Gut Matters: Gastrointestinal and pancreatic disease in dogs & cats

13 weeksInternal Medicine15.5 CPD hours

This veterinary thought exchange online tutored course takes a more detailed look at the investigation and management of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats. Gastrointestinal diseases are common in small animal veterinary practice, but their investigation can be confusing and their management very challenging. What really is the microbiome and how much should I care? Why should we be stepping away from the omeprazole? Does inflammatory bowel disease really exist and what are the treatment options? Why is pancreatitis still such a challenge? We aim to answer all these questions and much more.

The course is run by our very own Scott Kilpatrick (EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine). The course runs over a 13-week period and takes around 15.5 hours to complete. The course is delivered via video webinars and supplemented with discussion forums with the course tutor, giving you the opportunity to ask questions or discuss cases you may be facing in your practice.

(Access to this course is for 12 months).

Course Content

Expand All
Lesson 1: Regurgitation and dysphagia… Don’t drop the ball (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Understand the pathophysiology of regurgitation and dysphagia.
  • Review the most common differential diagnosis for these presenting signs.
  • Consider the best treatment options with a particular focus on the challenges of medical management.
Expand
Lesson 2: Vomiting… get it all up! (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Understand the pathophysiology of vomiting.
  • Review the options for diagnosis… is radiography enough?
  • Learn about the most up to date treatment considerations… medicine vs surgery!
Expand
Lesson 3: Gastroprotectants, antiemetics and appetite stimulants (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • The differences between cats and dogs… Is there one?
  • Review the most up to date evidence surrounding gastroprotection… step away from the omeprazole!
  • Understand the role of appetite stimulation and when it is an appropriate intervention.
Expand
Lesson 4: Diarrhoea… Large or small? – Part 1 (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Review the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs and cats.
  • What is the microbiome and why do we care?
  • Understand the most logical approach to the investigation of these cases.
Expand
Lesson 5: Diarrhoea… Large or small? – Part 2 (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Review the role of antibiotics in acute and chronic cases of diarrhoea.
  • What treatment role do probiotics play?
  • Understand the rationale for other treatment options… prednisolone and beyond.
Expand
Lesson 6: Dietary management – Part 1 (Hillary Noyes) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Understand which diets are effective in acute vomiting.
  • Review the dietary options for chronic enteropathies.
  • Hydrolysed, exclusion and hypoallergenic; Discuss what these terms really mean.
Expand
Lesson 7: Pancreatitis… Still a challenge? – Part 1 (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Pathophysiology… what do we know?
  • What is the difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis?
  • What is the difference between pancreatitis in dogs and cats?
Expand
Lesson 8: Pancreatitis… Still a challenge? – Part 2 (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Discuss the diagnostic challenges in cases of pancreatitis.
  • What is the best treatment option… are steroids still off the cards?!
  • What are the best strategies to manage pancreatitis long term?
Expand
Lesson 9: Cobalamin… To B or not to B? (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • What is cobalamin and why do we care?
  • Are we measuring cobalamin accurately?
  • What is the most appropriate way of supplementing cobalamin?
Expand
Lesson 10: Dietary management – Part 2 (Hillary Noyes) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Discuss the best dietary options for the acute and chronic management of pancreatitis.
  • Review the options for dietary management of patients with feeding tubes in place.
  • Discuss the best options for dietary management in hospitalised patients.
Expand
Lesson 11: Feeding Tubes (Scott Kilpatrick) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • When are feeding tubes appropriate?
  • Which tube should I chose and why?
  • A practical guide to feeding tube placement.
Expand
Lesson 12: Tumours of the upper gastro-intestinal tract (Aaron Harper) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Describe the common tumours affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats.
  • Understand the most effective methods of obtaining a biopsy, and what staging is necessary.
  • Develop treatment plans for the commonly encountered tumours.
Expand
Lesson 13: Getting the gist of lower intestinal track cancers (Aaron Harper) 1 Quiz
learning outcomes
  • Describe the common tumours affecting the lower gastro-intestinal tract in dogs and cats.
  • Understand the most effective methods of obtaining a biopsy, and what staging is necessary.
  • Develop treatment plans for the commonly encountered tumours.
Expand

Meet the speakers

Aaron Harper

Oncology Specialist

show
Aaron began his career in general practice in Northwest England back in 2008 after graduating from the University of Cambridge. In 2016, he completed a residency in small animal oncology at the University of Liverpool and during that time he completed the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Small Animal Medicine). Aaron achieved the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology) in 2017 and became a European and RCVS recognised Specialist in Oncology. He moved into private practice in 2018, working at Southfields Veterinary Specialists before moving to Wear Referrals in 2021. He established the Oncology service which has quickly grown over the last two years. His most recent accomplishment is completing a post-graduate certificate in medical education with the University of Dundee in 2023. Aaron’s main areas of interest are in haematological cancers and the medical management of these conditions. He is also interested in novel therapies for dogs and cats with cancer, along with the management of side-effects in these cases and his research to date has been on this subject.   Aaron is particularly passionate about the management of lymphoma and has spoken extensively on a variety of medical oncology topics at local and national CPD events. He has sat on the BSAVA Congress Programme Committee and the ECVIM Oncology Exam Committee, and is currently the Subject Matter Expert for the Linnaeus Clinical Board. Outside of work, Aaron’s spare time is taken up walking the beaches of North East England with his mini-Dachshund, Penfold. MA VetMB CertAVP (SAM) PGCME(Onc) DipECVIM-CA (Onc), MRCVS RCVS and EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Oncology

Hillary Noyes

Veterinary Surgeon

show
Hillary currently serves as Associate Professional and Veterinary Affairs Manager for the Hill's in the UK and Ireland. She has been with Hill's for over 9 years, previously managing the veterinary student, recent graduate and nursing programmes for the US division and serving as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian prior to that. She loves educating about the power of nutrition and being an advocate for the wellbeing of current and future colleagues in the profession. Hillary is currently a resident with the American College of Animal Welfare and outside of work and study, loves to travel, hike and explore with her fiance and their dog Lupita.

Scott Kilpatrick

Director, Internal Medicine Specialist

show
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.

already purchased this course? login to your vtx account for access

login

check out all our other courses

courses