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.
Individual course days can be purchased separately using the links below:
Day 1: https://improveinternational.com/no/coursedate/scv-internal-medicine-practical-procedures-day-1/
Day 2: https://improveinternational.com/no/coursedate/scv-internal-medicine-practical-procedures-day-2/
Day 3: https://improveinternational.com/no/coursedate/scv-internal-medicine-practical-procedures-day-3/
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.
02 - Tubes and Drains – Placement and Management
- Safely place nasogastric and nasoesophageal feeding tubes in dogs and cats using appropriate materials and techniques.
- Insert and secure an oesophagostomy tube, understanding when this route is indicated over temporary alternatives.
- Perform urinary catheterisation and discuss gender-specific technical considerations and complications.
- Demonstrate safe placement and maintenance of thoracic and abdominal drains, recognising signs of dysfunction or infection.
- Formulate feeding plans and monitoring strategies for patients with assisted feeding tubes, including troubleshooting common complications.
- Recognise clinical situations where tube placement can prevent deterioration or support recovery in anorexic or unstable patients.
- Apply principles of asepsis, restraint, and patient comfort during all tube and drain procedures.
03 - Blood Smears and Cytology – Sample Management and Interpretation
- Prepare high-quality blood smears and cytology slides from various sample types, ensuring proper labelling, fixation, and staining.
- Distinguish key morphological features on blood smears, including red cell abnormalities, white cell changes, and platelet patterns.
- Differentiate cytological features of inflammation, infection, and neoplasia in mass aspirates and fluid samples.
- Recognise common sampling artefacts and interpretive pitfalls in both blood and cytology slides.
- Evaluate the need for further testing (e.g., biopsy, culture) when cytological findings are inconclusive or ambiguous.
- Integrate cytological findings with clinical context to guide diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Communicate cytological findings clearly in medical records and client discussions, including uncertainty and limitations.
