Subject: Medicine

Week 1

Acute Kidney Injury

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the functional anatomy of the kidney

Understand and assess the origin of azotaemia in dogs and cats

Break down the terminology and pathophysiology of an acute kidney injury

Appreciate the clinical signs and tips on differentiating between AKI and CKD renal biomarkers and the importance of urinalysis for assessing renal function

Understand the nursing care that accompanies an AKI patient, including ins and outs, fluid therapy and the importance of bodyweight

Design a treatment plan for an AKI patient, including an in depth understanding of why we perform each task

Week 2

The Blocked Cat

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand predisposing factors to the blocked feline patient

Recognise the most common clinical signs and presentation of these cases

Understand and be able to perform the initial diagnostic procedures commonly performed

Recognise the hyperkalaemic patient and understand the treatment required

Demonstrate an understanding of the treatment options available for these cases

Identify different types of urinary catheters used in feline patients

Explain the nursing considerations of these patients

Week 3

Chronic Kidney Disease

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the difference between CKD and AKI

Discuss the clinical signs, why they manifest and what we can do to provide supportive treatment to the CKD patient

Talk about the laboratory findings including electrolytes and how/when we should intervene

Break down urinalysis and what it can tell us

Understand the pathology behind hypertension in CKD patients, the side effects and how to achieve accurate measurements

Identify useful nurse clinic tips for CKD patients

Week 4

Laboratory Diagnostics in Renal and Urinary Patients

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Recognise the common haematological, biochemical and electrolyte changes seen in patients with renal disease

Understand the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging for chronic kidney disease

Explain the three key components of a urinalysis

Describe the classifications of proteinuria and understand possible underlying causes

Identify urinary crystals via microscopy

Understand external laboratory diagnostics to include: symmetric dimethylarginine and urine culture

Localise azotaemia in canine and feline patients

Week 1

Aetiology and Pathogenesis

Anatomy of the head

Tooth and periodontal anatomy, and oral soft tissues

Oral nomenclature

Tooth types, nomenclature and formulae

Eruption times

Occlusion

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify tooth and periodontal structures

Explain the Modified Triadan System of numbering teeth in the dog and cat

Recognise normal occlusion

Week 2

Periodontology

Aetiology and pathogenesis of dental disease

Gingivitis

Periodontitis

Gingivostomatitis

Periodontal therapy

Scaling and polishing

Pocket control and therapy

Medications, homecare (brief), dental clinics (brief)

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe how gingivitis develops and its progression to periodontal disease

Explain what gingivostomatitis is

Outline the process of safe ultrasonic tooth scaling and its purpose

Week 3

Oral Pathology and Treatment

Trauma and treatment options

Tooth fracture / discolouration / (sub) luxation

Dental diseases and treatment options

Tooth resorption / caries / periodontal disease

Malocclusion and treatment options

Traumatic / dental / skeletal malocclusions

Other conditions and treatment options

Enamel defects / dentigerous cysts / persistent deciduous / root dilacerations and abnormal morphology / tumours

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify common pathologies associated with the teeth and oral cavity

Describe some potential treatment options for common pathologies

Week 4

Oral Examination and Charting

History taking and clinical examination – conscious oral examination

Pre-operative tests

Assessment under general anaesthesia – including anaesthesia induction, intubation, oral preparation, probing

Charting – what to fill in, disease scoring and making your chart work

Imaging and other investigations

Radiography – parallel and bisecting angle techniques

Biopsy

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Confidently undertake a thorough conscious examination of a patient’s teeth
and oral cavity

Set up for and assist with assessment of the teeth and oral cavity in an anaesthetised patient

Accurately complete a dental chart which documents all pathology discovered upon examination

Week 5

Instrumentation and Dental Surgery

Instruments – use, care and maintenance

Dental machine and other powered equipment – use, care and maintenance

Ancillary equipment – use, care and maintenance

Preparation for and veterinary nursing assistance with surgery

Pre-, intra- and post-operatively, including analgesia

The role of intraoperative radiography

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Differentiate between different instruments used for dental and oral procedures, and state what they are used for

Describe the proper use, care and maintenance of a range of dental instruments and equipment

