Small Animal Medicine
University of Liverpool
2 days ago 
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Date: Monday 2nd November, 2026 - Monday 7th December, 2026
Start time: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Duration: 5 hour(s)
Cost: £435
Week 1 - 2nd November 2026 - Alex Forward
Vestibular syndrome
This module will examine canine and feline vestibular syndrome. The course will comprise 5 sessions during which we learn how to differentiate central from peripheral vestibular syndrome in our patients. We will then look in depth into paradoxical vestibular syndrome and cerebrovascular accidents (strokes in dogs), idiopathic vestibular syndrome, feline specific vestibular syndromes and other causes of vestibular disease in our canine patients. We will have video examples for each of these as well as an interactive discussion board, and a case-based live session.
Alexander Forward BVSc MSc MVetMed DipECVN MCRVS
EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
After graduating from Liverpool University in 2011, Alex spent two years in a mixed animal practice in Cornwall, UK. He then completed a rotating internship at the Royal Veterinary College in London and a subsequent residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery. He was awarded the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Neurology in 2018, and he is also an RCVS specialist in Veterinary Neurology. He joined Davies Veterinary Specialists as part of the Neurology and Neurosurgery team in 2018 as a clinical neurologist and his research interests include intracranial surgery in dogs and central nervous system neoplasia.
Week 2 – 9th November 2026 – Mary Trehy and Susanna Spence
Immune mediated diseases:
General approach to pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) - Susanna Spence
Immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) - Mary Trehy
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) - Mary Trehy
Immune mediated diseases: - Susannah Spence Cases
Cases to include immune mediated neutropenia, immune mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) and sterile lymphadenitis
Immune-mediated diseases are among the most challenging conditions encountered in small animal practice, often presenting with non-specific clinical signs, complex diagnostic pathways, and the need for careful management and monitoring. This lecture series provides a practical, clinically focused approach to the diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated diseases. As these disorders are more commonly recognised in dogs, the primary focus will be on canine patients, while also highlighting important species differences in cats.
We will begin with a structured approach to the investigation of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO), before exploring two of the most common immune-mediated haematological diseases: immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). These lectures will cover diagnosis, prognostic indicators, therapeutic options, and patient monitoring. A case-based session will then consolidate key principles through discussion of a range of important immune-mediated disorders, including immune-mediated neutropenia, immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA), and sterile lymphadenitis. By the end of the series, participants should feel more confident developing an evidence-based approach to diagnosing and managing patients with suspected immune-mediated disease.
Week 3 – 16th November 2026 – BREAK WEEK
Week 4 – 23rd November – Kathy Lunn
Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders: A User-Friendly Guide.
Does acid-base physiology make you nervous? Do your eyes glaze over at the mention of chloride? Do you quickly scan electrolyte results, hoping they are normal and you don’t have to think about them anymore? If yes, you are not alone! This mini module aims to make these topics more approachable and clinically relevant. Please bring your questions and your challenging cases to share. My goal is to make electrolyte and acid-base disorders a little less intimidating.
Kathy Lunn BVMS MS PhD FHEA DACVIM MRCVS, American Board-Certified Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
After qualifying at Glasgow University, Kathy spent most of her career in the United States, apart from 3 years at Cambridge University, where she realised that Internal Medicine was the perfect fit for her. She received her master’s and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and also completed a residency there, becoming board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1999. She has worked in private referral practice in Wisconsin, as well as in academic veterinary medicine at UW-Madison, Colorado State University, and North Carolina State University. As well as clinical work, her career has included research, teaching, and mentoring, and while at NC State University she was director of the Small Animal Internal Medicine residency program. Kathy's clinical interests are wide, but she particularly enjoys investigating and managing endocrine and metabolic diseases. Kathy currently works for Axiom Veterinary Laboratories, interpreting test results and providing consultations and advice in small animal internal medicine.
Week 5 – 30th November - Chiara Penzo
Clinical Staging and Imaging in Cancer Prognosis
Lecture 1: Cancer Prognosis TNM Classification & Clinical Staging
Lecture 2: Diagnostic Imaging for Clinical Staging in Oncology
The goal of this week is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how clinical staging and diagnostic imaging work hand in hand to guide treatment decisions, improve accuracy, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Special attention will be given to the TNM classification system and the indispensable role of each of the major imaging modalities in accurate cancer staging and in refining cancer prognosis with practical examples of their use.
Lectures include “Cancer Prognosis TNM Classification & Clinical Staging” and
“Diagnostic Imaging for Clinical Staging in Oncology”.
Dr Chiara Penzo DVM PhD ECVIM(Oncology) MRCVS EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Oncology RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology
Chiara is part of the Oncology Team at Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service and is passionate about teaching. Alongside her referral clinical activity in small animal oncology, since 2015 she has worked as an Honorary Lecturer for the University of Liverpool and is a multilingual specialist consultant and lecturer at events in the UK and Europe. Her focus is on postgraduate training and online education of pet owners and animal carers. Chiara has a strong interest in advancing cancer care options for patients with advanced stage disease or unresectable tumours and a vast experience in electrochemotherapy and advanced electrochemotherapy techniques.
Chiara graduated with laudem in 2003 and achieved a PhD in 2006 from University of Padua (Italy). She completed her specialist oncology training at University of Glasgow and Edinburgh and in 2009 she was the first to be awarded by examination the title of ECVIM(Oncology). She was a member of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) examination committee from 2010 to 2018. She led a busy small animal referral service in Glasgow before moving to the Midlands with her young family.
Who is it for?
This 100% online CPD mini-module has been developed and aimed towards the more experienced veterinary surgeon. The module content has been developed by veterinary specialists at the forefront of current veterinary research.
The Speakers
Alexander Forward <br /> Mary Trehy <br /> Susanna Spence<br /> Kathy Lunn<br /> Chiara Penzo
The Venue
Leahurst campus
Located in the heart of rural Cheshire, 12 miles south of Liverpool, the Veterinary School's Leahurst campus employs over 350 staff, including over 100 veterinary surgeons and teaches veterinary students in all years of their studies, but especially those in their fourth and fifth years.
The site is home to two farms, two referral hospitals, and two of the Institute's three first-opinion practices.
Number of CPD hours this event can be recorded as
25 hours
Registration and Booking
Click here to reserve your place
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