Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning

Key learning objectives:

• Improve your understanding of the importance of a detailed and thorough physical examination
• Integrate a dyspnoea algorithm into your investigations of respiratory disease
• Develop an understanding of the importance of diagnostic aids in the investigation of respiratory disease: radiography, endoscopy, ultrasonography and cytology
• Consolidate your knowledge of upper and lower airway disease, parenchymal and pleural space disease
• Familiarise yourself with the principles of primary and ancillary respiratory therapeutic

 Speaker: Susana Silva DVM CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS European Specialist in Veterinary Small Animal Medicine

Susana Silva

DVM CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS European Specialist in Veterinary Small Animal Medicine

Susana Silva graduated from the University of Porto (Portugal) in 2001. After working in small animal practice, Susana moved to the UK and started a small animal internship. Susana obtained her Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Small Animal Medicine Certificate (CertSAM) in 2007 and finished her training residency at the University of Bristol in 2009. In 2010 Susana obtained the European Diploma in Veterinary Small Animal Medicine (DipECVIM-CA) and is currently working at Vets Now Referrals, Swindon.

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Key learning objectives:

• Get to grips with the underlying principles of endocrine anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
• Become familiar with the clinical signs and diagnostic approaches in cats and dogs with endocrine disorders such as:
  • Hypo- and hyperadrenocorticism – common and uncommon presentations
  • Hypo- and hyperthyroidism
  • Primary and Secondary hyperparathyroidism
• Understand the basis of medical and (where appropriate) surgical management for diseases affecting the adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid glands

 Speaker: Nick Bexfield BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield

BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSB MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology

After graduation, Nick Bexfield spent four years in practice before completing a residency in small animal medicine and oncology at the University of Cambridge. He gained both the RCVS and European Diplomas in Small Animal Medicine in 2006, and is a European Specialist. He remained at Cambridge as a medicine clinician for a further two years before undertaking a Wellcome Trust funded PhD. He was the Clinical Oncologist at Cambridge for a year, before moving to the University of Nottingham in December 2013 to become Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology. He is the BSAVA Congress Programme Committee vice-chair and also co-author of the BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice. He lectures widely in the UK and abroad in all areas of small animal internal medicine.

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Key learning objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with endocrine pancreatic disease including insulinoma
• Describe the investigation and management of diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis in the dog and cat
• Get to grips with understanding the causes of failure to control diabetes and the approach to the unstable diabetic patient
• Understand the pathophysiology of pituitary endocrine diseases
• Become familiar with the clinical signs, investigation and management of pituitary endocrine disease in the dog and cat

 Speaker: Nick Bexfield BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield

BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSB MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology

After graduation, Nick Bexfield spent four years in practice before completing a residency in small animal medicine and oncology at the University of Cambridge. He gained both the RCVS and European Diplomas in Small Animal Medicine in 2006, and is a European Specialist. He remained at Cambridge as a medicine clinician for a further two years before undertaking a Wellcome Trust funded PhD. He was the Clinical Oncologist at Cambridge for a year, before moving to the University of Nottingham in December 2013 to become Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology. He is the BSAVA Congress Programme Committee vice-chair and also co-author of the BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice. He lectures widely in the UK and abroad in all areas of small animal internal medicine.

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Key learning objectives:

• Understand the rationale behind selection of appropriate tests for your patients
• Consider the different sampling techniques and sample processing and identify factors that may affect them
• Become familiar with the clinical pathology of hepatobiliary and renal disease
• Structure your approach to anaemia to differentiate between non-regenerative and regenerative types before determining possible underlying causes
• Transform your understanding of haemostasis to enable you to determine when, why and how it goes wrong
• Use your knowledge to interpret laboratory data from clinical patients to help you prioritise further investigations

 Speaker: Nick Bexfield BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield

BVetMed CertSAM,DSAM,PhD FSBiol MRCVS

Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSB MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology

After graduation, Nick Bexfield spent four years in practice before completing a residency in small animal medicine and oncology at the University of Cambridge. He gained both the RCVS and European Diplomas in Small Animal Medicine in 2006, and is a European Specialist. He remained at Cambridge as a medicine clinician for a further two years before undertaking a Wellcome Trust funded PhD. He was the Clinical Oncologist at Cambridge for a year, before moving to the University of Nottingham in December 2013 to become Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology. He is the BSAVA Congress Programme Committee vice-chair and also co-author of the BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice. He lectures widely in the UK and abroad in all areas of small animal internal medicine.