Explain the benefits of oral radiography in veterinary patients and outline the basic, fundamental principles of the parallel and bisecting angle techniques

Week 6

Dental Clinics, Products and Homecare

What is an effective dental clinic

Types of patients attending dental clinics

Resources for dental clinic consultations

Products and interventions available to help with maintaining oral health

Oral homecare regimes

Effective dissemination of theoretical and practical oral hygiene advice

Client concordance and follow-up

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Debate what makes a dental clinic effective

Explain the range of resources required to run an effective dental clinic, and the purpose of these resources

Describe how a range of products and interventions used to maintain optimal oral health work

Outline how to achieve and maintain client compliance with recommended oral homecare regimes

Week 1

Nutritional Assessment and Calculations

How to perform a nutritional assessment

Calculate energy requirements and how much to feed

Treatment regimens for inappetence

Instigating nutritional support

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Perform a nutritional history and assessment of the animal

Calculate BER and RERs and apply this to how much to feed

Identify when nutritional support is required and how to do this

Week 2

Clinical Nutrition – Renal, Urinary, Liver and Cardiac

Clinical nutrition for renal, urinary, liver and cardiac disease

Look at each of the nutrient requirements for each of these management regimes

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for clinical diets for renal, urinary, liver and cardiac disease

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Discuss the benefits of these diets

Week 3

Clinical Nutrition – Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic

Clinical nutrition for gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

Look at each of the nutrient requirements for each of these management regimes

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for clinical diets for range of gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Discuss the benefits of these diets

Week 4

Nutritional Supplements and Trends

Supplements

Nutritional trends (including raw and homecooked diets)

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for supplements for the diseases discussed in weeks 3 and 4

Look at the nutritional evidence behind nutritional fashions

Discuss raw and home cooked feeding with clients

Week 1

Mammary Tumours

Mammary tumours are a common tumour in cats which are often malignant, yet a small percentage are benign. Early detection and intervention can have a positive outcome and some patients go on to live disease-free lives, others require continuous treatment and monitoring.

Presentation and behaviour of mammary tumours

Diagnosis and staging

Treatment modalities and monitoring considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the potential causes of mammary tumours in cats

List what investigative procedures may be necessary to secure a diagnosis and what safety factors should be observed when sampling masses

Understand which treatment modalities are most useful for which form of the disease

Describe the patient and client care considerations when managing cases of feline mammary tumours

Week 2

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes and/or lymphoid tissue, which is present in many locations within the body; presentation and treatment of these cases is dependant on location. This week we will cover:

Manifestation of feline lymphoma and categories of disease

Diagnosis, staging and prognostic indicators

Treatment options for feline lymphoma

Chemotherapy protocols, client expectations and how to create a feline friendly environment

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List the common manifestations of feline lymphoma and the patient groups most affected

Understand the value of staging and monitoring the disease

Describe the subtypes of feline lymphoma and the difference in treatment approaches

Explain the rationale of a multimodal chemotherapy protocol and how it may impact on prognosis

Analyse personal skill set and determine how you could support feline patients with lymphoma using your practice facilities

Week 3

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of head and mouth cancer in cats; the behaviour of this neoplasm is sometimes unpredictable and can be very invasive. On week three we discuss the presentation, investigation and treatment options available for these patients and look at some practices which are novel to veterinary medicine.

Presentation, diagnosis and staging of squamous cell carcinoma, including lymph node mapping

Treatment options and impact on prognosis

Surgical interventions, nursing support and rehabilitation

Introduction to electrochemotherapy and photodynamic therapy

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the different imaging techniques used to evaluate feline squamous cell carcinoma

List treatment options and prognostic indicators for feline squamous cell carcinoma

Understand the mechanism of action behind novel techniques for feline squamous cell carcinoma

Describe the common surgical interventions and post-operative patient considerations

Week 4

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Feline injection site sarcoma (FISS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas of cats. The disease may present as a minor mass to the owner but often this is just the tip of the iceberg. Week 4 looks at FISS in more detail and brings the courses learning materials all together in this last week

