ANPH 505 Veterinary Pharmacology II

(3 cr.) (Didactic) One of the main tasks of the veterinarian in every day practice is the application of veterinary medicinal products. To be able to responsibly administer drugs to animals, one needs thorough knowledge of pharmacodynamics (how drugs act) and pharmacokinetics (the movement of the drug through the body). Furthermore, the risks associated with drug administration, both for the animal or animal populations (food safety, adverse effects; toxicology) and for the environment (this includes the owner and the environment; environmental toxicity – “one-health” concept) needs to be carefully evaluated.

In this course, students will develop a proficient working knowledge of anti-infective drugs and drugs acting on organ systems, including anticancer medication. The principals of drug therapy and the factors that influence the use of each medication in different species will be discussed.

There is special attention for the clinical importance of drugs, their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and adverse effects, as well as for food safety and therapeutic decision making. Embedded in the lecture series are discussions on ethical dilemmas around the use of drugs (antimicrobial stewardship, cost effectiveness of medication, risks to the owner and the environment), and effective communication with owners and partners in the professional health care team.