Get digital … without missing a real-life practical experience!
Our Blended Learning Postgraduate Program in Small Animal Surgery has been developed to enable all veterinary surgeons’ access to our world-class teaching materials and it is approved by RACE for 248 CE/CPD credits.
This is a modular program, delivered in over 2 years and covering key orthopedic and soft-tissue surgical procedures delivered online. There are 14 taught modules and 10 practical modules which will be delivered at the University of California. This program includes two components: soft-tissue surgery and orthopedics/neurosurgery. Each part takes a year to complete and is supported by high-quality surgical videos. After completing all the lecture-based modules of each part, delegates will attend 5 continuous days of hands-on training that correspond to the previously lectured component.
This is the most in-depth and practical modular surgery program, developed to provide even more practical experience in orthopedic and soft-tissue surgical techniques and more relevancy to the general practitioner.
You will have support and guidance from a RCVS or EBVS/ABVS Small Animal Surgery Diploma Holder Module Tutor.
Program Features:
24 varied modules
Covering soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures delivered over 2 years
Support from the Module Tutor
All module tutors will provide online support during their 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
High-quality surgical videos
The modules will be supported by surgical videos delivered by a world-class surgeon
Discussion forum
A discussion forum for conversation, debate and sharing cases with your peers and Module Tutors
Four sessions per month
Each module consists of four sessions spread throughout a month. Sessions include separate lessons and case-based studies to work through at your own pace
Online program
Giving you access 24/7 from your laptop, tablet or even your mobile. Supported by 10 practical attendance sessions delivered in state-of-the-art wet-lab facilities with the support of a specialist in the area
Regular assessments
Pre-module and post-module assessments encourage you to reflect on your learning and evaluate your progress
Dedicated CE Tutor
A dedicated Program Tutor who will support you every step of the way
Interactive and engaging modules
Which allow you to absorb the learning materials in an online environment
VIDEO
Watch an introductory video from Jon Hall – MA VetMB CertSAS DipECVS SFHEA FRCVS, a recognized specialist in Small Animal Surgery, who performed the recorded soft-tissue techniques for this CE program.
CE Program Details:
Modules summary
- Surgical Basics: asepsis, instrumentation, operative techniques and wound healing
- Urinary and reproductive tract surgery
- Upper gastrointestinal surgery
- Lower gastrointestinal surgery, liver, spleen and pancreas
- Oral, pharyngeal and aural surgery
- Surgery of the upper airways, larynx and trachea
- Surgery of the abdominal and thoracic cavities
- Surgical oncology
- Reconstructive skin surgery – practical session
- Gastrointestinal surgery – practical session
- Urological surgery – practical session
- Head and neck surgery – practical session
- Thoracic surgery – practical session
- Joint diseases of the forelimb
- Joint diseases of the hindlimb
- Fracture repair I
- Fracture repair II
- Spinal surgery I
- Spinal surgery II
- Internal fixation I – practical session
- Internal fixation II – practical session
- Joint diseases of the forelimb – practical session
- Joint diseases of the hindlimb – practical session
- External fixation and bone grafting – practical session
Please note the module order may be subject to change.
Tutors
- Eric Monnet (DVM, PhD, FAHA, DACVS, DECVS)
- Guillaume Chanoit (DEDV PhD DECVS DACVS FHEA FRCVS)
- Hannes Bergmann (DrMedVet DipECVS MRCVS)
- Heidi Radke (DVM DipECVS MRCVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics))
- Jane Ladlow (MA VetMB CertSAS CertVR MRCVS)
- Jonathan Bell (BVM&S CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS)
- Kelly Blacklock (BVM&S DipECVS FHEA PGCert MRCVS)
- Pieter Nelissen (DVM CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS)
- Rachel Burrow (BVetMed CertSAS CertVR DipECVS MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Soft Tissue))
- Samantha Woods (BSc MA VetMB CertSAS Dipl.ECVS MRCVS)
- Sebastien Behr (DVM DipECVN MRCVS RCVS Specialist (Veterinary Neurology))
Qualifications
Our Small Animal Surgery Distance Learning Program gives you an opportunity to obtain a recognized qualification.
General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)
By attending the full online structured program as well as having a successful assessment including an exam you can get 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 Surgery is available through our partnership with Harper Adams University (HAU). For more information about this please contact us.
