Elevate Your Practical Skills in Small Animal Medicine
This intensive 3-day practical course focuses on developing core, high-impact clinical skills for the management of emergency and critically ill small animal patients. Through a strongly hands-on approach, participants will build confidence in the use of point-of-care ultrasound to support rapid assessment and decision-making, alongside essential techniques for the placement and management of tubes and drains commonly used in hospitalised patients. The programme also covers the practical application of blood smear preparation and cytology, helping clinicians make better use of in-house diagnostics to guide treatment plans. Designed to reflect real clinical scenarios, the course emphasises practical application, clinical reasoning, and patient-centred care, enabling participants to enhance their day-to-day practice and improve outcomes in urgent and critical cases.
Key features of this programme
Expert Speakers
Leading experts in a variety of clinical topics delivering the latest content and who will guide you throughout the programme
Reflective learning
In addition to the taught modules, you will receive pre- and post-module questions to help you reflect and track your learning. This approach to reflective learning will assist you throughout your career as a veterinary professional
Dedicated Online Platform
Access to our world-leading online learning management platform – providing access to course notes and other study resources
Latest clinical training environments
Convenient and state-of-the-art training and practical facilities, which contain the latest equipment
Multiple learning processes
Presentations, written notes, and multiple choice quizzes that test your knowledge as you work
Expert Speakers
Leading experts in a variety of clinical topics delivering the latest content and who will guide you throughout the programme
Reflective learning
In addition to the taught modules, you will receive pre- and post-module questions to help you reflect and track your learning. This approach to reflective learning will assist you throughout your career as a veterinary professional
Dedicated Online Platform
Access to our world-leading online learning management platform – providing access to course notes and other study resources
Latest clinical training environments
Convenient and state-of-the-art training and practical facilities, which contain the latest equipment
Multiple learning processes
Presentations, written notes, and multiple choice quizzes that test your knowledge as you work
Programme details
Module Summary
01 - POCUS and Ultrasound-Guided Sampling
- Identify and describe the key anatomical landmarks relevant to abdominal and thoracic POCUS in dogs and cats.
- Perform focused ultrasound protocols including AFAST, TFAST, and VetBLUE with correct probe positioning and image acquisition.
- Recognise sonographic patterns consistent with free fluid, effusion, organomegaly, and common acute pathologies.
- Execute safe ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and abdominocentesis techniques, using proper aseptic protocol and guidance.
- Interpret basic ultrasound findings in real time to guide clinical decision-making during emergency or unstable patient evaluations.
- Apply POCUS findings to refine differentials and determine when further imaging or referral is warranted.
- Troubleshoot common image acquisition artefacts and technical errors in point-of-care settings.
