The blood and beyond… Anaemia, coagulation and transfusion medicine in dogs and cats

10 weeksInternal Medicine12 CPD hours

This veterinary thought exchange online tutored course takes a more detailed look at the investigation and management of anaemia, coagulation and transfusion medicine in dogs and cats. We will be approaching things in a very case based and practical way to make it as useful as possible for life in practice!

Anaemia is the most common hematologic abnormality encountered in veterinary clinical practice and can be the cause of disease (e.g., immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia [IMHA]) or a marker of underlying disease (e.g., cancer, chronic kidney disease). We will discuss how to get the most information out of your blood smear and haematology as well as reviewing the most up to date way of treating anaemia, including IMHA. There is also a video webinar looking at the practical elements of bone marrow biopsy and transfusion medicine.

We look at the approach to coagulation disorders in small animal practice. Coagulation is complex, but the investigations of these conditions does not have to be. We will look at disorders of primary haemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a common abnormality, but how often is it clinically significant? We discuss the challenges when treating these cases… giving back platelets is still a challenge. Disorders of secondary coagulation can also be daunting to investigate and treat. Learn how to approach and diagnose these cases with confidence, even when individual clotting factor analysis is not an option. We consider treatment options for these patients… from plasma to tranexamic acid.

The course is run by our very own Scott Kilpatrick (EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine) and Emily Thomas (ECC Specialist). The course runs over a ten-week period and takes around 12 hours to complete. The course is delivered via video webinars and supplemented with discussion forums, 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 from the start of the course going live on our website. The discussion forum will be monitored for the course duration only.

Course Content

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Lesson 1: Investigating Anaemia… The blood smear and beyond 1 Quiz 10/06/2024
learning outcomes
  • Learn about the most accessible in-house test… the blood smear!
  • Understand how to get the best out of your haematology… do we really care about MCV?
  • Consider a case-based approach to the investigation of anaemia.
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Lesson 2: Regenerative Anaemia… When the bone marrow works 1 Quiz 17/06/2024
learning outcomes
  • Be confident in understanding the differential diagnosis for regenerative anaemia.
  • Consolidate your knowledge of bleeding disorders and when blood loss is the issue.
  • Consider a case-based approach to some of the more unusual causes of haemolysis.
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Lesson 3: What’s new in IMHA? 1 Quiz 24/06/2024
learning outcomes
  • Learn about the most effective ways to diagnose IMHA.
  • Consolidate your knowledge on the pathophysiology of this disease.
  • Review the most recent treatment options… when the steroids don’t work.
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Lesson 4: Non-Regenerative Anaemia… The bone marrow’s broken! 1 Quiz 01/07/2024
learning outcomes
  • Be confident in understanding the differential diagnosis for non-regenerative anaemia.
  • What is iron… and is it deficient?
  • Review the best treatment options for non-regenerative anaemia.
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Lesson 5: A Practical Guide to Bone Marrow Biopsies 1 Quiz 08/07/2024
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.
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Lesson 6: Blood without Sweat and Tears: What blood product, which patient? 1 Quiz 15/07/2024
learning outcomes
  • List key factors that may trigger transfusion for an anaemic patient.
  • Describe the indications for transfusion in a coagulopathic patient.
  • Outline the component blood products typically available in veterinary medicine.
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Lesson 7: Blood without Sweat and Tears: Transfusing blood into your patient safely 1 Quiz 22/07/2024
learning outcomes
  • Explain the importance of blood typing and list the main blood types of dogs and cats.
  • Differentiate between typing and crossmatching and describe how to perform both.
  • Calculate the quantity of blood product to administer and describe how to set up and administer a transfusion.
  • Outline potential transfusion reactions and follow a treatment algorithm.
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Lesson 8: Coagulation 1 – Disorders of primary haemostasis 1 Quiz 29/07/2024
learning outcomes
  • Discuss primary coagulation in cats and dogs, including recent advances in understanding.
  • Explore disorders of primary coagulation such as thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathia and von Willibrand’s disease.
  • Discuss exciting advances when treating platelet disorders.
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Lesson 9: Coagulation 2 – Disorders of secondary haemostasis 1 Quiz 05/08/2024
learning outcomes
  • Review secondary coagulation disorders – Inherited diseases such as haemophilia A and B, and Hageman factor deficiency
  • Consider acquired disorders such as rodenticide toxicity
  • Understand disseminated intravascular coagulation and treatment options
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Lesson 10: What about the white cells? 1 Quiz 12/08/2024
learning outcomes
  • Review the common reasons for increases and decreases in the white blood cell lines
  • Consider a practical approach to disorders of white blood cells
  • Discussed what we should be treating and when
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Meet the speakers

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.

Emily Thomas

ECC Specialist

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Emily graduated from Cambridge veterinary school in 2005; and after spending time in first opinion practice she undertook a rotating internship at the RVC, followed by a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania in the USA. Since gaining her diploma in ECC she has worked at the RVC and at the University of Edinburgh, and is now joint Head of the Emergency and Critical Care department at Dick White Referrals in Newmarket.

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