Tutored Online CPD

Toxicology (Sept 2025)

£205.00 Ex VAT


Start:  8th September 2025
CPD:    10 hours (UK), 10 points (AUS, NZ) over 4 / 6 weeks
Level:  Intermediate

Description

This course is aimed at nurses working in general practice

 

Week 1

Toxicology Introduction
  • The top 10 commonly encountered toxins in small animal patients will be reviewed along with up-to-date evidence-based guidelines looking at treatment recommendations and options
  • We will review the reported antidotes as well as the use of intra-lipid emulsion and other supportive measures we may implement in patients suffering from intoxication
  • Common complications of the various intoxications we can encounter will be reviewed as well as discussion of how we may pre-empt and manage these

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

 

  • Recognise the main toxins we see in practice
  • Develop a systematic approach to the intoxicated patient
  • Discuss the evidence bases looking at use of activated charcoal, intra-lipids and other antidotes, along with supportive measures for the intoxicated patient
  • Appreciate the main complications we may encounter with an intoxicated patient
  • Understand how to address and nurse intoxicated patients into recovery

Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)

  • Pre-recorded tutorial with Kath = 75 minutes
  • Further reading = 60 minutes
  • Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
  • Crossword quiz = 10 minutes

 

Week 2

Central Nervous System Toxins
  • Detailed discussion of the toxins that commonly affect the central nervous system, including recreational drugs, human medications, organic toxins, household and environmental concerns
  • We will look at decontamination of these patients as well as effective nursing care and monitoring for the patient with severe CNS depression associated with intoxication
  • Discuss when an antidote may be indicated and the systemic effects we can see associated with CNS intoxications

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

 

  • Understand the effects of the main toxins affecting the CNS
  • Consider how to provide emergency treatment for these patients and also develop a plan for longer term care
  • Discuss whether decontamination is appropriate for patients when the CNS is depressed
  • Understand the complications and challenges we may encounter

Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)

  • Pre-recorded tutorial with Kath = 75 minutes
  • Further reading = 60 minutes
  • Written task (clinical case nursing plan) = 60 minutes
  • Multiple choice quiz = 10 minutes

 

Week 3

Renal System Toxins
  • Discuss toxins that affect the patient’s renal system, including ethylene glycol, NSAID ingestion, baclofen and raisins / grapes
  • Consider how we can identify a patient with acute kidney injury due to a toxin and the treatment options available, including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis
  • Nursing care for these patients is intensive and a focus on fluid balance and electrolyte status is vital, so this will be covered in detail

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

 

  • Understand the different toxins that affect the renal system and how we can approach nursing and monitoring these patients
  • Consider approaches to acid-base stabilisation and electrolyte abnormality management
  • Understand why volume overload occurs, and how we monitor, prevent and manage this condition

Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)

  • Pre-recorded tutorial with Kath = 85 minutes
  • Further reading = 60 minutes
  • Forum discussion topic = 10 minutes
  • Crossword quiz = 10 minutes

Week 4

Hepatic, Cardiac and Respiratory System Toxins
  • Round up of other common toxins including those affecting the hepatic, cardiovascular and respiratory systems and other miscellaneous agents. We will look at identifying these patients, common sources of intoxication and approaches to management
  • Review of the process of gastric lavage and contraindications associated with this method of contamination
  • Specific concerns associated with other toxins, including xylitol, baclofen, beta blockers, paracetamol, garlic and onions

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

 

  • Discuss appropriate treatment options and interventions for the mentioned toxins
  • Confidently provide nursing care and monitoring for these patients
  • Discuss gastric lavage and when it may not be appropriate
  • Appreciate the long term effects these toxins may or may not have on our patients

Learning materials this week:
(released on Monday morning for on demand learning until the course ends – approximate timings)

  • Pre-recorded tutorial with Kath = 70 minutes
  • Further reading = 60 minutes
  • Multiple choice quiz = 10 minutes

 

The course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 10 hours of CPD and will be provided in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.  This course is tutored for 4 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

8 reviews for Toxicology (Sept 2025)

  1. Paula U-C –

    very interesting course ,however i did find it quite intense and full on the lectures especially with most of them being over an hour in length i found i had to split them into 2/3 parts to feel i could properly take in the information .