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Key learning objectives:

• Revise your understanding of the principles of functional neuroanatomy
• Become adept at a thorough and systematic neurologic examination to help you localise lesions
• List and understand further diagnostic techniques available to investigate neurologic disease
• Consider the investigation and management of common neurologic syndromes
• Understand the steps involved in the investigation into the aetiology of seizures in dogs and cats
• Improve your ability to manage seizures in an emergency and longer term

 Speaker: Raquel Monteiro Trevail DVM, DipECVN, MRCVS. RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

Raquel Monteiro Trevail

DVM, DipECVN, MRCVS. RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

Raquel graduated in 2004 from Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal. Raquel subsequently moved to the UK where she completed an internship at the Animal Health Trust followed by a residency at Glasgow University Veterinary School. Raquel was awarded her European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2010. Raquel gained experience at a specialist referral centre in the Midlands before joining SCVS in 2015.

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Key learning objectives:

• Learn the basis of immune function and the immune response to better understand the pathophysiology of immune-mediated disease
• Develop your diagnostic approach to common immune-mediated diseases in small animals
• Transform your understanding of the basis of therapy for immune-mediated diseases
• Discuss the use of common immunosuppressive therapies

 Speaker: James Swann MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS

James Swann

MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS

James graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 with degrees in pathology and veterinary medicine. Over the last four years, completed advanced clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College (University of London), receiving the diplomas of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2016. During this time, Dr.Swann also investigated the autoimmune response of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA); He received an International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for this work in 2015.

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Key learning objectives:

• Be able to understand the principles of tumour biology and staging
• Formulate a general investigative approach to the cancer patient
• Develop your understanding of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical oncology
• Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic management of common canine and feline neoplasms
• Enable yourself to recognise and manage common oncologic emergencies

 Speaker: Ana Lara DVM, MSc, FHEA, PhD, MRCVS DipACVIM & ECVIM-CA (Oncology), RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Ana Lara

DVM, MSc, FHEA, PhD, MRCVS DipACVIM & ECVIM-CA (Oncology), RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Ana is Head of the Veterinary Oncology Service and is particularly interested in biologic behaviour and therapy of lymphoma and advanced carcinomas and sarcomas. She is particularly interested in development of new therapies against cancer (such as metronomic therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and new cytotoxic drugs) and investigation of biologic markers that can be prognostic for cancer. Ana is also interested in assessment of quality of life in patients with cancer and in providing training to undergraduates and general practitioners in oncology with the goal of increasing the veterinary care of pets with cancer in the country.

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Key learning objectives:

• Extend your understanding of the principles and importance of a physical examination in patients with suspected cardiac disease
• Familiarise yourself with the principles of electrocardiography
• Integrate your understanding of the approach to electrocardiographic interpretation to help you identify common arrhythmias
• Improve your evaluation of thoracic radiographs in reference to cardiac patients
• Understand the basic principles of echocardiography and its role in diagnosis of cardiac disease

 Speaker: Kieran Borgeat BSc BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Kieran Borgeat

BSc BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

​Kieran is an American and European Diplomate and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. He worked for 6 years in first opinion practice, during which time he completed a Certificate in cardiology, then undertook a residency and Masters degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. He has given CPD to vets all over the world on cardiology, from Bulgaria to Singapore, and enjoys nothing more than chatting about cardiology to other vets. He is an experienced interventional surgeon, treating not only cardiovascular disease, but respiratory, urinary and oncological problems using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques.

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Key learning objectives:

• Recognise and understand the events involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac failure
• Define systolic and diastolic failure
• Appreciate the species differences in prevalence of congenital and acquired cardiac diseases
• Describe the major congenital cardiac diseases in dogs and cats
• Transform your understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of acquired valvular, myocardial and pericardial diseases
• Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic options and their applications in patients with cardiac disease
• Learn how to manage emergency cardiac patients for improved outcomes

 Speaker: Kieran Borgeat BSc BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Kieran Borgeat

BSc BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

​Kieran is an American and European Diplomate and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. He worked for 6 years in first opinion practice, during which time he completed a Certificate in cardiology, then undertook a residency and Masters degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. He has given CPD to vets all over the world on cardiology, from Bulgaria to Singapore, and enjoys nothing more than chatting about cardiology to other vets. He is an experienced interventional surgeon, treating not only cardiovascular disease, but respiratory, urinary and oncological problems using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques.

