Deepen your knowledge of senior animal conditions
As all veterinary professionals know, cats and dogs live longer, hence the rise in age-related illnesses and chronic conditions. Good care allows them to live happy, healthy, and active lives in their senior years. This online programme will teach you unique skills in this area, needed both practically and holistically. Support and guidance from the Module Tutor or Course Director (Samatha Taylor BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MANZCVS FRCVS) will guarantee your progress to confidently make a difference in the life of canine and feline patients visiting your consulting room.
What does this programme include?
Taught entirely online via our world-leading Learning Management Platform, this programme prepares you to reach better diagnoses and treatments for your geriatric patients. Built around 5 modules, the course also includes a one-hour live evening webinar at the end of the programme. This is an unparalleled and fascinating programme written by experienced specialists that addresses essential topics, such as:
- Senior cat and dog healthcare improvement in primary care practice
- Renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal pathologies
- Behavioural issues seen in older cats and dogs and quality of life improvement
- Changing physiology of ageing and nutritional requirements
Who is this programme suitable for?
This programme is suitable for all veterinary surgeons, including those with an ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) and/or Postgraduate Certificate awarded by Harper Adams University.
Hear what our delegates have to say
Donāt just take our word for it - our delegate feedback speaks for itself.
Garrick Ponte
BVSc GPCert(SAM) MRCVS
The teaching at Improve is excellent and I have been able to take what I have learnt back to use in practice. It’s not just the lectures themselves but the practical work we did straight afterwards which drives home everything, which is why Impro … Read more
Colin Dickson
BVMS CertAVP MRCVS
Having previously completed a postgraduate surgery certificate with another provider, I was confident in my knowledge and understanding of the theory but felt underprepared from a practical perspective. I was initially hesitant to register for another … Read more
Key features of this programme
Five Interactive Modules
Accessible online and delivered over 5 months
Module Tutor
Support and guidance from a Module Tutor or Course Director who is recognised in their subject field
100% Online
Using blended media, a mixture of different learning styles from interactive online lessons and videos, webinars and “knowledge” checks
40 Hours of CPD
Divided over five modules
Access to the RCVS Knowledge Library
One year free access to the RCVS Knowledge Library
Expert Course Director
The Course Director is Sam Taylor BVetMed (Hons), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MANZCVS, FRCVS
ISVPS Foundation Certificate (FCert)
The ISVPS Foundation Certificate (FCert) is suitable if you have gained an ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) as it provides a more detailed insight into subjects that may have been studied as part of a modular programme previously. It is also relevant to those vets looking for a stand-alone update in a chosen area of interest.
Five Interactive Modules
Accessible online and delivered over 5 months
Module Tutor
Support and guidance from a Module Tutor or Course Director who is recognised in their subject field
100% Online
Using blended media, a mixture of different learning styles from interactive online lessons and videos, webinars and “knowledge” checks
40 Hours of CPD
Divided over five modules
Access to the RCVS Knowledge Library
One year free access to the RCVS Knowledge Library
Expert Course Director
The Course Director is Sam Taylor BVetMed (Hons), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MANZCVS, FRCVS
ISVPS Foundation Certificate (FCert)
The ISVPS Foundation Certificate (FCert) is suitable if you have gained an ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) as it provides a more detailed insight into subjects that may have been studied as part of a modular programme previously. It is also relevant to those vets looking for a stand-alone update in a chosen area of interest.
Programme details
Module Summary
01 - Principles of Geriatric Medicine
Learning objectives:
- Define ‘geriatric’ and describe how life stages are allocated and why
- Describe how many pets around the world fall into older age categories
- List the effects of aging on body cells in general, including effects on the senses and thermoregulation
- Describe how successful senior pet clinics can be run in primary care practice, including marketing ideas and recruitment
- Discuss the human-animal bond (HAB) in terms of attitudes toward euthanasia and caregiver grief
- Describe the influence of aging on choice of sedation and anaesthesia protocols, and how to assess a patient and select appropriate agents.
02 - The Ageing Musculoskeletal System
Learning objectives:
- Describe the effect of aging on the musculoskeletal system and why osteoarthritis can develop in dogs and cats, listing causes
- Based on available evidence, explain the prevalence of osteoarthritis in dogs and cats
- List available pain scoring systems for musculoskeletal pain and describe how to practically apply them to geriatric patients
- Explain options for chronic pain management in dogs and cats, including adverse effects and contraindications
- Discuss environmental modifications for pets with mobility issues including osteoarthritis and describe evidence for, and potential benefits of, therapies such as physiotherapy and acupuncture.
03 - The Ageing Kidney
Learning objectives:
- Explain the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in cats and dogs based on current knowledge
- Describe the causes and pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease
- Explain how to apply the IRIS staging system to both cats and dogs, and demonstrate understanding of the importance of proteinuria and hypertension
- Describe how to practically manage patients with chronic kidney disease and other pathology such as hyperthyroidism and/or osteoarthritis (cats) and other endocrinopathies and/or osteoarthritis (dogs)
- Explain recent developments in renal medicine in dogs and cats and future directions to improve/delay chronic kidney disease.
04 - The Ageing Brain and Nervous System
Learning objectives:
- Explain the effect of aging on the brain and nervous system, including the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction (in cats and dogs) and vestibular syndrome in dogs
- List methods to manage patients with neuropathology as geriatrics (pharmacological and environmental manipulation)
- List peripheral neuropathies that develop in aging patients, and describe management options
- Explain why faecal and urinary incontinence may develop with age, and how caregivers can be supported to manage this
- Describe other behavioural pathologies that can be age-associated and how they can be managed (e.g. anxiety and sleep disturbances), and understand the effect of chronic pain on emotions and therefore behaviour.
05 - Nutrition and the Ageing Gastrointestinal System
Learning objectives:
- Explain the effect of aging on the gastrointestinal tract and body and muscle condition and fragility in geriatric patients
- List nutritional interventions and supplements that may be beneficial to geriatric patients
- Provide different nutritional recommendations to manage geriatric cats and dogs with comorbidities
- Explain how to manage loss of appetite in aging cats and dogs
- List non-pharmacological methods to improve food intake and feeding of geriatrics.
06 - Geriatric Medicine End of Course webinar
The webinar will be hosted by the course director Sam Taylor, as part of the final module of the programme. It will be available for live attendance and also recorded for those unable to attend to watch later. Sam Taylor will present a clinical case or scenario for discussion and be available to answer questions on the programme content to help consolidate your learning.
Qualifications
Foundation Certificate (FCert)
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a Foundation Certificate
Speakers
100% Satisfaction
We're completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. So much so that if you're not 100% satisfied with your certificate course, we'll give you a 100% refund. Just get in touch with us within 30 days of your start date and we'll sort the rest. T's and C's apply.
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