    Rated: Intermediate / Advanced level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  2. Helen B –

    A really thorough and informative course, with excellent additional reading lists

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  3. Michelle D –

    Great variety of toxins discussed and brilliant speaker

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  4. Laura M –

    Amazing lectures each week and learnt so much more indepth about the mechanisms of commonly seen toxicities. Really engaging speaker and thoroughly enjoyed each week

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Referral or specialist RVN – UK)

  5. Paula C –

    Really informative and enjoyable CPD, I would recommend to anyone who would like to learn that little bit more about toxicology.

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  6. Hannah B –

    Clear in-depth explanation of nursing support.

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)

  7. Karen O –

    Well delivered and throuogh information given on common toxins

    Rated: Advanced level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  8. Billie W –

    Very in-depth information

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

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Speaker

Kath Howie  VTS (ECC), RVN
Principal Nurse Manager, VetsNow

 

Kath worked in a primary care practice through her training and qualified in January 2000. After a few years in practice as a registered nurse she decided to take the step into referral nursing in 2003. After a couple of years gaining experience of nursing intensive care patients and those with complex needs, she moved into emergency practice in 2005. In 2009 she achieved the Veterinary Technician Speciality in Emergency and Critical Care and re- certified in 2014.

AVNAT

Australia and New Zealand 

The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 10 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.

 

This course is also recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) as providing 10 CPD points.

 

CPD Hours

This online course is worth 10 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.

Information

Upon purchase you will be registered to attend the course, for 4 weeks from the start date.  The course will consist of various interactive tasks and lessons, including quizzes, case studies, forum discussions and further reading material.

 

The course is fully tutored, with new material will be provided each Monday morning, but the onus will be on the individual delegate to ensure that all tasks are fully complete.  The certificate will only be issued at the end of the course when all tasks have been accomplished.  Fewer CPD hours will be awarded at the the end of the course if there are unfinished tasks or there has been no contribution to the discussion forum, for example

 

The course is fully flexible, and there are no weekly ‘deadlines’ – the lessons and tasks may be completed whenever is convenient for each delegate, and any live lessons with be recorded and made available later that same day.   Furthermore, all the course material will be available for a further 2 weeks, to allow delegates the opportunity to catch up on missed lessons and tasks, or to take the opportunity to delve further into the suggested reading texts.  Please note however, that the course will not be tutored by the speaker during these final two weeks, but the time spent will count towards your CPD hours

 

After 6 weeks, the course will be complete and there will be no further opportunity to gain the certificate or CPD hours, however, you will have unlimited lifetime access to the tutorials, further reading and quizzes for future reference.  If you make any personal notes during the course using the ‘take notes’ app, these will be saved, along with your certificate and CPD record for permanent access in ‘My CPD’

Online Tutored CPD - Information Guide

Levels

This course has been listed as ‘Intermediate’ 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

Pawprints

You will earn 205 Pawprint Points (£20.50 website credit) when you purchase this course

 

Our loyalty scheme rewards you with 10% in website credit to spend on future courses.  Choose pay with Pawprint Points during checkout.

Invoice My Practice

Invoice

Debit or credit card is the preferred payment method

Please ask your practice manager or accounts department to visit the website, register an account in their own name, and during checkout, complete the ‘delegate name’ and ‘delegate email’ sections with your personal details.  We will then register you a personal account on your behalf, and transfer the course booking over to your new personal account.  We will of course email you all the information you need to access this new account and your CPD course.

 

If you need an invoice and no other payment method is available to you, then please email [email protected] with all the following information:

  • Full name of delegate
  • Email address for delegate
  • Course(s) booking
  • Any discounts / promotions being redeemed
  • Practice name and address
  • Invoice name and address (if different)
  • Corporate group name (Linnaeus, IVC, Medivet, VetPartners etc) (if applicable)
  • Practice code (eg Vet4Pets practices)
  • Booking / invoice reference (if required)
  • Email address to send the invoice (practice manager, accounts department or head office – not your own email address please)

Please note the following:

  • Invoices must be requested a minimum of 4-6 weeks prior to a course starting, to allow time for the payment to be received
  • Delegates will not be allowed access to any course without prior payment
  • An invoice will be emailed to the contact provided and the course booking will be reserved for 7 days, whilst payment via debit / credit card or BACS is arranged
  • There will be an administration fee of £2.50 +VAT per invoice generated. You may book multiple delegates / multiple courses on a single invoice to the same practice

Related Courses

Online CPD for Vet Nurses

Excel CPD specialises in providing online CPD for veterinary nurses and technicians all over the globe. Our courses are also fully approved by AVNAT for our nursing colleagues in Australia and New Zealand.

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