As part of their new Focus 20 series, Improve Veterinary Education has launched a new online course for vets on parasitology in small animal practice. The course is written by a renowned expert in the field – Ian Wright BVMS, BSc, MSc, MRCVS – and offers 40 CPD hours and 20 International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) points towards the My Veterinary Career, a new structured learning pathway to achieve the highest ISVPS qualification in clinical practice – the Master General Practitioner.
The course offers you the opportunity to:
- Learn about the current evidence for anthelmintic resistance in dogs and cats. Resistance is an interesting area to consider as traditionally thought of more in the context of large animal species rather than our pet population. Within an overview on parasitic worms and other regional endemic parasites in the UK companion animal population, the course will look at the current evidence for drug resistance in parasiticides in dogs and cats compared to horse and ruminants
- Understand and learn how to communicate the importance of ectoparasite control. As well as being zoonotic, ectoparasites can cause an animal harm through both their presence on the animal and through the parasite’s specific behaviours or life-cycles, and also through their potential to transmit other pathogens. The programme will shine a spotlight on the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, and looks to explain the rationale for year-round flea control in dogs and cats
- Be aware of the current treatment options and risks associated with intestinal protozoa in dogs and cats. From Giardia and Tritrichomonas, to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, the course will look at the parasite’s life-cycles and diagnostic options as well as treatment strategies that can be put in place
- Learn a risk-based approach to small animal parasitology. Some owners are concerned about applying a chemical frequently to their pet and then being in close contact with that animal or what that means if their dog goes swimming in rivers regularly and the impact that might have on the environment. The course will look at the risk, benefits and other factors when considering parasite control options and what the whole practice can do to effectively assess the level of risk a particular pet faces
- Understand the latest parasite threats and control measures for the travelling and imported pet. As people begin travelling with their pets once more,they need to be mindful of the potential disease exposure their pets may face if they leave the UK. From heartworm, Leishmania and tick-borne pathogens, vets must have current knowledge of exotic and endemic small animal parasites to be able to offer suitable advice to clients and put together effective treatment plans for travelling pets
If that’s not enough, when a vet or nurse registers for one of the Focus 20 programmes, they will also receive free access to the RCVS Knowledge Library and an Improve Veterinary Practice Membership for one year.
Find out more about the parasitology course and the Focus 20 programmes for vets on the Improve Veterinary Education’s website.
