VM4126 | University of Rwanda - Elearning Platform

Enrolment options

VET4126: Abdominal and Urogenital Surgery

Welcome message

Welcome to the Abdominal and Urogenital Surgery module, a core component of VET 4126 – Surgery II, taught in Year 4 of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme at the University of Rwanda, School of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences.

This module introduces students to the principles, decision-making processes, and practical techniques involved in the surgical management of abdominal and urogenital conditions in farm animals and companion animals. It integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills that are essential for safe and effective veterinary surgical practice.

Module Overview

The Abdominal and Urogenital Surgery module is designed to equip students with foundational competencies in:

Surgical anatomy and physiology
Diagnosis and differentiation of medical versus surgical conditions
Emergency stabilization of abdominal and urogenital cases
Selection and application of appropriate surgical and anesthetic techniques

The module covers surgical conditions affecting the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, and cats.

Aim of the Module

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge, practical skills, and clinical reasoning ability required to:

Diagnose and stabilize abdominal and urogenital emergencies
Understand the pathophysiology and surgical indications of common abdominal and urogenital conditions
Perform basic abdominal and urogenital surgical procedures under aseptic conditions
Apply appropriate peri-operative and post-operative care in domestic animals

Brief Description of the Module

This module focuses on the principles and practical approaches to abdominal and urogenital surgery in domestic animals. Students will learn to:

Differentiate between surgical and non-surgical abdominal conditions
Select appropriate diagnostic methods (clinical examination, imaging, centesis)
Understand and perform exploratory laparotomy and organ-specific procedures
Manage surgical conditions of the forestomach, intestines, abomasum, liver, spleen, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs

This module provides a foundation for clinical veterinary practice. Full mastery of advanced abdominal and urogenital surgical procedures requires postgraduate training and supervised clinical experience following graduation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Knowledge

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the surgical anatomy and physiology of the abdominal and urogenital systems in domestic animals
Identify and explain common abdominal and urogenital surgical diseases across species

Skills

Perform accurate clinical assessment and diagnostic evaluation of abdominal and urogenital conditions
Apply appropriate anaesthetic protocols and surgical techniques
Stabilize and manage abdominal and urogenital surgical emergencies
Implement effective peri-operative and post-operative care, including pain management and wound monitoring