Feline Practice

Key learning objectives:

• Develop a thorough knowledge of sampling techniques, the limitations of technology and equipment and the factors that can generate artefacts or abnormalities
• Interpret results and propose further investigations
• Understand the methodology involved in the generation of haematology, biochemistry and cytology profiles
• Have an awareness of the various diagnostic tests for endocrine and infectious diseases ( viral, parasitic- including heartworm- and bacterial) the techniques used and their interpretation
• Recall the cytology of haemic and non-haemic cell populations, both reactive and neoplastic, and have the ability to trace or plot maturation and degeneration pathways in blood, fluid and tissue smears
• Explain the function of bone marrow and the differential diagnosis of anaemia, haematopoietic disease and coagulopathies

Key learning objectives:

• Perform triage, assess patients and prioritise cases
• Undertake emergency monitoring and stabilisation
• Understand the effects, clinical signs and treatment for common toxicities including insecticides, molluscicides, rodenticides, herbicides, household preparations and plants
• Be familiar with critical therapeutics including fluid and electrolyte therapy, transfusion medicine cardiovascular and respiratory support, analgesia and CPR

Key learning objectives:

• Understand the causes of renal dysfunction, the presentation and diagnostic tests utilised in cats with clinical signs of renal disease (including acute/ chronic renal insufficiency, glomerular disease, neoplasia and inherited diseases)
• Describe the causes and emergency treatment of acute renal failure
• Explain the pathophysiology of renal dysfunction and the importance/ significance of hyperphosphataemia, anaemia, proteinuria and hypertension
• Apply knowledge of the International Renal Interest Society staging scheme for chronic renal disease to patient prognosis
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the available treatments for CRI including phosphate binders, ACE inhibitors and dietary modification
• Recall the neuroanatomy of the lower urinary tract and the differentiation of upper motor neuron/ lower motor neuron defects
• Approach diseases of the lower urinary tract including FLUTD, urolithiasis, urinary tract infections and neoplasia and understand their differentiation, risk factors, treatment and dietary management

Key learning objectives:

• Be able to recognise the clinical signs associated with neurological disease
• Perform a neurological assessment using appropriate tests and intepret the results
• Describe how to localise lesions and the value this provides to the clinician
• Plan a neurological investigation and list the major feline neurological diseases on the basis of localisation
• Define a diagnostic approach for abnormalities including seizures, spinal cord and cranial nerve abnormalities and peripheral neurological diseases
• List the common feline neurological diseases including their presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Key learning objectives:

• Know how to investigate and manage common medical conditions affecting the feline oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas
• Describe the various tests used in the diagnosis of liver and pancreatic disease and the management options for the common hepatic medical disorders
• Approach the nutritional management of disorders of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract

Key learning objectives:

• Approach the common presentations of respiratory disease including nasal discharge, epistaxis, coughing, stertor, stridor, sneezing and reverse sneezing
• Diagnose and treat upper respiratory tract diseases, both acute (infectious) and chronic (inflammatory or infectious or neoplastic in origin)
• Formulate an approach to allergic lower respiratory tract disease including differential diagnoses, investigation and treatment of allergic airway disease, parasitic disease and pulmonary fibrosis
• Understand pleural space disease including differential diagnoses, investigation and therapeutics

Key learning objectives:

• Recognise the importance of a detailed history and clinical examination of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary diseases
• Review and understand the common causes of heart disease in cats
• Consolidate your understanding of the central importance of blood pressure in the pathophysiology of cardiac disease in cats and know how to discriminate the causes of hypertension in this species
• Define the crucial role of high quality imaging modalities (especially ultrasonography and radiology) in the differential diagnosis of feline cardiopulmonary diseases

Key learning objectives:

• Define the clinical signs of feline endocrine diseases and understand their pathogenesis – including hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, hyperaldosteronism,  hyperadrenocorticism and parathyroid disorders. 
• Describe the principles of key diagnostic tests and their application for the above feline endocrine diseases 
• Understand the management of common feline endocrine diseases and know how to approach complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis and unstable diabetes  

Key learning objectives:

• Describe health and safety concerns and precautions relating to zoonoses
• Understand the legislation and regulations relating to infectious diseases
• Design and implement vaccination and preventative parasitic programmes
• Approach the pathophysiology, diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment of common viral diseases including FeLV, FIV and FIP
• Diagnose and treat Haemoplasma infections

Key learning objectives:

• Explain the diseases of hunting cats including Toxoplasmosis, Pox virus, Mycobacterial disease and Salmonellosis
• Approach enteric infections of the cat including protozoal disease (Trichomonas foetus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora) and bacterial/ viral disease
• Understand fungal mycoses
• Control infectious and zoonotic disease in the home, clinic, shelters and cattery situations

Key learning objectives:

• Perform an orthopaedic examination and be familiar with the presentation of osteoarthritis in the cat
• Understand the value of radiography, synoviocentesis, muscle and nerve biopsies
• Apply first aid techniques to fracture patients
• Explain the principles of orthopaedic surgery and the approach to the repair of common fractures 

Key learning objectives:

• Consolidate your understanding of normal cat behaviour
• Understand the clinical causes of feline behavioural problems
• Formulate an approach to common problems such as inappropriate toiletting, spraying, aggression and compulsive disorders
• Review and apply strategies for improving core territory security
• Have a good knowledge of the principal behavioural modifying drugs, their use and potential side effects

Key learning objectives:

• Understand the normal feline eye and use readily available diagnostic equipment and disposables in feline ophthalmic cases
• Recognise those ophthalmic conditions which are unique to the cat or are particularly important in this species
• Perform common surgical procedures pertinent to feline ophthalmology
• Approach the medical management of ophthalmic patients
• Know when to refer a patient

Key learning objectives:

• Apply knowledge gained to surgical asepsis and theatre protocol
• Rationally utilise antibiotics in surgical patients
• Be familiar with suture materials and patterns, surgical instruments and tissue handling
• Plan surgery, apply haemostatic techniques and manage crises
• Approach the management and reconstruction of wounds

Online Anaesthesia component:

• Describe a range of parenteral and inhalational anaesthetic regimes
• Understand the pharmacokinetics of different anaesthetics and monitoring techniques available

Key learning objectives:

• Formulate a differential diagnosis, investigation plan (including laboratory investigations) for common dermatological presentations including alopecia, pruritus, infectious and auto-immune conditions, allergic skin disease and neoplasia
• Have knowledge of treatment strategies for common dermatological presentations including alopecia, pruritus, infectious and auto-immune conditions, allergic skin disease and neoplasia
• Be aware of and be able to recognise dermatological manifestations of systemic disease

Key learning objectives:

• Understand the clinical relevance of tumour biology and be able to discuss the most common neoplasms of the major organ systems
• Evaluate the evidence base to make rational treatment decisions for feline cancer patients
• Review the importance of biopsy and staging in therapy decision making, counselling and support