Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning

Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning
English Version
GPCert in Small Animal Medicine
Bringing the latest developments in Small Animal Medicine to an interactive online environment, allowing you to learn wherever you are.
Our Distance Learning Program for Small Animal Medicine has been developed to enable all veterinary surgeons to access our world-class teaching materials.
By allowing you to study part-time, at your own pace, this program enables you to effectively manage your work-life balance while bringing essential knowledge back to your practice immediately.
You’ll have support and guidance from a Module Tutor who is an RCVS or ECVIM/ACVIM Small Animal Medicine Diploma Holder, across 20 varied modules covering key canine and feline medicine topics, delivered online over 26 months.
Three months free from program content will be present every year, which are typically used by delegates to complete any unfinished modules.
Once you join, you will be part of an international program with participants from all over the world.
For a preview of our Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning Program, click below
Program
Modules at a glance
Clinical Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Immunology
Cytology
Diagnostic Imaging
Gastroenterology I
Gastroenterology II
Respiratory Disease
Endocrinology I
Endocrinology II
Medical Neurology
Medical Oncology
Cardiovascular Medicine I
Cardiovascular Medicine II
Emergency Medicine & Critical Care
Canine Infectious Diseases
Feline Infectious Diseases
Urology I
Urology II
Dermatology
Ophthalmology
Joining the program at different points may require a double up of some modules but will not affect the delegates eligibility to progress onto either certificated routes;
All program prices include ISVPS registration and examination fees.
Please note the module order may be subject to change.
Module tutors
Module tutors give you support online throughout the duration of their module:
Ana Lara DVM MSc PhD PgCert MedEd FHEA DipACVIM & ECVIM-CA (Oncology) MRCVS
Randi Drees Dr.med.vet PhD DipACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology) DipECVDI add RadOncol PGCertAP MRCVS
Kieran Borgeat BSc(Hons) BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
James Swann MA VetMB MVetMed DipACVIM DipECVIM MRCVS
Joana Aguiar MVM MVetMed MRCVS
Kerry Simpson BVM&S PhD FACVSc DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Kieran Borgeat BSc(Hons) BVSc MVetMed CertVC DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Marta Costa DVM MSc FRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Nick Bexfield BVetMed PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FSBiol MRCVS
Raquel Trevail DVM DipECVN MRCVS
David Shearer BVetMed PhD CertSAD PGCert(VetEd), FHEA, CBiol MRSB MRCVS. RCVS Advanced Practioner in Small Animal Dermatology
Sally Turner VetMB MA DVOphthal MRCVS
Scott Kilpatrick BSc (Hons) MSc BVM&S DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Simon Tappin MA VetMB GPCert(SAP) CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Susana Silva CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Work towards a recognised qualification
Our Small Animal Medicine Distance Learning program offers you a comprehensive range of structured learning with the ultimate flexibility to access the training that you want whilst working around your busy practice life.
You can choose to let the program give you new knowledge and skills to take back to practice or you can work towards a recognised qualification.
General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)
By attending the full online structured program and following successful assessment including an exam you can gain the GPCert awarded by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).
All program prices include ISVPS registration and examination fees.
Only registered veterinary surgeons who have been qualified for a minimum of two years can apply to undertake a General Practitioner Certificate.
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
A route to a PgC in Small Animal Medicine is available through our partnership with Harper Adams University (HAU). For more information about this please get in contact with us.
Increase your skills, knowledge and confidence in dealing with more complex canine and feline cases. With 24/7 access from your laptop, tablet or smartphone, no matter where you are in the world, you can fit your learning around the day-to-day workings of a busy practice, with the option of accessing a like-minded peer network.
