Program Overview

Course Overview

The course ANPH 504: Veterinary Pharmacology I is offered by the School of Veterinary Medicine, within the Anatomy and Physiology program. This course is worth 3 credits.

Course Description

This course describes the basic principles of pharmacology and the importance of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of drugs, laying the foundation for the clinical application of veterinary medicinal products. The significance of correlating pharmacology with physiology provides a firm understanding of the subject concepts. The course aims to develop students' knowledge about the rational use of therapeutic drugs, considering species variations and the drug's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features.

Course Objectives

Special emphasis will be given to the clinical use of drugs in both healthy and diseased animals, thereby analyzing species-specific sensitivities and adverse/side-effects. In this course, students will be exposed to the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that underpin drug use.

Classes of Drugs Covered

• Autonomic drugs
  • Analysis of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features
• Anesthetic agents
  • Discussion of their clinical use and potential side-effects
• Analgesic drugs
  • Examination of their therapeutic significance and potential risks
• Anticonvulsant drugs
  • Investigation of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Exploration of their clinical applications and potential adverse effects
• Hemostatic/anticoagulant drugs
  • Explanation of their therapeutic significance and importance in veterinary medicine
• Anabolic steroids
  • Discussion of their clinical use and potential risks
• Important segments of a prescription
  • Detailing the key components and their significance in veterinary pharmacology

Learning Outcomes

With the clinical use of these drugs in mind, their characteristics and prophylactic/therapeutic efficacy are explained, emphasizing the importance of ensuring food safety and environmental bio-security. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of veterinary pharmacology, preparing them for the rational use of therapeutic drugs in clinical practice.