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Key learning objectives:

• Familiarise yourself with a thorough and systematic approach to the assessment of the critically ill patient’s major body systems
• Enhance your understanding of the minimum database and its interpretation
• Implement your assessment of your patients when considering their fluid, electrolyte and transfusion requirements
• Understand the principles and practical aspects of critical patient monitoring
• Recognise imminent cardiopulmonary arrest more promptly
• Learn how to select and apply both basic and advanced life support
• Learn the best approach to the acute management of the dyspnoeic patient

 Speaker: Simon Tappin VetMB MA,CertSAM,DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Simon Tappin

VetMB MA,CertSAM,DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Simon trained at the University of Cambridge and, after qualifying, spent 2 years in small animal practice before taking up a Residency in Small Animal Medicine and Intensive Care at the University of Bristol.
Simon gained an ISVPS General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Practice himself in 2004. He joined DWR in 2007. He holds the Royal College Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is an active member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and editor of Companion Journal. Simon particularly enjoys critical care.

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Key learning objectives:

• Compile a list of the major infectious diseases in dogs

• Describe the diagnosis and management of common canine infectious diseases

• Familiarise yourself with the clinical signs of significant imported diseases occurring in dogs

• Understand the principles of vaccination and vaccination regimes

• Understand the steps involved in the Pet Travel Scheme

• List notifiable diseases in dogs

 Speaker: Simon Tappin VetMB MA,CertSAM,DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Simon Tappin

VetMB MA,CertSAM,DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Simon trained at the University of Cambridge and, after qualifying, spent 2 years in small animal practice before taking up a Residency in Small Animal Medicine and Intensive Care at the University of Bristol.
Simon gained an ISVPS General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Practice himself in 2004. He joined DWR in 2007. He holds the Royal College Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is an active member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and editor of Companion Journal. Simon particularly enjoys critical care.

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Approach the pathophysiology, diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment and management of common viral diseases in cats including FeLV, FIV and FIP and respiratory infections.

• Diagnose and treat Haemoplasma infections
• Explain the diseases of hunting cats including toxoplasmosis, pox virus, mycobacterial disease and salmonellosis
• Approach enteric infections of the cat including protozoal disease (Trichomonas foetus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora) and bacterial/viral disease
• Understand fungal mycoses
• Control infectious and zoonotic disease in the home, clinic, shelters and cattery situations

 Speaker: Kerry Simpson BVM&S Cert VC FACVSc PhD MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine

Kerry Simpson

BVM&S Cert VC FACVSc PhD MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine

Kerry Simpson is a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Feline Medicine and a RCVS recognised specialist in Feline Medicine. She runs the Feline Expert, a feline consultancy service specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of complex feline medical diseases.

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Key learning objectives:

• Understand the diagnostic techniques available to investigate urinary disease
• Delve into the detail of the pathophysiology of acute and chronic renal failure, glomerular disease and proteinuria
• Develop your investigative approach into renal disease
• Improve your therapeutic management of such cases

 Speaker: James Swann MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS

James Swann

MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS

James graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 with degrees in pathology and veterinary medicine. Over the last four years, completed advanced clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College (University of London), receiving the diplomas of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2016. During this time, Dr.Swann also investigated the autoimmune response of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA); He received an International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for this work in 2015.

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Key learning objectives:

• Describe and understand the factors involved in the development of crystalluria and urolithiasis in cats and dogs
• Understand the principles of management of lower urinary tract disease in cats and dogs
• Explore the often complicated management of FLUTD and urethral obstruction
• Examine the possible causes of urinary incontinence, their diagnosis and management
• Classify canine prostatic diseases and understand their pathogenesis, diagnosis and medical management

 Speaker: Joana Aguiar DVM, MVetMed, DipACVIM, Dip ECVIM-CA, MRCVS

Joana Aguiar

DVM, MVetMed, DipACVIM, Dip ECVIM-CA, MRCVS

Joana qualified from Porto University in 2009. Following a year in clinical practice she joined the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, Cambridge as Junior Clinical Training Scholar. After a few years working at Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital in London she underwent her residency training in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College. Here she gained her Master of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and obtained specialist recognition from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and from the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She is currently studying for her PhD at the Royal Veterinary College.

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Key learning objectives:

• Develop a problem-solving approach to skin diseases
• Describe the steps involved in dermatologic examination in cats and dogs
• List and understand the techniques used for the laboratory investigation of skin disease and when they should be used
• Recommend a rational problem-solving approach to the investigation and treatment of :
  • Alopecia
  • Pruritus
• Become familiar with the common presentations of bacterial, parasitic and fungal skin disease
• Identify common dermatologic manifestations of systemic disease and their pathogenesis

Key learning objectives:

• Review common ophthalmic examination techniques:
  • Basic neuro-ophthalmological examination
  • Ophthalmoscopy: distant direct; close direct & indirect
  • Correct use of Fluorescein for corneal evaluation
  • Tonometry and gonioscopy
• Get to grips with current ocular therapeutics: what do you need to have on your pharmacy shelf?
• Familiarise yourself with the medical management of common ocular conditions
• Identify the ocular manifestations of systemic diseases
• Be able to recognise common ocular conditions that require surgery

