Pets, Exotic and Laboratory Animals

Not applicable.

In order to achieve the proposed competences, the teaching/learning process is based on:
– Lectures of theoretical exposition and video viewing.
– Practical classes: (i) case studies; (ii) analysis and discussion of rules related to animal handling; (iii) Bibliographic research-oriented on some topics of interest with oral presentation.

Identify the main animal species used as pets.
Identify common breeds of dogs and cats.
Recognize anomalies or birth defects related to certain breeds.
Know pet rights and duties of animal keepers.
Distinguish exotic animal species in relation to taxonomy, housing, and natural environment.
Know animal species used in research, as well as existing recommendations and regulations for their use.

Dog breeds recognized by the World Canine Organization (FCI) and Portuguese breeds: main characteristics.
Cat breeds recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe).
The legal status of animals and other legislation related to animal rights and duties of animal keepers.
Dangerous and breed dogs considered potentially dangerous.
Pet identification. Prerequisites for travel.
Small mammals; species usually seen in veterinary practice: rabbit, guinea pig, rats, hamster, guinea pig, chinchilla, squirrel, ferret; biological parameters, characteristics of social grouping, housing, and nutrition of each mammalian group.
Birds: psittacines and passeiformes; biological parameters, housing, and nutrition.
Reptiles: turtles, snakes, and lizards; biological parameters, housing, and nutrition.
Animal species most used in animal experimentation. Ethics in Animal Experimentation. 3 Rs Principle: “Replace, Reduce and Refine”. Regulations.

Continuous assessment:

Approval in the curricular unit (CU) requires the student to have a minimum grade greater than or equal to 9.5, obtained by weighting the following assessment instruments:

- Written theoretical assessment (50%): 3 written tests; test 1 (companion animals; 25%) + test 2 (exotic animals; 12.5%) + test 2 (laboratory animals; 12.5%).

- Practical assessment (50%) by continuous assessment in practical classes, interpretation, and resolution of case studies, and preparation and presentation of a work, after guided bibliographical research on a topic of interest.

The practical assessment of the 3 different components and their respective weighting will be carried out as follows:

- pet animals (25%): average of the work elaborated during the practical classes and of the work presented orally;

- exotic animals (12.5%): oral presentation of work;

- laboratory animals (12.5%): oral and written presentation of work;

A student will be approved when he/she obtains cumulatively:
(i) a minimum of 75% class attendance
ii) a grade equal to or higher than 7.5 in each of the components
iii) final mark equal to or higher than 9.5 points;

Exam evaluation:

In the final exam, continuous assessment students may be partially exempted in any component in which they have achieved ≥7.5.

A student who has not obtained approval by continuous assessment has access to the exam periods defined by the regulation, maintaining the weighting of the respective components:

- Written theoretical test (50%) = pet animals (25%) + exotic animals (12,5%) + laboratory animals (12,5%);
- Practical evaluation (50%) = written presentation of work (pet animals - 25%; exotic animals - 12,5%; laboratory animals - 12,5%).

NAO