SCAM25035U Companion Animal Neurology - Advanced Diagnostic Clinical Neurology

Volume 2025/2026
Education

This course is a specialisation course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

Content

The purpose of this course is to further develop the participant’s diagnostic platform within clinical neurology to include the more sophisticated diagnostic thinking, competences, and skills required to successfully approach the complex neurological patient. The participant should be able to combine knowledge collected from basic and advanced para-clinical tests with clinical patient data at an advanced level. The course will provide knowledge on neuroimaging including conventional diagnostic imaging as well as the digital image modalities, computer tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their indication, interpretation, and therapeutic consequences in the discipline of clinical neurology. Furthermore, both theoretical lectures and a wet lab practice addressing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and interpretation are an integrated part of the course.

Neurological patient cases and results of clinical work-up is used in an interactive dialogue with the participants in order to expand their competences in a problem-based patient approach.

Learning Outcome

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

Knowledge

  • Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and para-clinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in the companion animal clinical practice area of clinical neurology.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of complex clinical decision-making, patient therapy, and management at an advanced level.
  • Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical and diagnostic approaches to the neurological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on existing and new approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management, and client education in a specialty practice situation.

 

Skills

  • Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical diagnostic thinking as well as master relevant practical diagnostic skills.
  • Identify appropriate image modality and demonstrate knowledge of common diagnostic imaging hallmarks of the neurological patient.
  • Understand the interpretation of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and be able to demonstrate critical reflection of pros and cons of CT and MRI and identification of neurological patients suitable for advanced neurological diagnostic procedures.
  • Collect and perform interpretation of CSF samples.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify the nature of the neurological lesion and the cause of neurological disease.
  • Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and consider evidence-based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on, and apply new evidence-based methods and solution models.
  • Communicate and discuss academic issues and solution models with both peers and non-specialists at an advanced level and across disciplines within companion animal practice.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate and diagnose companion animals with neurological diseases.
  • Educate owners of patients with acute and chronic neurological disorders with respect to diagnostic approach, short and long-term treatment, and prognosis.
  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate, and make decisions within clinical neurology at an advanced level.

 

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge prepared 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.

SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:
• Danish Certificate in Small Animal Diseases, in danish known as "Fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte".
• Swedish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Swedish known as "Steg 1".
• Norwegian Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Norwegian known as "Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr".
• Finnish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Finnish known as “Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri".
A combination of theoretical lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice and case-based practice. Case-study work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 82
  • Exercises
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 162
Written
Oral
Credit
1 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consists of three parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) preparation and oral presentation of a problem-oriented clinical case,
c) a written assignment: Evidence-based procedure.

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
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

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

Criteria for exam assesment

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

Knowledge

  • Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and para-clinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in the companion animal clinical practice area of clinical neurology.
  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of complex clinical decision-making, patient therapy, and management at an advanced level.
  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical and diagnostic approaches to the neurological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on existing and new approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management, and client education in a specialty practice situation.

 

Skills

  • Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical diagnostic thinking as well as master relevant practical diagnostic skills.
  • Identify appropriate image modality and demonstrate knowledge of common diagnostic imaging hallmarks of the neurological patient.
  • Understand the interpretation of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and be able to demonstrate critical reflection of pros and cons of CT and MRI and identification of neurological patients suitable for advanced neurological diagnostic procedures.
  • Collect and perform interpretation of CSF samples.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify the nature of the neurological lesion and the cause of neurological disease.
  • Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis, and consider evidence-based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on, and apply new evidence-based methods and solution models.
  • Communicate and discuss academic issues and solution models with both peers and non-specialists at an advanced level and across disciplines within companion animal practice.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate and diagnose companion animals with neurological diseases.
  • Educate owners of patients with acute and chronic neurological disorders with respect to diagnostic approach, short and long-term treatment, and prognosis.
  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical neurology at an advanced level.
Credit
5 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.
Examination prerequisites

Students may attend this examination without approval of Exam 1 (SCAM225035E Ongoing Test).

Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

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

Re-exam

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

Criteria for exam assesment

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

 

Knowledge

  • Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and para-clinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in the companion animal clinical practice area of clinical neurology.
  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of complex clinical decision-making, patient therapy, and management at an advanced level.
  • Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical and diagnostic approaches to the neurological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on existing and new approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management, and client education in a specialty practice situation.

 

Skills

  • Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical diagnostic thinking as well as master relevant practical diagnostic skills.
  • Identify appropriate image modality and demonstrate knowledge of common diagnostic imaging hallmarks of the neurological patient.
  • Understand the interpretation of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and be able to demonstrate critical reflection of pros and cons of CT and MRI and identification of neurological patients suitable for advanced neurological diagnostic procedures.
  • Collect and perform interpretation of CSF samples.
  • Interpret, assess, and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify the nature of the neurological lesion and cause of neurological disease.
  • Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence-based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy, and management.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate and diagnose companion animals with neurological diseases.