Veterinary Therapeutics

Creighton University Medical Center

School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Veterinary Therapeutics Course for Pharmacy Students (PHA 380)

Creighton University's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions is again offering an online Veterinary Therapeutics Course for pharmacy students. The goal of this course is to assist pharmacy students in developing new skills and a knowledge base in veterinary therapeutics for companion animals. This course will enable students to confidently provide pharmaceutical care services to veterinary patients in their communities.

Interest in the practice of veterinary pharmacy has grown over past years, and many pharmacy students want an opportunity to learn about veterinary disease states and pharmacotherapy options. However, not every college or school of pharmacy has the resources to deliver such a course. Creighton University has established itself as a leader in the online delivery and instruction of web-based pharmacy courses, and is offering every pharmacy student the opportunity to take a 2-credit hour elective course in veterinary therapeutics. This is the only course of this nature offered by an accredited school of pharmacy that can offer transferable college credit.

Pharmacy students throughout the country can easily access this web-based course to gain up-to-date information and training in veterinary therapeutics, animal disease states and regulatory issues. The course is educational, enjoyable and enlightening and, it will address the need for veterinary pharmacy curricular offerings by using distance education technology.

The following testimonials are from students who have completed the course;

I felt that this course was excellent, and delivered exactly what was intended.

I would just like to say thank you! I truly enjoyed the course this semester.

Great Course!

Wonderful course! I wish there was more.

I feel privileged to have been able to take this course.

I feel that the legal and regulatory section is where I probably learned the most. Almost everything in that section was new to me.

This course is different because is was online and also because the professor is genuinely excited about the subject and about teaching others about the subject.

When I first registered for the course I was a little bit reluctant. I wasn't sure how much information I would learn without actually going to a class and having a professor stand before me and lecture. However, the way the class was set up, definitely allowed for a tremendous amount of learning to take place.

I have started counseling pet owners on their pet's medications, as well as asking questions about how effective it is and other treatment options.

Global Objectives for the Course

To recall and explain the unique legal and regulatory restrictions applicable to veterinary medicine, food-animal medicine and compounding for animal patients by pharmacists and veterinarians. This includes evaluating the appropriateness of compounded medication requests and applying ethical standards when providing services to veterinarians, animal owners and animal patients.
To enable pharmacists to explain and define the pathology, signs/symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for the 15 most common disease states in companion animals with particular emphasis on the ability to summarize pharmacotherapy options.
To communicate effectively with animal owners and veterinarians to: meet state-mandated counseling requirements, to enhance medication compliance, solve drug administration problems, and to recommend appropriate drug therapy choices for the betterment of animal health.
To develop “non-linear” critical thinking skills needed to when dealing with multiple animal species in unique circumstances to solve pharmaceutical-related problems.
To recognize veterinary pharmacy as a specialized area within pharmacy practice.

Topic Specific Objectives for the Course

Recall and explain Compliance Policy Guideline 608.400 “Compounded Drugs for Animals” and the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994.
Identify, locate and interpret veterinary specific informatics.
List and describe pharmacotherapy options for these disease states or drug categories:

     1. Feline diabetes
     2. Canine diabetes
     3. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
     4. Keratoconjunctivitis in canines
     5. Hypothyroidism in canines
     6. Hyperthyroidism in felines
     7. Primary idiopathic epilepsy
     8. Urinary incontinence in canines
     9. Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease in canines
     10. Separation anxiety in canines and felines
     11. Osteoarthritis in canines
     12. Otitis externa in canines and felines
     13. Chemotherapy in companion animals
     14. TPN in companion animals
     15. Anesthetic and analgesic use in companion animals
Identify the most common oral pharmacotherapies for heartworm prevention in canines and felines.
Describe the human/animal bond and animal assisted therapy opportunities for pharmacists at their practice sites.
Identify and discuss contemporary issues in veterinary medicine and veterinary pharmacy.
Identify and discuss public health issues affecting veterinary and human medicine such as avian flu and agro-terrorsim.

Who, When, How Much?

This course will be offered to all pharmacy students currently enrolled in a professional pharmacy degree program. The course is offered for approximately $750.00 per credit hour for a total of $1500.00 for the 2-credit hour elective. There is a $25.00 registration fee that is required (non-refundable). Students will be billed for the tuition. Tuition can be discounted 25% if 5 or more students from the same university enroll in the course. Contact Dr. Elaine Lust at the link below for the next course offering.

The course is taught by Dr. Elaine Lust, associate professor at Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Dr. Lust has over 15 years of experience in veterinary pharmacy and has developed and delivered an online continuing education course in veterinary therapeutics for practicing pharmacists. Additionally, Dr. Lust currently teaches several courses in Creighton's distance and campus pathways for entry-level PharmD students. Dr. Lust serves as the pharmacist for VMAT-5 (Veterinary Medical Assistance Team) a federal disaster response team and spent 2 weeks deployed to Hurricane Katrina to care for animal patients. Dr. Lust is also the consultant pharmacist for several animal health companies.

Step-by-Step Instructions on Registration for the Course

If you are interested in taking this online Veterinary Therapeutics course consider the following requirements and procedures.

The pharmacy student must have a computer that can access the world wide web. Use of the Internet Explorer browser to access the course web site is preferred.
The pharmacy student must have a valid, active e-mail address that can be checked at least twice a week.

This online course delivery has been made possible by a District Five 2002 Individual Study Grant from NABP/AACP.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Elaine Lust
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Creighton University Medical Center
Department of Pharmacy Sciences
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
email: elainel@creighton.edu
Phone: 800.325.2830 Office: 402.280.3705