Cats and Man

• Dermatology consultation

• Anatomy of the skin

• Pattern recognition vs problem-orientated approach to disease

• Clinical pathology

• Describe the diagnostic approach to the following clinical presentations: Congenital and hereditary disease, Pruritus (with or without alopecia), Non-pruritic alopecia, Vesiculobullous disease, Non-vesiculobullous eruptions and crusting, Facial dermatitis, Discharging sinuses

Describe the diagnostic approach to the following clinical presentations:

Otitis, Oral disease, Pododermatitis, Nodular/Neoplasia, Pigmentary abnormalities, Dermatological manifestations of systemic disease.

Treatment

Consider the potential problems that can be encountered treating this species and how they might be addressed.

Systemic treatment

Topical treatment

Behavioural modification

Safety netting and troubleshooting

Know how to investigate and manage common medical conditions affecting the feline oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas

Describe the various tests used in the diagnosis of liver and pancreatic disease and the management options for the common hepatic medical disorders

Approach the nutritional management of disorders of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract

Approach the common presentations of respiratory disease including nasal discharge, epistaxis, coughing, stertor, stridor, sneezing and reverse sneezing

Diagnose and treat upper respiratory tract diseases, both acute (infectious) and chronic (inflammatory or infectious or neoplastic in origin)

Understand the causes of renal dysfunction, the presentation and diagnostic tests utilised in cats with clinical signs of renal disease (including acute/chronic renal insufficiency, glomerular disease, neoplasia and inherited diseases).

Understand the causes and emergency treatment of acute renal failure.

Explain the pathophysiology of renal dysfunction and the importance/ significance of hyperphosphataemia, anaemia, proteinuria and hypertension

Apply knowledge, of the International Renal Interest Society staging scheme for chronic renal disease to patient prognosis

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the available treatments for CRI including phosphate binders, ACE inhibitors and dietary modification

Recall the neuroanatomy of the lower urinary tract and the differentiation of upper motor neuron/lower motor neuron defects

Approach diseases of the lower urinary tract including iFLUTD, urolithiasis, urinary tract infections and neoplasia and understand their differentiation, risk factors, treatment and dietary management

Define the clinical signs of feline endocrine diseases and understand their pathogenesis – including hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, hyperaldosteronism and hyperadrenocorticism

Understand the principles of key diagnostic tests and their application for the above feline endocrine diseases

Understand the management of common feline endocrine diseases and know how to approach complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar syndrome

Recognise the importance of a detailed history and clinical examination of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary diseases

Understand the common causes of heart disease in cats and recognise cardiogenic shock

Understand the central importance of blood pressure in the pathophysiology of cardiac disease in cats and know how to discriminate the causes of hypertension in this species

Recognise the crucial role of high quality imaging modalities (especially ultrasonography and radiology) in the differential diagnosis of feline cardiopulmonary diseases

Understand the normal feline eye and use readily available diagnostic equipment and disposables in feline ophthalmic cases

Recognise those ophthalmic conditions which are unique to the cat or are particularly important in this species

Understand what common surgical procedures are indicated in feline ophthalmology to treat certain feline diseases to be able to discuss with the owner the need for surgery and refer cases to an eye surgeon if it is necessary.

Approach the medical management of ophthalmic patients and know when to refer

Understand health and safety concerns and precautions relating to zoonoses

Understand the legislation and regulations relating to infectious diseases

Design and implement vaccination and preventative parasitic programmes

Approach the pathophysiology, diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment of common viral diseases including FeLV, FIV and FIP

Diagnose and treat Haemoplasma infections

Diagnose and treat FHV and FCV

Explain the diseases of hunting cats including Toxoplamosis, Pox virus, Mycobacterial disease and Salmonellosis

Approach enteric infections of the cat including protozoal disease (Trichomonas foetus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora) and bacterial/ viral disease

Understand fungal mycoses

Control infectious and zoonotic disease in the home, clinic, shelters and cattery situations

Understand the clinical signs associated with neurological disease

Perform a neurological assessment and understand what the tests evaluate and their interpretation

Understand how to localise lesions and the value this provides to the clinician

Plan a neurological investigation and understand the major feline neurological diseases on the basis of localisation

Approach abnormalities including seizures, spinal cord and cranial nerve abnormalities and peripheral neurological diseases

Understand normal cat behaviour and the clinical causes of feline behavioural problems

Formulate an approach to common problems such as inappropriate toiletting, spraying, aggression and compulsive disorders

Understand and apply strategies for improving core territory security

Have a good knowledge of the principal behavioural modifying drugs, their use and potential side effects

Understand the clinical relevance of tumour biology and be able to discuss the most common neoplasms of the major organ systems

Evaluate the evidence base to make rational treatment decisions for feline cancer patients

Understand the importance of biopsy and staging in therapy decision making, counselling and support

Have a thorough knowledge of sampling techniques, the limitations of technology and equipment and the factors that can generate artefacts or abnormalities

Interpret results and propose further investigations where appropriate

Understand the methodology involved in the generation of haematology, biochemistry and cytology profiles

Have an awareness of the various diagnostic tests for endocrine and infectious diseases (viral, parasitic – including heartworm – and bacterial) techniques and interpretation

Recall the cytology of haemic and non-haemic cell populations, both reactive and neoplastic, and have the ability to trace or plot maturation and degeneration pathways in blood, fluid and tissue smears

Explain the function of bone marrow and the differential diagnosis of anaemia, haematopoietic disease and coagulopathies

Gain an overview of anaesthetic/analgesic techniques for emergency patients and monitoring techniques that are available.

Perform triage, assess patients, prioritise cases and undertake emergency monitoring and stabilisation

Be familiar with emergency procedures, such as fluid and electrolyte therapy, transfusion medicine, giving cardiovascular and respiratory support and CPR

Understand the principles of treatment for the poisoned patient. Understand effects, clinical signs and treatment for common toxicities including insecticides, molluscicides, rodenticides, herbicides, household preparations, drugs and plants.

Awareness of assisted feeding techniques and when they are appropriate to use

Apply knowledge gained to surgical asepsis and theatre protocol

Rationally utilise antibiotics in surgical patients

Be familiar with suture materials and patterns, surgical instruments and tissue handling

Plan surgery, apply haemostatic techniques and manage crises

Approach the management and reconstruction of wounds

Perform an orthopaedic examination and be familiar with the presentation of osteoarthritis in the cat

Understand the value of radiography, synoviocentesis, muscle and nerve biopsies

Describe the common myopathies including their presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Apply first aid techniques to fracture patients

Explain the principles of orthopaedic surgery and the approach to the repair of common fractures