Benefits for you
- Advance in your career, and be eligible for academic recognition
- Develop a logical approach to medical cases and problem-solving
- Increase your skills, knowledge and confidence in dealing with more complex canine and feline cases
- Grow your small-animal caseload and revenue stream
- Access the Program anywhere in the world, 24/7, from your laptop, PC, tablet or smartphone
- Gain access to a like-minded peer network
- Fit your learning around the day-to-day schedule of a busy practice
Benefits for your clients
- Improved patient care
- Accelerated diagnosis
- Increased number of treatment options
- Reassurance that their pet is in safe hands
Benefits for your practice
- Increased practice revenues
- Improved productivity
- Reduced external referrals and expanded range of practice capabilities
- Transferable knowledge and skills within your practice
- Ability to demonstrate your commitment to enhancing your practice’s standards
Approved by RACE for 240 CE/CPD credits

This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate.

コース詳細
Module schedule

Respiratory Disease
2020 September | OnlineKey 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 diseases, as well as parenchymal and pleural space diseases
- Familiarize yourself with the principles of primary and ancillary respiratory therapeutics
Susana Silva
×Endocrinology I
2020 October | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Gain a footing in the underlying principles of endocrine anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
- Become familiar with the clinical signs and diagnostic approaches to canine and feline endocrine disorders such as:
- Hypo- and hyperadrenocorticism – common and uncommon presentations
- Hypo- and hyperthyroidism
- Primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Understand the basis of medical and (where appropriate) surgical management of diseases affecting the adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid glands
Nick Bexfield
×
Endocrinology II
2020 November | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with endocrine pancreatic disease, including insulinoma
- Describe the investigation and management of diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs and cats
- Gain an understanding of the causes of failure to control diabetes, and the proper approach to unstable diabetic patients
- Understand the pathophysiology of pituitary endocrine diseases
- Become familiar with the clinical signs, investigation and management of pituitary endocrine disease in dogs and cats
Nick Bexfield
×
Clinical Pathology
2021 January | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the selection of appropriate tests for your patients
- Consider the range of different sampling techniques and sample processing techniques, and identify factors that may affect them
- Become familiar with the clinical pathology of hepatobiliary and renal disease
- Structure your approach to anemia so as to differentiate between non-regenerative and regenerative types before determining possible underlying causes
- Transform your understanding of hemostasis to enable you to determine when, why and how it goes wrong
- Use your knowledge to interpret laboratory data from clinical patients, to help you prioritize further investigations
Nick Bexfield
×
Medical Neurology
2021 January | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Update your understanding of the principles of functional neuroanatomy
- Become adept at thorough and systematic neurological examination for the purpose of localizing lesions
- List and understand further diagnostic techniques available for investigating neurological disease
- Review the investigation and management of common neurological syndromes
- Understand the steps involved in investigating the etiology of seizures in dogs and cats
- Improve your ability to manage seizures in emergency situations, and in the longer term
Raquel Monteiro Trevail
×
Raquel graduated in 2004 from Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal. Raquel subsequently moved to the UK where she completed an internship at the Animal Health Trust followed by a residency at Glasgow University Veterinary School. Raquel was awarded her European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2010. Raquel gained experience at a specialist referral centre in the Midlands before joining SCVS in 2015.
Immunology
2021 February | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Learn the basis of immune functions and the immune response, in order to better understand the pathophysiology of immune-mediated disease
- Develop your diagnostic approach to common immune-mediated diseases in small animals
- Transform your understanding of the basis of therapy for immune-mediated diseases
- Discuss the use of common immunosuppressive therapies
James Swann
×
James graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 with degrees in pathology and veterinary medicine. Over the last four years, completed advanced clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College (University of London), receiving the diplomas of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2016. During this time, Dr.Swann also investigated the autoimmune response of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA); He received an International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for this work in 2015.
