Various Diseases in Veterinary Medicine: Clinical Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Graded Project: Small and Large Animal Medicine

Your project must be submitted as a Word document (in .docx or .doc file format). Your instructor will grade your project

individually, and it may take up to seven business days to grade.

Be sure that your file contains the following information:

Your name

Your student ID number

The title: VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project

Your email address

To submit your graded project, follow these steps:

Select the Upload button to browse your computer for the file you’re submitting.

Choose the file and select Open. The file should appear in the Uploaded Files in the Submission section of the

page.

Once your file is uploaded, select Submit.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit.

Use the following steps if your file is too big to upload, and you’re using Windows:

Select all the files you want to submit.

Right-click on one of them.

Select Send to and then Compressed (zipped) folder.

Name the new folder.

Return to your course and upload the zipped folder.

Use the following steps if you’re using a Mac:

In a Finder window or on the desktop, Command-click to select the files.

Right-click or choose Compress from the File menu.

If you compress multiple items at once, the compressed file is named Archive.zip.

Return to the assignment in your course and upload the zipped folder.

Overview

When researching any disease, you should aim to determine its etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tools, treatment

protocols, and any available prevention and control programs. To protect yourself and others, it’s also important to note any

zoonotic or occupational safety potentials when working on animals with certain diseases.

As you continue in your career, you'll need to familiarize yourself with research methods for veterinary topics. Rewriting

information in your own words can help you assimilate the information. Developing confidence in analyzing, interpreting,

and understanding the material you find will be an asset, regardless of the direction your career takes.

Instructions

There’s one component to this research project as given here:

1. A written research paper

Listen

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 1/7

There’s no required minimum or maximum page length, but the recommended length is two to three pages per disease you

select as your research topic. Format your assignment as one complete essay with an introduction paragraph and a

conclusion paragraph separating each topic.

Select 10 unique diseases, which are common in veterinary medicine, from the lists provided and thoroughly research them.

Be sure to read all instructions and include all criteria being asked for each topic. It’s important that you use reliable

resources when researching the topics. Avoid sources that can be edited, such as Wikipedia. Sites like PubMed provide

original research papers that may be beneficial.

Research Paper

Your research paper must discuss a total of 10 unique diseases commonly encountered in veterinary medicine. The

following paragraphs outline the diseases you may select as research topics. When selecting your 10 diseases, please take

into account the criteria discussed here.

Species classifications—Your paper must include two diseases for each of the following species:

1. Canine

2. Feline

3. Equine

4. Ruminant or swine

5. Exotics (can include avian, amphibian, reptile, or pocket pets)

Disease classifications— Select the type and number of diseases as listed below:

1. Infectious or contagious (2)

2. Parasitic (2)

3. Immune-mediated (1)

4. Congenital or genetic (1)

5. Neoplastic (1)

6. Metabolic (1)

7. Toxic (1)

8. Degenerative or idiopathic (1)

For each disease that you research, please include the following information:

1. Discuss the causative agent/organism or mechanism.

2. Write about the main species affected.

3. Select one species and discuss in detail the effects on that species.

4. Briefly mention other species that can be affected.

5. Discuss the clinical signs and symptoms as well as secondary signs or associated conditions.

6. Write in brief about the diagnostic tests, including how the results of those tests confirm a diagnosis.

7. Discuss the treatment and prognosis.

8. Briefly discuss the prevention and control programs.

9. Vaccination: If there’s a vaccine available for the disease, explain the vaccine type used, its protocol, and how it

works to create immunity. Discuss potential complications, failure of the immune response, and why that failure

might occur.

10. Zoonotic potential: If the disease has zoonotic potential, describe the occupational safety measures that need to be

taken while in contact with the diseased animal. Also, discuss educating owners on safety when they’re caring for a

pet with a zoonotic disease.

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 2/7

11. Contagious spread: When discussing infectious diseases, explain how to prevent them from spreading to other

animals in the hospital or herd.

Please select your 10 diseases from the following lists.

