‘There is no such thing as a safe anaesthetic only a safe anaesthetist’. This module will give you the ability to approach the anaesthesia of higher risk medical patients to optimise outcomes. The ability to confidently calculate drug requirements and understand monitoring equipment will help you navigate your procedure list with ease.

• Principles and practical aspects of fluid therapy including crystalloids, colloids and blood products
• Anaesthetic consent and anaesthesia records
• Drugs used peri-operatively
• Anaesthetic monitoring

Key Learning Objectives:

• Review acid/base balance, the practical application of blood products and explain when different fluid replacement options should be used. Demonstrate the ability to perform all types of fluid administration calculations.
• Explain the importance of client consent forms, patient anaesthesia records and be able to complete both correctly.
• Obtain knowledge of basic through to advanced patient monitoring and the pros and cons of multi-parameter monitoring for specific cases. Describe and explain abnormal capnography and pulse oximetry waveforms and suggest options to improve them.
• Understand the use of different pre-anaesthetic medication, induction and maintenance agents, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each in specific cases.
• Identify different types of endotracheal tubes and their use explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each. Demonstrate the skill of intubating easy & more difficult patients.

 Speaker: Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS

Nicola Grint

BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS

Nicki graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2000, and stayed on to undertake an internship and then residency in veterinary anaesthesia. In 2005, she moved to Liverpool Vet School to undertake a three year lectureship post, becoming head of division in 2007.

After leaving Liverpool, Nicki locumed at the Animal Health Trust, the Royal Veterinary College, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her PhD in analgesia at Bristol University and holds the RCVS Certificate and Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia, and is also a European Diplomate in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She ran the anaesthesia service at Cave Veterinary Specialists for 8 years and is now an independent anaesthesia consultant.

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This module will give you the confidence to promote patient welfare via an all-round approach to analgesia. Medical patients have their own challenges when it comes to pain and being familiar with the options available now to improve patients’ quality of life in both the short and longer term will be of great value to you and your patients.7

• Pain scoring in different species
• Classes of analgesic drugs
• Principles of selection and administration of analgesia to small animal patients
• Management of Continuous Rate Infusions of analgesics

Key Learning Objectives:

• Appreciate the pathophysiology of pain and be able to identify pain in different species using pain scoring methods.
• Explain the different classes of analgesia, including opioids, NSAIDs, local anaesthetics and other agents and their pharmacology and appreciate their different delivery methods for specific patients using the multi-modal approach.
• Pre-emptive analgesia theory and practical approaches to achieving it
• Outline the use of analgesia in medical patients for chronic and palliative use.
• Describe appropriate analgesic agents for the use of CRI, when and how these should be used/monitored and be able to perform a CRI calculation.
• Demonstrate different intravenous catheterisation techniques including central venous catheterisation.
• Be able to place a central venous line

 Speaker: Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS

Nicola Grint

BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS

Nicki graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2000, and stayed on to undertake an internship and then residency in veterinary anaesthesia. In 2005, she moved to Liverpool Vet School to undertake a three year lectureship post, becoming head of division in 2007.

After leaving Liverpool, Nicki locumed at the Animal Health Trust, the Royal Veterinary College, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her PhD in analgesia at Bristol University and holds the RCVS Certificate and Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia, and is also a European Diplomate in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She ran the anaesthesia service at Cave Veterinary Specialists for 8 years and is now an independent anaesthesia consultant.

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This module will give you the confidence to promote patient welfare via an all-round approach to analgesia. Medical patients have their own challenges when it comes to pain and being familiar with the options available now to improve patients’ quality of life in both the short and longer term will be of great value to you and your patients.7

• Pain scoring in different species
• Classes of analgesic drugs
• Principles of selection and administration of analgesia to small animal patients
• Management of Continuous Rate Infusions of analgesics

Key Learning Objectives:

• Appreciate the pathophysiology of pain and be able to identify pain in different species using pain scoring methods.
• Explain the different classes of analgesia, including opioids, NSAIDs, local anaesthetics and other agents and their pharmacology and appreciate their different delivery methods for specific patients using the multi-modal approach.
• Pre-emptive analgesia theory and practical approaches to achieving it
• Outline the use of analgesia in medical patients for chronic and palliative use.
• Describe appropriate analgesic agents for the use of CRI, when and how these should be used/monitored and be able to perform a CRI calculation.
• Demonstrate different intravenous catheterisation techniques including central venous catheterisation.
• Be able to place a central venous line

 Speaker: Laura Jones (Nee Rosewell) BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Small Animal) ISFMDipFN VTS(SAIM) RVN

Laura Jones (Nee Rosewell)

BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Small Animal) ISFMDipFN VTS(SAIM) RVN

Laura qualified as an RVN in 2010, completed the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in 2014, and graduated with a BSc(Hons) in Advanced Nursing in 2017. Laura worked in a variety of clinics before joining a multidisciplinary referral centre in 2015 as an Internal Medicine nurse. Here Laura's passion for medical nursing grew, leading her to complete the Veterinary Technician Specialist certification, and become a member of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians, in 2019. Laura is passionate about all aspects of internal medicine, particularly feline medicine, endoscopy, and managing patients with chronic disease

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By the end of this module you will be familiar with the patient preparation required for a wide variety of medical procedures in order to make a diagnosis. This module will also give you the ability to confidently nurse a patient with complex medical needs as well as understanding the importance of maintaining client care and clinical governance.