Medical Oncology
2021 February | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Learn to understand the principles of tumor biology and staging
- Formulate a general investigative approach to cancer patients
- Develop your understanding of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical oncology
- Familiarize yourself with the therapeutic management of common canine and feline neoplasms
- Enable yourself to recognize and manage common oncological emergencies
Ana Lara
×Ana graduated from the University of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain in 1998 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine which she followed with a PhD in platelet function in dogs with neoplastic disease. She finished her PhD in 2003 and following this moved to Ohio State University in the USA where she first completed an internship in oncology, and then a residency in haematology and oncology, obtaining her diploma in Veterinary Oncology by the American College of Veterianry Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in February 2008. She also holds the Oncology diploma by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM-CA) in December 2008 and is an RCVS recognised specialist in Veterinary Oncology.
Ana was a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Oncology and the Director of the Royal Veterinary College’s ACVIM oncology residency training programme and the Vice-President of the European Society of Veterinary Oncology until 2017.
Ana Lara currently works at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. UK and is also director of Lara Oncology Veterinary Experts Ltd.. Ana does research in veterinary and comparative oncology, currently her focus is canine and feline lymphoma, mesothelioma, mast cell tumors, quality of life in pets with cancer and hemostasis and cancer. Their most recent publication is 'Prognostic significance of clinical presentation, induction and rescue treatment in 42 cases of canine centroblastic diffuse large B-cell multicentric lymphoma in the United Kingdom'
Cardiovascular I
2021 March | OnlineKey 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 approaches to electrocardiographic interpretation, to improve your ability to identify common arrhythmias
- Improve your ability to evaluate thoracic radiographs in reference to cardiac patients
- Understand the basic principles of echocardiography and its role in the diagnosis of cardiac disease
Kieran Borgeat
×?Kieran is an American and European Diplomate and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. He worked for 6 years in first opinion practice, during which time he completed a Certificate in cardiology, then undertook a residency and Masters degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. He has given CPD to vets all over the world on cardiology, from Bulgaria to Singapore, and enjoys nothing more than chatting about cardiology to other vets. He is an experienced interventional surgeon, treating not only cardiovascular disease, but respiratory, urinary and oncological problems using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques.
Cardiovascular II
2021 May | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Recognize and understand the events involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac failure
- Learn to define systolic and diastolic failure
- Appreciate species-based differences in prevalence of congenital and acquired cardiac diseases
- Learn to 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, for patients with cardiac disease
- Learn how to manage emergency cardiac patients for improved outcomes
Kieran Borgeat
×?Kieran is an American and European Diplomate and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. He worked for 6 years in first opinion practice, during which time he completed a Certificate in cardiology, then undertook a residency and Masters degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London. He has given CPD to vets all over the world on cardiology, from Bulgaria to Singapore, and enjoys nothing more than chatting about cardiology to other vets. He is an experienced interventional surgeon, treating not only cardiovascular disease, but respiratory, urinary and oncological problems using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques.
Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
2021 June | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Familiarize yourself with a thorough and systematic approach to the assessment of the major body systems in critically ill patients
- Enhance your understanding of the minimum database and its interpretation
- Implement your assessment of your patients when considering their fluid, electrolyte and transfusion requirements
- Understand the principles and practical aspects of critical patient monitoring
- Learn to 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 dyspneic patients
Simon Tappin
×
Simon graduated from the University of Cambridge and after two year in small animal practice under took a Residency at the University of Bristol in Small Animal Medicine and
Intensive Care. He gained the European Diploma in Small Animal Medicine and currently working at Dick White Referrals seeing medical and emergency cases. Simon gained an ISVPS General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Practice himself in 2004!
Canine Infectious Diseases
2021 July | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Compile a list of the major infectious diseases in dogs
- Describe the diagnosis and management of common canine infectious diseases
- Familiarize yourself with the clinical signs of significant imported diseases occurring in dogs
- Understand the principles of vaccination and vaccination regimes
- Understand the steps involved in the Pet Travel Scheme
- List notifiable diseases in dogs
Simon Tappin
×
Simon graduated from the University of Cambridge and after two year in small animal practice under took a Residency at the University of Bristol in Small Animal Medicine and
Intensive Care. He gained the European Diploma in Small Animal Medicine and currently working at Dick White Referrals seeing medical and emergency cases. Simon gained an ISVPS General Practitioners Certificate in Small Animal Practice himself in 2004!
