Postgraduate Course: Advances in Small Animal Chronic Enteropathy (VESC11284)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course will focus on one of the most common conditions causing chronic gastrointestinal clinical signs in small animals: chronic enteropathy (CE). We will build on knowledge acquired during the Gastroenterology course, namely putting the challenges and novelties about CE nomenclature to the test, and delve deep into exciting new knowledge about the true origins of CE as a disease: what are the effects of genetics and the environment? What are the specifics of the gut immune response and how can we influence this?
We will explore the mounting knowledge of the canine and feline intestinal microbiota in detail and seek evidence for using novel applications to influence it: probiotics, prebiotics and faecal microbiota transplantations. We will also create more clarity about adjacent diseases like protein-losing enteropathy and intestinal lymphoma and will conclude with a discussion of some challenging cases that will stretch our gastroenterology knowledge to the limit!
|
| Course description |
This 5-week course will expand the basic understanding achieved in the Gastroenterology course (VESC11105), focusing on one of the most common conditions seen in specialist small animal gastroenterology: chronic enteropathy (CE). It will provide a better understanding of the genetic landscape underpinning CE in dogs, explain the complex interplay of the innate and adaptive mucosal immune response in this context, and how this differs from human conditions like Inflammatory Bowel disease. It will also include an introduction to the concept of the intestinal microbiota and how the host-microbe-interaction shapes immune responses on a genetic background that allow development of CE. Protein-losing enteropathy will be discussed as a separate disease entity, and similarities and differences from ¿standard¿ CE and their relevance for clinical practice developed. From this, approaches for diagnostic plans for small animals with chronic GI signs will be created and novel treatment strategies for CE and PLE will be critically assessed, for example the evidence-base for using pre- or probiotics and faecal microbiota transplantations.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of genetic predispositions and environmental factors that influence the risks of developing chronic enteropathies in small animals.
- Apply knowledge, skills and understanding to explain the complex relationship of the innate and adaptive local mucosal immune response of the gastrointestinal tract in both health and chronic disease in small animals, and how available drugs influence this.
- Define and explain the complexity of the intestinal microbiota, including how intestinal microbiota interact with the host immune system, and what evidence-based methods are available in small animals in practice.
- Critically understand and explain Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) in small animals, including differentiation from non-PLE chronic enteropathy and why it is important to rule out diffuse alimentary lymphoma.
- Critically review, consolidate, discuss and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking to create diagnostic plans, interpret test results, create treatment plans and advise clients on complex chronic small animal GI cases.
|
Reading List
| The course reading list will be provided via the University¿s Resource List service and a link will be provided on the Learn course. A maximum of three essential reading items will be given each week with further reading as required. Additional resources will be provided, making full use of university electronic library, Learn, Media Hopper and other online resources. Other support material will be available through external open-access websites. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate attributes and skills will include:
A. Research and Enquiry
- be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
- be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
- be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
- be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
- be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
- be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
- further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
- be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
- be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
|
| Keywords | Canine,feline,inflammatory bowel disease,microbiome,gastroenterology,chronic enteropathy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Julien Dandrieux
Tel: (01316) 507977
Email: J.Dandrieux@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: Linda.Pollock@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage