UK_Short Course Brochure 2025

UK 

2025 

Unlock Your Potential 

with World-Class 

Veterinary Training 

and Expertise! 

New Look, 

Same Great 

Prices 

as Last Year! 

SHORT 

COURSES 

for Veterinary Surgeons 

& Veterinary Nurses 

improveveterinaryeducation.com

LEARN FROM 

THE BEST 

At Improve Veterinary Education, 

we pride ourselves on delivering 

the best quality CPD short courses. 

You can learn from leading experts 

in state-of-the-art facilities to 

develop your skills. 

Enhanced standards 

Elevate your practice standards 

Transfer knowledge 

Work together with your team to 

transfer skills 

Increased productivity 

Boost performance and increase 

practice revenue 

Increased skills 

Increase your confidence, especially 

with handling complex cases 

Reduce referrals 

Increase practice capabilities 

by centralising patient cases 

Accelerated diagnosis 

Ultimately improve animal care 

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting our short courses and 

empowering veterinary professionals to be the best they can be. 

Business Partners: 

Sponsors: 

2 

BOOK NOW 

01793 759159 | www.improveveterinaryeducation.com

OUR FACILITIES 

Unparalleled Training Centres 

Sheffield 

8 Smithy Wood Drive, 

Chapeltown, Sheffield 

S35 1QN 

Our training facilities in Swindon 

and Sheffield are equipped with the 

best learning materials, so you can 

practise a variety of techniques and 

procedures under the guidance of our 

expert speakers. 

The new Improve Veterinary Education 

Clinical Excellence Centre in Swindon 

is the ultimate place for veterinary 

professionals in the UK. 

What you’ll experience: 

Swindon 

Ground Floor, Delta 

1200 - Welton Road, 

Delta Business Park, 

Swindon Wiltshire 

SN5 7XZ 

Two expansive wetlabs, 

naturally lit with 36 

workstations, equipped to 

match Referral Hospital 

standards with Burtons 

surgical furniture 

State-of-the-art iM3 

dentistry lab and radiology 

suite fully equipped for 

comprehensive dental 

procedures 

An experienced, friendly 

team of knowledgeable 

staff dedicated to 

meeting your learning 

requirements with highly 

renowned tutors who 

are specialists in their 

respective fields 

EXPLORE THE 

NEW CENTRE 

Veterinary Instrumentation, 

surgical and orthopaedic 

equipment 

A customised, Burtons 

equipped, radiology suite. 

BOOK NOW 

01793 759159 | www.improveveterinaryeducation.com 

3

HEAR FROM 

OUR DELEGATES 

Sara Gaston BVM&S CertAVP MRCVS 

TPLO Masterclass 

Excellent course- really enjoyed it. Steve Butterworth was easy to 

listen to and very approachable. 

Louise Johns RVN, BSc (Biochem) 

Ultrasound Triage for the Emergency Patient 

Tom Towey was an excellent teacher. His enthusiasm for the 

subject was infectious and I can’t wait to put what I have learned 

into practice. There was a good balance of background science 

and “how to do” and he pitched it just right. 

Daniela Puleo MRCVS 

Masterclass in Canine Endoscopy 

Great course! An extremely practical approach that gives you 

enough knowledge and skills to start practising endoscopy in your 

working clinic. Perfect for those with limited or zero experience in 

endoscopy. 

Kathryn Carder BVSc BSc MRCVS 

Head and Neck Surgery - Purely Practical 

Fantastic practical course, excellent lecturer, and great facilities. 

Would recommend it to anyone wanting some hands-on 

experience of head and neck surgery. 

4 

BOOK NOW 


COURSES 

Veterinary Surgeons 

Orthopaedic Surgery 

Ultrasound 

Introduction to Orthopaedic 

Surgery 

TPLO Masterclass 

Next Steps in Orthopaedic 

Surgery 

Arthrodesis Masterclass 

Feline Trauma 

Soft-Tissue Surgery 

BOAS Surgery 

Neurosurgery Three-Day 

Masterclass 

Essential Surgery in the Critical 

Patient 

Next Steps in Soft Tissue Surgery 

Eyelid and Corneal Surgery 

ECC Practical Boot Camp 

Endoscopy 

Laparoscopic Bitch Spay 

Masterclass in Canine Endoscopy 

Medicine 

Canine Reproduction 

Cytology and Haematology 

Practical Haematology 

Practical Cytology 

Save a Life Today (RECOVER) 

Dentistry 

Canine Dentistry 

Feline Dentistry 

Rabbit Dentistry 

New 

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Introduction to Small Animal 

Ultrasound 

Next Steps in Abdominal 

Ultrasound 

Advanced Abdominal Ultrasound 

Next Steps in Echocardiography 

Advanced Echocardiography 

Ultrasound Guided Regional 

Anaesthesia 

Ultrasound for the Emergency 

Patient 

Academy Series 

Veterinary Nurses 

Cytology and Haematology 

Practical Haematology 

Practical Cytology 

Practical Diagnostic Laboratory 

Techniques 

Schedule 3 

Schedule 3 Masterclass 

Ultrasound Triage for the 

Emergency Patient 

Techniques in Local Anaesthesia 

Wound Management 

Practical Nursing Skills for 

Emergency and Critical Care 

Patients 

Save a Life Today (RECOVER) 

Nurse Cardiology 

Nurse Dentistry and Care of 

Rabbits and Small Mammals 

Nursing the Emergency and 

Critical Care of the Wildlife 

Patient 

New 

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26 

26 

27 

27 

28 

28 

30 

30 

31 

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BOOK NOW 


5

SHORT COURSES FOR 

VETERINARY SURGEONS 

Designed specifically for veterinary surgeons, the 

following short courses will give you the skills and 

experience you need in a multitude of areas. 

