SCAM25015U Companion Animal Surgery – Neurosurgery and TPLO

Volume 2025/2026
Education

This course is a compulsory course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a postgraduate education targeting small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Note that the course is only available to enrolled students pursuing the full programme and is not open to single course students.

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Science.

Content

The purpose of this course is to extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competencies in the approach to, assessment, diagnosis, and management of the sick companion animal patient in need of advanced neuro- or orthopedic surgery. The course will extend the students' assessment and management of the companion animal patient in need of advanced neuro- or orthopedic surgery and plan the perioperative management of the patient, including specific anesthesia and analgesia requirements as well as postoperative management, follow up, and rehabilitation.

 

Read more about the Master of Companion Animal Science.

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow-up.
  • Explain, reflect on, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation, and lesion localization.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges, and estimation of prognosis.
     

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.

Updated literature lists will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.
A mixture of case-based and problem-oriented lectures, e-learning, theoretical, and practical exercises. Case-study work. Scientific literature searching.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 41
  • Practical exercises
  • 12
  • Exam
  • 43
  • Total
  • 112
Written
Oral
Credit
2 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consists of three parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) a self-assessment test
c) a written assignment

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI

The use of AI or AI-assisted tools is prohibited for this exam.

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

The exam form for the reexam is the same as the ordinary exam. 

 

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the students shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow-up.
  • Explain, reflect on, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation, and lesion localization.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges, and estimation of prognosis.
     

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
Credit
2 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The written assignment includes an exam with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI

The use of AI or AI-assisted tools is prohibited for this exam.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

The exam form for the reexam is the same as the ordinary exam. 

 

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade 12, the students shall be able to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and the selection of anesthesia and analgesia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow-up.
  • Explain, reflect on, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 

Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation, and lesion localization.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with a focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges, and estimation of prognosis.
     

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.