Infectious/Contagious

Select two diseases from the following:

Anthrax

Aspergillosis

Avian influenza

Blastomycosis

Borreliosis (Lyme disease)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Brucellosis

Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (CAE)

Caseous lymphadenitis

Chlamydia

Infectious tracheobronchitis/canine infectious respiratory disease (kennel cough)

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Equine infectious anemia

Equine influenza

Equine viral arteritis

Erysipelas

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

Histoplasmosis

Leptospirosis

Newcastle disease

Panleukopenia

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease)

Parvovirus

Psittacosis

Q fever

Rabies

Salmonellosis

Scrapie

Streptococcus equi (strangles)

Tetanus

Parasitic

Select two diseases from the following list:

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 3/7

Anoplura

Babesia canis

Cheyletiella

Cnemidocoptes pilae

Cryptosporidium

Ctenocephalides spp.

Demodicosis

Dictyocaulus spp.

Dipylidium caninum

Dirofilaria immitis

Eimeria spp.

Fasciola hepatica

Giardia

Mallophaga

Oxyuris equi

Porocephalus crotali

Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Sarcoptes

Strongylus vulgaris

Taenia spp.

Toxoplasma gondii

Trichinella spiralis

Immune-Mediated

Select one disease from the given list:

Atopic dermatitis

Equine immune-mediated myofascial syndrome

Equine recurrent uveitis (moon blindness)

Flea allergy dermatitis

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)

Immune-mediated polyarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)

Lupus

Myasthenia gravis

Pannus

Pemphigus

Congenital/Genetic

Select one disease from the following list:

Brachycephalic airway syndrome

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 4/7

Cleft palate

Congenital heart defects

Cryptorchidism

Entropion/ectropion

Hip dysplasia

Hydrocephalus

Panosteitis

Progressive retinal atrophy

Von Willebrand's disease

Neoplastic

Select one disease from the list given here:

Hemangiosarcoma

Lymphoma

Mammary gland tumors

Mast cell tumor

Melanoma

Osteosarcoma

Sertoli cell tumor

Squamous cell carcinoma

Vaccine-related fibrosarcoma

Metabolic

Select one disease from the following list:

Addison’s disease

Bovine ketosis

Cushing's disease

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes mellitus

Exertional rhabdomyolysis

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Hyperthyroidism

Hypocalcemia (milk fever in cattle/eclampsia in small animals)

Hypothyroidism

Scurvy

Toxic

Select one disease from the following list:

Acetaminophen toxicity

Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 5/7

Cyanide toxicity

Ethylene glycol toxicity

Fescue toxicosis

Lead toxicity

Organophosphate toxicity

Theobromine toxicity

Degenerative/Idiopathic

Select one disease from the list given here:

Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head

Degenerative myelopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Eosinophilic ulcer (rodent ulcer)

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV)

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic epilepsy

Intervertebral degenerative disc disease (IVDD)

Laminitis

Lenticular sclerosis

Megacolon/megaesophagus

Navicular disease

Osteoarthritis

Puppy strangles

Wobblers

Project Specifications

To complete your graded project, follow the guidelines given here:

1. The research paper must be typewritten using a word-processing program, such as MS Word or equivalent. Use 12-

point Times New Roman font and double spacing.

2. The title page should contain the following information:

a. The title: VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project

b. Your name

c. Your student number

d. The date that the project was submitted

3. The paper should be easy to read and have correct spelling, grammar, and sentence and paragraph structure. This

includes the use of proper medical terminology as well as introductory and closing paragraphs.

4. The research paper should include at least five references for this project. You can use your Penn Foster lessons and

the course textbook, but you’ll need to have at least one other outside reference per section. The information used

must be supported by trusted veterinary medical publications and websites (avoid using Wikipedia).

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 6/7

5. All references should be included on a reference page at the end of the project and in MLA or APA format. Each

reference needs a corresponding in-text citation, also in MLA or APA format.

6. Please be sure to go to the Penn Foster library. It contains many great resources for trusted veterinary publications,

as well as information on using MLA and APA format for citing references. You can also refer to your previous

English Composition and Information Literacy study materials and the Purdue OWL website.

7. Your project should be submitted as one comprehensive essay with an introduction paragraph and a conclusion

paragraph between each section. No bullet points, numbered lists, or graphics should be utilized. Please submit

your project as one file.

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 7/7

Graded Project: Small and Large Animal Medicine

Your project must be submitted as a Word document (in .docx or .doc file format). Your instructor will grade your project

individually, and it may take up to seven business days to grade.