Course Timings 

08:30 Registration 

09:00 Course starts 

16:30 Course finishes 

EXPLORE 

Learn with your best friend 

If you’d like to bring along your (well behaved) dog, 

you are welcome. 

Please contact Improve Veterinary Education or our 

Practical Coordinators for further information. 

6 ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY SOFT-TISSUE SURGERY ENDOSCOPY MEDI


VETERINARY SURGEONS 

ORTHOPAEDIC 

COURSES 

Our practical orthopaedic surgery courses cover 

a variety of techniques, delivered by world-class 

speakers in our state-of-the-art training centres 

in Swindon and Sheffield. 

Probably the best practical 

CPD I have ever attended. 

Would highly recommend 

to others wanting to 

improve their skills. 

CINE DENTISTRY ULTRASOUND ACADEMY SERIES 

7

INTRODUCTION TO ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY 

VENUES & DATES: 

Swindon 

11-12 March 2025 

Sheffield 

29-30 April 2025 

7-8 October 2025 

SPEAKERS: 

Neil Burton BVSc MResCVR 

DSAS(Orth) CertSAS PGCert(HE) 

FHEA FRCVS 

James Grierson BVetMed Cert 

VR CertSAS CertVR DipECVS 

CertMedEd FHEA FRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

This two-day practical course is designed to provide a 

solid grounding in how to deal with common orthopaedic 

problems and build confidence in surgical approaches 

and techniques. The combination of lectures and 

practical sessions will revise relevant surgical anatomy 

to enable you to undertake, with confidence, the surgical 

management of common articular problems. These will 

include femoral head and neck arthroplasty, surgery for 

osteochondrosis, lateral retinacular suture placement for 

the cruciate deficient stifle, and techniques to correct 

medial patellar luxation. 

Basic fracture planning will be described, and the correct 

use of wire, screws and plates will be undertaken. 

PARTNERS: 

£1,599 + VAT BOOK NOW 

TPLO MASTERCLASS 


Sheffield 


Swindon 

25-26 September 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Steve Butterworth MA 

VetMB CertVR DSAO FRCVS 

RCVS Specialist in Small Animal 

Surgery (Orthopaedics) 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

This two-day masterclass is designed to provide you 

with an understanding of how Tibial Plateau Levelling 

Osteotomy (TPLO) fits into the plethora of treatment 

options for the cruciate deficient stifle and how to plan 

and execute the procedure. 

A combination of lectures and practical sessions will 

revise relevant surgical anatomy and the biomechanics 

of TPLO, principles of surgery, surgical techniques, 

post-operative care and potential complications; thus, 

enabling you to undertake the TPLO procedure with 

confidence. 

£3,149 + VAT 

PARTNER: 

BOOK NOW 


NEXT STEPS IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY 

VENUE & DATES: 

Swindon 

4-6 June 2025 

24-26 November 2025 

SPEAKER: 




CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,799 + VAT 

Overview 

The aim of the course is to take you to the next steps 

in orthopaedic surgery, by combining practical fracture 

fixation exercises with detailed pre-operative planning 

and post-operative appraisal of fixation. This unique 

course will allow you to go through the whole process 

of fracture fixation. Beginning with imaging and guiding 

you through assessment, pre-operative planning 

and execution, all the way to critical post-operative 

assessment. 

PARTNERS: 

BOOK NOW 

NEW 

ARTHRODESIS MASTERCLASS 


Swindon 

7-8 May 2025 

SPEAKER: 




CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

The aim of the course is to allow you to advance your 

orthopaedic skills into the world of arthrodesis. This 

unique course will go through the whole process of 

performing pancarpal and pantarsal arthrodesis from 

decision making, imaging, assessment, pre-operative 

planning, execution and critical post-operative 

assessment. This will be achieved by a combination of 

lectures, group discussions and practicals with the use 

of pre- and post-operative radiographs. 

£1,799 + VAT 

PARTNERS: 

BOOK NOW 


9

NEW 

FELINE TRAUMA 


Swindon 


SPEAKER: 




CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,799 + VAT 

Overview 

The aim of the course is to teach you how to manage 

cats with orthopaedic trauma. Specific attention will 

be made to the anatomical differences between dogs 

and cats. This course will be predominantly practical 

with lectures to highlight important points. Pre- and 

post-op radiographs will be used to aid planning and 

review of surgeries. Reading and assimilation of precourse 

material is essential to get the most from this 

course and time to do this will need to be set aside 

prior to attending. 

You should have a solid understanding of the 

principles of fracture fixation, lag screw fixation, 

surgical approaches and orthopaedic surgical 

techniques. This is not a basic course. 

