Disorders of specific organ systems

The Alimentary system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the different parts of the equine alimentary tract.
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases of the different parts of the equine alimentary tract.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be able to recognise the risk of complications associated with gastrointestinal diseases (endotoxemia, sepsis, laminitis etc...) and can implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Hepatobiliary system
1. he resident must understand and be able explain the normal structure and function of the equine hepatobiliary system.
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine liver and biliary system.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be familiar with the complications of liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy, bilateral laryngeal paralysis, gastric impaction etc...) and can implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Respiratory system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine respiratory tract and pleural cavity, including the pathophysiology of coughing, stridor, tachypnoea and dyspnoea.
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine upper and lower respiratory tract.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be able to recognise the risk of contagious diseases (common and uncommon) and which are reportable.
5. The resident must be able to recognise risk factors for the development of respiratory tract disease and knows how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Cardiovascular system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine cardiovascular system and understands the different types of arrhythmias and murmurs commonly identified in the horse.
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine cardiovascular system.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be familiar with the complications of heart arrhythmias and failure (peripheral or pulmonary oedema, syncope, collapse, sudden death etc...) and know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Urinary system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine urinary system. The resident must be comfortable with interpreting the causes of azotaemia and differentiating between acute and chronic renal failure.
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine urinary tract system.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
The Haematopoietic and Haemolymphatic systems
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal anatomical, physiological and immunological processes of the normal equine haematopoietic and haemolymphatic system. The resident must have basic knowledge of oncology
2. The resident must know the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine haematopoietic/haemolymphatic system. The resident must be able to recognise reportable and contagious diseases.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be familiar with the complications of the haematopoietic and lymphatic systems (hypersensitivity, clotting abnormalities, purpura haemorrhagica etc..) and know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Nervous system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine nervous system. The resident must understand the different parts of the nervous system (central and peripheral nervous system, upper and lower motor neuron).
2. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine nervous system.
3. The resident must understand how to identify the neuroanatomical location of the lesion and can put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical and neurological exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
Ophthalmology
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the eye and periocular structures.
2. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine eye.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
The Musculoskeletal system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure, metabolism and function of the equine musculoskeletal system.
2. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine musculoskeletal system.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be familiar with the complications of the musculoskeletal system (rhabdomyolysis, myopathy) and know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Endocrine system
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine endocrine system.
2. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine endocrine system.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
4. The resident must be familiar with the complications of the endocrine system (laminitis, recurrent infections, weight loss) and know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.
The Skin
1. The resident must understand and be able to explain the normal structure and function of the equine skin. The resident must be able to recognise the reaction patterns of the equine epidermis, dermis and subcutis and differentiate between primary and secondary lesions. The resident must understand the clinical appearance of pruritus and alopecia.
2. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the equine skin.
3. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
The Reproductive system
1. The resident must know the normal structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems.
2. The resident must understand how to evaluate for pregnancy at the different stages of gestation and how to monitor the pregnant mare and foetus for indications of disease. The resident must know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans of injury and/or disease in a pregnant mare during gestation and parturition. The resident must know how to recognise and treat a dystocia during parturition. The resident must understand how to implement an appropriate plane of nutrition for a pregnant and lactating mare. The resident must know how to assess a post-foaling mare for injuries and/or disease and how to assess the colostrum and milk quality and quantity, and medically influence milk let-down and production.
3. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases involving the male and female equine reproductive system.
4. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
Equine neonatology
1. The resident must know how to assess an equine neonate immediately post-foaling and recognise how the normal vital parameters change as the foal matures. The resident must be comfortable handling and restraining an equine neonate and be familiar with the nutritional requirements of an equine neonate and the different ways of providing nutrition. The resident must have a basic knowledge of the pharmacokinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs in the equine neonate.
2. The resident must understand passive and acquired immunity in the foal and how to identify a high-risk foal, implementing monitoring and preventative plans.
3. The resident must understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of common diseases of the equine neonate.
4. The resident must be able to put together a list of appropriate differential diagnosis based on the signalment, history, presenting complaint and clinical exam findings and form an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
5. The resident must be familiar with the complications of sick equine neonates and know how to implement appropriate monitoring and preventative plans.