Be sure that your file contains the following information:

Your name

Your student ID number

The title: VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project

Your email address

To submit your graded project, follow these steps:

Select the Upload button to browse your computer for the file you’re submitting.

Choose the file and select Open. The file should appear in the Uploaded Files in the Submission section of the

page.

Once your file is uploaded, select Submit.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit.

Use the following steps if your file is too big to upload, and you’re using Windows:

Select all the files you want to submit.

Right-click on one of them.

Select Send to and then Compressed (zipped) folder.

Name the new folder.

Return to your course and upload the zipped folder.

Use the following steps if you’re using a Mac:

In a Finder window or on the desktop, Command-click to select the files.

Right-click or choose Compress from the File menu.

If you compress multiple items at once, the compressed file is named Archive.zip.

Return to the assignment in your course and upload the zipped folder.

Overview

When researching any disease, you should aim to determine its etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tools, treatment

protocols, and any available prevention and control programs. To protect yourself and others, it’s also important to note any

zoonotic or occupational safety potentials when working on animals with certain diseases.

As you continue in your career, you'll need to familiarize yourself with research methods for veterinary topics. Rewriting

information in your own words can help you assimilate the information. Developing confidence in analyzing, interpreting,

and understanding the material you find will be an asset, regardless of the direction your career takes.

Instructions

There’s one component to this research project as given here:

1. A written research paper

Listen

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 1/7

There’s no required minimum or maximum page length, but the recommended length is two to three pages per disease you

select as your research topic. Format your assignment as one complete essay with an introduction paragraph and a

conclusion paragraph separating each topic.

Select 10 unique diseases, which are common in veterinary medicine, from the lists provided and thoroughly research them.

Be sure to read all instructions and include all criteria being asked for each topic. It’s important that you use reliable

resources when researching the topics. Avoid sources that can be edited, such as Wikipedia. Sites like PubMed provide

original research papers that may be beneficial.

Research Paper

Your research paper must discuss a total of 10 unique diseases commonly encountered in veterinary medicine. The

following paragraphs outline the diseases you may select as research topics. When selecting your 10 diseases, please take

into account the criteria discussed here.

Species classifications—Your paper must include two diseases for each of the following species:

1. Canine

2. Feline

3. Equine

4. Ruminant or swine

5. Exotics (can include avian, amphibian, reptile, or pocket pets)

Disease classifications— Select the type and number of diseases as listed below:

1. Infectious or contagious (2)

2. Parasitic (2)

3. Immune-mediated (1)

4. Congenital or genetic (1)

5. Neoplastic (1)

6. Metabolic (1)

7. Toxic (1)

8. Degenerative or idiopathic (1)

For each disease that you research, please include the following information:

1. Discuss the causative agent/organism or mechanism.

2. Write about the main species affected.

3. Select one species and discuss in detail the effects on that species.

4. Briefly mention other species that can be affected.

5. Discuss the clinical signs and symptoms as well as secondary signs or associated conditions.

6. Write in brief about the diagnostic tests, including how the results of those tests confirm a diagnosis.

7. Discuss the treatment and prognosis.

8. Briefly discuss the prevention and control programs.

9. Vaccination: If there’s a vaccine available for the disease, explain the vaccine type used, its protocol, and how it

works to create immunity. Discuss potential complications, failure of the immune response, and why that failure

might occur.

10. Zoonotic potential: If the disease has zoonotic potential, describe the occupational safety measures that need to be

taken while in contact with the diseased animal. Also, discuss educating owners on safety when they’re caring for a

pet with a zoonotic disease.

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 2/7

11. Contagious spread: When discussing infectious diseases, explain how to prevent them from spreading to other

animals in the hospital or herd.

Please select your 10 diseases from the following lists.