• Assessment and management of hospitalised medical patients
• Nursing care of patients in relation to life stage and/or pathophysiology
• Management of the nutritional needs of a medical patient
• Principles and use of endoscopy equipment
• Clinical governance

Key Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of daily patient assessment and record keeping of the medical patient via charting systems. Be able to outline physical examination techniques and explain their relevance.
• Outline the importance of the specific nursing requirements of inpatients with specific pathophysiology and life stage. Be able to explain the importance of nursing care plans and their use.
• Obtain knowledge of the role of nutrition in the medical patient, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of both enteral and parenteral administration and how to manage these cases within the clinic.
• Select the appropriate patient preparation technique and positioning required for specific medical procedures.
• Identify medical diseases and procedures that result in an outpatient assessment and the significance of outpatient monitoring.
• Become familiar with identifying medical complications and consolidate your knowledge of how to minimise them.
• Explain the set up and maintenance of endoscopes and when they are most useful as part of a diagnostic work-up
• Appreciate the importance of clinical governance & client communication within the veterinary clinic.

 Speaker: Laura Jones (Nee Rosewell) BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Small Animal) ISFMDipFN VTS(SAIM) RVN

Laura Jones (Nee Rosewell)

BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Small Animal) ISFMDipFN VTS(SAIM) RVN

Laura qualified as an RVN in 2010, completed the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in 2014, and graduated with a BSc(Hons) in Advanced Nursing in 2017. Laura worked in a variety of clinics before joining a multidisciplinary referral centre in 2015 as an Internal Medicine nurse. Here Laura's passion for medical nursing grew, leading her to complete the Veterinary Technician Specialist certification, and become a member of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians, in 2019. Laura is passionate about all aspects of internal medicine, particularly feline medicine, endoscopy, and managing patients with chronic disease

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This module will introduce many of the concepts of oncology to allow you to take an active role in the cancer patients presented to your clinic. By the end of this module you should feel confident in assisting with a wide variety of cancer presentations from diagnosis through to treatment and ongoing monitoring.

• Biology of cancer and paraneoplastic disease
• Ethics of cancer treatment in cats and dogs
• Principles of local tumour management
• Principles of systemic tumour management
• Assessment and treatment of oncological emergencies
• Cytology: sample preparation and cytologic interpretation for oncology cases

Key Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the biology of cancer and paraneoplastic disease
• Describe the principles, challenges and ethics of cancer treatment in dogs and cats
• Outline the options for local management of tumours including surgery and radiation therapy
• Explain how systemic management of tumours can be achieved through chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy
• Select appropriate diagnostic methods for the investigation and management of: Lymphoma; mast cell tumours; bone tumours; splenic tumours; oral tumours and selected other common tumours
• Familiarise yourself with specific feline tumours
• Identify and understand oncological emergencies
• Evaluate the unique challenges of starting an oncology clinic – practicalities of administering chemotherapy and management of clients
• Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of drug safety, staff and owner protection
• Includes a practical session of oncological cytology

 Speaker: Owen Davies MA VetMB MVetMed MANZCVS(SAM) DACVIM(Oncology) MRCVS RCVS & American Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Owen Davies

MA VetMB MVetMed MANZCVS(SAM) DACVIM(Oncology) MRCVS RCVS & American Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Owen is an RCVS and American recognized specialist in veterinary oncology. Before his residency at the Royal Veterinary College he spent 9 years in general practice, including mixed, small animal, private and charity work. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (chapter of small animal medicine), a diplomat of the ACVIM(oncology) and holds a Master’s degree based on research into canine lymphoma. Owen currently works at Highcroft Veterinary Referrals in Bristol.

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This module will allow you to have a deeper understanding of the part imaging plays in diagnosis and monitoring of medical cases. The ability to confidently acquire diagnostic radiographs, triage patients using ultrasound and identify those patients who would benefit from advanced imaging will be of great benefit to you.

