SMALL ANIMAL MEDICINE
April 1st, 2021
Learn whenever and wherever you are
Our Distance Learning Postgraduate Program in Small Animal Medicine has been developed to enable all veterinarians access to our world-class teaching materials and is approved by RACE for 240 CE credits. This is a modular program, delivered in over 24 months and featured completely online. Content covers key canine and feline medicine topics and has the same quality and in-depth approach as the on-site program. Modules will feature interactive and varied learning processes and you will have the support and guidance from a RCVS or ECVIM/ACVIM Diploma Holder Module Tutor.
The program includes 20 modules, each spread throughout a monthly period. Every year, two months will be free from program content. They are typically used by the participants to complete any unfinished modules.
Increase your skills, knowledge, and confidence in dealing with more complex canine and feline cases. With 24/7 access from your laptop, tablet or smartphone, no matter where you are in the world, you can fit your learning around the day-to-day workings of a busy practice, with the option of accessing a like-minded peer network.
Program Features:
20 varied modules
Covering key clinical subjects delivered in over 24 months
Support from the Module Tutor
The subject area specialist will provide online support during each module and will be available to answer all your questions
Multiple learning processes
Presentations, written notes, interactive quizzes and exercises which test your knowledge as you work
Discussion forum
A discussion forum for conversation, debate and sharing cases with your peers and Module Tutors
100% online
Giving you access 24/7 wherever you are using your laptop, tablet or even your mobile
Regular assessments
Pre-module and post-module assessments encourage you to reflect on your learning and evaluate your progress
Four sessions per month
Each module consists of four sessions spread throughout a month. Sessions includes separate lessons and case-based studies to work through at your own pace
Dedicated CE Tutor
A dedicated tutor will support you every step of the way throughout the entire extent of the course
Interactive and engaging modules
Which allow you to absorb the learning materials in an online environment
CE Program Details:
Modules summary
- Clinical pathology & laboratory medicine
- Immunology
- Cytology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Emergency medicine & critical care
- Gastroenterology I
- Gastroenterology II
- Respiratory disease
- Endocrinology I
- Endocrinology II
- Medical neurology
- Medical oncology
- Cardiovascular medicine I
- Cardiovascular medicine II
- Canine infectious diseases
- Feline infectious diseases
- Urology I
- Urology II
- Dermatology
- Ophthalmology
Joining the programme at different points may require you to double-up on some of the modules but will not affect your eligibility to progress onto either certificated routes.
Please note the module order may be subject to change.
Tutors
- Ana Lara (DVM, MSc, FHEA, PhD, MRCVS DipACVIM & ECVIM-CA (Oncology), RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology) David Shearer (BVetMed PhD CertSAD PGCert(VetEd), FHEA, CBiol MRSB MRCVS. RCVS Advanced Practioner in Small Animal Dermatology)
- James Swann (MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS)
- Joana Aguiar (DVM, MVetMed, DipACVIM, Dip ECVIM-CA, MRCVS)
- Kerry Simpson (BVM&S Cert VC FACVSc PhD MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine)
- Kieran Borgeat (BSc BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS)
- Marta Costa (DVM MSc FRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS)
- Nick Bexfield (BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA PGDipMEdSci PGCHE FHEA MRCVS)
- Randi Drees (Dr.med.vet PhD DipACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology) DipECVDI add RadOncol PGCertAP MRCVS)
- Raquel Trevail (DVM, DipECVN, MRCVS. RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology)
- Sally Turner (VetMB MA DVOphthal MRCVS)
- Scott Kilpatrick (BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S Dip ECVIM-CA MRCVS)
- Simon Tappin (MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS)
- Susana Silva (DVM CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS European Specialist in Veterinary Small Animal Medicine)
Qualifications
Our Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning program offers you the possibility of working towards a recognized qualification.
General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)
By attending the full online structured program and following successful assessment you can gain the GPCert awarded by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).
Only registered vets who have been qualified for a minimum of one year can apply to undertake a General Practitioner Certificate.
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
A route to a PgC in Small Animal Medicine is available through our partnership with Harper Adams University (HAU) in the UK. For more information about this please contact us.