Soft tissue sarcoma pathophysiology overview

Diagnostic and staging processes

Treatment options, radiation and surgical management

Adjuvant (post-operative) chemotherapy and restaging

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the diagnostic approach to determining cancer diagnosis and tumour burden

Explain typical neoplastic behaviour of FISS and the impact of intervention on survival time

Understand the fundamental reasoning for adjuvant chemotherapy and the options for post-operative care

Week 1

Physiotherapy Toolkit (Modalities)

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic hot/cold packs

Manual therapies

Applied exercise therapies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the principles and application of electrotherapy including:

K-laser

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Pulsed magnetic therapy (Biomag)

Therapeutic ultrasound

Understand the use of therapeutic hot/ cold packs

Understand manual therapy and its application including:

Massage

Effleurage

Coupage

Joint mobilisations

Graded stretches

Understand applied exercise therapy including:

Strengthening and stabilising exercises

Balance and proprioceptive exercises

Functional exercises

Hydrotherapy

Week 2

Patient Assessment

Musculoskeletal patient assessment

Neurological patient assessment

Respiratory / critical care patient assessment

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out a basic musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory physiotherapy assessment

Understand valid outcome measures to guide patient treatment

How to write SOAP (subjective, objective, analysis, plan) notes to progress patient treatment

Week 3

Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy Treatment Techniques

Early phase rehabilitation 0-2 weeks

Mid phase rehabilitation 2-6 weeks

Late phase rehabilitation 6-12 weeks

Patient discharge or maintenance physiotherapy programme

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out early physiotherapy treatment including:

Early manual therapy techniques

Early phase hot and cold pack treatment

Early electrotherapies to improve healing and for pain relief

Mid phase gentle exercise programmes including hydrotherapy

Late phase exercise therapy to include advanced strengthening, proprioceptive, balance and functional exercises

Late phase electrotherapies for pain relief, soft tissue injuries and muscle strengthening

Week 4

Physiotherapy Progression Plans and Home Exercise Programmes

Patient rehabilitation plans

Discharge and maintenance programmes

Home exercise plans

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Learn how and when to progress patient plans from early to mid through to late stage rehabilitation to optimise patient outcomes

Understand when to discharge a patient, or to continue with a maintenance programme for chronic cases or surgical complications

Design home exercise programmes for owners to carry out

Week 5

Musculoskeletal Case Studies

CCL reconstruction – TPLO or lateral suture

Soft tissue injuries (tendinopathies, iliopsoas strains)

Fracture repair

Conservative management of chronic conditions, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a musculoskeletal case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a soft tissue case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a fracture repair case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a chronic condition case study

Week 6

Neurological and Respiratory (Intensive Care) Case Studies

Hemi- laminectomy (HLE)

Fibrocartilage embolism (FCE)

Pneumonia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a surgical neurological case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a non-surgical case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a respiratory (critical care) case study

Week 1

Aetiology and Pathogenesis

Anatomy of the head

Tooth and periodontal anatomy, and oral soft tissues

Oral nomenclature

Tooth types, nomenclature and formulae

Eruption times

Occlusion

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify tooth and periodontal structures

Explain the Modified Triadan System of numbering teeth in the dog and cat

Recognise normal occlusion

Week 2

Periodontology

Aetiology and pathogenesis of dental disease

Gingivitis

Periodontitis

Gingivostomatitis

Periodontal therapy

Scaling and polishing

Pocket control and therapy

Medications, homecare (brief), dental clinics (brief)

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe how gingivitis develops and its progression to periodontal disease

Explain what gingivostomatitis is

Outline the process of safe ultrasonic tooth scaling and its purpose

Week 3

Oral Pathology and Treatment

Trauma and treatment options

Tooth fracture / discolouration / (sub) luxation

Dental diseases and treatment options

Tooth resorption / caries / periodontal disease

Malocclusion and treatment options

Traumatic / dental / skeletal malocclusions

Other conditions and treatment options

Enamel defects / dentigerous cysts / persistent deciduous / root dilacerations and abnormal morphology / tumours

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify common pathologies associated with the teeth and oral cavity

