Hands-On Internal Medicine: A Day of Practical Techniques

Identifying the cause of a fever of unknown origin (FUO) in dogs and cats presents a considerable diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic workup can be frustrating for veterinarians and clients, especially when it fails to reach a final diagnosis after extensive testing. Fortunately, most causes of FUO can be found or treated successfully. This session discusses FUO in dogs and provides information about common causes, the diagnostic approach, and potential treatments.

Learning Outcomes

• Diagnostic Skills: Learn systematic approaches to diagnose fever of unknown origin (FUO) in dogs and cats.
• Client Communication: Improve strategies for managing client expectations and communication during the diagnostic process.
• Treatment Plans: Understand common causes of FUO and develop effective treatment plans.

In this practical cadaver session, you will learn essential techniques for performing bone marrow biopsies, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling, and arthrocentesis in dogs and cats. Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, you’ll gain confidence and competence in these advanced diagnostic procedures, enhancing your ability to investigate and manage complex medical cases.

Learning Outcomes

• Perform Bone Marrow Biopsies: Gain hands-on experience in conducting bone marrow biopsies.
• Conduct CSF Sampling: Learn and practice techniques for cerebrospinal fluid sampling.
• Master Arthrocentesis: Acquire skills for performing arthrocentesis in dogs and cats.

Understanding the critical role of nutrition in recovery from various disease processes, this lesson delves into the indications and benefits of using feeding tubes. We will explore the criteria for selecting the appropriate type of feeding tube and provide a practical, hands-on approach to their placement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify Appropriate Use: Determine when feeding tubes are indicated for optimal patient recovery.
• Select the Right Tube: Understand the different types of feeding tubes and their specific applications.
• Practical Placement Techniques: Gain proficiency in the practical placement of feeding tubes through guided instruction.

In this practical session we will consider feeding tube placement in dogs and cats. We will practice the placement of nasogastric, oesophageal and PEG tubes.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn about the different feeding tubes that are available.
• Practice the placement of nasogastric and oesophageal feeding tubes.
• Master the placement of PEG tubes.

In this final session, we will cover a variety of useful medical techniques. The lesson will include the placement of thoracic drains and performing thoracocentesis. We will also explore the placement of Freestyle Libre monitors, sacrococcygeal blocks in cats, and central line placement, providing practical, hands-on instruction for each procedure.

Learning Outcomes

• Thoracic Procedures: Learn the techniques for placing thoracic drains and performing thoracocentesis.
• Monitor Placement: Gain skills in placing Freestyle Libre monitors and central lines.
• Pain Management: Master the application of sacrococcygeal blocks in cats.

Delegates will get the chance to ask questions and further consolidate their learning from across the day with the speaker.

The pleural space is a common source of disease-causing respiratory distress in dogs and cats. Prompt recognition of this as the likely cause, and rapid targeted stabilisation, is essential for a good outcome. This webinar will review the clinical clues leading to a diagnosis of pleural space disease as well as the subsequent management of these patients on an emergency basis. The indication and techniques for both thoracocentesis and chest drain placement will both be discussed, alongside pleural fluid analysis in a practice setting. The lesson will conclude with important updates and recommendations for the management of the some of the more common causes of pleural space disease in dogs and cats.

Learning outcomes

• Learn about the common presenting signs in patients with pleural space disease.
• Review the indications for thoracic drain placement.
• Consider practical elements of pleural fluid analysis.

Central venous catheters (CVCs, or central lines) are catheters placed in such a way that the tip of the catheter sits in the vena cava. These are generally large-bore catheters and can be multi-lumen, allowing multiple fluids to be administered simultaneously. CVCs have several benefits and specific indications, including: The administration of multiple (incompatible) agents at once through multi-lumen catheters, the administration of hyperosmolar solutions which would not be suitable for peripheral veins and the collection of multiple blood samples through the sampling port, without performing repeated venipuncture. In this lesson, we will cover how, when, and why to use central lines in practice.

Learning outcomes:

• Consider the indications for central line placement.
• Learn about the benefits and complications associated with central lines.
• Review the practical elements of central line placement.

We know that nutrition is so important for recovery from almost every disease process. In this lesson, we discuss when to use feeding tubes and why. We also offer a practical approach to feeding tube placement.

Learning Outcomes

• When are feeding tubes appropriate?
• Which tube should I chose and why?
• A practical guide to feeding tube placement.

In this lesson, we discuss how we approach anorexia in our acute and chronically ill patients, why we need to assist our patients with feeding and when we should step in to provide additional support

Learning outcomes:

• Understand causes of anorexia and importance of nutrition
• Review the role of appetite stimulation and when is this appropriate
• Is there a need for prokinetic and gastroprotectant medication in our anorexic patients?

In this lesson will go through the practical aspects of bone marrow biopsies. Understand how, when, and where to take a bone marrow biopsy. We will review the practicalities of sample handing.

Learning Outcomes

• Review the best sites for bone marrow biopsies.
• Discuss the most appropriate equipment for the procedure.
• Consider a practical approach to bone marrow biopsies with case examples.