This course includes
Diagnostic Imaging
Apr, 2021 | OnlineKey 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
- Familiarize yourself with the basic principles of advanced imaging
- Compare and contrast CT and MRI as diagnostic tools
Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
May, 2021 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Familiarize 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
- Recognize 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
Gastroenterology I
Jun, 2021 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Develop your understanding of deglutition and dysphagia
- Familiarise yourself with the pathophysiology of
- Regurgitation
- Acute and chronic vomiting
- Diarrhea
- 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
Gastroenterology II
Jul, 2021 | OnlineKey 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
Respiratory Disease
Sep, 2021 | OnlineKey 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
- Familiarize yourself with the principles of primary and ancillary respiratory therapeutic
Endocrinology I
Oct, 2021 | OnlineKey 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
Endocrinology II
Nov, 2021 | OnlineKey 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
Clinical Pathology
Jan, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Understand the rationale behind the 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 anemia to differentiate between non-regenerative and regenerative types before determining possible underlying causes
- Transform your understanding of hemostasis 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 prioritize further investigations
Medical Neurology
Jan, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Revise your understanding of the principles of functional neuroanatomy
- Become adept at a thorough and systematic neurologic examination to help you localize 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 etiology of seizures in dogs and cats
- Improve your ability to manage seizures in an emergency and longer-term
Medical Oncology
Feb, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Be able to understand the principles of tumor biology and staging
- Formulate a general investigative approach to the cancer patient
- Develop your understanding of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical oncology
- Familiarize yourself with the therapeutic management of common canine and feline neoplasms
- Enable yourself to recognize and manage common oncologic emergencies
Immunology
Feb, 2022 | OnlineKey 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
Cytology
Mar, 2022 | OnlineKey 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 hematological 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
Cardiovascular I
Mar, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Extend your understanding of the principles and importance of a physical examination in patients with suspected cardiac disease
- Familiarize 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 the diagnosis of cardiac disease
Cardiovascular II
Apr, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Recognize and understand the events involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac failure
- Define systolic and diastolic failure
- Appreciate the species differences in the 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
- Familiarize yourself with the therapeutic options and their applications in patients with cardiac disease
- Learn how to manage emergency cardiac patients for improved outcomes
Canine Infectious Diseases
May, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Compile a list of the major infectious diseases in dogs
- Describe the diagnosis and management of common canine infectious diseases
- Familiarize 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
Feline Infectious Diseases
Jun, 2022 | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
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 Hemoplasma infections
- Explain the diseases of hunting cats including toxoplasmosis, poxvirus, mycobacterial disease and salmonellosis
- Approach enteric infections of the cat including protozoal disease (Trichomonas fetus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora) and bacterial/viral disease
- Understand fungal mycoses
- Control infectious and zoonotic disease in the home, clinic, shelters and cattery situations
Urology I
Jul, 2022 | OnlineKey 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
Urology II
Sep, 2022 | OnlineKey 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
Dermatology
Oct, 2022 | OnlineKey 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
Ophthalmology
Nov, 2022 | OnlineKey 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 recognize common ocular conditions that require surgery
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Next Payments | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
Payment in full | $9,820 | - | $9,820 |
Monthly payments | $1,200 | $500 x 20 installments * | $11,200 |
* Delegates will need to pay the first installment to save their place and then payment plans start the month before the beginning of the course
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Next Payments | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
Payment in full | $10,070 | - | $10,070 |
Monthly payments | $1,450 | $500 x 20 installments * | $11,450 |
* Delegates will need to pay the first installment to save their place and then payment plans start the month before the beginning of the course
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. An initial payment is due on registration in order to secure the booking. This can be paid by credit card or bank transfer.
2. Full payment to be made within 30 days of the commencement of the course.
3. For instalment payment plans, the only payment option is by credit card. Delegates will be notified monthly and shall proceed with payment through their personal delegate area.
4. All program prices include ISVPS registration and examination fees.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Improve International reserves the right to close the intake early if the number of applications received exceeds the number of available places.
4. In order to secure a place you must pay an initial payment.
5. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to applicants once we have received a completed application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Distance Learning
When is the learning content available for each module?
- At the beginning of the month, the content for weeks 1 and 2 will be released
- At the beginning of the 3rd week of the month, the remaining content will be released
What additional learning resources are available?
- Online lessons
- Notes to support every lesson
- Reading list
- Module Tutor (diploma holder in their field)
- Program Tutor
- Discussion Forum
What qualifications are needed for taking the program if coming from another non- European country?
- Qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine registered in country of origin
- ISVPS will require appropriate paperwork at point of registration
What does the GPCert consist of?
- Complete the full online structured program
- Case report (2,500 words)
- Online spot test exam
- Multiple choice examination
- ISVPS are responsible for invigilation of the exam via TestReach an independent invigilation company
- See the assessment criteria on the diagram of the route to a GPCert in the brochure
When do the exams take place?
How do I submit my case report for the GPCert?
Find your course

This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate.
Learn moreSmall Animal Medicine
AVAILABLE PAYMENT METHODS

