PARTNERS: 

BOOK NOW 


SOFT TISSUE 

SURGERY COURSES 

Expert speakers delivering the latest techniques 

covering a variety of soft tissue surgery procedures. 

The theory integrated 

with the practical sessions 

was fantastic and all the 

additional hints and tips 

to make life easier for us 

and safer for the animals 

were brilliant! 


11

BOAS SURGERY 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKERS: 

Jon Hall MA VetMB CertSAS 

DipECVS SFHEA FRCVS 

Joanna McCagherty BVMS 

MRCVS PGCertSAS DipECVS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,799 + VAT 

Overview 

Immerse yourself in a dynamic two-day surgery course 

with a strong practical focus. Delve into vital techniques 

such as lateral wall resection, total ear canal ablation, 

and lateral bulla osteotomy, guided by experts. Prepare by 

reviewing course notes for optimal learning. Gain handson 

experience in brachycephalic breeds, within a quality 

surgical environment with limited delegate numbers. 

Explore diverse procedures like ventral bulla osteotomy, 

laryngeal ‘tieback,’ salivary gland removal, tracheostomy, 

lip reconstruction, nasoplasty, palatoplasty, and more. 

PARTNER: 

BOOK NOW 

NEUROSURGERY THREE-DAY 

MASTERCLASS 


Swindon 

09-11 July 2025 

Sheffield 


SPEAKERS: 

Andrew Craig BVSc PGCert(SAS) 

DipECVS MRCVS 

Sebastien Behr DVM(Hons) 

DipECVN MRCVS RCVS Specialist 

(Veterinary Neurology) 

Frances Taylor-Brown 

BSc(Hons) BVetMed(Hons) 

MVetMed DipECVN MRCVS 

Overview 

A three-day masterclass comprising of lectures and 

practical learning (more than 50% of your time will be 

spent in the practical training facility). You will have the 

opportunity to practise your neurosurgical skills, while 

under the guidance of experienced neurosurgeons. A 

maximum of 18 delegates will guarantee an intimate 

learning environment to advance your skills. During 

the three days, you will learn how to perform the 

neurological examination, the limitations of the 

examination in the clinical setting in order to improve 

patient assessment and localisation, available imaging 

techniques in identifying intervertebral disc disease and 

the major differential diagnoses. 

CPD HOURS: 

18 

PARTNER: 

£3,259 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 


ESSENTIAL SURGERY IN THE CRITICAL PATIENT 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Paul Aldridge BVSc Cert 

SAS PGCert VetEd FHEA 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,579 + VAT 

Overview 

This course is designed to teach you the technical aspects 

of a variety of emergency surgery procedures. Some 

theory will be included in the lectures, but emphasis will 

be placed on how to perform each procedure. Topics have 

been chosen that represent emergency surgical conditions 

frequently seen in veterinary practice including gastropexy 

for treatment of GDV, rapid splenectomy, urethral 

retropulsion, urethrotomy, urethrostomy, perineal hernia 

repair, oesophagostomy tube placement, emergency 

tracheostomy, laryngeal tie-back, diaphragmatic hernia 

repair and chest drain placement. 

This hands-on practical course will give you the 

opportunity to practise techniques discussed in the 

lectures and increase confidence levels in performing 

emergency surgery procedures. 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 

NEXT STEPS IN SOFT TISSUE SURGERY 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Paul Aldridge BVSc Cert 

SAS PGCert VetEd FHEA 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,579 + VAT 

Overview 

This course is designed to teach you the technical aspects 

of a variety of soft tissue surgery procedures. Some 

theory will be included in the lectures, but emphasis will 

be placed on how to perform each procedure. This will 

maximise the time you spend in the practical training 

facility. Topics have been chosen that represent surgical 

conditions commonly seen in veterinary practice and 

include salivary gland resection, scrotal urethrostomy, 

anal sacculectomy, laryngeal tie-back, lateral ear 

resection, total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy 

(TECA LBO), 15-minute gastropexy, diaphragmatic hernia 

repair and rapid splenectomy. 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 


13

EYELID AND CORNEAL SURGERY 


Sheffield 

7-8 February 2025 

Swindon 

14-15 JulY 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Ben Blacklock BVSc DipECVO 

MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,579 + VAT 

Overview 

This two-day practical course will give you the 

opportunity to discuss and perform ophthalmic surgery. 

The anatomy and physiology of the cornea, eyelids and 

3rd eyelid will be reviewed and consideration given to 

the conditions affecting these areas, including those 

associated with breed related conformation. 

The surgical techniques to correct entropion 

and ectropion, resect eyelid neoplasms, perform 

keratectomies and placing conjunctival grafts will be 

discussed in detail. 

You will then spend ample time practising these 

procedures in a supervised practical session. 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 

NEW 

ECC PRACTICAL BOOT CAMP 


Sheffield 


Swindon 


SPEAKERS: 

Paul Aldridge BVSc Cert SAS 

PGCert VetEd FHEA 

Thomas Towey BVMS 

CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS Advanced 

Practitioner in Emergency & 

Critical Care 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

SPONSORED BY: 

£1,579 + VAT 

Overview 

Day One - Emergency Surgical Procedures 

This day will cover all of the major emergency surgical 

abdominal procedures which may be required in practice. 

In addition to the timetabled procedures, the lecturer 

will cover additional procedures (e.g. pericardectomy) if 

desired by more advanced delegates, where appropriate. 

Day Two - Emergency Procedures 

Dealing with emergency patients can be very rewarding 

but can also be very stressful! Often procedures that the 

clinician may be unfamiliar with (or has only performed 

a few times), need to be carried out rapidly and under 

pressure if the patient is to be saved. By discussing the 

rationale of these techniques and offering a chance to 

practise ‘hands on’ in a wet lab situation, the course 

aims to provide you with the necessary skills to 

confidently carry out these procedures back at your own 

practice. 

BOOK NOW 


ENDOSCOPY 

COURSES 

Discover the transformative power of endoscopy 

in veterinary medicine. Endoscopy has become an 

indispensable tool in the investigation, diagnosis, and 

treatment of a wide range of medical and surgical 

conditions across all veterinary species. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this 

course and the speaker 

was excellent and very 

engaging. The small group 

size definitely helped with 

the practical side of the 

course. The equipment was 

great also. 


15

LAPAROSCOPIC BITCH SPAY 


Swindon 



Sheffield 


SPEAKERS: 

Philip Lhermette BSc (Hons) 

CBiol FRSB BVet Med FRCVS 

Matteo Rossanese DVM 

SPSA CertAVP MSc Dip ECVS 

PGCertVedEd FHEA FRCVS 

Overview 

For the majority of clinics looking to branch out into 

rigid endoscopy, the laparoscopic bitch spay is a 

core procedure and the main reason for investing in 

equipment. As a routine procedure done on a regular 

basis, it will bring in the revenue required to pay for 

the additional equipment. Once your clinic has the 

required equipment, it also opens up a plethora of other 

laparoscopic procedures that you can offer, benefitting 

both the clinic and your clients. 

Many clients are keen to pursue this minimally invasive 

surgical approach for their pets and this practical course 

will ensure your clinic is able to provide this service. 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,679 + VAT 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 

MASTERCLASS IN CANINE ENDOSCOPY 


Swindon 

28-29 August 2025 


SPEAKER: 

Philip Lhermette BSc (Hons) 

CBiol FRSB BVet Med FRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£2,399 + VAT 

Overview 

This practical two-day hands-on masterclass course 

will focus on the techniques of both flexible and rigid 

endoscopy in the dog. The course will provide an 

overview of selecting and handling endoscopes and 

cover the techniques used in endoscopy of the upper 

and lower intestinal tract, the respiratory tract and lower 

urinary tract. 

You will be guided through the subject area of flexible 

endoscopy as well as the techniques and uses of rigid 

endoscopy (vaginourethrocystoscopy) in the bitch. 

The speaker has a wealth of both clinical and teaching 

experience in this field. 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 


MEDICINE 

COURSES 

Our practical courses stretch your skills in a variety 

of areas key to everyday practice. 

There was plenty of time 

for questions to ensure 

understanding and great 

one-to-one support in 

the practical sessions. 


17

CANINE REPRODUCTION 


Swindon 

16 May 2025 

Sheffield 

03 September 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Angelika von Heimendahl 

MScAg BVM MVetSci DipECAR 

FRCVS 

Overview 

This course will give you an overview of fertility testing, 

mating and pregnancy, and working with breeders 

within first opinion practice and will involve lectures, 

peer group discussion and practical microscope, slide 

examination. Aimed at the primary care clinician with an 

interest in small animal reproduction and only available 

to Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Nurses. 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£529 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

CYTOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 

Kostas Papasouliotis DVM 

PhD DipECVCP MRCVS EBVS® 

European Specialist in Veterinary 

Clinical Pathology Partner Small 

Animal Medical Consultancy 

President European College of 

Veterinary Clinical Pathology 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£529 + VAT 

Overview 

This is an interactive workshop, giving you the ideal 

grounding for identifying common haematological and 

cytological abnormalities using the microscope as part of 

the ‘in-clinic lab’. 

Carefully chosen smears from suitable haematology and 

cytology cases will allow a hands-on approach under 

the guidance from the speaker to build your confidence 

in cell identification and appreciation of morphological 

changes. 

This is course is suitable for both vets and vet nurses. 

BOOK NOW 


PRACTICAL HAEMATOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 

Kostas Papasouliotis DVM PhD 

DipECVCP MRCVS EBVS® European 

Specialist in Veterinary Clinical 

Pathology Partner, Small Animal 

Medical Consultancy President, 

European College of Veterinary 

Clinical Pathology 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£529 + VAT 

Overview 

This one-day practical course is designed to equip you 

with the skills to consistently create and stain smears of 

optimal diagnostic quality. 

You will practise the creation of smears and discuss 

the different staining options and common artefacts 

associated with them. 

You will also learn how to perform a blood smear 

examination following a structured, step-by-step 

approach. This practical course will allow you to improve 

your microscopy skills and diagnostic confidence by 

spending ample time examining blood smears (glass and 

digitalised slides) from feline and canine clinical cases 

under the direction and supervision of an experienced 

speaker. 

This course is suitable for vets and vet nurses. 

BOOK NOW 

PRACTICAL CYTOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Sheffield 

11 November 2025 

SPEAKER: 




Pathology Partner Small Animal 

Medical Consultancy President 



CPD HOURS: 

6 

Overview 

The aim of this practical course is to focus on improving 

your knowledge and technical skills when performing 

cytology. You will examine smears from fine needle 

aspirates (skin lumps & bumps), body cavity effusion 

samples, urine, and ear swabs on glass and digitalised 

slides. Samples will be carefully selected from canine 

and feline cases, with plenty of time to allow examination 

under the direction and supervision of your experienced 

tutor. 


£529 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 


19

SAVE A LIFE TODAY - CPR IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

RECOVER 


Swindon 



Sheffield 


SPEAKERS: 

Chloe Fay BSc (Hons) RVN 

CertVN ECC VTS (ECC) 

Emily Thomas BA VetMB 

DACVECC DECVECC FHEA MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

From £1,179 + VAT 

Overview 

A unique and exciting two-day course, delivered in direct 

association with RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on 

Veterinary Resuscitation). This is designed for vets and 

nurses to learn alongside each other and with the aim of 

increasing theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, 

in a resuscitation situation. It is also suitable for vets/ 

nurses to attend as individuals and take their learning 

directly back to the practice team. 

The course covers five important aspects; preparedness 

and prevention, basic life support (BLS), advanced life 

support (ALS), monitoring and post-cardiac arrest care. 

After attending this course, you will be RECOVER 

Rescuer certified, which is the only CPR certification 

that is recognised by the American College of Veterinary 

Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and the Veterinary 

Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). 


BOOK NOW 

SPONSORED BY: 


DENTISTRY 

COURSES 

Our dentistry courses have been designed to give 

you the necessary skills to carry out primary dental 

work successfully, helping you achieve greater health 

benefits for your patients. 

This has been an excellent 

opportunity to practise 

surgical techniques with the 

support and guidance of an 

expert. 


21

CANINE DENTISTRY 


Swindon 



SPEAKER: 

Charlie Tewson BVetMed MRCVS 

GPCert(SADen &OS) 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,579 + VAT 

Overview 

Dentistry is the bedrock of all small animal practice. If 

you do primary dental work well, you will achieve greater 

health benefits for your patients than developing any 

other skill. As dental disease is so common, dentistry 

should also account for at least 25% of small animal 

practice income. Investing in your dental equipment 

and training will represent the most cost-effective 

development of your practice. This highly practical 

course will develop your dentistry skills in diagnosis 

and treatment. Radiography and positioning will be 

demystified and strategies for client communication and 

encouraging compliance will be developed. 

PARTNERED WITH: 

BOOK NOW 

FELINE DENTISTRY 


Swindon 



SPEAKER: 

Charlie Tewson BVetMed MRCVS 

GPCert(SADen &OS) 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

A two-day series of lectures and practical sessions 

aiming to cover the essentials of feline dentistry. 

Feline dentistry poses certain unique problems and 

pathologies. Dedicated courses are rare, especially with 

the availability of specimens to practise techniques. 

Numbers will be limited to ensure 1:1 training, your own 

specimens and minimal sharing of equipment. 

Skulls will be used for radiographic positioning before 

perfecting your dental techniques in the wet-lab. 

£1,579 + VAT 


BOOK NOW 


NEW 

RABBIT DENTISTRY 


Swindon 



SPEAKER: 

Ashton Hollwarth BSc BVMS 

CertAVP (Zoo Med) DipECZM 

(Avian) MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

6 


£999 + VAT 

Overview 

Rabbit ownership has increased over the past few years 

and there is now estimated to be over 1 million pet 

rabbits in the UK. As a result, veterinary practices are 

seeing a much higher rabbit case load, on a daily basis. 

Dental disease is the most common reason pet rabbits 

present to veterinary clinics. We have created a brand 

new, one-day course, to give you the knowledge and 

practical skills required to manage these cases from 

start to finish. 

This course will involve lectures, to embed the theory 

and a practical session in our iM3 equipped dental 

wet-lab. The aim of this course is to educate and 

give you confidence on anatomy, examination and 

common conditions, also covering nerve blocks, 

intubation, burring and extractions in a practical wet-lab 

environment. 

BOOK NOW 


23

ULTRASOUND 

COURSES 

Our practical ultrasound courses will provide you 

with all the latest techniques delivered by world-class 

speakers in our practical training venues with highquality 

equipment. 

Excellent – first time I have 

been on an Improve course, 

would like an even more 

advanced course now. 


INTRODUCTION TO SMALL ANIMAL ULTRASOUND 


Swindon 





Sheffield 



SPEAKER: 

Luis Alejandro Pérez López 

MRCVS DVM AVEPA 

Overview 

This course is designed for veterinary surgeons with 

limited experience of diagnostic ultrasound. By the 

end of the course, you should be able to achieve a 

medium level of proficiency in the practical scanning of 

the normal abdominal organs and of the heart. Some 

common pathological conditions affecting the small 

animal abdomen and heart will be considered. Advice 

will be given on how to choose an ultrasound machine 

for your practice. 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

£1,799 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

NEXT STEPS IN ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND 


Swindon 



Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Fintan McEvoy MVB PhD 

DVetSci DipECVDI 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

This course has been designed for veterinary surgeons 

with an intermediate level of knowledge in abdominal 

ultrasound. It is the ideal follow-on from the two-day 

introductory course. You will review machine set up 

and learn how to recognise common artefacts, how 

to perform a basic Doppler examination and consider 

the ultrasonographic appearance of various common 

abnormalities. Case-based examples will help you 

consolidate your knowledge, and the highly practical 

nature of the course will enable you to improve your 

technique rapidly. Ultrasound-guided biopsy and 

aspiration techniques will be taught. 

From £1,799 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 


25

ADVANCED ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND 


Sheffield 


Swindon 

8 December 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Pete Mantis DVM DipECVDI 

FHEA PhD FRCS 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

This course is ideal for veterinary surgeons who are 

familiar with abdominal ultrasound, use this diagnostic 

aid regularly in practice and are ready to perform some 

more challenging examinations. 

You will be taught various techniques to identify the 

pancreas, adrenal glands, peritoneum and medial iliac 

lymph nodes. You will have ample opportunity to practise 

the use of Doppler for examination of larger blood 

vessels. Case-based examples will help you consolidate 

your knowledge of the topics covered. 

£999 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

NEXT STEPS IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Fabio Sarcinella DVM MRCVS 

DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

Overview 

This course aims to provide you with the knowledge 

to achieve standard echocardiographic views in dogs 

including right and left side views and M mode. The 

common artefacts which may be confused with 

cardiac pathology will be covered and an overview of 

the changes seen in common acquired and congenital 

cardiac disease in the dog and cat will be illustrated. The 

theory of Doppler will be introduced and its application 

in acquired and congenital disease, changes associated 

with hypertension, anaemia, hyperthyroidism and other 

systemic disease that can cause echocardiographic 

changes will also be covered. 

£1,799 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 


ADVANCED ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Fabio Sarcinella DVM MRCVS 

DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£999 + VAT 

Overview 

This course is for veterinary surgeons who already have 

some experience of performing echocardiography in 

practice or who have attended the two-day next steps 

course and would like to enhance their skills. 

The day will focus on more advanced echocardiographic 

measurements with an emphasis on when to use 

them and interpret them. This highly practical course 

will revisit optimising the standard right-sided 

echocardiographic views and then concentrate on the 

left-sided standard views and Doppler echocardiography. 

BOOK NOW 

ULTRASOUND-GUIDED REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA 


Swindon 

29 January 2025 

23 July 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Jacques Ferreira BSc BVSc 

MSc MMEDVET(anaes) DipECVAA 

MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£949 + VAT 

Overview 

A one-day practical course, focusing on hindlimb 

ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. You will also 

cover the relevant literature driving the shift to this type 

of anaesthesia for hindlimb surgery. 

Appropriate analgesic protocols are essential to ensure 

excellent patient outcomes within the clinic or hospital 

environment. The benefits of utilising local blocks are 

extensive and include lowering your clinic’s carbon 

footprint by reducing the inhalant gas requirements 

during surgery. 

This course will take you from physiology to 

contraindications via a hands-on wet-lab practical 

session and will be of interest to any veterinary surgeons 

who routinely performs hindlimb surgery. 

BOOK NOW 


27

ULTRASOUND FOR THE EMERGENCY PATIENT 


Swindon 

24 February 2025 

Sheffield 

27 October 2025 

SPEAKER: 

Tom Reekie BVSc PGCertSAECC 

MRCVS Referral Clinician in 

Emergency & Critical Care 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£999 + VAT 

Overview 

This is a practical day aimed at vets in general practice, 

wishing to learn the power of ‘FAST’ ultrasound scanning 

for assessing their patients rapidly and with confidence. 

It is also a great option if you are working towards 

an ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) or 

Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) awarded by Harper Adams 

University in Emergency Medicine and Surgery. 

Throughout the day, you will learn how to rapidly triage 

the emergency patient using ultrasound, assessment 

of the acute abdomen, quick and safe evaluation of 

the dyspnoeic dog and cat, and also rapidly identify 

abdominal fluid, internal bleeding, pleural effusion, 

pneumothorax and pulmonary oedema. 

BOOK NOW 

Veterinary Academy Series 

In association with the Department of Veterinary Medicine 

Join our Academy Series which consists of multiple online short courses across 

five fascinating subjects. 

Each online course is one month long and is broken down into four lessons 

taught by pioneering veterinary specialists. Learn via a series of engaging 

recorded lectures and get access to the university’s cutting-edge evidencebased 

research. 

The courses can be joined at any time and are open to vets, nurses and students. 

From a price of £399 + VAT 

Each course contains 10 CPD hours 

BOOK NOW 

28 

BOOK NOW 



VETERINARY NURSES 

Designed specifically for veterinary nurses, the following 

short courses will give you the nursing skills and 

experience you need in a multitude of areas. 

Course Timings 

08:30 Registration 

09:00 Course starts 

16:30 Course finishes 

EXPLORE 

Learn with your best friend 

If you’d like to bring along your (well behaved) 

dog, you are welcome. 

Please contact Improve Veterinary Education or 

our Practical Coordinators for further information. 

