courses with a Clinical WIL placement requirement is completion of all scheduled WIL placements, including internal and external WIL placements, as per your allocated InPlace schedule. Once published, variations to your InPlace schedule can only be approved by the School of Veterinary Science Chief Examiner via a Deferred Examination Request. Variation requests will be considered in line with the conditions outlined in the UQ deferred examination policy. Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland.

Acceptable grounds for a request to vary your schedule include:

·         Medical grounds

·         University-sanctioned commitments e.g., registered elite athlete/performer

·         Compassionate grounds e.g., death or serious illness of a family member or close relative

Schedule variation requests will NOT be considered for the following reasons:

·         Birthdays, weddings, and other cultural or social events

·         Pre-booked holidays – you should not make any travel or vacation plans at any time during the full calendar year of the final year of your program

To request a change to your schedule, submit a deferred assessment request via mySI-net Requests and include documentary evidence of the reason for your request.

Pre-placement requirements

All students must complete the OHS modules on Blackboard before commencing rotations in the VMC. Additional timetable and induction information is available on Blackboard and should be reviewed by students prior to commencing their respective rotations.

Small Animal Clinical Rotation

Introduction to rotation –ﾠInformation relating to the Small Animal Clinical Rotation can be found on Blackboard and must be reviewed by students prior to commencing their Small Animal ClinicalﾠRotation.ﾠ

Clinical activities

During the Small Animal Clinical Rotation students students are exposed to cases seen through the following departments:

• Primary Care
• Avian & Exotics
• Emergency & Critical Care (part of VETS5028, see VETS5028 Course Profile)
• Internal Medicine
• Small Animal Surgery
• Combined Vets of Logan City

Wherever possible students will follow their cases through their entirety including admission and discharge consultations, diagnostic workup, procedures, in hospital patient monitoring and care, medical records and client communication. Depending on caseload, students may be responsible for multiple cases across departments on any given day.

An example clinical roster can be found on the VETS5030 Blackboard site.ﾠFor each rotation block, the specific rotation roster will be shared with the rotation group ahead of rotation commencement.

Shelter Medicine (RSPCA)

During their time on their Shelter Medicine (RSPCA) rotation students will be exposed to cases presenting to the RSPCA clinic, and also shelter and surgical cases. Detailed student schedule and induction materials can be found on the VETS5030 Blackboard site.

Aims and outcomes

The purpose of the Small Animal Clinics rotation is to assist in the transformation from veterinary student to veterinary practitioner and in the process attain a high professional standard in small animal clinical practice.ﾠIt is expected that students will develop appropriate competency in professional communication, interpersonal and attitudinal attributes while developing their technical, diagnostic and integrative clinical skills.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Small Animal Clinical Rotation Performance

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

50%

Due date

Assessed during the eight week rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Students will submit the following items during their rotation:

1. The "Learning Plan SACR" is submitted before the start of the rotation or no later than the beginning of the 3rd day of the rotation.  
2. The "Portfolio self-review (mid) (SACR)" is submitted by the end of the 4th week of the rotation.
3. The "Portfolio self-review (end) (SACR)" is due by 8am the Monday following the end of the rotation.
4. "Performance Feedback (SACR)" forms are completed at the end of each day of the rotation. A minimum of 20 of the possible 27 daily forms must be submitted by the student in order to pass.

The Performance Feedback Form includes a self-evaluation of performance and a self-assessed grade. These forms are submitted to the attending clinician on the day for feedback. The rubric for daily performance assessment forms is comprised of 5 equally weighted categories (Knowledge base; Clinical skills; Technical skills; Professional skills, and Communication). Each category has three performance marks (0/Does not meet standard; 1/Meets standard; 2/Exceeds standard). The rubric has a total of 10 possible marks. An average of all daily performance marks is calculated at the end of the rotation. This calculation will contribute half (50%) of the rotation performance marks.

At the end of the rotation, the course coordinators will complete the Portfolio Review (end) by Course Coordinator. This form (appended) accounts for the other 50% of rotation performance marks. 

Students must score at least a “Meets standard” (a mark of "1.0") in all categories of the course coordinator global performance rubric to pass the rotation. Students who score a “Does not meet standard” ("0") for any category in the course coordinator global performance rubric will be required to undertake a “Formalised additional learning plan” (FALP). See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for details on FALP procedure.

A table summarising the assessment components that contribute to the SACR Performance grade, and examples of grade calculations, can be found on the VETS5030 Blackboard site under 'Assessment.'

