Program Overview

Introduction to the DVM Program

The DVM program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine is a comprehensive educational experience designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to succeed in the field of veterinary medicine.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into two phases: Phase I and Phase II. Phase I takes place during the first three years and consists of lectures, labs, and small group learning experiences. Phase II begins in the spring semester of the third year and consists of rotations in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Phase I: Year I

Fall Semester

• Course | Title | Credits ---|---|--- 5161 | Form and Function 1 | 4 5150 | Clinical Skills 1 | 1 5181 | Veterinary Professional Development 1 | 2 5162 | Form and Function 2 | 3.5 5175 | Fundamentals of Diagnostics and Surgery 1 | 1 5141 | Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 1 | 2.5 5010 | Special Topics in Veterinary Medicine | 2 Total | | 16

Course Descriptions

• 5161 Form and Function 1: Covers the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nerves, and blood vessels of appendages.
• 5150 Clinical Skills 1: Enables students to learn and practice technical and non-technical skills related to handling and physical exams of different species.
• 5181 Veterinary Professional Development 1: Develops professional skills and identity through didactic instruction, small group learning, and interactive laboratory sessions.
• 5162 Form and Function 2: Covers the cavities and spaces of the body and the organ systems within.
• 5175 Fundamentals of Diagnostics and Surgery 1: Introduces principles of radiographic image formation and interpretation, clinical pathology, and principles of surgery.
• 5141 Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 1: Develops clinical reasoning, problem-oriented approaches, and seeking and filtering information.

Spring Semester

• Course | Title | Credits ---|---|--- 5163 | Form and Function 3 | 3.5 5151 | Clinical Skills 2 | 1 5172 | Clinical Immunology | 2 5182 | Veterinary Professional Development 2 | 1.5 5164 | Form and Function 4 | 5.5 5176 | Fundamentals of Diagnostics and Surgery 2 | 1 5142 | Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 2 | 3 5010 | Special Topics in Veterinary Medicine | 2 5001 | Problem-based Learning 1 | 2 Total | | 21.5

Course Descriptions

• 5163 Form and Function 3: Provides additional knowledge in microanatomy, physiology, and gross anatomy from a systems and comparative perspective.
• 5151 Clinical Skills 2: Builds on Clinical Skills 1, enabling students to learn and practice technical and non-technical skills.
• 5172 Clinical Immunology: Provides fundamental knowledge of basic immunology and principles of host defense and vaccination strategies.
• 5182 Veterinary Professional Development 2: Fosters development of professional identity and professionalism through didactic instruction, simulated client exercises, and small group learning.
• 5164 Form and Function 4: Solidifies knowledge of how organ systems normally work and explores normal clinically relevant microanatomy, physiology, and gross anatomy.
• 5176 Fundamentals of Diagnostics and Surgery 2: Highlights options for detecting disease visually and introduces clinical pathology diagnostic methods.
• 5142 Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 2: Develops clinical reasoning, problem-oriented approaches, and selecting information.
• 5001 Problem-based Learning 1: Uses small group problem-based learning with clinical veterinary cases.

Phase I: Year II

Fall Semester

• Course | Title | Credits ---|---|--- 5223 | Veterinary Pharmacology | 1.5 5243 | Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 3 | 3 5248 | Diseases of the Nervous System | 2.5 5256 | Respiratory Diseases | 2 5261 | Diseases of the Cardiovascular System | 1.5 5268 | Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System | 2.5 5275 | Foundations: Husbandry, Disease, and Diagnosis | 5 5281 | Veterinary Professional Development 3 | 1 5250 | Clinical Skills 3 | 1 5010 | Special Topics | 2 Total | | 22

Course Descriptions

• 5223 Veterinary Pharmacology: Covers foundational principles of pharmacology.
• 5243 Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 3: Applies clinical reasoning to veterinary diagnostic decisions.
• 5248 Diseases of the Nervous System: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of nervous system diseases.
• 5256 Respiratory Diseases: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of respiratory system diseases.
• 5261 Diseases of the Cardiovascular System: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of cardiovascular system diseases.
• 5268 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of musculoskeletal system diseases.
• 5275 Foundations: Husbandry, Disease, and Diagnosis: Covers herd husbandry, life stage nutrition, general pathology, and clinical pathology.
• 5281 Veterinary Professional Development 3: Develops communication, collaboration, professional identity, and professionalism.
• 5250 Clinical Skills 3: Enables students to learn and practice technical and non-technical skills.

Spring Semester

• Course | Title | Credits ---|---|--- 5002 | Problem-based Learning 2 | 2 5244 | Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 4 | 3.5 5255 | Multi-systemic Diseases and Diseases of Exotic Animals | 3 5257 | Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, and Endocrine Diseases | 4.5 5258 | Diseases of the Integumentary System | 1.5 5263 | Urogenital Diseases | 3.5 5267 | Veterinary Anesthesia | 1.5 5277 | Diseases of the Eye | 1 5282 | Veterinary Professional Development 4 | 1 5251 | Clinical Skills 4 | 1.5 5010 | Special Topics | 1 Total | | 24