Feline Infectious Diseases
2021 September | OnlineLearn approaches to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment and management of common viral diseases in cats, including FeLV, FIV, FIP and respiratory infections.
- Diagnose and treat hemoplasma infections
- Learn to explain diseases of hunting cats, including toxoplasmosis, pox virus, mycobacterial disease and salmonellosis
- Learn approaches to enteric infections of cats, including protozoal disease (trichomonas fetus, cryptosporidium, giardia and isospora) and bacterial/viral disease
- Understand fungal mycoses
- Control infectious and zoonotic disease in the home, clinics, shelters and catteries
Kerry Simpson
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Urology I
2021 October | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Understand the diagnostic techniques available for investigating urinary disease
- Delve into the details of the pathophysiology of acute and chronic renal failure, glomerular disease and proteinuria
- Develop your investigative approach to renal disease
- Improve your therapeutic management of such cases
James Swann
×
James graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 with degrees in pathology and veterinary medicine. Over the last four years, completed advanced clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College (University of London), receiving the diplomas of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2016. During this time, Dr.Swann also investigated the autoimmune response of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA); He received an International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for this work in 2015.
Urology II
2021 November | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Describe and understand the factors involved in the development of crystalluria and urolithiasis in cats and dogs
- Understand the principles of management of lower urinary tract disease in cats and dogs
- Explore the often complicated management of FLUTD and urethral obstruction
- Examine the possible causes of urinary incontinence, and their diagnosis and management
- Classify canine prostatic diseases, and understand their pathogenesis, diagnosis and medical management
Joana Aguiar
×
Joana qualified from Porto University in 2009. Following a year in clinical practice she joined the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, Cambridge as Junior Clinical Training Scholar. After a few years working at Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital in London she underwent her residency training in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College. Here she gained her Master of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and obtained specialist recognition from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and from the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She is currently studying for her PhD at the Royal Veterinary College.
Dermatology
2022 January | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Develop a problem-solving approach to skin diseases
- Describe the steps involved in dermatological examination of cats and dogs
- List and understand the techniques used for the laboratory investigation of skin disease, and when they should be used
- Recommend rational problem-solving approaches to the investigation and treatment of:
- Alopecia
- Pruritus
- Become familiar with the common presentations of bacterial, parasitic and fungal skin disease
- Identify common dermatological manifestations of systemic disease, and their pathogenesis
David Shearer
×...
Ophthalmology
2022 February | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Review common ophthalmic examination techniques:
- Basic neuro-ophthalmological examination
- Ophthalmoscopy: distant direct, close direct & indirect
- Correct use of Fluorescein for corneal evaluation
- Tonometry and gonioscopy
- Gain a footing in current ocular therapeutics: what do you need to have on your pharmacy shelf?
- Familiarize yourself with the medical management of common ocular conditions
- Identify the ocular manifestations of systemic diseases
- Learn to recognize common ocular conditions that require surgery
Sally Turner
×Sally Turner is a graduate of Cambridge University and spent 2 years in general practice, then did her ophthalmology training as a resident at the Animal Health Trust. Currently in private referral practice in London, Sally regularly lectures to vets and nurses and has written two books on veterinary ophthalmology. She is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology.
