Department of Veterinary Small Animal Clinical Sciences

http://vetmed.tamu.edu/vscs

Head: Jonathan M. Levine

The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences has three major missions: leading edge patient and client care, transformational learning, and clinical research. Each of these activities is intended to improve the quality of life for companion animals and their owners. Faculty and staff in the department participate in all four years of the professional curriculum, although most interactions with students occur in the third and fourth years. The department offers a one-year internship program for the newly graduated veterinarians, and three-year and four-year residency programs in several clinical disciplines for veterinarians seeking advanced training and board certification. Faculty and staff frequently contribute to continuing education programs and may teach and mentor students earning the interdepartmental graduate degrees in Biomedical Sciences offered by the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Scholarly programs of the faculty are centered mainly on the study of the spontaneously occurring diseases of the patients presented to the Small Animal Hospital. Investigative programs are active in aging biology, anesthesiology, animal behavior, cardiology, clinical nutrition, dermatology, feline internal medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, G.I. Lab, internal medicine, neurology/neurosurgery, oncology, and orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. We also have a growing portfolio of clinical trials aimed at improving animal and human health.

Approximately, 23,500 animals are presented to the Small Animal Hospital for advanced diagnostic procedures and state-of-the-art treatment methods. Faculty, staff, and fourth-year students participate as a team in the care of these patients. Many of these patients are referred from veterinarians throughout Texas and the region, so that they may receive the benefits of the unique expertise and diagnostic and therapeutic technology offered by the Small Animal Hospital.

Veterinary Small Animal Clinical Sciences

VSCS 681 Seminar

Credit 1. 1 Other Hour.

Current scientific work in medical and surgical fields in and related to small animal medicine and surgery. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: DVM degree or approval of department head.

VSCS 685 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 8. 1 to 8 Other Hours.

Original investigations of problems in field of small animal surgery, therapeutics or radiology.
Prerequisite: DVM degree or approval of instructor and department head.

VSCS 689 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 6 Lab Hours.

Special topics in an identified area of small animal medicine or surgery. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: DVM degree or approval of instructor and department head.

VSCS 691 Research

Credits 1 to 23. 1 to 23 Other Hours.

Research for thesis.

VSCS 697 Teaching Anatomy Lab

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 12 Lab Hours.

Theory and practical aspects of teaching neuroanatomy lab and clinical neurology; emphasis on content, instructional methods and practical aspects of neuroanatomy lab.
Prerequisites: Graduation classification in VIBS/VSCS; appointment as TA for VIBS 913 anatomy lab.

VSCS 698 Teaching Surgery Lab

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 12 Lab Hours.

Theory and practical aspects of teaching surgical procedures, with emphasis on content, instructional methods and practical aspects of surgery lab. May be repeated one time for credit.
Prerequisites: Graduate classification in VIBS/VSCS; appointment as TA for VSCS 932.

VSCS 910 Integrated Animal Care I

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

Foundation in companion animal and large animal veterinary care; focus on day-one veterinary wellness and preventive care and herd-health concepts; exposure includes companion animal species, common large animal species, pocket pets, reptiles, camelids, miniature pigs and birds; clinical application of topics including neonatal care, husbandry practices, animal behavior, parasite prevention, immunization protocols and healthy animal nutrition.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the first year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 926 Professional and Clinical Skills III

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 6 Lab Hours.

Integration and reinforcement of foundational knowledge offered in concurrent courses through critical thinking exercises, professional skills application activities (ethics/contextual decision-making, leadership, skills for well-being, personal/practice financial literacy, core communication skills) and application of technical skills; opportunities for learning include didactic, hands-on and case-based interactions utilizing simulation, models, animals, actors and case scenarios; part III of a VI part series.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the second year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 930 Principles of Anesthesia & Analgesia

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

Principles of Anesthesia & Analgesia. Clinical practice of veterinary anesthesia and analgesia; equipment for administration of inhalant anesthetics, evaluation and preparation of patients for anesthesia, equipment and techniques for monitoring anesthetized patients; methods for controlling pain during the perianesthetic period; anesthetic principles for management of various species; anesthetic principles for management of patients with coexisting disease.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the second year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 932 Principles of Surgery

Credits 2. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

Surgical management of veterinary patients; focus on basic surgical equipment, techniques, procedures and preparation of the surgeon and patient.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the second year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 934 Professional & Clinical Skills V

Credits 3. 7 Lab Hours.

Professional & Clinical Skills V. Integration and reinforcement of foundational knowledge offered in concurrent courses through critical thinking exercises, professional skills application activities (ethics/contextual decision-making, leadership, skills for well-being, personal/practice financial literacy, core communication skills) and application of technical skills; opportunities for learning include didactic, hands-on and case-based interactions utilizing simulation, models, animals, actors and case scenarios; part V of a VI part series.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the third year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 940 Small Animal Clinics I

Credits 2. 35 Lab Hours.

Student participation with clinical cases in the small animal medicine services of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Must be taken two times.
Prerequisite: Fourth year classification in veterinary medicine or approval of department head.

VSCS 941 Small Animal Primary Care

Credits 4. 4 Other Hours.

Clinical cases in the small animal primary care medicine and surgery service of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
Prerequisite: Fourth year classification in veterinary medicine.

VSCS 945 Advanced Small Animal Clinical Elective

Credits 2. 35 Lab Hours.

Student participation with clinical cases for advanced student in selected services of the small animal medicine and surgery sections of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. May be taken 12 times.
Prerequisite: VSCS 940 or approval of department head.

VSCS 948 Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Elective

Credits 1 to 12. 1 to 12 Lecture Hours.

