ENDOCRINOLOGY: ATYPICAL DISORDERS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
| Course Overview |
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Hiding in plain sight? Often a patient presents with one of the commonly encountered endocrine disorders. But sometimes they are flying under the radar. It is important for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to have a strong grasp of the more atypical endocrine disorders to aid in the prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Endocrinology: Atypical Disorders of the Endocrine System examines the less common, but equally important, canine and feline conditions. From presentation, to diagnosis, and onto treatment options, this advanced level 4-week course will help practitioners and technicians hone the knowledge and skills needed to ensure that those low-flying cases are directly in their sights. 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 57-19148.
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| Course Content |
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Endocrinology: Atypical Disorders of the Endocrine System focuses on the diagnostics and treatment of a variety of endocrinology diseases that affect patients. This course explores the diagnosis and treatment of critical-illness related corticosteroid insufficiency, hyperadrenocorticism in cat, primary hyperaldosteronism, and pheochromocytomas in dogs. In addition, uncommon thyroid disorders of the dog and cat are covered, along with insulinomas, acromegaly, hypercalcemia and diabetes insipidus.
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:
- Describe the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with critical-illness related corticosteroid insufficiency, and analyze diagnostic tools available to diagnose the disease
- Recognize the clinical signs associated with hyperadrenocorticism in cats and consider diagnostics tools available to diagnose the disease
- Compare and contrast effect treatment plans for hyperadrenocorticism in cats
- Describe the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with primary hyperaldosteronism and consider diagnostic options
- Compare and contrast treatment options for primary hyperaldosteronism
- Define pheochromocytomas in dogs, describe the clinical signs commonly seen and compare and contrast diagnostics tools and treatment plans available to treat pheochromocytomas
- Discuss hypothyroidism in cats and hyperthyroidism in dogs, and implement appropriate diagnostics and treatment plans
- Describe the pathophysiology of acromegaly in dogs and cats and recognize clinical signs associated with each
- Evaluate the diagnostics tools available to diagnose acromegaly in dogs and cats and review treatment options for each
- Describe the pathophysiology of hypercalcemia in dogs and cats and recognize clinical signs associated with each
- Evaluate the diagnostics tools available to diagnose hypercalcemia in dogs and cats and review treatment options for each
- Describe the pathophysiology of diabetes insipidus in dogs and cats and recognize clinical signs associated with each
- Evaluate the diagnostics tools available to diagnose diabetes insipidus in dogs and cats and review treatment options for each
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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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...As a mother of two small children and a part-time vet, I like to take online courses every other year rather than traveling to a big conference. This allows me to spend more time at home with my family and still get the credits I need. This course, in particular helped me to learn more about some of the more obscure endocrine diseases that I am afraid I may be missing, such as acromegaly or hyperaldosteronism.
...I had to go throught all my knowledges to answer correctly to all the case study. It was sometimes really difficult but it will help me remember easily the new knowledge I have learn in this cours
...Good text. Case studies were well thought out and helped me to consolidate what I had learned.
...The textbook is amazing & will be a great help to me in my practice life.
...The course was well-organized and the cases were thought-provoking and challenging. This experience will help me approach my cases a little differently from now on and hopefully arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan in a thorough, yet efficient manner.
Dr. Gallagher was an outstanding teacher & facilitator! Thanks for a great experience!
...It was beneficial to work thru real cases and then get crtiques back from the Professor so I had some ideas on things I work on or ways to improve or what I did well. I realize how infrequently I list out the problems and differentials for each in private practice due the time constraints. At Banfield I often saw 20-25 pets a day which makes this difficult. Hopefully now that I am working for a smaller clinic I will have more time to do this. This was a good
...The orderly and comprehensive nature of this course was most beneficial.
...the creation of differential lists and course of therapy with feedback from the instructor to ensure that information was received and understood
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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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