Small animal diagnostics
Course Summary
This course provides advanced training in the foundational clinical skills required for high quality small animal veterinary general practice. The focus will be on practical and applied aspects of disease diagnosis. Diagnostic skills covered include clinical reasoning, clinical pathology and diagnostic imaging relevant to the small animal veterinary practitioner with case-based pathophysiology, diagnostic plans and core practical skills emphasised.
- Demonstrate a problem-based approach to clinical reasoning in the development of an appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring plan for common and more complex cases.
- Explain the theory behind the appropriate use and potential pitfalls of clinical pathology diagnostic tests for certain case scenarios, and use this knowledge in the management of day-to-day caseloads.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the core principles of the performance and interpretation of radiography and ultrasonography in clinical practice.
- Clinical reasoning, including
- Using a problem-based approach
- Work-up of common and complex cases
- Management of common and complex cases
- Clinical pathology, including
- Common analyser errors
- Minimising factors that can decrease test result accuracy
- Interpreting further testing for organ disease
- Advanced testing for leukemia and lymphoma
- Diagnostic imaging, including
- Systematic interpretation of thoracic radiographs
- Systematic interpretation of abdominal radiographs
- Systematic interpretation of musculoskeletal radiographs
- Core principles of ultrasonography
- Ultrasonography for general practitioners
Key Features of the Course
- Leverage Current Knowledge & Skills: The course structure enables you to connect your current experience with new content, making learning relevant and applicable.
- Peer Learning: Benefit from the varied experiences and insights of your peers, enhancing both your understanding and practical skills.
- Expert Facilitation: Each module is facilitated by subject matter experts who guide you through complex concepts and encourage discussion to deepen your understanding.
- Deep Dive Sections: For those who wish to explore a particular topic in more detail, we offer deep dive sections. These allow you to explore more in-depth content tailored to your interests or specific needs.
- Practical Assessments: Assessment is focused on the practical application of the evidence-based content. Case studies are drawn from real-life scenarios in small animal general practice, ensuring that you can directly apply what you’ve learned in your daily work.
- Interactive Zoom Sessions: You'll participate in interactive Zoom sessions (up to 20 hours across the course), where you can engage directly with both peers and facilitators. These sessions foster a dynamic learning environment that encourages collaboration, discussion, and knowledge sharing.
- Supported Learning Environment: We’re committed to providing a supportive environment where every participant feels empowered to get the most out of their learning. Whether it’s through additional resources, peer support, or facilitator guidance, we ensure that you have everything you need to succeed.
By the end of the course, you will not only have gained valuable knowledge from expert-led sessions, but also practical insights from your peers, all of which you can implement in your daily practice to enhance the care and treatment of small animals in general practice.
All AVA CVP Online courses are designed using key adult learning principles to ensure that veterinary professionals can engage with content that is both relevant and challenging. The goal is to allow participants to leverage their existing knowledge and skills as they explore new, relevant content that piques their interest and enhances their practice.
The learning experience is centred around self-paced study and peer collaboration, within a set delivery schedule with a cohort. You will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds (small animal and mixed-practice) and experiences (associate vets to clinic owners; 3 – 40 years vet experience; metropolitan, regional, and remote practice) enriching the learning environment. Facilitated by subject matter experts, each interactive session ensures a comprehensive exploration of real-world applications, offering valuable insights into the latest practices in small animal general practice.
Veterinarians registered to practice in Australia who are:
- seeking to advance their general practice training and skills
- aiming to enhance their professional credentials and job prospects.
- committed to personal growth and career sustainability in the profession.
This course may be studied as a stand-alone CPD offering. Successful completion of this course may also be credited toward the AVA Chartered Veterinary Practitioner® professional accreditation (terms and conditions apply).
Non-Members $1980
AVA Members $1320
Dr Chelsea Beale; A/Prof Natalie Courtman; Dr Caitlin Mack