Canine and Feline Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Emergency Medicine

Key learning objectives:

• Extend your understanding of the principles and importance of a physical examination in patients with suspected cardiac disease
• Familiarize yourself with the principles of electrocardiography
• Integrate your understanding of the approach to electrocardiographic interpretation to help you identify common arrhythmias
• Improve your evaluation of thoracic radiographs in reference to cardiac patients
• Understand the basic principles of echocardiography and its role in diagnosis of cardiac disease

Key learning objectives:

• Recognize and understand the events involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac failure
• Define systolic and diastolic failure
• Appreciate the species differences in prevalence of congenital and acquired cardiac diseases
• Describe the major congenital cardiac diseases in dogs and cats
• Transform your understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of acquired valvular, myocardial and pericardial diseases
• Familiarize yourself with the therapeutic options and their applications in patients with cardiac disease
• Learn how to manage emergency cardiac patients for improved outcomes

Key learning objectives:

• Improve your understanding of the importance of a detailed and thorough physical examination
• Integrate a dyspnea algorithm into your investigations of respiratory disease
• Develop an understanding of the importance of diagnostic aids in the investigation of respiratory disease: radiography, endoscopy, ultrasonography and cytology
• Consolidate your knowledge of upper and lower airway disease, parenchymal and pleural space disease
• Familiarize yourself with the principles of primary and ancillary respiratory therapeutic

Key learning objectives:

• Familiarize yourself with a thorough and systematic approach to the assessment of the critically ill patient’s major body systems
• Enhance your understanding of the minimum database and its interpretation
• Incorporate your assessment of your patients when considering their fluid, electrolyte and transfusion requirements
• Understand the principles and practical aspects of critical patient monitoring
• Recognize imminent cardiopulmonary arrest more promptly
• Learn how to select and apply both basic and advanced life support
• Learn the best approach to the acute management of the dyspneic patient