This course includes
01 - Surgical Basics: Asepsis, Instrumentation, Operative techniques and Wound healing
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Asepsis, sterilization and appropriate antibiosis for surgical cases
- Surgical instrumentation and proper handling
- Different uses of sutures, needles, staples and clips
- Wound healing principles and how to apply them to clinical cases
- Principles of wound management and latest innovations
02 - Urinary and Reproductive tract surgery
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Renal surgery principles and techniques
- Obstructive diseases of the urinary tract
- Management of urolithiasis
- Surgical options for urinary incontinence: colposuspension, TVT and urethral occluders
- Surgery of the male reproductive system – from prostatic omentalization to penile and preputial procedures
- Surgery of the female reproductive system – ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy
03 - Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Surgical approaches to salivary gland disease
- Esophageal disease - indications for surgical treatment
- Gastrotomy and gastrectomy - indications beyond GDV
- Small intestinal disease and how to minimize complications
- Ruptures and hernias
04 - Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Liver, Spleen and Pancreas
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Large intestinal surgery - differences between cats and dogs
- Surgical approaches to the rectum and anus
- Different options for liver surgery – suture, staples or electrosurgery
- Biliary tract surgery – anatomy and surgical options
- Pancreatic surgery
- Splenectomy - indications, techniques and alternatives to surgical removal
05 - Oral, Pharyngeal and Aural surgery
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Surgery of the lips, cheeks and tongue
- Surgical treatment of palatal abnormalities
- Maxillectomy and mandibulectomy
- Pharyngeal surgery and options for tonsillar surgery
- Aural surgery: lateral wall resection, vertical canal ablation, ventral bulla osteotomy, total canal ablation, lateral bulla osteotomy and approach to aural hematoma
06 - Surgery of the Upper Airways, Thyroid, Larynx and Trachea
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Conditions of the nasal planum according the animal´s age
- Indications for nasal sinuses surgery
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome
- Surgery of the larynx: paralysis, collapse, trauma, stenosis and neoplasia
- Surgery of the trachea: tracheotomy, tracheostomy, tracheal avulsion, collapse, resection/anastomosis, trauma, foreign bodies and neoplasia
07 - Surgery of the Abdominal and Thoracic Cavities
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Peritonitis: pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment options
- Thoracic surgery
- Differences between small and large dogs
- Thoracostomy for pneumothorax, pyothorax and chylothorax
- Thoracotomia
- Lung lobectomy
- Pericardectomy
- PDA
- PRAA - regurgitating patients and thoracotomy
- Chylotorax
- Chest wall diseases
08 - Surgical Oncology
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Principles of oncologic surgery: approaches to the most common tumors seen in practice
- Latest treatment options for mast cell tumors
- Oral tumors - performing maxillectomy and mandibulectomy
- Gastrointestinal tumors
- Feline-specific tumors
09 - Reconstructive Surgery - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Tension relieving techniques
- Undermining
- Tension relieving sutures
- Walking sutures
- Bolster / stent sutures
- Continuous pretensioning sutures
- Relaxing incisions
- Multiple punctate relaxing incision
- Simple relaxing incision
- Z-plasty
- V-Y plasty
- Wound closure
- Rectangle / square shape wound
- Circular/crescent shape wound
- Triangle shape wound
- Dog ears
- Subdermal plexus flaps
- Advancement flaps
- Rotation flap
- Transposition flap
- Interpolation flap
- Axial pattern flaps
- Thoracodorsal flap
- Caudal superficial epigastric flap
- Skin graft
- Full-thickness meshed skin graft
- Pinch and punch graft
10 - Head and Neck Surgery – Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy
- Ventral bulla osteotomy
- Lateral approach to the larynx and demonstration of unilateral arytenoid lateralization
- Thyroidectomy (modified extracapsular)
- Mandibular and sublingual sialadenectomy
11 - Thoracic Surgery – Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Thoracotomy
- Lateral intercostal thoracotomy
- Median sternotomy
- Lung lobectomy
- Total lung lobectomy
- Pericardectomy
- Partial pericardectomy
- Thoracocentesis / Thoracic drain placement
- Abdominal drain placement
12 - Gastrointestinal Surgery – Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Esophageal surgery
- Esophageal tube placement
- Approach to the cervical esophagus
- Esophagotomy/ Esophagectomy
- Gastric surgery
- Gastrostomy tube placement
- Gastrotomy/ Gastrectomy
- Gastropexy (incisional)
- Intestinal surgery
- Enterotomy / Enterectomy
- Intestinal biopsies
13 - Urological Surgery - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Nephrectomy / Nephrotomy
