Description
SAVC and AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access. Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles
Module 1
Common Respiratory Diseases
- Lower respiratory tract disease
- Pleural disorders
- Pulmonary disease
- POCUS and sampling
- Management
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Describe lower respiratory tract physiology and the disease processes seen in practice
- Understand the different causes of pleural disorders
- Understand the different causes of pulmonary disease
- Identify the uses of POCUS and understand which patients may benefit from thoracocentesis
- Describe how to manage the patient with acute respiratory distress
Module 2
Oxygen Therapy
- How to identify a patient in need of oxygen therapy
- Non-invasive methods of oxygen therapy
- Invasive methods of oxygen therapy
- Monitoring a response to therapy
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Understand which parameters are used to identify patients who are in need of oxygen therapy
- Describe which methods of non-invasive oxygen therapy are available and which is the most suitable for their patient
- Describe which methods of invasive oxygen therapy are available and which is the most suitable for their patient
- Discuss whether a patient is responding to oxygen therapy and when a decision may be made to discontinue oxygen support
Module 3
Blood Gases
- Why do we use blood gas analysis?
- How to take a sample for a blood gas analysis
- What is acid / base?
- Interpretation of a blood gas report
- Compensation
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Understand why blood gas analysis is important for managing the respiratory patient
- Describe how to take a sample for blood gas analysis
- Understand acid / base status and what this means for the patient
- Interpret a blood gas report using a step by step approach so that this can be transferred to your patients in practice
- Understand the physiology behind compensatory mechanisms
Module 4
BOAS – from Admit to Discharge
- Admit considerations
- BOAS plan
- Anaesthesia considerations
- Dealing with the BOAS crisis
- Other nursing considerations
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- List the considerations which should be discussed with the owner when the patient is admitted to the hospital
- Discuss safe ways of managing these cases whilst they are hospitalised to minimise complications
- Understand how to make BOAS patients anaesthesia plans safer
- Explain the concerns associated with a BOAS crisis and how to manage these
- Describe other nursing considerations associated with these breeds and how we can factor these into our nursing care plans for hospitalised patients
The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of:
8 hours of CPD (UK)
8 points (Australia and New Zealand)
8 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number AC/2297/25)
Release date: Nov 2024
Speakers

Eleanor Haskey BSc(hons), VTS(ECC) VPAC A1, RVN
Senior ECC Nurse, Royal Veterinary College
Eleanor graduated in 2008 from the University of Bristol with an honours degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Administration. She worked as a branch head nurse in a mixed practice in the Midlands for 2 years before returning to the University of Bristol as senior ICU nurse, where she was responsible for the day to day running of the intensive care unit, triaging and assessing emergencies and providing care for critical patients. In 2014 Eleanor transferred to the emergency and critical care centre at the Royal Veterinary College. Eleanor gained the VTS(ECC) qualification in 2012, and she particularly enjoys trauma, seizures, ventilator cases and haematological disorders
Speakers

Katie Gray MNCPS (Acc), PGCert VetEd, DipAVN, RVN, FHEA
The Ralph Veterinary Referral Hospital
Katie’s nursing career started in GP and finished as a Senior ECC nurse at The Royal Veterinary College’s ICU, where she particularly enjoyed nursing critical cases including those with sepsis and on mechanical ventilation. In 2022, Katie joined The Ralph Referral Centre as their Hospital Counsellor, where she supports both the large veterinary team, and the pet carers through many issues including bereavement.  Katie has delivered CPD both in the UK and Internationally, and is passionate about bringing more awareness to the veterinary profession about the positive impacts of counselling on yourself, your health, and the sustainability of your career.  Katie continues to volunteer as an RVN for StreetVet where she gets her fix of cute patients, and outside of work enjoys spending time with friends and (most importantly!) her spaniel Martha.
CPD Hours
This online course is worth 8 hours of CPD.
A certificate will be available from the ‘My Courses’ section, for you to download and print, once you have completed the course. A permanent record of your total CPD hours will also be recorded in your account section.
AVNAT
Australia and New ZealandÂ
The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 8 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.
This course is also recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) as providing 8 CPD points.

SAVC
South Africa
The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has allocated 8 CPD points to this continuing education activity. Accreditation Number AC/2297/25)
Levels
This course has been listed as ‘Intermediate’Â level
All of our courses are aimed at veterinary nurses in general practice, but everyone who works in the veterinary profession is very welcome to attend, whether you are a clinical receptionist, veterinary surgeon, student nurse or have been a qualified nurse for over 20 years!
The courses are not formally assessed for skill level, so the following CPD levels are just a rough guide to help you decide if a course may be more or less suitable:
Introduction
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice approaching a new topic or looking for a refresher course
Intermediate
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice along with referral / specialist nurses looking for a refresher course
Advanced
– maybe most suitable for referral / specialist nurses and highly experienced qualified nurses in general practice
Kirsty P –
very informative course, i have a much better understanding of blood gases and care of the BOAS patient
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Frankie P –
Very good course. Informative and the quizzes test the knowledge gained. Great lists of further reading and resources.
Rated: Intermediate level
Kirsty Z –
I really enjoyed this CPD, I learnt a lot more about certain areas such as blood gas and also setting up for a dyspoenic patient
Rated: Intermediate level
Hannah D –
Amazing course with lots of fantastic journals and books!
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate / Advanced level