In-depth study of selected disease processes in the various disciplines of small animal medicine and surgery will be conducted emphasizing management, diagnostics and medical or surgical treatment. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Third year classification in veterinary medicine or approval of department head.

VSCS 953 Small Animal Clinical Skills

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour.

Acquisition of basic technical skills useful in the diagnosis and treatment of small animals in general veterinary practice. Modular one month course.
Prerequisite: Third year classification in veterinary medicine in good standing.

VSCS 954 Small Animal Medicine I

Credits 6. 5 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

Medical disease of dogs and cats; pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases prevalent in small animals.
Prerequisite: Third year classification in veterinary medicine in good standing.

VSCS 955 Small Animal Medicine II

Credits 6. 6 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

Continuation of Small Animal Medicine I; medical disease of dogs and cats; pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases prevalent in small animals.

VSCS 956 Small Animal Diagnostics & Therapeutics I

Credits 4.5. 4.5 Lecture Hours.

Small Animal Diagnostics & Therapeutics I. Medical and surgical diseases in dogs and cats including pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic management; understanding of self-directed continued study and appropriate use of referral; disorders of the reproductive, respiratory, hemolymphatic, dermatologic, urinary, neurologic, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic and endocrine systems; includes neoplastic, nutritional, infectious and metabolic disorders.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the third year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 957 Small Animal Diagnostics & Therapeutics II

Credits 4.5. 4.5 Lecture Hours.

Small Animal Diagnostics & Therapeutics II. Medical and surgical diseases in dogs and cats including pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic management; understanding of self-directed continued study and appropriate use of referral; disorders of the reproductive, respiratory, hemolymphatic, dermatologic, urinary, neurologic, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic and endocrine systems; includes neoplastic, nutritional, infectious and metabolic disorders.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the third year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 958 Clinical Focus-Tracking I - Companion Animal

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours.

Advanced medical and surgical disorders of the dog and cat; history-taking and problem-solving skills; physical examination findings; laboratory/imaging results; formulation of diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the third year of professional DVM curriculum.

VSCS 960 Clinical Focus-Tracking II - Companion Animal

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours.

VSCS 985 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours.

Directed individual study of a selected problem in small animal medicine, surgery or radiology. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: Matriculation in veterinary professional curriculum and approval of department head.

VSCS 988 Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Selective

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours.

In-depth study of selected disease processes in the various disciplines of small animal medicine and surgery; emphasis on management, diagnostics and medical treatment or therapeutic approaches.
Prerequisites: Third year classification in veterinary medicine and in good standing. May be taken for credit up to eight hours.

Aicher, Kathleen, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2012

Atiee, Genna, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2013

August, John, Dean
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
BVetMed, University of London, 1973

Baetge, Courtney L, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2003

Barnes, Katherine Hirose, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Oregon State University, 2011

Beaver, Bonnie V, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Minnesota, 1968

Bennett, Brad S, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2007

Bilof, Katherine, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Missouri, Columbia, 2012

Boudreau, Christen E, Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2010
PHD, Baylor College of Medicine, 2001

Collins, Sean, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2009

Cook, Audrey K, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Edinburgh, 1989

Cornell, Karen K, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Purdue University, 1988
PHD, Purdue University, 1998

Creevy, Kate E, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Tennessee, 1998

Davidson, Jacqueline R, Clinical Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Minnesota, 1986

Deveau, Michael A, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Kansas State University, 2005

Dickerson, Vanna, Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Georgia, 2013

Diesel, Alison B, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Kansas State University, 2005

Dodd, Johnathon R, Clinical Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 1979

Eckman, Stacy L, Associate Dean, Hospital Operations
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2001

Eschmann, Rebecca, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Illinois, 2012

Giaretta, Paula, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Gordon, Sonya G, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Guelph, 1994

Gould, Emily, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of California at Davis, 2012
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2021

Heatley, Jennifer J, Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 1995

Heinz, Justin A, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Purdue University, 2012

Heseltine, Johanna C, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Saskatchewan, 1998

Ida, Keila, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
BVetM, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 2006
PHD, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2015

Jeffery, Nicholas D, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
PHD, The University of Cambridge, 1997

Kerwin, Sharon C, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 1988

Levine, Jonathan M, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Cornell University, 2001

Lidbury, Jonathan A, Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
BVetM, University of Glasgow, 2002

Loria Lepiz, Mauricio A, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, 2000

Mankin, Joseph M, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 2007

Mankin, Kelley M, Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Missouri at Columbia, 2006

Moreno, Kara, Lecturer
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Minnesota, 2005
MD, University of Minnesota, 2005

Navarrette, Ashley, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2017

Patterson, Adam P, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Mississippi State University, 2001

Peycke, Laura E, Clinical Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Louisiana State University, 1998

Pilla, Rachel, Research Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 2008
PHD, Universita degli Studi di Milano, 2013

Ray, Erin, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2015

Rutter, Christine R, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Mississippi State University, 2003

Saunders, Ashley B, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2001

Saunders, William B, Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2001
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2005

Scallan, Elizabeth M, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2007

Smith, Lauren, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 2013

Steiner, Joerg M, University Distinguished Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000

Suchodolski, Jan, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2005

Teller, Lori Massin, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Texas A&M University, 1990

Tolbert, Mary K, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, University of Georgia, 2006
PHD, North Carolina State University, 2013

Vallone, Lucien V, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Mississippi State University, 2011

Warry, Emma, Clinical Associate Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, The University of Sydney, 2004

Wesselowski, Sonya R, Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Kansas State University, 2008

Yankin, Igor, Clinical Assistant Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Kuban State Agrarian University, 2010

Zoran, Debra L, Professor
Vet Small Animal Clinical Sc
DVM, Kansas State University, 1984
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1997