Small Animal Medicine

This 100% online CPD mini-module has been developed and aimed towards the more experienced veterinary surgeon. The module content has been developed by veterinary specialists at the forefront of current veterinary research.

The module will provide you with 25 hours of designation specific CPD. Over four weeks we will cover a different weekly topic in an area in which there may have been changes, advances or controversy in recent years.

The course is taught and tutored by Liverpool and other external veterinary specialists, following a similar format to the University of Liverpool’s CertAVP modules. With online lectures, discussion boards and weekly MCQ tests designed to help support your learning, this short Small Animal Medicine mini-module will provide a fun and interactive way to ensure you keep up to date in your area of interest.

Course content:

Week 1 - 2^nd November 2026 - Alex Forward

Vestibular syndrome

This module will examine canine and feline vestibular syndrome. The course will comprise 5 sessions during which we learn how to differentiate central from peripheral vestibular syndrome in our patients. We will then look in depth into paradoxical vestibular syndrome and cerebrovascular accidents (strokes in dogs), idiopathic vestibular syndrome, feline specific vestibular syndromes and other causes of vestibular disease in our canine patients. We will have video examples for each of these as well as an interactive discussion board, and a case-based live session.

Alexander Forward BVSc MSc MVetMed DipECVN MCRVS

EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

After graduating from Liverpool University in 2011, Alex spent two years in a mixed animal practice in Cornwall, UK. He then completed a rotating internship at the Royal Veterinary College in London and a subsequent residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery. He was awarded the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Neurology in 2018, and he is also an RCVS specialist in Veterinary Neurology. He joined Davies Veterinary Specialists as part of the Neurology and Neurosurgery team in 2018 as a clinical neurologist and his research interests include intracranial surgery in dogs and central nervous system neoplasia.

Week 2 – 9^th November 2026 – Mary Trehy and Susanna Spence

Immune mediated diseases - more information coming soon

Week 3 – 16^th November 2026 – BREAK WEEK

Week 4 – 23^rd November – Kathy Lunn

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders: A User-Friendly Guide.

Does acid-base physiology make you nervous? Do your eyes glaze over at the mention of chloride? Do you quickly scan electrolyte results, hoping they are normal and you don’t have to think about them anymore? If yes, you are not alone! This mini module aims to make these topics more approachable and clinically relevant. Please bring your questions and your challenging cases to share. My goal is to make electrolyte and acid-base disorders a little less intimidating.

Kathy Lunn BVMS MS PhD FHEA DACVIM MRCVS, American Board-Certified Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

After qualifying at Glasgow University, Kathy spent most of her career in the United States, apart from 3 years at Cambridge University, where she realised that Internal Medicine was the perfect fit for her. She received her master’s and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and also completed a residency there, becoming board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1999. She has worked in private referral practice in Wisconsin, as well as in academic veterinary medicine at UW-Madison, Colorado State University, and North Carolina State University. As well as clinical work, her career has included research, teaching, and mentoring, and while at NC State University she was director of the Small Animal Internal Medicine residency program. Kathy's clinical interests are wide, but she particularly enjoys investigating and managing endocrine and metabolic diseases. Kathy currently works for Axiom Veterinary Laboratories, interpreting test results and providing consultations and advice in small animal internal medicine.

Week 5 – 30^th November - Chiara Penzo

Clinical Staging and Imaging in Cancer Prognosis

Lecture 1: Cancer Prognosis TNM Classification & Clinical Staging

Lecture 2: Diagnostic Imaging for Clinical Staging in Oncology

The goal of this week is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how clinical staging and diagnostic imaging work hand in hand to guide treatment decisions, improve accuracy, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Special attention will be given to the TNM classification system and the indispensable role of each of the major imaging modalities in accurate cancer staging and in refining cancer prognosis with practical examples of their use.

Lectures include “Cancer Prognosis TNM Classification & Clinical Staging” and

“Diagnostic Imaging for Clinical Staging in Oncology”.

Dr Chiara Penzo DVM PhD ECVIM(Oncology) MRCVS EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Oncology RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Chiara is part of the Oncology Team at Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service and is passionate about teaching. Alongside her referral clinical activity in small animal oncology, since 2015 she has worked as an Honorary Lecturer for the University of Liverpool and is a multilingual specialist consultant and lecturer at events in the UK and Europe. Her focus is on postgraduate training and online education of pet owners and animal carers. Chiara has a strong interest in advancing cancer care options for patients with advanced stage disease or unresectable tumours and a vast experience in electrochemotherapy and advanced electrochemotherapy techniques.

Chiara graduated with laudem in 2003 and achieved a PhD in 2006 from University of Padua (Italy). She completed her specialist oncology training at University of Glasgow and Edinburgh and in 2009 she was the first to be awarded by examination the title of ECVIM(Oncology). She was a member of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) examination committee from 2010 to 2018. She led a busy small animal referral service in Glasgow before moving to the Midlands with her young family.

Start date: 2nd November 2026

Cost: £435

Book direct here

Enrol via booking form here HERE