ENDOCRINOLOGY: DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF COMMON ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
| Course Overview |
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Your next patient is in exam room 3. The appointment is just for annual "basics." One of your credentialed technicians has obtained the cat's vitals. Hmm - there has been some weight loss since the last appointment. Something may be going on. If so, what?
While endocrine disorders can be life threatening emergencies, such as the ketoacidotic diabetic, very often they present at the practice subtlety. Sometimes the onset is so gradual the owner does not see it. A routine physical examination can reveal, to the aware diagnostician, the initial stages of an endocrine disorder. And that awareness is developed through a combination of advanced knowledge, clinical experience, and constant vigilance.
The process of evaluating a patient starts with a strong grounding in the similarities and differences between the various disease state presentations. What is the latest information? What are the best diagnostic tools available? Which disease and is there a secondary one as well? Which treatments are most effective and it what situations? Endocrinology: Diagnostics and Treatment of Common Endocrine Disorders, a 4-week course, will help veterinarians gain the advanced knowledge need to address endocrine related problems in cats and dogs. This course will also benefit credentialed veterinary technicians who wish to deepen their understanding of endocrinology. Participants are not required to work in practice to complete this course.
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| Continuing Education Credits |
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Course meets the requirements for 12 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians and veterinarians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery.
This course is an interactive online course that meets RACE requirements; program number 57-12371.
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| Course Content |
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Endocrinology: Diagnostics and Treatment of Common Endocrine Disorders focuses on the diagnostics and treatment of a variety of endocrinology diseases that affect patients. This course explores the diagnosis and treatment of hypo and hyper-adrenocorticism in dogs, diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis in dogs and cats, and thyroid diseases in both species.
Many case study assignments are presented in this 4 week course, allowing the student to apply information learned from the text to real case scenarios. The examinations are designed to assess the retention of the students newly achieved knowledge in advanced endocrinology related diseases.
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| Course Focus and Learning Objectives |
This is an advanced level course. A strong basic understanding of the endocrine system is needed. Assignments in this course are challenging and "case-based" to bring the learning experience into your everyday practice. The instructor will guide the student to an practical understanding of the factors in endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment, either as the supervising veterinarian or as the veterinary technician assisting the veterinarian with the steps to diagnosis and treatment.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Differentiate the pathophysiology of hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocoricism in dogs
- Recognize the clinical signs associated with of hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocoricism in dogs
- Determine differentiating diagnoses of hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism in dogs
- Consider diagnostics tools available to diagnose hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocoricism in dogs
- Compare and contrast effect treatment plans for hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism in dogs
- Differentiate primary functioning adrenal tumors in dogs
- Describe the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
- Recognize the clinical signs associated with diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
- Compare and contrast diagnostics tools and treatment plans available to diagnose diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
- Compare and contrast effect treatment plans for diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
- Recognize diabetic ketoacidosis in the dog and cats and implement effective treatment protocols
- Describe the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats and recognize clinical signs associated with each
- Evaluate diagnostics tools available to diagnose hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats
- Compare and contrast effect treatment plans for hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats
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| Participation Access Parameters |
The design of this course allows participants to enroll in this course after it has begun, up until the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of this course.
This course allows each student to proceed based on an individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted but he assignment submission deadline.
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| Additional Courses Using Required Text |
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| Required Materials |
Clinical Endocrinology of Companion Animals, Jacquie Rand, Editor; 2013 Wiley-Blackwell
Important Text Information: This course utilizes a textbook. It is up to each participant to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and, therefore, will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook through Wiley-Blackwell. The following link to their website is provided as a courtesy. Scroll down to the bottom of the Wiley-Blackwell page to view all book delivery options:
Purchase Text From Wiley-Blackwell
Important: Regardless of what option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text, the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations as the material is not reprinted within the course. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays.
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| Course Completion Requirements |
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:
- Instructor Graded Interactive Case Study Assignments: Designed to help the participant apply the newly learned skills and knowledge though patient and practice based scenarios
- Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better
- Course survey
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| Participant Feedback |
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...The case studies (and Dr. Gallagher's feedback) were the most beneficial. The case studies made me take what I was reading/learning and utilize what I'd learned in a real life scenerio. Dr. Gallagher responded rapidly and took the effort to respond to my assignments in a positive way - I appreciate his responses and explanations. I am inspired and look forward to utilizing the knowledge in my daily life - to improve on my technical/interpretation/nursing skills.
...I liked the cases,most of of them were really challenging and allowed me to improve my understanding about endocrinology.
..This course gave me an in depth look at endocrine disorders, I think I will be able to discuss these conditions with owners more comfortably now.
...The case studies (and Dr. Gallagher's feedback) were the most beneficial. The case studies made me take what I was reading/learning and utilize what I'd learned in a real life scenerio. Dr. Gallagher responded rapidly and took the effort to respond to my assignments in a positive way - I appreciate his responses and explanations. I am inspired and look forward to utilizing the knowledge in my daily life - to improve on my technical/interpretation/nursing skills.
...I appreciated the diversity of the case studies provided in this course. Some case studies required differentials and problem lists, while others focused on intensive treatment plans. I appreciated the breadth of case scenarios covered.
...comparing and contrasting different diseases for clinical signs and going over specific testing for diagnosis
...Made me think. I knew that many of these problems can be over lapping and I feel this will help me make better initial diagnosis and improve my testing to confirm these diagnosis.
The text was clear and will be a reference for my practice. The case studies were excellent, providing equivocal lab results to work through as is so commonly the case in real world practice.
The diabetes part since I do diabetic discharges with owners it's good to understand more as to why certain things are done. I am also thinking about specializing in internal medicine just to really have the endocrine part down.
Feedback on assignments and discussion questions were helpful. The book required was also very good.
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| Course Instructor |
 Alex Gallagher, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Dr. Alex Gallagher is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a rotating internship at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM), Dr. Gallagher spent two years as an associate veterinarian in a feline-only practice. Following completion of an internship in internal medicine at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, Florida, Dr. Gallagher returned to the VMRCVM for a residency in small animal medicine and Master’s degree, which he completed.
Dr. Gallagher is currently a clinical assistant professor in small animal medicine at the University of Florida. Professional interests include endocrinology and interventional endoscopy. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, video games and college football.
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| Pricing |
Price: $166.00 USD
This course is eligible for the 10% Multi-course discount. To learn more about the discount please visit the Multi-Course Discount page.
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