Description
This course is aimed at nurses working in general practice
The aim of this course is to introduce veterinary nurses to exotics in practice. The emphasis will be placed on examination and handling techniques as well as essentials of anaesthesia, imaging techniques, and making the veterinary visit as stress-free as possible for pets. This will enable exotics and small mammals to be incorporated into any small animal practice with standard facilities.
Week 1
The Rabbit Consultation
- Handling, examination and history taking
- Preventative care
- Making your clinic rabbit friendly
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Appreciate the importance of stress reduction in rabbits, including during hospitalisation and examination
- Understand essentials of preventive care of rabbits
- Understand handling and therapeutic techniques in rabbits
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorial with John = 45 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
Week 2
Anaesthesia of Small Furries
- Basic anaesthesia
- Reducing stress around anaesthesia
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Describe a holistic approach to stress reduction in the peri-anaesthetic period to improve anaesthetic success rates
- Prepare a patient for anaesthesia
- Understand how to provide airway support for rabbits
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorial with John = 40 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Written task (anaesthetic plan) = 30 minutes (to be submitted before 5pm Friday week 6)
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
Week 3
Examination of Parrots
- Handling and examination of parrots
- Basic husbandry of parrots
- Routine grooming techniques
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Achieve safe handling techniques for parrots
- Understand the basic husbandry of pet parrots and how this relates to disease
- Appreciate and apply the techniques of beak, nail and wing trimming and understand how issues with these adnexa may reflect systemic disease
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorial with John = 50 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
Week 4
Avian Anaesthesia and Imaging
- Basic anaesthesia techniques
- Introduction to avian radiography and ultrasound
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Appreciate basic anaesthetic techniques, including induction and intubation, to improve anaesthetic success rates
- Take a well-positioned radiograph and interpret the image
- Understand the indications for ultrasonography in birds
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorials with John = 40 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
Week 5
Reptile Examination Techniques
- Handling
- Examination techniques
- History taking, including the husbandry review
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Achieve safe handling techniques of reptiles – snakes, lizards and chelonia
- Perform a basic examination of these species
- Appreciate the role of husbandry in reptile disease and how to conduct a full husbandry review
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorials with John = 35 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
Week 6
Reptile Anaesthesia, Imaging and Hospitalisation
- Basic anaesthesia techniques
- Introduction to reptile radiography and ultrasound
- Hospitalisation requirements for reptile species
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Appreciate basic anaesthetic techniques, including the importance of ventilation and when to use it
- Take a well-positioned radiograph
- Perform ultrasonography in reptiles
- Understand the hospitalisation needs of reptile species
Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)
- Pre-recorded tutorial with John = 40 minutes
- Further reading = 60 minutes
- Written task (anaesthetic plan and checklist) = 60 minutes (to be submitted before 5pm Friday week 6)
- Multiple choice questions quiz = 10 minutes
This course will be fully tutored by John Chitty and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, 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
Jessica K –
I really enjoyed how the 6 weeks had a structure into the various exotic species we may encounter in practice. The weeks had a clear structure and provided a range of information and resources in order to complete the CPD and tasks provided.
Rated: Introduction level
(Newly qualified <2 years - UK)
Nicole B –
4/5 as I found the information and tutorials very useful but without putting my knowledge to use physically yet I am unable to fully take it inn yet so this will be more up to me but had there been maybe a little something extra at the end that was more of a back and forth communication I may have had more of it retained immediately.
Rated: Introduction / intermediate level
(Newly qualified <2 years - UK)
Jennifer C –
I found this a great introduction into exotics. It gives me knowledge that can help me as a vet nurse but also support the vets as well
Rated: Introduction level
(Newly qualified <2 years - UK)
Lana T –
I enjoyed learning online within my own time and ease, with very little stress and pressure. There is still the ability to ask questions if you are unsure. I found it quite informative information and the ability to share and apply within practice to colleagues.
Rated: Introduction level
(Newly qualified <2 years - UK)
Sophie O –
As someone who has done little work with exotics, this was a very informative and interesting course, and a great starting point for anyone wishing to pursue an interest in a variety of exotic species. I would definitely recommend this course!
Rated: Introduction level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)
Lucy G –
Really well put together, interactive and informative.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)