Infectious/Contagious

Select two diseases from the following:

Anthrax

Aspergillosis

Avian influenza

Blastomycosis

Borreliosis (Lyme disease)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Brucellosis

Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (CAE)

Caseous lymphadenitis

Chlamydia

Infectious tracheobronchitis/canine infectious respiratory disease (kennel cough)

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Equine infectious anemia

Equine influenza

Equine viral arteritis

Erysipelas

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

Histoplasmosis

Leptospirosis

Newcastle disease

Panleukopenia

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease)

Parvovirus

Psittacosis

Q fever

Rabies

Salmonellosis

Scrapie

Streptococcus equi (strangles)

Tetanus

Parasitic

Select two diseases from the following list:

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 3/7

Anoplura

Babesia canis

Cheyletiella

Cnemidocoptes pilae

Cryptosporidium

Ctenocephalides spp.

Demodicosis

Dictyocaulus spp.

Dipylidium caninum

Dirofilaria immitis

Eimeria spp.

Fasciola hepatica

Giardia

Mallophaga

Oxyuris equi

Porocephalus crotali

Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Sarcoptes

Strongylus vulgaris

Taenia spp.

Toxoplasma gondii

Trichinella spiralis

Immune-Mediated

Select one disease from the given list:

Atopic dermatitis

Equine immune-mediated myofascial syndrome

Equine recurrent uveitis (moon blindness)

Flea allergy dermatitis

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)

Immune-mediated polyarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)

Lupus

Myasthenia gravis

Pannus

Pemphigus

Congenital/Genetic

Select one disease from the following list:

Brachycephalic airway syndrome

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 4/7

Cleft palate

Congenital heart defects

Cryptorchidism

Entropion/ectropion

Hip dysplasia

Hydrocephalus

Panosteitis

Progressive retinal atrophy

Von Willebrand's disease

Neoplastic

Select one disease from the list given here:

Hemangiosarcoma

Lymphoma

Mammary gland tumors

Mast cell tumor

Melanoma

Osteosarcoma

Sertoli cell tumor

Squamous cell carcinoma

Vaccine-related fibrosarcoma

Metabolic

Select one disease from the following list:

Addison’s disease

Bovine ketosis

Cushing's disease

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes mellitus

Exertional rhabdomyolysis

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Hyperthyroidism

Hypocalcemia (milk fever in cattle/eclampsia in small animals)

Hypothyroidism

Scurvy

Toxic

Select one disease from the following list:

Acetaminophen toxicity

Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 5/7

Cyanide toxicity

Ethylene glycol toxicity

Fescue toxicosis

Lead toxicity

Organophosphate toxicity

Theobromine toxicity

Degenerative/Idiopathic

Select one disease from the list given here:

Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head

Degenerative myelopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Eosinophilic ulcer (rodent ulcer)

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV)

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic epilepsy

Intervertebral degenerative disc disease (IVDD)

Laminitis

Lenticular sclerosis

Megacolon/megaesophagus

Navicular disease

Osteoarthritis

Puppy strangles

Wobblers

Project Specifications

To complete your graded project, follow the guidelines given here:

1. The research paper must be typewritten using a word-processing program, such as MS Word or equivalent. Use 12-

point Times New Roman font and double spacing.

2. The title page should contain the following information:

a. The title: VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project

b. Your name

c. Your student number

d. The date that the project was submitted

3. The paper should be easy to read and have correct spelling, grammar, and sentence and paragraph structure. This

includes the use of proper medical terminology as well as introductory and closing paragraphs.

4. The research paper should include at least five references for this project. You can use your Penn Foster lessons and

the course textbook, but you’ll need to have at least one other outside reference per section. The information used

must be supported by trusted veterinary medical publications and websites (avoid using Wikipedia).

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 6/7

5. All references should be included on a reference page at the end of the project and in MLA or APA format. Each

reference needs a corresponding in-text citation, also in MLA or APA format.

6. Please be sure to go to the Penn Foster library. It contains many great resources for trusted veterinary publications,

as well as information on using MLA and APA format for citing references. You can also refer to your previous

English Composition and Information Literacy study materials and the Purdue OWL website.

7. Your project should be submitted as one comprehensive essay with an introduction paragraph and a conclusion

paragraph between each section. No bullet points, numbered lists, or graphics should be utilized. Please submit

your project as one file.

9/7/25, 7:50 PM Graded Project - Small and Large Animal Medicine

https://courses.portal2learn.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/32975?url=https%3A%2F%2F1351421d-1840-4a1c-8089-3b27e80640ca.sequences.api.brightspace.com%2F32975%2Factivity%2F1436154%3Ffilt… 7/7