This comprehensive surgical course is designed to strengthen your approach to the diagnosis and management of surgical disease in small animal practice.
Blending core principles with practical application, it provides a structured and clinically relevant pathway to help you build confidence in surgical decision-making and technique.
Across the course, you will explore essential surgical concepts, procedures and management strategies, supported by tutorials in every module. These tutorials provide immediate feedback and valuable opportunities to discuss key ideas, clinical approaches and real-world challenges with your tutor.
Course notes focus on the concepts and procedures that matter most in practice, with practical tips drawn from the extensive experience of our tutors. To further support your learning, you will also have access to a range of additional resources, including video demonstrations of procedures, manipulations and operations that can be performed in general practice, as well as key papers highlighting best-practice and evidence-based surgical approaches. As an added benefit, the course includes curated complimentary access to A Cut Above, a leading veterinary surgery podcast.
A major feature of the course is the inclusion of four days of hands-on lab training, delivered across two weekend workshops. These practical sessions are designed to help you consolidate your learning, refine your skills and translate theory into practice.
Whether you are an experienced practitioner looking for a refresher, greater confidence and exposure to new techniques, or a less experienced veterinarian seeking a strong foundation in surgery, this course offers a valuable and supportive learning experience. It also provides an excellent structured study pathway for veterinarians preparing for the Small Animal Surgery Membership Examination of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
Past Participants:
The tutors were excellent in person (workshop) and on zoom tutorials. The network of people you connect with over this course was also excellent and I think we will probably communicate into the future. Great base course for ANZCVS exam study.
Kate Anderson
This was a fantastic course, well worth time invested. I have been able to improve on my surgical knowledge and pass it onto my colleagues.
Tony Phillis
The tutors for this course were FANTASTIC! They were extremely engaging, friendly and knowledgeable. Really grateful for them taking time out in their busy schedules to help and teach us.
Karmen Fong
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, you will:
- Have refreshed and updated your surgical knowledge through a comprehensive overview of small animal surgery.
- Improve your approach to the diagnosis and management of surgical diseases and advance your understanding of the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of surgery through case-based learning.
- Gain an increased understanding of both general principles and detailed techniques of surgery for each of the body systems.
- Increase your confidence about broadening your surgical endeavours
Modules
1. Principles of Surgery I – pre-operative evaluation of the surgical patient
- Intra operative and post-operative considerations
- Wound healing
- Factors affecting wound healing, including biomaterials
- Suture material
2. Principles of Surgery II
- Surgical sterilisation and asepsis
- Role of antibiotics in surgery
- Tissue handling
- Haemostasis
- Surgical oncology
3. Principles of surgery III – Wound Assessment & Management
- Patient assessment and stabilisation
- Wound classification
- Principles of open wound management
4. Principles of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Examination for lameness
- Principles of fracture management, biology and biomechanics in fracture repair
- Biology and biomechanics in fracture repair
- Complications of fracture repair
- Common surgical approaches to bones and joints
- Bone grafts
- Physiotherapy
5. Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
- Diagnostic methods
- The upper, middle and lower gastrointestinal tract
- The liver and biliary system
- The exocrine pancreas
6. Applied Orthopaedic Surgery
- Techniques of internal fixation of fractures
- Repair of long bone and joint fractures
- Repair of physeal and flat bone fractures
- Tendons and ligaments
- Selected conditions affecting bones/joints
7. Surgical Diseases of the Respiratory & Cardiovascular Systems
- The upper and lower respiratory tract
- Congenital cardiovascular problems
8. Surgical Conditions of the Spine
- Neurological examination and functional neuroanatomy
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy
- Traumatic vertebral fractures/luxations
- Degenerative lumbosacral compressive disease (cauda equine syndrome)
- Atlantoaxial Instability
- Fibrocartilaginous embolism
- Discospondylitis
9. Surgery of the Skin, Eye, Ears, Haemolymphatic System & Endocrine System
- Selected skin, eye & ear conditions
- The lymphatics & spleen
- The adrenal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland and endocrine pancreas
10. Urogenital Tract Surgery
- Surgical anatomy
- Principles of urogenital tract surgery
- Urinary tract trauma
- Dysuria/haematuria
- Urinary incontinence
Course Delivery
This online course offers a comprehensive educational package that includes:
- Comprehensive Learning Materials: Participants will access a wide range of study resources including detailed digital notes and up-to-date journal articles, access to the “Cut Above Podcast” and key procedural videos.
- Interactive Learning Opportunities: The course features an active discussion forum allowing participants and tutors to share cases and experiences. Each module will also feature an online tutorial to deliver immediate feedback and give both tutors and participants the opportunity to develop their understanding of the key take-homes from each module.
- Continuous Assessment: Monthly assignments are designed to assess and reinforce your understanding.
- Practical Workshops: The course now features two weekend workshops – a total of four practical days per participant.
Workshop/s
This Distance Education course includes an optional 2 x 2 Day Workshops in Sydney. The date of the workshop to be advised.
What is Distance Education?
Premium, intensive online veterinary CE
All CVE Distance Education (DE) programs are mentored by leading veterinary experts who will provide individual feedback and advice on completion of each monthly module. Each module may include written content, technique videos, self-reflections, quizzes and online submission of monthly assignments.
Maximise the opportunity to expand and consolidate your learning by participating in the tutor moderated group discussion forum and attending the optional 2-day practical workshop including a hands-on surgical practical session and in-depth discussion of key topics and cases.
Who should enrol?
This course is ideal for qualified veterinarians looking to refresh or expand their surgical skills.
| Registrant Type |
Non-Member Price |
Member Discount |
Super Early Bird Price |
Early Bird Price |
Full Rate Price |
| Non-Member / eMember |
$11,845 |
- |
- |
-
|
$11,845 |
| CVE Members* |
- |
15% |
$10,068 |
$10,957 |
$11,253 |
*Members include: Practice Member Staff, Professional, Part-time Professional and Recent Graduate.