Small animal husbandry: what should be taught?

Abstract

As far as the small animals are concerned, animal husbandry refers to animal welfare and management. There are five main areas of undergraduate instruction in this subject--normal animal behaviour, nutritional requirements, restraint, housing and management in disease. University education, vacational studies and personal experience all provide important sources of knowledge. Most university instruction in small animal welfare and management is provided in the clinical courses where extensive care material can be utilised in practical teaching. Integration of the animal husbandry and clinical courses is to be encouraged.