• Principles of radiography and radiology
• Principles and use of ultrasonography for surgical cases
• Advanced imaging

Key Learning Objectives:

• Explain the different radiographic techniques available, their pros and cons and uses in specific situations
• Evaluate radiographic image quality to ensure diagnostic radiographs are available for interpretation and improve your basic film reading, identifying radiographic artefacts and faults.
• Revise contrast studies, becoming familiar with their use and the specific equipment required to perform them
• Understand the principles of ultrasound imaging and be familiar with how to set up and maintain the ultrasound machine and probes
• Identify specific equipment and materials required for ultrasound-guided procedures
• Employ the principles of FAST scanning to triage emergency cases
• Review advanced imaging (CT/MRI and scintigraphy) and their uses in diagnosis and monitoring medical cases

 Speaker: Speaker TBC

Speaker TBC

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This highly applicable module will enable you to feel more confident in your clinical examination skills to identify more subtle changes than just temperature, pulse and respiratory rates. With a logical approach to a variety of abnormalities you will come away from this module full of renewed enthusiasm for a medical diagnostic challenge.

• Assessment and management of patients with respiratory disease
• Investigation and management of the patient with gastrointestinal disease
• Investigation and management of liver disease in the cat and dog
• Investigation and management of pancreatic disease in the cat and dog
• Investigation and management of renal disease in the cat and dog

Key Learning Objectives:

• Appreciate clinical assessment and how it that can be used to narrow down location of a respiratory problem
• Discuss the common signs of acute and chronic gastrointestinal disease and logical approaches to investigating the underlying causes
• Explain the typical presentations, treatment and follow up required for a variety of respiratory diseases in small animal practice including feline asthma/bronchitis, chronic canine bronchitis, lungworm, pneumonia and nasal disease.
• Describe the most common gastrointestinal diseases and how to treat and/or manage them successfully.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of liver disease in the cat and dog
• Compare pancreatitis in cats and dogs in relation to presentation and treatment options
• Recognise the importance of the classification of chronic kidney disease in relation to management and monitoring
• Become familiar with the diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring challenges of a variety of endocrine diseases including those associated with the pancreas, adrenal and thyroid glands.

 Speaker: Kate Murphy BVSc(Hons) DSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS PGCert(HE)

Kate Murphy

BVSc(Hons) DSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS PGCert(HE)

Kate graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996 and completed her residency there in 2000. Kate worked in private practice and spent 9 years at the University of Bristol where she was a Senior Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care and Medicine Team Leader. Kate has since worked as a Small Animal Medicine Referral Clinician in private referral practice in South West England and was a Clinical Director at a busy multidisciplinary referral centre before joining Idexx from April 2017 till April 2020. Kate has seen medical case at Rowe Referrals since October 2017 and joined Vet CT’s Telemedicine Hospital in June 2020.

She gained the RCVS certificate in Small Animal Medicine in 1999, the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Medicine in 2003 and the ECVIM Small Animal Medicine diploma in 2003. Kate is an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine and FRVCS and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and has interests in all aspects of medicine. She is co-author of a textbook “notes on canine internal medicine” and “Differential Diagnosis in the Dog” and is also an author on a number of peer-reviewed publications, continuing education articles and book chapters.

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Understanding the pros and cons of laboratory testing and perfecting your interpretation skills are invaluable objectives for this module. By expanding your working knowledge of a variety of toxins and infectious diseases this module will also help you with those difficult vaccination conversations.

• Selection of appropriate clinicopathological tests
• Management of acute toxicosis
• Principles of rational drug selection and usage
• Diagnosis, management and prevention of canine and feline infectious disease
• Vaccination

Key Learning Objectives:

• Appreciate the challenges involved in getting the best out of laboratory tests including sampling methods and test selection
• Describe a general approach to all poisoning cases including what resources are available, what diagnostic tests may help and how to treat common toxicities
• Discuss rational drug use– consider how we protect antibiotic use, other considerations in therapeutic trials in medicine cases and monitoring for side effects
• Consider traditional UK infectious diseases – how they are diagnosed, managed and treatment options
• Become familiar with infectious diseases new to the UK and discuss the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of these conditions
• Describe how antibody testing can be useful in vaccination protocols
• Be familiar with WSAVA vaccination guidelines

 Speaker: Kate Murphy BVSc(Hons) DSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS PGCert(HE)

Kate Murphy

BVSc(Hons) DSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS PGCert(HE)

Kate graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996 and completed her residency there in 2000. Kate worked in private practice and spent 9 years at the University of Bristol where she was a Senior Clinical Fellow in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care and Medicine Team Leader. Kate has since worked as a Small Animal Medicine Referral Clinician in private referral practice in South West England and was a Clinical Director at a busy multidisciplinary referral centre before joining Idexx from April 2017 till April 2020. Kate has seen medical case at Rowe Referrals since October 2017 and joined Vet CT’s Telemedicine Hospital in June 2020.

She gained the RCVS certificate in Small Animal Medicine in 1999, the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Medicine in 2003 and the ECVIM Small Animal Medicine diploma in 2003. Kate is an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine and FRVCS and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and has interests in all aspects of medicine. She is co-author of a textbook “notes on canine internal medicine” and “Differential Diagnosis in the Dog” and is also an author on a number of peer-reviewed publications, continuing education articles and book chapters.

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