After graduating as a vet in Hyderabad, India I discovered a passion for exotic medicine. Although I started out in small animal practice, I took lots of exotic species CPD, and saw more exotic patients, until eventually I decided to make the move to a dedicated exotic animal practice in Mumbai, where our caseload is approximately 50% birds, 30% small mammals and 20% reptiles.
However, despite focusing on this area and attending conferences, webinars, and CPD courses wherever I could, I felt that my knowledge was fragmented, rather than comprehensive. When I discovered the Improve Veterinary Education General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) in Exotic Animal Practice, it felt like exactly what I had been looking for - a structured programme that covered the breadth and depth of exotic animal medicine.
The GPCert was 100% online, and I found that the platform was intuitive, engaging and easy to navigate. I particularly liked that much of the programme was self-paced, allowing me to balance studying alongside full-time clinical work. The self-assessment exercises were challenging in a good way and encouraged me to revisit topics until I truly understood them. The videos - especially the surgical and endoscopy tutorials - were outstanding and added a very practical dimension to the course.
The amount of information covered is impressive, but what I appreciated most was how well the modules were structured. Rather than simply presenting facts, the course builds concepts from first principles, making it much easier to understand why we approach different species in different ways.
I found the assessments challenging but very fair. The pre- and post-module tests were an excellent way to reinforce learning, while the final assessment focused on practical clinical cases rather than simply testing memorisation. Receiving the certificate after nearly eighteen months of study was incredibly rewarding. It represents a significant milestone in my career and gives me confidence that I'm providing a higher standard of care to my patients.
I now feel far more confident when managing species-specific diseases, interpreting diagnostic tests and making clinical decisions based on evidence rather than experience alone. The course has significantly improved my interpretation of haematology and biochemistry across a wide range of exotic species, allowing me to make treatment decisions with much greater confidence.
One particularly memorable example of something that I took away from the course was performing an enterotomy in an iguana. I had previously watched Dr Divers demonstrate a very similar procedure during one of the surgical tutorials, and having that knowledge gave me the confidence to successfully manage the case.
My practice runs its own clinical training programme, so one of my goals is to share what I've learned with colleagues and help strengthen exotic animal practice locally through teaching and mentorship. I also plan to continue expanding my clinical skills through advanced CPD and, ultimately, I hope to pursue the ABVP certification in Avian Practice or Exotic Companion Mammal Practice.
If you're considering the certificate but are unsure whether it's worth the commitment, I'd absolutely recommend it. It requires dedication, but the confidence and practical skills you gain are well worth the effort.