Pharmacology

Veterinary Pharmacology I focuses on drugs used in veterinary practice. General principles of drug action are covered, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and species-specific differences in these processes. Regulatory issues concerning the use of drugs in veterinary medicine are discussed.  Specifics of drugs affecting the autonomic nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine and gastrointestinal systems are extensively covered. 

The pharmacology course places an emphasis on the physical and chemical properties of drugs, the mechanisms of action, the therapeutic effects, the indications/contraindications and drug interactions.

This course deals with the general principles of pharmacology, all aspects of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs, mechanisms of drug actions, dmg testing in humans, and prescription writing. In addition, this course describes in great detail the pharmacologic actions and clinical uses of autonomic and cardiovascular drugs, and the principles of toxicology. Topics covered include the chemotherapy of microbial and parasitic diseases, chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases, drugs acting on blood and blood-forming organs, hormones and hormone antagonists, principles of toxicology, vitamins, gastric antacids, digestants, laxatives, antihistamines, and drugs causing birth defects. In addition, these courses include several lectures in clinical pharmacology. Workshops are conducted to demonstrate the application of pharmacologic principles in simulated human cases. In these presentations, emphasis is placed on problem solving, formulating hypotheses, making therapeutic decisions, and evaluating the patient’s response to pharmacotherapy. This course is taught during three quarters with a single grade given at the completion of the course. 3.5 credits first quarter, 3.5 credits second quarter, 3.0 credits third quarter, for a total of 10 credits.

This course is the continuation of PHARG 1610. Topics in winter quarter include drugs affecting the gastrointestinal tract, drugs acting in the central nervous system, and drugs used for hormonal therapy. There will be 35 lecture hours. Emphasis will be on clinical pharmacology, problem solving, making therapeutic decisions, and evaluating the patient’s response to pharmacotherapy.

The pharmacology course places an emphasis on the physical and chemical properties of drugs, the mechanisms of action, the therapeutic effects, the indications/contraindications and drug interactions.

This course is a continuation of PHARG 1610 and 1620. The spring quarter covers all aspects of chemotherapy of infectious disease and cancer. The last portion of the course is devoted to comprehensive review. There will be 30 lecture hours. The course emphasizes clinical pharmacology, problem solving, making therapeutic decisions, and evaluating the patient’s response to pharmacotherapy.

Veterinary Pharmacology II and Clinical Anesthesiology focus on drugs used in veterinary practice. Drugs for treating infections and those for treatment of neoplastic diseases are extensively covered. Veterinary anesthesia, including drugs used for pain management, sedation, and anesthesia is a major focus of the class. Laboratory sessions provide students with hands-on introductions to equipment routinely used in anesthetic practice. Advanced topics including drug compounding and regulation of the use of drugs in livestock are covered.