Week 1

The Immune System

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

Understand the specialised cells and molecules of the immune system

Recognise which organs are involved in the immune system and their function

Identify physical barriers that play a role in a patient’s immune system

Explain the difference between innate and adaptive immune responses

Explain the difference between humoral and cell mediated immunity

Understand the laboratory diagnostics in immunology

Understand thermoregulation in veterinary patients and differentiate hyperthermia vs pyrexia

Differentiate different types of immune system disorders

Week 2

Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA)

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

Understand the pathophysiology of immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA)

Recognise the common clinical signs associated with IMHA

Understand the diagnostic tests performed during the diagnosis of IMHA

Perform in-house cytology as part of the diagnosis of IMHA

Understand the treatment options available for veterinary patients including long-term monitoring

Recognise the prognosis of the disease and negative prognostic factors

Consider the nursing considerations for these patients and the role of the RVN

Week 3

Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMTP)

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

Understand the pathophysiology of immune mediated thrombocytopaenia (IMTP)

Define thrombocytopaenia and recognise what our platelets are

Recognise the common clinical signs associated with this condition

Understand the laboratory tests performed during the diagnosis of ITP

Review the manual platelet count

Understand the diagnostic tests performed during the diagnosis of ITP

Understand the treatment options available for veterinary patients including long term monitoring

Recognise the prognosis of this disease and negative prognostic factors

Consider the nursing considerations for these patients

Week 4

Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis (IMPA)

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

Understand the pathophysiology of IMPA

Differential erosive vs non-erosive forms of IMPA

Recognise the classification system of IMPA

Recognise the most common clinical signs associated with this disease

Understand the diagnostic tests performed in these patients (including infectious disease screening)

Understand the method of arthrocentesis and how to assist the veterinary surgeon

Understand the treatment options available to these patients

Recognise the differences in polyarthritis in feline patients

Understand the role of the RVN when caring for these patients