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING Information > Attendance and absence

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Shelter Medicine Rotation RSPCA

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

15%

Due date

Assessed during the two week rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Students are not required to submit any materials. Marks and feedback will be completed by the rotation lead through InSight.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING Information > Attendance and absence

Mini Case of the Week

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15% 6 activities at 2.5% each

Due date

Assessed during the eight week rotation. Deliverable content will be due Monday of week 3-8 of the rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Items will be submitted through Blackboard or Inspera. Submission requirements will be included with each case.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Must be requested before 8am on the Monday the activity is due.

Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension. Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Failure to submit on time without extension results in zero marks awarded for that activity.

Capstone Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

Second End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Attendance and absence

Attendance is required at all rostered shifts during each clinical rotation, and forms part of the professionalism criteria on the assessment tasks for each rotation.

• Students are expected to remain until all cases are up-to-date and treated.
• Students must take appropriate breaks as required (at least 10 minutes’ break every two hours) to ensure health and wellbeing.
• Students should check with their rotation supervisor prior to taking a break or leaving for the day.

 All students MUST follow the instructions in the Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activities Information section of this course profile to notify of any absence

Grade calculations

When rounding final marks for grade calculations, part marks of <0.5 will be ROUNDED DOWN to the nearest whole number, and part marks of >/= 0.5 will be ROUNDED UP to the nearest whole number. 

To pass VETS5030

• A minimum mark of 50% is required in each global performance category (knowledge base, clinical skills, technical skills, professionalism, and communication) on the "Portfolio Review (End) by Course Coordinator" for SACR.ﾠ
• A minimum 50% overall in each performance category on "Performance Assessment" RSPCA.

Rotation Performance Assessment

Students who score a “Does not meet standard” as described above, for any category, will be required to undertake a “formalised additional learning plan” (FALP). A FALP is tailored to the individual student to provide opportunities to improve on and/or demonstrate achievement of the learning objective not met in the performance assessment. ﾠThe FALP may include a repeat of up to 50% of the total rotation time for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” in one or two categories and up to 100% for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” for more than two categories. FALPs may also include clinical case scenarios, written assignments, HUB skills demonstrations, or oral viva-type examinations. ﾠUpon completion of a FALP, and demonstration of satisfactory performance the mark in that category, the mark in the related categoryﾠmay be adjusted to no greater than 1.0 ("Meets standard").

If the remediation is judged, by the course coordinator, to be unsuccessful, it remains a “Does not meet standard”, the grade remains a zero in that category,ﾠand the student will formally fail the rotation and the course. Students who fail the course may be eligible for a supplementary assessment.

Details of the FALP will be recorded in the online marking platform, written by the Course Coordinator in collaboration with the student. It will clearly state the deficiency, remediation required and time commitment. The student, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, will be booked in for additional learning as required by the plan by the SVS administration team. The plan should be completed, if possible, no later than one week prior to final grade upload for graduation in the current year. Students must make themselves available when the additional learning is offered. If the plan cannot be completed prior to grade upload, students will be awarded an INC (Incomplete grade)ﾠand may miss graduation for that year.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes. 

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment

Additional assessment information

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Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

(A) References cited in earlier medicine and surgery courses including small animal, avian and exotic pets, and pharmacology courses.ﾠ

(B) Students have access to a large collection of veterinary books and computer-based teaching programs held in the Small Animal Hospital. Please note that many of these books are owned by the staff and are not to be removed from the building.

(C) Students should considerﾠregistering as Veterinary Information Network (VIN) users. VIN is the most useful of the veterinary databases available for practising clinicians. Students receive membership at no cost (while they are still students) andﾠshould sign into the internet using their school internet account. These accounts typically have the .edu identification in the account address.

1) Point your browser to http://www.vin.com

2) At the top of the page is a JOIN VIN button. Click on this button.ﾠ

3) There will be a group of links... select:ﾠ "VIN (for veterinary students)", enter your school email address and click "NEXT"ﾠ

4) Complete the form, which requires personal details. An address and phone # is required forﾠeach student and all the security information must be filled out. Since Australia and the US are aﾠbit different, please select a 9 digit sequence of numbers to replace the Social SecurityﾠNumber (SSN).ﾠ

5)ﾠFinish by clicking on "Submit"

Once this form is filled out, it will take about half a day for the access to be approved (if the form is filled out completely).ﾠ

OR:ﾠ Students should register as a Veterinary Information Network (VIN) student user at http://www.vin.com/promo/students.htm. Thisﾠmembership is sponsored by the Royal Canin pet food company. It is again important that you register using your official UQ student email account, because this provides proof that you are a veterinary student.