Describe some potential treatment options for common pathologies

Week 4

Oral Examination and Charting

History taking and clinical examination – conscious oral examination

Pre-operative tests

Assessment under general anaesthesia – including anaesthesia induction, intubation, oral preparation, probing

Charting – what to fill in, disease scoring and making your chart work

Imaging and other investigations

Radiography – parallel and bisecting angle techniques

Biopsy

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Confidently undertake a thorough conscious examination of a patient’s teeth
and oral cavity

Set up for and assist with assessment of the teeth and oral cavity in an anaesthetised patient

Accurately complete a dental chart which documents all pathology discovered upon examination

Week 5

Instrumentation and Dental Surgery

Instruments – use, care and maintenance

Dental machine and other powered equipment – use, care and maintenance

Ancillary equipment – use, care and maintenance

Preparation for and veterinary nursing assistance with surgery

Pre-, intra- and post-operatively, including analgesia

The role of intraoperative radiography

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Differentiate between different instruments used for dental and oral procedures, and state what they are used for

Describe the proper use, care and maintenance of a range of dental instruments and equipment

Explain the benefits of oral radiography in veterinary patients and outline the basic, fundamental principles of the parallel and bisecting angle techniques

Week 6

Dental Clinics, Products and Homecare

What is an effective dental clinic

Types of patients attending dental clinics

Resources for dental clinic consultations

Products and interventions available to help with maintaining oral health

Oral homecare regimes

Effective dissemination of theoretical and practical oral hygiene advice

Client concordance and follow-up

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Debate what makes a dental clinic effective

Explain the range of resources required to run an effective dental clinic, and the purpose of these resources

Describe how a range of products and interventions used to maintain optimal oral health work

Outline how to achieve and maintain client compliance with recommended oral homecare regimes

Week 1

Nutritional Assessment and Calculations

How to perform a nutritional assessment

Calculate energy requirements and how much to feed

Treatment regimens for inappetence

Instigating nutritional support

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Perform a nutritional history and assessment of the animal

Calculate BER and RERs and apply this to how much to feed

Identify when nutritional support is required and how to do this

Week 2

Clinical Nutrition – Renal, Urinary, Liver and Cardiac

Clinical nutrition for renal, urinary, liver and cardiac disease

Look at each of the nutrient requirements for each of these management regimes

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for clinical diets for renal, urinary, liver and cardiac disease

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Discuss the benefits of these diets

Week 3

Clinical Nutrition – Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic

Clinical nutrition for gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

Look at each of the nutrient requirements for each of these management regimes

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for clinical diets for range of gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Discuss the benefits of these diets

Week 4

Nutritional Supplements and Trends

Supplements

Nutritional trends (including raw and homecooked diets)

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make recommendations for supplements for the diseases discussed in weeks 3 and 4

Look at the nutritional evidence behind nutritional fashions

Discuss raw and home cooked feeding with clients

Week 1

Mammary Tumours

Mammary tumours are a common tumour in cats which are often malignant, yet a small percentage are benign. Early detection and intervention can have a positive outcome and some patients go on to live disease-free lives, others require continuous treatment and monitoring.

Presentation and behaviour of mammary tumours

Diagnosis and staging

Treatment modalities and monitoring considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the potential causes of mammary tumours in cats

List what investigative procedures may be necessary to secure a diagnosis and what safety factors should be observed when sampling masses

Understand which treatment modalities are most useful for which form of the disease

Describe the patient and client care considerations when managing cases of feline mammary tumours

Week 2

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes and/or lymphoid tissue, which is present in many locations within the body; presentation and treatment of these cases is dependant on location. This week we will cover:

Manifestation of feline lymphoma and categories of disease

Diagnosis, staging and prognostic indicators

Treatment options for feline lymphoma

Chemotherapy protocols, client expectations and how to create a feline friendly environment

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List the common manifestations of feline lymphoma and the patient groups most affected

Understand the value of staging and monitoring the disease

Describe the subtypes of feline lymphoma and the difference in treatment approaches

Explain the rationale of a multimodal chemotherapy protocol and how it may impact on prognosis

Analyse personal skill set and determine how you could support feline patients with lymphoma using your practice facilities

Week 3

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of head and mouth cancer in cats; the behaviour of this neoplasm is sometimes unpredictable and can be very invasive. On week three we discuss the presentation, investigation and treatment options available for these patients and look at some practices which are novel to veterinary medicine.

Presentation, diagnosis and staging of squamous cell carcinoma, including lymph node mapping

Treatment options and impact on prognosis

Surgical interventions, nursing support and rehabilitation

Introduction to electrochemotherapy and photodynamic therapy

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the different imaging techniques used to evaluate feline squamous cell carcinoma

List treatment options and prognostic indicators for feline squamous cell carcinoma

Understand the mechanism of action behind novel techniques for feline squamous cell carcinoma

Describe the common surgical interventions and post-operative patient considerations

Week 4

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Feline injection site sarcoma (FISS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas of cats. The disease may present as a minor mass to the owner but often this is just the tip of the iceberg. Week 4 looks at FISS in more detail and brings the courses learning materials all together in this last week

Soft tissue sarcoma pathophysiology overview

Diagnostic and staging processes

Treatment options, radiation and surgical management

Adjuvant (post-operative) chemotherapy and restaging

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the diagnostic approach to determining cancer diagnosis and tumour burden

Explain typical neoplastic behaviour of FISS and the impact of intervention on survival time

Understand the fundamental reasoning for adjuvant chemotherapy and the options for post-operative care

Week 1

Physiotherapy Toolkit (Modalities)

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic hot/cold packs

Manual therapies

Applied exercise therapies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the principles and application of electrotherapy including:

K-laser

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Pulsed magnetic therapy (Biomag)

Therapeutic ultrasound

Understand the use of therapeutic hot/ cold packs

Understand manual therapy and its application including:

Massage

Effleurage

Coupage

Joint mobilisations

Graded stretches

Understand applied exercise therapy including:

Strengthening and stabilising exercises

Balance and proprioceptive exercises

Functional exercises

Hydrotherapy

Week 2

Patient Assessment

Musculoskeletal patient assessment

Neurological patient assessment

Respiratory / critical care patient assessment

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out a basic musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory physiotherapy assessment

Understand valid outcome measures to guide patient treatment

How to write SOAP (subjective, objective, analysis, plan) notes to progress patient treatment

Week 3

Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy Treatment Techniques

Early phase rehabilitation 0-2 weeks

Mid phase rehabilitation 2-6 weeks

Late phase rehabilitation 6-12 weeks

Patient discharge or maintenance physiotherapy programme

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out early physiotherapy treatment including:

Early manual therapy techniques

Early phase hot and cold pack treatment

Early electrotherapies to improve healing and for pain relief

Mid phase gentle exercise programmes including hydrotherapy

Late phase exercise therapy to include advanced strengthening, proprioceptive, balance and functional exercises

Late phase electrotherapies for pain relief, soft tissue injuries and muscle strengthening

Week 4

Physiotherapy Progression Plans and Home Exercise Programmes

Patient rehabilitation plans

Discharge and maintenance programmes

Home exercise plans

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Learn how and when to progress patient plans from early to mid through to late stage rehabilitation to optimise patient outcomes

Understand when to discharge a patient, or to continue with a maintenance programme for chronic cases or surgical complications

Design home exercise programmes for owners to carry out

Week 5

Musculoskeletal Case Studies

CCL reconstruction – TPLO or lateral suture

Soft tissue injuries (tendinopathies, iliopsoas strains)

Fracture repair

Conservative management of chronic conditions, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a musculoskeletal case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a soft tissue case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a fracture repair case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a chronic condition case study

Week 6

Neurological and Respiratory (Intensive Care) Case Studies

Hemi- laminectomy (HLE)

Fibrocartilage embolism (FCE)

Pneumonia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a surgical neurological case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a non-surgical case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a respiratory (critical care) case study

Week 1

Physiotherapy Toolkit (Modalities)

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic hot/cold packs

Manual therapies

Applied exercise therapies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the principles and application of electrotherapy including:

K-laser

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Pulsed magnetic therapy (Biomag)

Therapeutic ultrasound

Understand the use of therapeutic hot/ cold packs

Understand manual therapy and its application including:

Massage

Effleurage

Coupage

Joint mobilisations

Graded stretches

Understand applied exercise therapy including:

Strengthening and stabilising exercises

Balance and proprioceptive exercises

Functional exercises

Hydrotherapy

Week 2

Patient Assessment

Musculoskeletal patient assessment

Neurological patient assessment

Respiratory / critical care patient assessment

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out a basic musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory physiotherapy assessment

Understand valid outcome measures to guide patient treatment

How to write SOAP (subjective, objective, analysis, plan) notes to progress patient treatment

Week 3

Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy Treatment Techniques

Early phase rehabilitation 0-2 weeks

Mid phase rehabilitation 2-6 weeks

Late phase rehabilitation 6-12 weeks

Patient discharge or maintenance physiotherapy programme

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Carry out early physiotherapy treatment including:

Early manual therapy techniques

Early phase hot and cold pack treatment

Early electrotherapies to improve healing and for pain relief

Mid phase gentle exercise programmes including hydrotherapy

Late phase exercise therapy to include advanced strengthening, proprioceptive, balance and functional exercises

Late phase electrotherapies for pain relief, soft tissue injuries and muscle strengthening

Week 4

Physiotherapy Progression Plans and Home Exercise Programmes

Patient rehabilitation plans

Discharge and maintenance programmes

Home exercise plans

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Learn how and when to progress patient plans from early to mid through to late stage rehabilitation to optimise patient outcomes

Understand when to discharge a patient, or to continue with a maintenance programme for chronic cases or surgical complications

Design home exercise programmes for owners to carry out

Week 5

Musculoskeletal Case Studies

CCL reconstruction – TPLO or lateral suture

Soft tissue injuries (tendinopathies, iliopsoas strains)

Fracture repair

Conservative management of chronic conditions, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a musculoskeletal case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a soft tissue case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a fracture repair case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a chronic condition case study

Week 6

Neurological and Respiratory (Intensive Care) Case Studies

Hemi- laminectomy (HLE)

Fibrocartilage embolism (FCE)

Pneumonia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a surgical neurological case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a non-surgical case study

Consider appropriate assessment, treatment plan and progression of a respiratory (critical care) case study

Week 1

Feline Heart Disease

Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of feline heart disease

Classification systems used to diagnose and treat feline cardiomyopathies

Nursing care and treatment aims

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the pathophysiology of feline heart disease

Understand the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) classification system as it applies to feline cardiomyopathies

Be familiar with the best approach to a nurse a cat with heart disease and heart failure

Week 2

Canine Heart Disease

Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Classification systems used to diagnose and treat MMVD

Staging systems used to diagnose and treat DCM in dogs

Nursing care of dogs with heart disease and heart failure

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the pathophysiology of MMVD and DCM

Understand the ACVIM classification system as it applies to MMVD and the staging system as it applies to canine DCM

Be familiar with the best approach to nurse a dog with either MMVD or DCM

Week 3

Electrocardiography (ECG) – Theory

The ECG machine and settings

Achieving a good quality ECG trace

How to interpret an ECG

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Set up an ECG and understand the settings

Apply theory to achieve a good quality ECG trace

Understand how to interpret an ECG, using an algorithmic system

Week 4

Electrocardiography (ECG) – Application

Application of theory from week 1 to cases

Anaesthesia and ECGs

Life threatening arrhythmias

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Apply theoretical learning to practical cases

Understand the role of anaesthesia and surgery upon ECGs

Identify life threatening arrhythmias

Week 5

Heart Failure

Pathophysiology of heart failure

Acute life threatening and chronic management

Management of patients with heart failure

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand how heart failure can occur

Identify patients with heart failure and nurse them appropriately

Recognise drugs used in the treatment of heart failure

Week 6

Diagnostic Tests and the Cardiac Patient

Diagnostic tests used in cardiac patients

How to approach the test and the patient

Evaluation of diagnostic tests in cardiac patients

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Perform or assist with diagnostic tests with confidence

Apply best practice methods to achieve reliable and repeatable results

Understand the purpose of diagnostic tests used in cardiac medicine

Week 1

Age Related Disease and Nursing Considerations

Age related diseases commonly seen in cats from the age of 7 years upwards

Findings from the Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic

How nursing care differs in ageing cats

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Be aware of commonly seen age related diseases

Adapt nursing care for the ageing patient

Prepare hospitalisation for the ageing cat

Week 2

Creating and Running Ageing Cat Clinics

How to set up and run ageing cat clinics

Owner education and compliance

Feline friendly handling for the ageing patient

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

 Create and run ageing cat clinics

Create an owner questionnaire

Understand the importance of owner education

Adapt handling skills to suit the ageing patient

Week 3

Nutritional Considerations

Nutrition for ageing life stages

Nutrition for specific age related disease

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make nutritional recommendations for the ageing cat

Make nutritional recommendations for age related diseases

Discuss the benefits of different diets and nutrient specifications

Week 4

Quality of Life and End of Life Care

Quality of life tools

Supporting the palliative patient

Euthanasia considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the importance of using quality of life tools

Feel confident using quality of life tools

Communicate sensitively to owners surrounding end of life

Carry out euthanasia with consideration for the patient as well as the owner

Week 1

Feline Heart Disease

Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of feline heart disease

Classification systems used to diagnose and treat feline cardiomyopathies

Nursing care and treatment aims

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the pathophysiology of feline heart disease

Understand the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) classification system as it applies to feline cardiomyopathies

Be familiar with the best approach to a nurse a cat with heart disease and heart failure

Week 2

Canine Heart Disease

Prevalence, aetiology and pathophysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Classification systems used to diagnose and treat MMVD

Staging systems used to diagnose and treat DCM in dogs

Nursing care of dogs with heart disease and heart failure

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain the pathophysiology of MMVD and DCM

Understand the ACVIM classification system as it applies to MMVD and the staging system as it applies to canine DCM

Be familiar with the best approach to nurse a dog with either MMVD or DCM

Week 3

Electrocardiography (ECG) – Theory

The ECG machine and settings

Achieving a good quality ECG trace

How to interpret an ECG

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Set up an ECG and understand the settings

Apply theory to achieve a good quality ECG trace

Understand how to interpret an ECG, using an algorithmic system

Week 4

Electrocardiography (ECG) – Application

Application of theory from week 1 to cases

Anaesthesia and ECGs

Life threatening arrhythmias

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Apply theoretical learning to practical cases

Understand the role of anaesthesia and surgery upon ECGs

Identify life threatening arrhythmias

Week 5

Heart Failure

Pathophysiology of heart failure

Acute life threatening and chronic management

Management of patients with heart failure

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand how heart failure can occur

Identify patients with heart failure and nurse them appropriately

Recognise drugs used in the treatment of heart failure

Week 6

Diagnostic Tests and the Cardiac Patient

Diagnostic tests used in cardiac patients

How to approach the test and the patient

Evaluation of diagnostic tests in cardiac patients

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Perform or assist with diagnostic tests with confidence

Apply best practice methods to achieve reliable and repeatable results

Understand the purpose of diagnostic tests used in cardiac medicine

Week 1

Age Related Disease and Nursing Considerations

Age related diseases commonly seen in cats from the age of 7 years upwards

Findings from the Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic

How nursing care differs in ageing cats

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Be aware of commonly seen age related diseases

Adapt nursing care for the ageing patient

Prepare hospitalisation for the ageing cat

Week 2

Creating and Running Ageing Cat Clinics

How to set up and run ageing cat clinics

Owner education and compliance

Feline friendly handling for the ageing patient

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

 Create and run ageing cat clinics

Create an owner questionnaire

Understand the importance of owner education

Adapt handling skills to suit the ageing patient

Week 3

Nutritional Considerations

Nutrition for ageing life stages

Nutrition for specific age related disease

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Make nutritional recommendations for the ageing cat

Make nutritional recommendations for age related diseases

Discuss the benefits of different diets and nutrient specifications

Week 4

Quality of Life and End of Life Care

Quality of life tools

Supporting the palliative patient

Euthanasia considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the importance of using quality of life tools

