Subject: Medicine

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

 

The course will be fully tutored by Claire Bloor and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

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 Outcomes
By the end of the week delegates will 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 Outcomes
By the end of the second week, delegates will be able to:

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

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Be able to discuss the benefits of these diets

 

Week 3

Clinical Nutrition – Gastrointestinal and Pancreatitis

Clinical nutrition for gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

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

 

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the third week, delegates will be able to:

Make recommendations for clinical diets for range of gastrointestinal and pancreatitis

Understand the nutrient specifications for these diets

Be able to discuss the benefits of these diets

 

Week 4

Nutritional Supplements and Trends

Supplements

Nutritional trends (including raw and homecooked diets)

 

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the fourth week, delegates will 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.

 

The course will be fully tutored by Nicola Ackerman, and will consist of 10 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

Week 1
Physiotherapy Toolkit (modalities)

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic hot/cold packs

Manual therapies

Applied exercise therapies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

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:

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:

Carry out early physiotherapy treatment including:

Early manual therapy techniques

Early phase hot and cold pack treatment

Early electrotherapies to improve healing, 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, 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:

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:

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:

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

 

This course will be fully tutored by Donna Carver, and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

Week 1
Physiotherapy Toolkit (modalities)

Electrotherapies

Therapeutic hot/cold packs

Manual therapies

Applied exercise therapies

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

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:

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:

Carry out early physiotherapy treatment including:

Early manual therapy techniques

Early phase hot and cold pack treatment

Early electrotherapies to improve healing, 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, 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:

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:

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:

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

 

This course will be fully tutored by Donna Carver, and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

 

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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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). Part 1 – Theory

The ECG machine and settings

Achieving a good quality ECG trace

How to interpret an ECG

Learning objectives
By the end of the week, delegates will 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). Part 2 – Application

Application of theory from week 1 to cases

Anaesthesia and ECGs

Life threatening arrhythmias

Learning objectives
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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

 

The course will be fully tutored by Charlotte Pace and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

 

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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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). Part 1 – Theory

The ECG machine and settings

Achieving a good quality ECG trace

How to interpret an ECG

Learning objectives
By the end of the week, delegates will 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). Part 2 – Application

Application of theory from week 1 to cases

Anaesthesia and ECGs

Life threatening arrhythmias

Learning objectives
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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
By the end of the week, delegates will 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

 

The course will be fully tutored by Charlotte Pace and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

Of the numerous cancers that affect our canine companions, lymphoma, mast cell tumours, oral melanoma and osteosarcoma are the most frequently diagnosed in the veterinary clinic.

This 4 week course dedicates a week per subject, where we explore the risk factors associated with each of these neoplasms and investigate the methods used to acquire a diagnosis. Treatment options will be discussed with particular detail placed on medical and surgical management techniques that can be applied to general practice and specialist nursing alike.

After completing this online course, participants will have a greater knowledge of these common diseases, enabling understanding of the prognosis and treatment goals; ultimately broadening communication and practical skills in the subject area.

 

Week 1

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes and/or lymphoid tissue, which is present in many locations within the body, hence making the presentation of these cases typical or atypical depending on location. Specialist tests have been developed to categorise this cancer and treatment is determined by these findings.

Manifestation of lymphoma and categories of disease

Diagnosis, staging and specialist tests for lymphoma

Treatment options for lymphoma

Chemotherapy protocols, client expectations and the cancer journey

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

List the common manifestations of canine lymphoma and the patient groups most affected.

Understand the value of specialist tests required to further categorise cancer

Describe the subcategories of 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 patients with lymphoma using your practice facilities

 

Week 2 

Osteosarcoma

Canine osteosarcoma of the weight bearing bones often manifests in pain and/or lameness in affected patients.  Once a diagnosis has been determined, the behaviour of this neoplasm is predictable,  yet still individual to the animal.

Osteosarcoma 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 canine osteosarcoma and how it is a model for comparative medicine

List the different treatment options and their impact on survival time

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

 

Week 3 

Melanoma

Oral melanoma is the most common form of cancer of the mouth in dogs; there are various forms and the behaviour of this neoplasm is sometimes unpredictable. 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 oral melanoma, including lymph node mapping

Treatment options and impact on prognosis

Surgical interventions, nursing support and rehabilitation

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

Describe the value of different tissue sampling and specialist imaging techniques

List treatment options and prognostic indicators for canine melanoma

Describe the surgical technique, complications and post-operative care required for oral melanoma cases

Understand the mechanism of action behind current research for canine melanoma and apply to evidence-based medicine within nursing practice

 

Week 4

Mast cell tumours

Mast cell tumours are a form of skin cancer in dogs, which depending on their grade and affected site, can have an impact on neoplastic behaviour and prognosis. Many patients go on to live disease-free lives, others require continuous treatment and monitoring.

Presentation and behaviour of mast cell tumours

Diagnosis, staging and specialised tests

Treatment modalities and monitoring considerations

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

Explain which breeds of dogs are commonly affected by mast cell tumours and how the patient may present

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

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

Understand the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and “metronomic chemotherapy” as a method for controlling cancer growth

 

The course will be fully tutored by Nicola Read, and will consist of 10 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

Click here for further details