february, 2025
Course Details
Nurses at both general practice and referral level will commonly nurse patients with endocrine disease throughout their career. Understanding the basic concepts of endocrinology means nurses can apply
Course Details
Nurses at both general practice and referral level will commonly nurse patients with endocrine disease throughout their career. Understanding the basic concepts of endocrinology means nurses can apply knowledge to their care in order to better support their patients.
Having an understanding of the pathophysiology of common endocrine diseases, as well as the tests performed means that we can become a useful support in clinical decision making, which subsequently improves job satisfaction and allows us to nurse to our full potential.
Each week we will look at a different endocrine disease in the cat or the dog. Following the course you will have refreshed your underpinning knowledge of the endocrine system in the canine and feline patient to include the chemical messenger and feedback systems, the types of endocrine diseases commonly affecting our patients, the tests we use and how these diseases impact our nursing care.
Week 1
Canine Hypothyroidism
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Identify the clinical signs of canine hypothyroidism
Explain the role of hormones in the body
Explain the relationship between TSH and thyroid hormones
Describe what canine hypothyroidism is and why it occurs
Describe ways to support the client owning a canine with hypothyroidism
Week 2
Canine and Feline Diabetes
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Name the 3 types of cell that contribute to the endocrine function of the pancreas
Name the two main types of insulin used in cats and dogs
Describe the reason dogs become diabetic
Describe the reason cats become diabetic
Explain some differences in the nursing considerations you would give cats compared to dogs and why
Week 3
Feline Acromegaly
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Identify 3 major hormones that are lost when you remove the anterior pituitary gland
Explain how feline hypersomatotropism occurs
Discuss how excess growth hormone results in acromegaly
Explain the nursing considerations for a hypophysectomy patient
Explain the support that a client might need for a cat with FeHS
Week 4
Feline Hyperthyroidism
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Discuss the clinical signs that a hyperthyroid cat might present with
Explain the effects of too much thyroid hormone on the body
Demonstrate an understanding of the treatment options available for the disease in order to support the client with the hyperthyroid cat
Describe the most commonly used test to diagnose feline hyperthyroidism and what that test is measuring
Explain the difference between free T4 and total T4
Week 5
Canine Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease)
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Explain the reasons why canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) occur
Identify the clinical signs associated with a canine HAC patient
Discuss some of the common tests available for HAC and the reasons for their use
Identify 3 main forms of treatment for the canine HAC patient
Demonstrate an understanding of the nursing considerations for the patient with HAC
Week 6
Canine Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s Disease)
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Explain the causes of canine hypoadrenocorticism
Identify some of the clinical signs that a patient may present with and why
Discuss the treatment options available to the client with the hypoadrenocorticism pet
Demonstrate an understanding of the nursing considerations for a canine with hypoadrenocorticism
Name some of the tests that a vet may ask you to carry out on the suspected hypoadrenocorticism patient and discuss why they may be required
The course will be fully tutored by Gina Parkes and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 6 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.
All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference
Time
February 3 (Monday) - March 14 (Friday)
Location
Online
Speaker
Gina ParkesDipAVN(Small Animal), PgCert(Ved Ed), FHEA, RVN Head Medicine Nurse, Royal Veterinary College
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