(D) Students with an interest in feline medicine can join ASFM free atﾠhttp://asfm.com.au/membership/membership-form/.

(E) Students should also refer to the International Veterinary Information Service web-site at http://www.ivis.org, which provides free access to a wide range of online veterinary texts and proceedings. Individual registration is required.

(F) School staff – students should ask questions, seek advice and discuss ideas whenever possible.

(G) The VETS5030 Blackboard site has a large amount of learning material under 'Learning Materials'.ﾠ Students should view this material before commencing rotations.ﾠ

(H) SSWS + UQU

Maintaining a work-life balance and seeking help early is crucial for successful university studies. UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) and the Student Union (UQU) offer numerous resources for UQ students. Student Services provides various mindfulness programs and counselling services to boost confidence and improve overall physical and mental wellbeing. UQU also offers a range of support, welfare, and wellbeing resources.

For immediate assistance, please call the 24/7 UQ Counselling and Crisis Line at 1300 851 998.

(I) The Hub

The Student Clinical Skills Hub is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art self-directed learning facility located centrally in the School (John Mahon (8105), Room 101) with two main areas and an online resource community available for all veterinary students.

The Hub has a lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources and a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and a debriefing space.

The Hub aims to provide a safe, authentic, self-directed learning environment where students can practice their clinical skills according to their competence, beyond the scheduled contact hours of their programs and further enhance their capacity for self-directed, lifelong learning. As BVSc5 students, you will have swipe card access to the Hub from 6am-10pm, 7 days a week from December of BVSc4. See the Hub's Blackboard organisation for induction and OH&S requirements for access.

If you cannot access the community or have other questions, please get in touch with the Hub Coordinator via svs-hub@uq.edu.au or ext 15046.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Attendance at Clinical WIL placements

Clinical WIL placements are a compulsory component of the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program (Year 5) program. Attendance at all Clinical WIL placements as per your InPlace schedule is expected, and full attendance is required to be eligible to pass the course. The requirements for attendance will be communicated via the course Blackboard site and shift times will be advised by the Course Coordinator / Rotation Supervisor (internal placements) or the Placement Supervisor (external placements).

Absence from clinical placements

Attendance at a clinical placement is treated in the same way as a course assessment item. Acceptable reasons for absence from clinical placement are in line with the Acceptable reasons for an extension to assessment due date.

In the event you are unable to attend a clinical placement due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, you must take ALL the following steps:

·      Notify your placement site prior to your shift start time by phone or email; AND

·      Email the relevant Course Coordinator and svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au prior to your shift start time; AND

·      Submit documentary evidence for your absences (i.e., medical certificate, statutory declaration) no more than 48 hours from when the absence has occurred to svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au.

Rescheduling missed day/s

To make up the lost time resulting from your absence to meet the placement requirements of your course, the following options are available and will depend on the duration/timing of your absence.

Option 1: Make up day/s

If it is possible to schedule and complete the required make up day/s within the existing dates of the scheduled placement, this can be arranged directly with your Placement Supervisor/Course Coordinator and ‘resolved’ within the scheduled placement.

Option 2: Extension

If it is not possible to schedule and complete the required day/s within the existing scheduled dates, you must apply for an extension to your placement dates via the my.UQ Extension to Assessment Due Date process to arrange for the make up day/s to be scheduled at a later time.

If approved, the SVS Placements Team will liaise with the placement site and adjust your InPlace schedule as required. Where possible*, the make up day/s will be scheduled to occur within a holiday period in your schedule.

Option 3: Deferral

If you are absent for the entire scheduled placement, or have missed enough day/s to require rescheduling of the entire placement, you must apply for deferral of your placement via the mySI-net Deferring an exam process, to be considered by the SVS Chief Examiner.

If approved, the SVS Placements Team will liaise with the placement site and adjust your InPlace schedule as required. Where possible*, the deferred placement will be scheduled to occur within a holiday period in your schedule.

*Options 2 and 3: Possible delayed graduation

Scheduling make up days or deferred placements within the same academic year will depend on the capacity of the placement site (internal or external) and the student’s individual InPlace schedule.

In some cases, it may not be possible to schedule make up day/s or reschedule the placement prior to the end of year results release, which may result in delayed completion of the course and program requirements and potentially affect your eligibility to graduate.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy