SCAM25037U Companion Animal Neurology - Neurosurgery and Neuro-ophthalmology

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

This course module will have a special emphasis on the approach to neurological patients who are candidates for surgical therapeutic procedures, especially surgery of the spine. As dysfunctional bladder control is a common complication with spinal cord lesions, neuro-urology addressing neuronal innervation and control of the bladder is reviewed. Furthermore, this course module will address neuro-ophthalmology in theoretical lectures.

The course consists of theoretical lectures that can advance the participants' knowledge and understanding of high-quality neurosurgery, especially the spine and lesions and diseases within companion animal neuro-ophthalmology. Neuro-surgery includes practical training in spinal surgery in a neuro-surgery wet lab.

The purpose of this course module is to extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competences within the approach to, assessment, and management of neurological patients in need of surgery including the planning of perioperative management and special analgesia requirements.  The course will extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competences within the approach to, assessment and management of companion animal neurological patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.

Learning Outcome

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

Knowledge

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical appearance of neurological disorders in companion animal patients with a focus on the theory of neuro-ophthalmology and theoretical and practical surgical intervention, especially the spine.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures of importance for a successful outcome of neurosurgery with a main emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Understand and use common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery of the spine and be able to plan perioperative requirements, including post-operative management, pain alleviation, and rehabilitation.
  • Explain, reflect upon, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for companion animal patients with neurological surgical disease.
  • Understand the neuroanatomy, lesion localization, and common diseases of the neuro-ophthalmological system in companion animals.

 

Skills

  • Assess companion animal neurosurgical patients preoperatively, and plan and perform perioperative treatment for such patients.
  • Perform common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Assess companion animal neuro-surgical patients perioperatively with a focus on treatment effect, complications, and prognosis. Assess, prognosticate, and suggest treatment strategies for companion animal patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic workup for patients with neurological disease in need of surgical intervention.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgical intervention of the spine.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal neurological patients that are candidates for surgery and demonstrate knowledge of typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal surgical neurological patient management.
  • Understand and perform a well-founded clinical and therapeutic approach to patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated and 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".
Lectures, Theoretical and practical exercises. Case studies.
  • 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: a master thesis protocol.

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

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical appearance of neurological disorders in companion animal patients with a focus on the theory of neuro-ophthalmology and theoretical and practical surgical intervention, especially the spine.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures of importance for a successful outcome of neurosurgery with a main emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Understand and use common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery of the spine and be able to plan perioperative requirements, including post-operative management, pain alleviation, and rehabilitation.
  • Explain, reflect upon, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for companion animal patients with neurological surgical disease.
  • Understand the neuroanatomy, lesion localization, and common diseases of the neuro-ophthalmological system in companion animals.

 

Skills

  • Assess companion animal neurosurgical patients preoperatively, and plan and perform perioperative treatment for such patients.
  • Perform common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Assess companion animal neuro-surgical patients perioperatively with a focus on treatment effects, complications, and prognosis. Assess, prognosticate, and suggest treatment strategies for companion animal patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic workup for patients with neurological disease in need of surgical intervention.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgical intervention of the spine.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal neurological patients that are candidates for surgery and demonstrate knowledge of typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal surgical neurological patient management.
  • Understand and perform a well-founded clinical and therapeutic approach to patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.
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 (SCAM25037E 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

  • Understand the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical appearance of neurological disorders in companion animal patients with a focus on the theory of neuro-ophthalmology and theoretical and practical surgical intervention, especially the spine.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures of importance for a successful outcome of neurosurgery with a main emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Understand and use common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery of the spine and be able to plan perioperative requirements, including post-operative management, pain alleviation, and rehabilitation.
  • Explain, reflect upon, and discuss a problem-oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for companion animal patients with neurological surgical disease.
  • Understand the neuroanatomy, lesion localization, and common diseases of the neuro-ophthalmological system in companion animals.

 

Skills

  • Assess companion animal neurosurgical patients preoperatively, and plan and perform perioperative treatment for such patients.
  • Perform common and typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Assess companion animal neuro-surgical patients perioperatively with a focus on treatment effect, complications, and prognosis. Assess, prognosticate, and suggest treatment strategies for companion animal patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.

 

Competences

  • Evaluate, plan, and manage a diagnostic workup for patients with neurological disease in need of surgical intervention.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgical intervention of the spine.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate, and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal neurological patients that are candidates for surgery and demonstrate knowledge of typical surgical techniques for companion animal neurological patients in need of surgery, with a special emphasis on spinal surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and lay-persons involved in companion animal surgical neurological patient management.
  • Understand and perform a well-founded clinical and therapeutic approach to patients with neuro-ophthalmological problems.