Feel confident using quality of life tools

Communicate sensitively to owners surrounding end of life

Carry out euthanasia with consideration for the patient as well as the owner

Week 1

Feline Cardiomyopathies

Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology

Common cardiomyopathies affecting cats

Treatment of feline cardiomyopathies

The owners role in monitoring cardiomyopathies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the normal physiology of the heart

Describe common disease processes which affect the feline heart

Understand the role of diet within feline cardiomyopathies

Discuss various treatment options available for feline cardiomyopathies

Understand the role nurses and owners can play in monitoring these cases

Week 2

Feline Triaditis

Brief review of gastrointestinal, pancreatic and hepatic anatomy and physiology

Pathophysiology of triaditis in the cat (inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and cholangitis)

Advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques

Treatment options available both as an inpatient and an outpatient

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Discuss the disease process of triaditis including the associated clinical signs

Understand how nurses can support patients through advanced imaging (flexible endoscopy / abdominal ultrasound)

Understand how to assist with the collection of pathological samples in these cases

Discuss the long term management of triaditis and the potential for ongoing disease

Week 3

Feline Asthma

Overview of respiratory anatomy and physiology

Predisposed breeds

Computed tomography and bronchoscopy

Treatment of feline asthma

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the clinical pathological changes associated with feline asthma

Discuss advanced imaging techniques that can be utilised in the work up of these cases

Confidently and competently support the general anaesthesia of a cat with respiratory disease

Discharge a patient to owners and confidently discuss the treatment of asthmatic cats

Week 4

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

The pathophysiology of FIP including both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ forms

Transmission of FIP

Treatment options available for FIP

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the predisposing factors for the development of FIP

Discuss the clinical signs associated with FIP

Indicate the importance of infection control

Identify treatment options and protocols currently available

Advise owners how to limit the potential for disease transmission within households

Week 1

Feline Cardiomyopathies

Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology

Common cardiomyopathies affecting cats

Treatment of feline cardiomyopathies

The owners role in monitoring cardiomyopathies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the normal physiology of the heart

Describe common disease processes which affect the feline heart

Understand the role of diet within feline cardiomyopathies

Discuss various treatment options available for feline cardiomyopathies

Understand the role nurses and owners can play in monitoring these cases

Week 2

Feline Triaditis

Brief review of gastrointestinal, pancreatic and hepatic anatomy and physiology

Pathophysiology of triaditis in the cat (inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and cholangitis)

Advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques

Treatment options available both as an inpatient and an outpatient

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Discuss the disease process of triaditis including the associated clinical signs

Understand how nurses can support patients through advanced imaging (flexible endoscopy / abdominal ultrasound)

Understand how to assist with the collection of pathological samples in these cases

Discuss the long term management of triaditis and the potential for ongoing disease

Week 3

Feline Asthma

Overview of respiratory anatomy and physiology

Predisposed breeds

Computed tomography and bronchoscopy

Treatment of feline asthma

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the clinical pathological changes associated with feline asthma

Discuss advanced imaging techniques that can be utilised in the work up of these cases

Confidently and competently support the general anaesthesia of a cat with respiratory disease

Discharge a patient to owners and confidently discuss the treatment of asthmatic cats

Week 4

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

The pathophysiology of FIP including both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ forms

Transmission of FIP

Treatment options available for FIP

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the predisposing factors for the development of FIP

Discuss the clinical signs associated with FIP

Indicate the importance of infection control

Identify treatment options and protocols currently available

Advise owners how to limit the potential for disease transmission within households

Course Summary

This eCPD tutorial will discuss the most common age related diseases we see in ageing cats, and provide information on setting up and running ageing cat clinics in practice. Running these clinics can help us to detect age related diseases early, helping us to improve the length and quality of life in our ageing cats.

Course Tutor

Kelly Eyre  RVN, ISFM DipFN, AdvCertFB
Clinical Lead, Royal Canin Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic, University of Liverpool

Course Length

The course is worth 75 minutes of CPD for UK delegates and 1.25 AVNAT points  for Australian and New Zealand delegates

The course is provided with unlimited lifetime access for on-demand learning

Course Notes

Unfortunately, course notes are not available with this tutorial