 Speaker: Sally Turner VetMB MA DVOphthal MRCVS

Sally Turner

VetMB MA DVOphthal MRCVS

Sally Turner is a graduate of Cambridge University and spent 2 years in general practice, then did her ophthalmology training as a resident at the Animal Health Trust. Currently in private referral practice in London, Sally regularly lectures to vets and nurses and has written two books on veterinary ophthalmology. She is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

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Key learning objectives:

• Understand the principles and practical aspects of cytological sample collection, storage and preparation
• Perfect your ability to describe the principles of routine cytological examination and how this informs a cytological diagnosis
• Develop your haematological skills by becoming adept at interpreting both normal and abnormal haemograms, identifying
  reticulocytes and discovering platelet and white cell abnormalities
• Transform your understanding of the different cytological characteristics of effusions, aspirates and lavage samples
• Familiarise yourself with some of the conditions most commonly diagnosed by cytology

 Speaker: Marta Costa DVM MSc FRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS

Marta Costa

DVM MSc FRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS

​Marta graduated from Technical University of Lisbon in 2001. She started working in the diagnostic laboratories of the same university with a research scholarship, while working part time in small animal practice. In 2002 she became one of the clinical pathologists at the university up to 2007, when she completed a Masters in Medical microbiology and started working as a lecturer in clinical pathology and infectious diseases at the Lusofona University. In 2009 she moved to the UK to undertake a clinical pathology residency at the University of Bristol, where she now works as clinical pathologist in the Langford Veterinary Services. She is Fellow the Royal College of Pathologist currently working for her European Diploma. Her special interests lie in diagnosis of infectious diseases and all that pertains to a microscope (cytology and haematology) where she finds beauty everyday.

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Key learning objectives:

• Review the principles of radiography, radiology and the significance of radiation protection
• Appreciate the use of contrast radiography in a variety of situations and using a variety of techniques
• Understand the principles of ultrasound imaging
• Familiarise yourself with the basic principles of advanced imaging
• Compare and contrast CT and MRI as diagnostic tools

 Speaker: Randi Drees Dr.med.vet PhD DipACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology) DipECVDI add RadOncol PGCertAP MRCVS

Randi Drees

Dr.med.vet PhD DipACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology) DipECVDI add RadOncol PGCertAP MRCVS

Randi graduated from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany in 2001. Randi spent time in private practice before pursuing her Diagnostic Imaging residency at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA. She became board certified with the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and American College of Veterinary Radiology in 2008. Randi then pursued an alternative training program in Veterinary Radiation Oncology at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA and became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Radiology (Radiation Oncology) in 2012.
She held a clinical assitant professorship and was section head of the diagnostic imaging section at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA before relocating to the RVC in London where she is leading the small animal diagnostic imaging section.
She is a member at large of the board of the ECVDI and member of the radiation oncology education and credentials committee establishing an add-on Training program in Radiation Oncology for Diplomates of the ECVDI and ECVIM colleges.

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Key learning objectives:

• Develop your understanding of deglutition and dysphagia
• Familiarise yourself with the pathophysiology of:
  • Regurgitation
  • Acute and chronic vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
• Enhance your diagnostic approach to gastrointestinal abnormalities
• Describe the principles and basic use of endoscopy in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease and when it is indicated

 Speaker: Scott Kilpatrick BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S Dip ECVIM-CA MRCVS

Scott Kilpatrick

BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S Dip ECVIM-CA MRCVS

Following graduation from Edinburgh in 2007, Scott worked for the PDSA and Vets Now before starting his residency at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, obtaining his European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2017. Scott has also completed a Master’s Degree looking in to the pathogenesis of canine liver disease.

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Key learning objectives:

• Improve your understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic and hepatobiliary disease
• Devise a systematic diagnostic approach to the jaundiced patient
• Perfect your investigative approach to suspected hepatobiliary disease
• Understand the pathophysiology of exocrine pancreatic disease
• Describe the investigative approach to acute and chronic exocrine pancreatic diseases
• Discuss the therapeutic options in hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases

 Speaker: Scott Kilpatrick BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S Dip ECVIM-CA MRCVS

Scott Kilpatrick

BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S Dip ECVIM-CA MRCVS

Following graduation from Edinburgh in 2007, Scott worked for the PDSA and Vets Now before starting his residency at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, obtaining his European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2017. Scott has also completed a Master’s Degree looking in to the pathogenesis of canine liver disease.

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