- Renal biopsies
- Cystotomy/ Nystectomy
- Urethrostomy (parascrotal in the dog and perineal in the cat)
- Cystostomy tube placement
- Urohydropulsion
14 - Joint Diseases of the Forelimb
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Shoulder conditions including luxation, osteochondrosis, dysplasia and excision arthroplasty surgery
- Elbow conditions including, luxations, IOHC, dysplasia, developmental disease and ununited anconeal process
- Developmental carpal disease, carpal hyperextension, arthrodesis and luxations of the carpus and foot
- Growth plate disorders
15 - Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Pros and cons of surgical options for the ruptured cruciate ligament
- Alternative causes of stifle dysfunction besides the cranial cruciate ligament
- Relate the underlying causes of patellar luxation with the appropriate surgical approach
- Hock anatomy - conditions that affect the joint including osteochondrosis and luxation
- Possible treatments for conditions that affect the hip including dysplasia and luxation
- Pros and cons of total hip replacement
16 - Fracture Repair I
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Initial assessment of the fractured patient
- Fracture classification
- Principles of fracture repair and practical applications
- Fracture fixation methods and implants including plating and external fixation devices
17 - Fracture Repair II
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Principles of fracture reduction, including both closed and open techniques
- Bone grafting - cancellous and cortical
- Fore and hindlimb specific fracture stabilization
- Clinical approaches to the following complications: Delayed union/Non-union/Mal-union/Osteomyelitis
18 - Spinal Surgery I
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Systematic neurological exam and interpretation: localizing spinal lesions
- Application of neurodiagnostics
- Approach and management of paraplegia and tetraplegia
- Clinical approach to neurological emergencies, including cranial trauma and status epilepticus
19 - Spinal Surgery II
TBC | OnlineKey Learning Objectives
- Surgical options for spinal surgery according to site
- Cervical spine - Ventral slot procedure
- Thoracolumbar spine - Hemilaminectomy
- Lumbosacral spine - Dorsal laminectomy
- CSF tap and Myelography - landmarks for acquiring CSF samples and obtaining diagnostic myelograms
20 - Internal Fixation I - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Application of cerclages and tension band fixations
- Application of positional and lag screws
- Tibial fractures
- Medial approach to the tibia
- Application of a bone plate
- Radial fractures
- Cranio-medial / lateral approach to the radius
- Application of a bone plate
- Femoral fractures
- Lateral approach to the femur
- Application of a bone plate and an intramedullary pin (plate and rod)
21 - Internal Fixation II - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Recognize the most important features to correctly approach humeral fractures
- Approach the humeral shaft laterally
- Apply a bone plate and an intramedullary pin (plate and rod)
- Perform a dorsal approach to the carpal joint
- Perform a carpal arthrodesis
- Perform a medial and lateral approach to the tarsal joint
- Perform a tarsal arthrodesis
22 - External Fixation and Bone Grafting - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Cancellous bone grafting
- Harvest cancellous bone from the proximal humerus
- Review external fixation equipment
- Pins, bars and clamps
- Tibial Fracture
- Surgical repair with a type II linear frame
- Comminuted Radial Fracture
- Surgical repair with a type Ib linear frame
23 - Joint Diseases of the Forelimb - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Shoulder joint
- Caudolateral and craniomedial approach to the shoulder joint
- Biceps tenotomy
- Elbow joint
- Medial and lateral approach to the elbow joint
- Subtotal coronoidectomy
- Lag screw fixation of UAP
- Proximal / distal ulna osteotomy
24 - Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb - Practical Session
TBC | Surgical Education Center - University of California, Irvine HealthKey Learning Objectives
- Hip joint
- Craniodorsal approach to the hip
- FHNO
- Stifle joint
- Lateral approach to the stifle
- Lateral fabello-tibial suture
- Recession trochleoplasties
- Tibial tuberosity transposition
APPROVED BY
Approved by RACE for 248 CE creditsACCREDITED BY
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate.
| Payment Option | Initial Payment | Next Payments | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment in full | $15,240 | - | $15,240 |
| Monthly payments | $1,750 | $656 x 24 installments ** | $17,500 |
* Deposit due upon enrolment. Payment of remaining amount to be made up to 30 days before the course´s start ** 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?
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate.
Learn more
APPROVED BY
Approved by RACE for 248 CE creditsACCREDITED BY
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate.