BOOK NOW 


29

CYTOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 








CPD HOURS: 

6 

Overview 

This is an interactive workshop, giving you the ideal 

grounding for identifying common haematological and 

cytological abnormalities using the microscope as part of 

the ‘in-clinic lab’. 

Carefully chosen smears from suitable haematology and 

cytology cases will allow a hands-on approach under 

the guidance from the speaker to build your confidence 

in cell identification and appreciation of morphological 

changes. 


£529 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

PRACTICAL HAEMATOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 








CPD HOURS: 

6 

£529 + VAT 

Overview 

This one-day practical course is designed to equip you 

with the skills to consistently create and stain smears of 

optimal diagnostic quality. 

You will practise the creation of smears and discuss 

the different staining options and common artefacts 

associated with them. 

You will also learn how to perform a blood smear 

examination following a structured, step-by-step 

approach. This practical course will allow you to improve 

your microscopy skills and diagnostic confidence by 

spending ample time examining blood smears (glass and 

digitalised slides) from feline and canine clinical cases 

under the direction and supervision of an experienced 

speaker. 


BOOK NOW 

30 SURGERY MEDI

PRACTICAL CYTOLOGY 

VENUE & DATE: 

Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 








CPD HOURS: 

6 

Overview 

The aim of this practical course is to focus on improving 

your knowledge and technical skills when performing 

cytology. You will examine smears from fine needle 

aspirates (skin lumps and bumps), body cavity effusion 

samples, urine, and ear swabs on glass and digitalised 

slides. Samples will be carefully selected from 

canine and feline cases, with plenty of time to allow 

examination under the direction and supervision of your 

experienced tutor. 


£529 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

PRACTICAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 

VENUE & DATE: 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 








Overview 

The aim of this practical one-day course is to equip 

you with the technical skills and knowledge required 

to prepare blood and cytology smears, fine needle 

aspirates, and staining of blood smears and enable you 

to successfully use your microscope, in practice, for the 

examination of these samples. 

Our Practical Haematology and Practical Cytology 

(follow-up) courses, will give you the opportunity to 

practise extensively these methodologies. 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£529 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

CINE 

ULTRASOUND 

31

SCHEDULE 3 SURGERY 


Swindon 

26 March 2025 


27 August 2025 


Sheffield 


25 April 2025 

4 June 2025 



Overview 

This course will cover the theory and practical elements 

of Schedule 3 nursing for RVNs and will include the 

opportunity to learn and practise a variety of surgical 

management techniques within our excellent wet-lab 

facilities. 

You will gain experience in suturing wounds, lump 

removal and biopsy, aural haematoma management 

and ear tip, tail and digit amputation within a variety of 

exciting classroom and practical sessions. 

SPEAKER: 




Critical Care 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£549 + VAT 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 

SCHEDULE 3 SURGERY MASTERCLASS 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 




Critical Care 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

Overview 

This course is specifically aimed at nurses who have 

completed our Schedule Three Surgery course. 

It will give you the opportunity to fine tune your surgical 

skills and advance your practical nursing techniques in 

our wet-lab facility. You will review and revise procedures 

such as ear tip amputation, biopsy and wound closure 

on cadavers. Plus, placement and management of tubes, 

drains and catheters. 

SPONSORED BY: 

£549 + VAT BOOK NOW 

32 SURGERY MEDI

ULTRASOUND TRIAGE OF THE EMERGENCY PATIENT 


Swindon 



Sheffield 

3 June 2025 


SPEAKER: 




Critical Care 

Overview 

This course is aimed at qualified veterinary nurses, 

working in both first opinion and referral practice, who 

have a keen interest in emergency medicine. It would 

be particularly beneficial for those working towards 

the Nurse Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care 

Programme. 

Learn the principles of FAST ultrasound scanning, 

becoming adept at Point of Care Ultrasound, AFAST and 

FAST and understanding how this technique can be 

used to support emergency and critical patients. 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£549 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

TECHNIQUES IN LOCAL ANAESTHESIA 


Sheffield 

11 July 2025 

Swindon 


SPEAKER: 

Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA 

DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£549 + VAT 

Overview 

Local anaesthetic techniques are potentially the most 

effective form of analgesia for many small animal 

surgeries, yet they are often underused in general 

practice. In this course, you will gain a comprehensive 

insight into the common local anaesthetic drugs and 

blocks used which a competent veterinary nurse can 

administer under Schedule 3. 

During this course, you will understand the benefits 

of incorporating a local anaesthetic technique into 

any anaesthetic for a painful procedure, how local 

anaesthetics work, how to place different local 

anaesthetic blocks and how to use local anaesthetic 

techniques safely. There will also be an explanation of 

the use of techniques such as transcutaneous nerve 

stimulation and ultrasound-guided techniques. 