Course Descriptions

• 5002 Problem-based Learning 2: Uses small group problem-based learning with clinical veterinary cases.
• 5244 Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine 4: Applies clinical reasoning to veterinary diagnostic decisions.
• 5255 Multi-systemic Diseases and Diseases of Exotic Animals: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of multi-systemic diseases and diseases of exotic animals.
• 5257 Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, and Endocrine Diseases: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of gastrointestinal, hepatic, and endocrine system diseases.
• 5258 Diseases of the Integumentary System: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of integumentary system diseases.
• 5263 Urogenital Diseases: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of urinary and reproductive system diseases.
• 5267 Veterinary Anesthesia: Covers principles of anesthesia and pharmacology of anesthetic drugs.
• 5277 Diseases of the Eye: Covers pathophysiology and diagnosis of eye diseases.
• 5282 Veterinary Professional Development 4: Develops communication, collaboration, professional identity, and professionalism.
• 5251 Clinical Skills 4: Enables students to learn and practice technical and non-technical skills.

Phase I: Year III

In Year III, students choose a concentration that determines the blocks or rotations taken during Phase II. Concentrations include:

• Companion Animal
• Mixed Animal
• Equine
• Food Animal
• Zoological Medicine/Exotic
• Public Practice

Fall Semester

• Course | Description | Contact Hours | Credits ---|---|---|--- 5011 | Advanced Veterinary Anesthesiology and Surgery | 31 | 1.50 5264 | Diseases of Dogs and Cats | 58 | 3.50 5315 | Veterinary Radiology and Imaging | 37 | 2.00 5320 | Large Animal Clinical Nutrition | 20 | 1.00 5325 | Small Animal Clinical Nutrition | 20 | 1.00 5350 | Clinical Skills Laboratory | 15 | 0.50 5351 | Veterinary Neurology | 29 | 1.50 5352 | Veterinary Ophthalmology | 25 | 1.50 5361 | Comparative Theriogenology | 48 | 3.00 5362 | Diseases of Horses | 68 | 4.00 5363 | Emergency Medicine | 33 | 1.50 5373 | Toxicology | 40 | 2.50 Total | | 424 | 23.50

Spring Semester

• Course | Description | Contact Hours | Credits ---|---|---|--- 5366 | Population Medicine | 41 | 2.50 5370 | Ethics and Jurisprudence | 20 | 1.00 5372 | Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases | 40 | 2.50 Total | | 101 | 6.00

Phase II

• Course | Description | Contact Hours | Credits ---|---|---|--- 5010 | Special Topics in Veterinary Medicine | 20 | 2.00 5441 | Diagnostic Microbiology | 40 | 1.00 5442 | Diagnostic Parasitology | 40 | 1.00 5443 | Clinical Anesthesiology | 80 | 2.00 5452 | Diagnostic Pathology | 160 | 4.00 5454 | Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging | 160 | 4.00 5455 | Avian, Zoo, Exotic and Marine Animal Medicine | 40-160 | 1.00-4.00 5456 | Companion Animal Medicine and Health Maintenance | 160 | 4.00 5457 | Companion Animal Surgery | 160 | 4.00 5458 | Equine Medicine and Surgery | 160 | 4.00 5460 | Applied Veterinary Dermatology | 80 | 2.00 5462 | Externship | 80-200 | 2.00-5.00 5463 | Special Training | 40-160 | 1.00-4.00 5465 | Applied Veterinary Theriogenology | 40-160 | 1.00-4.00 5467 | Applied Veterinary Ophthalmology | 40-160 | 1.00-4.00 5468 | Farm Animal Health Management | 160 | 4.00 Total | | | 52-53

Possible Topics for VMED 5010: Special Topics in Veterinary Medicine

Courses are offered to first-year, second-year, third-year, and fourth-year students, covering a wide range of topics including but not limited to:

• Clinical Immersion
• Service Learning
• Selected Topics in Feline Medicine
• Anatomy and Physiology of Marine Mammals
• Clinical Application of the Skin and Skin Appendages
• Electrodiagnostic Tests in Veterinary Neurology
• Emerging and Exotic Animal Diseases
• Human-Animal Bond
• Husbandry Considerations for Non-traditional Pets
• Integrative Medicine
• Introduction to Biomechanics for Clinicians
• Introduction to the Cat and Feline Medicine
• Introduction to Laboratory Animal Medicine
• Ornamental Fish Medicine
• Raptor Medicine and Surgery
• Shelter Medicine and Solutions to Overpopulation
• Topics in Ecosystem and Conservation Medicine
• Veterinarians in the Community
• Veterinary Medicine in International Development
• Zoo Med: What's your Diagnosis?
• Advanced Bovine Theriogenology
• Advanced Business Management
• Advanced Endocrinology
• Advanced Equine Gastrointestinal Diseases
• Advanced Equine Lameness
• Advanced Equine Musculoskeletal
• Advanced Equine Respiratory Disease
• Advanced Food Animal
• Advanced Small Animal Gastroenterology
• Advanced Small Animal Ultrasound
• Advanced Small Ruminant Medicine and Surgery
• Diagnostic and Surgical Techniques in Avian and Exotics
• Equine Dentistry
• Practice Valuation
• Selected Topics in Feline Medicine
• Small Animal Behavior
• Small Animal Nutrition: Practical Tips and Case Management
• Topics in Ecosystem and Conservation Medicine
• Veterinary Dentistry