Course Description
This course provides a foundation in the basic principles of pharmacology. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and general pharmacological principles, definitions and a review of drugs that affect each body system are included and practical applications of concepts for a variety of species are reviewed.
Enrollment is limited to students of the Animal Health Technology Program
Course Content
The major topics in this course include the following:
Terminology & Concepts
- definitions including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, over-the-counter drugs, pharmacotherapy, prescription drugs, controlled substances, extra label drugs, and veterinary pharmacology.
- drug development and marketing -- safety, toxicity evaluation, effective (ED50 and lethal dose (LD50) and therapeutic index.
- toxic levels and safety zones.
- review of routes of administration (procedures and definitions).
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- “Getting In”
- “Moving Around”
- “Changing”
- “Getting Out”
Overview of Drugs Affecting Each Body System
- Nervous system – Definitions of CNS and ANS components; the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems; peripheral nervous system and drugs associated with each. Reversal agents will also be discussed.
- Cardiovascular system – Definitions of basic cardiovascular terminology. Positive inotropic drugs (cardiac glycosides, catecholamines, phosphodiesterase inhibitors). Antiarrhythmic drugs, vasodilators, diuretics, blood modifying. Use of drugs to treat CHF and AHF.
- Respiratory system –definitions; drug categories’ actions and examples. Including expectorants, mucolytics, antitussives, bronchodilators and decongestants.
- Musculoskeletal drugs - definitions including neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, NSAID’s, neuromuscular blockers, spasmolytics and anabolic steroids.
- Gastrointestinal system - Review drug classes with mode of action and uses. Includes but not limited to-emetics, antiemetics, antiulcer, antidiarheal, laxatives and prokinetic drugs.
- Drugs used in hormonal, endocrine and reproductive disorders –Gonadotropins, oestrogens, androgens, progestins. Thyroid drugs and blood glucose regulation (diabetes management). Drugs affecting reproduction and growth- e.g. oxytocin, prostaglandins, corticosteroids.
- Dermatology - Oral and topical drugs used in a variety of conditions and species.
- Drugs that affect the eye and ear and their uses in various species
- Urinary system - Drug classes (diuretics) and uses; urolith preventative drug treatments; incontinence drugs.
- Overview of drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation
- Drugs used to treat various cancers and overview of immunosuppressants.
Parasiticides
- Internal: anthelmintics, antinematodals, antiprotozoals, and drugs for prevention and treatment of heartworm.
- External: ectoparasiticides - classes, methods of application in companion and large animals.
Antimicrobial drugs
- role and function of antimicrobials -- antibiotics antifungals antivirals and Antiparasitics.
- bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibiotics.
- broad and narrow spectrum antibiotics.
- antibiotic classes and examples -- mechanism of action.
Anaesthetics
Learning Activities
This course includes four hours of classroom instruction per week.
Means of Assessment
Quizzes and assignments 15 - 25%
Midterm exam 20 – 30%
Group project and presentation 15 – 25%
Final Exam 30 – 35%
100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will:
- Better understand and be able to utilize pharmacology terminology and aspects of general pharmacology.
- Understand the process of drug development, marketing, drug prescribing and research.
- Be able to describe and understand the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Utilise dosage calculations.
- Have reviewed the routes of drug administration used in veterinary medicine.
- Be familiar with the types of available CNS and ANS drugs and their effects on the nervous system.
- Be familiar with the types of available cardiovascular and respiratory drugs and their effects.
- Understand the use of commonly used anti-parasite drugs in a variety of species.
- Understand the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.
- Be familiar with the types of gastrointestinal and urinary drugs available, their uses and their modes of action.
- Be familiar with drugs affecting muscle function, skin, reproductive and endocrine systems.
- Be familiar with local and general anaesthetics.
- Be familiar with the types of anti-inflammatory, analgaesic, ophthalmic and otic drugs and their uses.
- Be familiar with the uses and types of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs.