Finding your way through small animal clinical practice

17 weeksPrimary Care25 CPD hours

This course has been carefully created to provide a completely holistic approach to CPD for veterinary surgeons in small animal clinical practice. The course offers a comprehensive approach to continuing professional development (CPD) for veterinary surgeons practicing in small animal clinical settings. It caters to veterinarians at all career stages, with a particular focus on new graduates or those re-entering practice after a break. The course features a dynamic discussion forum where participants can ask questions and engage in real-time discussions as they progress through the lessons.

Led by Scott Kilpatrick, an EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and Liz Bode, an EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology, the course features a line up of specialist speakers covering various veterinary disciplines. Topics include internal medicine, cardiology, anaesthesia & analgesia, dermatology, soft tissue surgery, ECC, ophthalmology, neurology, and clinical wellness.

This interactive course runs for sixteen-weeks and takes approximately 24 hours to complete. Access to this course is for 12 months in duration. The discussion forum will be monitored for the course duration only.

Course Content

Lesson 1: The Thirsty Patient… Picking apart PUPD (Scott Kilpatrick) 02/09/2024

learning outcomes

Review the logical approach to the patient with PUPD
Understand the best ways to get the most out of your diagnostic tests… even when finances are limited, and you lack confidence using the ultrasound!
Discuss what to look for when then more common causes of PUPD are ruled out

Lesson 2: How to Crack the Cough (Liz Bode) 09/09/2024

learning outcomes

Review the common reasons for coughing in dogs
Understand how to differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac cause of coughing
What are the treatment options… more than just furosemide and steroids!

Lesson 3: The Itchy Patient 16/09/2024

learning outcomes

Adopt a logical approach to the pruritic patient
What do I need to do diagnostically… From scrapes to cytology
Review the current treatments that help to reduce the itch

Lesson 4: Getting them to sleep is keeping you awake (Felipe Grados) 23/09/2024

learning outcomes

Feel confident with common sedation and anaesthetic protocols
Demystify the multiparameter monitoring… what do you really need to monitor?
Learn how to troubleshoot common anaesthetic complications and challenges

Lesson 5: Abdominal radiography in practice (Mark Coia) 30/09/2024

learning outcomes

Assess and optimise radiographic quality
Develop a system for looking at abdominal radiographs
Recognise obstructive gastrointestinal patterns on radiographs

Lesson 6: Thoracic radiography in practice (Mark Coia) 07/10/2024

learning outcomes

Develop a logical approach to thoracic radiograph interpretation
Identify cardiomegaly and specific chamber enlargement – when should you pay attention to increased sternal contact?
Recognise various lung patterns and associated differential diagnosis

Lesson 7: The hot patient… Investigating fever of unknown origin (Scott Kilpatrick) 14/10/2024

learning outcomes

Recognize the challenges in diagnosing Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) in dogs and cats
Identify common causes of FUO in dogs and cats and understand their diagnostic approach
Explore treatment options for FUO in dogs, focusing on effective management strategies

Lesson 8: Approaching the abdomen (Jon Hall) 21/10/2024

learning outcomes

How to surgically approach the abdomen
What are the common indications for an abdominal exploration?
Understand how to deal with common surgical complications

Lesson 9: The white patient… Approaching anaemia (Scott Kilpatrick) 28/10/2024

learning outcomes

Discussed the diagnostic approach to the anaemic patient
Learn about the most up-to-date treatment options for patients with IMHA
What are the options for transfusion in practice … Xenotransfusion?

Lesson 10: The bleeding patient… Approaching coagulopathies (Scott Kilpatrick) 04/11/2024

learning outcomes

Discuss the logical approach to the bleeding patient
Understand what coagulopathies commonly affect our small animal patients
Learn about the treatment options… from transfusion to tranexamic acid

Lesson 11: The Neurological patient (Josep Brocal) 11/11/2024

learning outcomes

Learn advanced techniques to enhance your neurological exams
Improve your ability to assess and manage neurological patients effectively
Understand the latest strategies for evaluating and managing seizuring patients
Explore diagnostic tools and tests to develop a practical approach in treating your neurological patients.

Lesson 12: Approach to the lame dog: In a ten-minute consultation (Ben Walton) 18/11/2024

learning outcomes

Learn effective history-taking and examination techniques
Understand how to implement owner-questionnaires and outcomes to grade disease severity and monitor clinical status.
Improve your ability to identify and grade lameness through case-based examples, boosting your confidence in orthopaedic evaluations.

Lesson 13: Keeping your eye on the prize (Georgina Fricker) 25/11/2024

learning outcomes

The ophthalmic exam… what are you looking at?
Spotting the most common ophthalmic conditions in practice
Treatment…more than just a couple of drops

Lesson 14: Keeping your clinical cool (Katie Ford) 02/12/2024

learning outcomes

Identify mindset and self-care techniques: Go from feeling like ‘spinning plates’ to keeping your clinical cool
Understand neurophysiology, breathing techniques, gratitude, and delegation
Tangible tips you can consider adding to your toolkit as a clinician

Lesson 15: The yellow patient… An approach to liver disease (Scott Kilpatrick) 09/12/2024

learning outcomes

Consider the reasons for hyperbilirubinemia
Discuss how bloodwork can help us diagnose liver disease
Consider what treatment options are available for acute and chronic liver disease

Lesson 16: Understanding ECGs (Liz Bode) 16/12/2024

learning outcomes

Develop a systematic approach to interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs) to improve diagnostic accuracy
Gain confidence in recognizing and analyzing common ECG patterns seen in clinical practice
Apply learned principles to real-life case studies to enhance ECG interpretation skills and clinical decision-making

Lesson 17: The green patient… Approach to gastrointestinal disease (Scott Kilpatrick) Available on 27/12/2024 8:00 am 27/12/2024

learning outcomes

Review the most appropriate treatment for acute vomiting or diarrhoea cases
Consider the diagnostic challenges of chronic gastrointestinal disorders
Discuss the most up to date gastrointestinal treatment options

Meet the speakers

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Scott Kilpatrick

Director, Internal Medicine Specialist

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Scott graduated from Edinburgh Vet School in 2007. Initially, he worked for the PDSA, before taking a Senior Veterinary Surgeon position with Vets Now in Edinburgh in 2010. Scott started his residency in internal medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 2012 after completing a year as a Teaching Fellow in Anatomy and Physiology. He completed his residency in 2016 after finishing his Masters in the pathogenesis of canine liver disease and has since been working in referral practice. Interventional radiology is something that really interests Scott, and he spent some time in 2018, working in this area at UC Davis in California. Scott has created and delivered a Post-graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency Medicine in association with the University of Chester. In 2023 he was awarded Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for his meritorious contribution to clinical practice.

Liz Bode

Director, Cardiology Specialist

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Liz graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006. After spending some time carrying out voluntary work with SPANA, Liz took up a job in mixed practice in East Yorkshire. Shortly after this, Liz completed an internship at the University of Cambridge and solidified her love for all things cardio. She subsequently embarked on a PhD at the University of Manchester looking at cellular calcium handling in heart failure and ageing and was awarded her doctorate in 2013. After another spell in small animal practice Liz completed her residency in cardiology at the University of Edinburgh in 2017. Following her residency she worked at the University of Liverpool as a senior lecturer in small animal cardiology. More recently, she was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and has taken on the role of Module Co-ordinator for the CertAVP cardiology modules at the University of Liverpool. She currently works at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists in the UK. In 2022 she was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for her meritorious contribution to clinical practice.

Hilary Jackson

Dermatology Specialist

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Hilary graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh and spent 7 years in general practice before pursuing specialization. She was on the faculty at North Carolina State University, before returning to Scotland where she works as a clinical director at the Dermatology Referral Service in Glasgow. She has clinical and research interests in canine atopic dermatitis and immune mediated skin disease and has published and lectured widely on these subjects and other aspects of veterinary dermatology. She is a member of the International Task Force on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA) and Co-editor of the journal Veterinary Dermatology.