Cytology
2022 March | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Understand the principles and practical aspects of cytological sample collection, storage and preparation
- Perfect your ability to describe the principles of routine cytological examination, and how this informs a cytological diagnosis
- Develop your hematological skills by learning to adeptly interpret both normal and abnormal hemograms, identifying
reticulocytes and discovering platelet and white cell abnormalities - Transform your understanding of the different cytological characteristics of effusions, aspirates and lavage samples
- Familiarize yourself with some of the conditions most commonly diagnosed by cytology
Marta Costa
×
Marta graduated from Technical University of Lisbon in 2001. She started working in the diagnostic laboratories of the same university with a research scholarship, while working part time in small animal practice. In 2002 she became one of the clinical pathologists at the university up to 2007, when she completed a Masters in Medical microbiology and started working as a lecturer in clinical pathology and infectious diseases at the Lusofona University. In 2009 she moved to the UK to undertake a clinical pathology residency at the University of Bristol, where she now works as clinical pathologist in the Langford Veterinary Services. She is Fellow the Royal College of Pathologist currently working for her European Diploma. Her special interests lie in diagnosis of infectious diseases and all that pertains to a microscope (cytology and haematology) where she finds beauty everyday.
Diagnostic Imaging
2022 April | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Review the principles of radiography, radiology and the significance of radiation protection
- Gain an increased appreciation of the use of contrast radiography in a variety of situations and using a variety of techniques
- Understand the principles of ultrasound imaging
- Familiarize yourself with the basic principles of advanced imaging
- Compare and contrast CT and MRI as diagnostic tools
Randi Drees
×
Randi graduated from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany in 2001. Randi spent time in private practice before pursuing her Diagnostic Imaging residency at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA. She became board certified with the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and American College of Veterinary Radiology in 2008. Randi then pursued an alternative training program in Veterinary Radiation Oncology at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA and became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Radiology (Radiation Oncology) in 2012.
She held a clinical assitant professorship and was section head of the diagnostic imaging section at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wiconsin-Madison, USA before relocating to the RVC in London where she is leading the small animal diagnostic imaging section.
She is a member at large of the board of the ECVDI and member of the radiation oncology education and credentials committee establishing an add-on Training program in Radiation Oncology for Diplomates of the ECVDI and ECVIM colleges.
Gastroenterology I
2022 June | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Develop your understanding of deglutition and dysphagia
- Familiarize yourself with the pathophysiology of:
- Regurgitation
- Acute and chronic vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Enhance your diagnostic approach to gastrointestinal abnormalities
- Describe the principles and basic use of endoscopy in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease, and when it is indicated
Scott Kilpatrick
×
Following graduation from Edinburgh in 2007, Scott worked for the PDSA and Vets Now before starting his residency at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, obtaining his European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2017. Scott has also completed a Master’s Degree looking in to the pathogenesis of canine liver disease.
Gastroenterology II
2022 July | OnlineKey learning objectives:
- Improve your understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic and hepatobiliary disease
- Devise a systematic diagnostic approach to jaundiced patients
- Perfect your investigative approach to suspected hepatobiliary disease
- Understand the pathophysiology of exocrine pancreatic disease
- Describe the investigative approach to acute and chronic exocrine pancreatic diseases
- Discuss the therapeutic options for hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases
Scott Kilpatrick
×
Following graduation from Edinburgh in 2007, Scott worked for the PDSA and Vets Now before starting his residency at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, obtaining his European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2017. Scott has also completed a Master’s Degree looking in to the pathogenesis of canine liver disease.
受講料
- 合計受講料 -> 1,060,000 ¥
- 合計受講料 -> 1,166,000 ¥
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Frequently Asked Questions
Distance Learning
When is the learning content available for each module?
- At the beginning of the month, the content for weeks 1 and 2 will be released
- At the beginning of the 3rd week of the month, the remaining content will be released
What additional learning resources are available?
- Online lessons
- Notes to support every lesson
- Reading list
- Module Tutor (diploma holder in their field)
- Programme Tutor
- Discussion Forum
What qualifications are needed for taking the programme if coming from another non- European country?
- Qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine registered in country of origin
- ISVPS will require appropriate paperwork at point of registration
What does the GPCert consist of?
- Complete the full online structured programme
- Case report (2,500 words)
- Online spot test exam
- Multiple choice examination
- ISVPS are responsible for invigilation of the exam via TestReach an independent invigilation company
- See the assessment criteria on the diagram of the route to a GPCert in the brochure