SPONSORED BY: 

BOOK NOW 

CINE 

ULTRASOUND 

33

WOUND MANAGEMENT 


Sheffield 


Swindon 



SPEAKER: 

Heather Kirkness CertVNECC 

RVN 

Overview 

This course provides comprehensive training in wound 

management, from the fundamentals of wound 

physiology to the latest information on dressings and 

technology to assist healing. The topics covered include 

the differences in wound healing between canine and 

feline species, the concept of wound bed preparation 

and demonstration of the application of dressings and 

bandages. 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£469 + VAT 

BOOK NOW 

PRACTICAL NURSING SKILLS EMERGENCY 

& CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS 


Swindon 


Sheffield 


SPEAKER: 

Thomas Towey BVMS CertAVP(ECC) 

MRCVS Advanced Practitioner in 

Emergency & Critical Care 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£629 + VAT 

Overview 

This one-day short course is suitable for RVNs in either 

first opinion or referral practice. It will cover the nursing 

approach to many critical illnesses and how to improve 

the outcome of these most unstable patients. You will 

learn and practise AFAST and TFAST alongside other 

essential, practical procedures. 

This course will also suit delegates working towards the 

Nurse Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care. 

Delegate numbers will be capped at nine to ensure an 

immersive experience. 

BOOK NOW 

34 SURGERY MEDI

SAVE A LIFE TODAY: CPR IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

RECOVER 

Overview 


Sheffield 


Swindon 



SPEAKERS: 

Emily Thomas BA VetMB 

DACVECC DECVECC FHEA MRCVS 

Chloe Fay BSc (Hons) RVN 

CertVN ECC VTS (ECC) 

CPD HOURS: 

12 

SPONSORED BY: 

From £1,009 + VAT 

A unique and exciting two-day course, delivered in direct 

association with RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on 

Veterinary Resuscitation). This is designed for vets and 

nurses to learn alongside each other and with the aim of 

increasing theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, 

in a resuscitation situation. It is also suitable for vets/ 

nurses to attend as individuals and take their learning 

directly back to the practice team. 

The course covers five important aspects; preparedness 

and prevention, basic life support (BLS), advanced life 

support (ALS), monitoring and post-cardiac arrest care. 

After attending this course, delegates will be RECOVER 

Rescuer certified, which is the only CPR certification 

that is recognised by the American College of Veterinary 

Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and the Veterinary 

Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). 


BOOK NOW 

NURSE CARDIOLOGY 

DATES: 

Online 

23 April 2025 


SPEAKER: 

Charlotte Pace BA (Hons) 

RVN VTS (Cardiology) PGCert 

(VetEd) FHEA 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£109 + VAT 

Overview 

This new format, online course, aims to provide vet 

nurses with an overview of nursing acute and chronic 

cardiac patients within veterinary practice. This includes, 

nursing considerations and diagnostics (x-ray, BP, and 

ultrasound), as well as client support and ongoing 

patient care. Following the course, you are encouraged 

to put your learning into practice and then take part in 

a Q&A forum, with the speaker. New graduate vets may 

also benefit from attending this course. 

BOOK NOW 

CINE 

ULTRASOUND 

35

NURSE DENTISTRY AND CARE OF RABBITS 

AND SMALL MAMMALS 


Swindon 



SPEAKER: 

Ashton Hollwarth BSc BVMS 

CertAVP (Zoo Med) DipECZM (Avian) 

MRCVS 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£549 + VAT 

Overview 

NEW 

Rabbit ownership has increased over the past few years 

and there are now an estimated 1 million pet rabbits in 

the UK. Good husbandry, high quality diet and excellent 

veterinary care are all vital components in ensuring the 

best life for these pets and the veterinary nurses’ role in 

educating clients is essential to this. 

With dental disease being the most common presenting 

condition, our brand new one-day short course will guide 

you through these cases, from start to finish and give 

you the knowledge and confidence to deal with rabbit 

dentistry in your clinic. 

The aim of this course is to educate and give you the 

confidence in rabbit husbandry, anatomy, common 

conditions and post operative care. The course also 

covers nerve blocks, intubation, burring and CPR in our 

iM3 equipped dental wet-lab. 

PARTNER: 

BOOK NOW 

EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE OF 

THE WILDLIFE PATIENT 

DATE: 

Online 


SPEAKER: 

Stacey Vickery RVN CGVNES 

CPD HOURS: 

6 

£109 + VAT 

Overview 

Vets and nurses have a professional responsibility to 

attend to physical injuries of wildlife patients that are 

brought into practice. This can come with difficulties 

for the clinical team through lack of knowledge or low 

confidence when dealing with these cases. 

This course aims to provide an understanding in relation 

to ethics, behaviour, husbandry and rehabilitation. 

When approaching the treatment and rehabilitation of 

wildlife cases, the aim should always be that the patient 

not only survives but thrives. By the end of the day, you 

will feel confident that this can be achieved in practice. 

BOOK NOW 

36 

BOOK NOW 


READY FOR A CHANGE? 

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS TODAY! 

Registering is easy 

01793 759159 EMAIL WEBSITE 

@improveveteducationuk 

ImproveVetEducationUK @ImproveVetEduUK improveveteducationuk 

Registration terms & conditions 

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal 

for the next available date. Confirmation and enrolment details will be sent to confirm booking. All prices are correct at the time of 

printing, please refer to our website for updated prices. 

Improve International 

Ground Floor, Delta 1200, Welton Road, 

Delta Business Park, Swindon, Wiltshire 

SN5 7XZ, England 

improveveterinaryeducation.com 

© Copyright 2024 Improve International Ltd.

UK_Short Course Brochure 2025

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