Felipe Grados

Anaesthesia Specialist

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I discovered my passion for anaesthesia already as a veterinary student. I got the chance to learn and be involved with it while doing placement in a first opinion clinic at the same time as I study for my degree. I then qualified from the University of Leon (Spain) in 2011, which I followed with a Master’s Degree in Research. I then moved to UK to pursue the exciting path of specialisation. I completed an internship in Small Animal Anaesthesia at the University of Liverpool in 2015, which I followed by a ECVAA residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Edinburgh. After completing my residency in 2018, I worked for two years at Dick White Referrals as a clinical fellow. In 2020 I moved to Wear Referrals, where I currently work as a clinician in Veterinary Anaesthesia. I was awarded my ECVAA diploma in 2021.

Jon Hall

Surgery Specialist (Soft Tissue)

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Jon was born into primary care practice and spent several years working as a small animal GP after graduating in 2004. He became an ECVS specialist in small animal surgery in 2015 and has worked at the RVC, the University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh. He is a Professor in small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham, a Fellow of the Royal College and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He loves a good bit of surgery and being in a lucky position to help out colleagues with their surgical conundrums and through teaching. Jon has worked on call for his whole career and spent a few months working in a dedicated emergency clinic. He has been a lecturer and examiner on the BSAVA CertECC and helps train Vets Now graduates on practical approaches to emergency surgeries. These experiences mean that he can empathise with colleagues working sole charge OOH and those having to fit in emergencies either in their busy daily routine or through the night with work the following morning! Experiences that encourage a certain pragmatism.

Josep Brocal

Neurology Specialist

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Josep graduated from University CEU Cardinal Herrera (Valencia) in 2011. After a rotating rotating internship at Ars Veterinaria (Barcelona) followed by a neurology internship at the Animal Health Trust (Newmarket), Josep spent four years at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine for residency training in in neurology and neurosurgery. In 2018 Josep passed the European College of Veterinary Neurology examinations and was awarded the European Diploma becoming a European Specialist. The following year Josep was awarded a Masters of Veterinary Medicine for his thesis on Congenital vertebral malformations in dogs. Josep is passionate about teaching and is interested in all areas of veterinary neurology, but has a special interest reflex seizures and brain tumours.

Ben Walton

Surgery Specialist (Orthopaedics)

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Ben is an experienced RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics). He is a director and orthopaedic and spinal surgeon at Movement Referrals, in Cheshire, and a director of Fusion Implants, an orthopaedic implants and surgical-guides manufacturer. His career has spanned mixed-practice, first-opinion practice, private referral practice and academia.

Georgina Fricker

Ophthalmology Specialist

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Georgie graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2005. She worked for 3 years in general practice before joining a referral centre in 2008 with the aim of specialising in ophthalmology. In 2011 she was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology and she commenced an ECVO Residency Programme in 2012, becoming a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2016. She was admitted to the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Panel in 2018 and was appointed to the ECVO Communications Committee in the same year. Georgie joined the Ophthalmology Team at DWR in 2020; her particular interests include corneal and intraocular surgery which she enjoys teaching to Residents.

Katie Ford

Veterinary Surgeon

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Katie graduated with distinction from the University of Liverpool in 2012. Since then she has continued to work in small animal first opinion practice, gaining her RCVS Certificate in Internal Medicine in 2017. Realising the power of preventative mindset strategies through her career and journey, she trained as a coach and in CBT, and now teaches other professionals how to use these techniques to thrive in the veterinary world. She regularly helps individuals and companies on topics such as gratitude, self-worth and dealing with imposter syndrome. She was the keynote speaker at BVNA 2020, and has spoken on stages across the world. Aside from being a personal development and human potential enthusiast, she co-runs a virtual event company and can be seen behind the scenes masterminding tech on many events in the veterinary space.

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Finding your way through small animal clinical practice

Course Content

Meet the speakers

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