Sections
Program Goals
Program Description
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
 Year 4 Clinics
Focus Areas
Extramural Studies
Clinical Competencies
Veterinarian's Oath

Focus Area for Small Animal Practice

Focus Area Leader

Dr. Laurel Williams

Description of the Focus Area

Small animal practice (SAP) combines many elements of veterinary medicine, including medicine, surgery, dermatology, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, clinical and anatomic pathology, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, nutrition, behavior, and practice management. Small animal general practitioners and specialists are employed in private practice, academia, and industry and are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide variety of diseases. Small animal veterinarians can enter into general practice directly following graduation or they may elect to pursue advanced training through an internship (typically one year), residency (typically three years), or graduate school (typically 3-5 years) either immediately after graduation or following practice or other experience. Advanced training positions can be very competitive and, therefore, good planning and preparation are important during the veterinary school years.

SAP is a sufficiently broad career path that should enable veterinary students to avoid too much specialization very early in their careers. Important skills for all small animal practitioners include obtaining a complete medical history, performing a physical examination, identifying, prioritizing, and addressing problems, knowing where to find pertinent scientific information, and communicating effectively and compassionately with clients.

Advisors

Clarke Atkins, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology); Professor
Adam Birkenheuer, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal medicine);Assistant Professor
Sally Bissett, BVSc, MVSc, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Assistant Professor
Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Professor
Patrick Burns, BVSc, MACVSc (Anesthesia, Emergency medicine); Clinical Assistant Professor
Nigel Campbell, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM (Internal medicine), MRCVS; Clinical Assistant Professor
Terri DeFrancesco, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), DACVECC, Associate Professor
Kelli Ferris, DVM; Assistant Professor
Rich Ford, DVM, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Professor
Brian Gilger, DVM, MS, DACVO; Professor
Bernie Hansen, DVM, DACVIM (Internal medicine), DACVECC; Associate Professor
Lizette Hardie, DVM, DACVS; Professor
Karyn Harrell, DVM, DACVIM (Internal medicine), Clinical Assistant Professor
Marlene Hauck, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology); Associate Professor
Eleanor Hawkins, DVM, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Professor
Paul Hess, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Assistant Professor
Bruce Keene, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (Cardiology); Professor
Duncan Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Assistant Professor
Denis Marcellin-Little, DVM, DACVS; Associate Professor
Christopher Mariani, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology); Assistant Professor
Dr. Steven L. Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM Clinical Associate Professor
Kyle Mathews, DVM, MS, DACVS; Associate Professor
Karen Munana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology); Associate Professor
Marcy Murphy, DVM, DACVD; Assistant Professor
Natasha Olby, VetMB, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology); Associate Professor
Thierry Olivry, DrVet, PhD, DECVD, DACVD; Professor
Lysa Posner, DVM, DACVA; Assistant Professor
Simon Roe, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Associate Professor
Steve Suter, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology); Assistant Professor
Brenda J. Stevens, DVM; Clinical Assistant Professor
Cliff Swanson, DVM, MS, DACVA; Associate Professor
Don Thrall, DVM, PhD, DACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology)
Shelly Vaden, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal medicine); Professor

Steps to pursue a focus in small animal practice

1. Identify a SAP focus area advisor by September 15 of third year (this may be the same advisor worked with in the first two years or a new advisor who will take their place)

2.  Choose CVM selectives and other activities (see below)

3. Make contacts/arrangements for externships (summers, 4th year). The sign up / drop deadline is one month before the experience, unless the course coordinator decides to grant an exception for special circumstances.

4.  Plan 4th year CVM rotations with SAP focus area mentor

5.  Obtain signature of SAP focus area organizer following identification of advisor and for Extramural Studies Program (externship) requests

Year 1-3 Requirements

There are no required courses in years 1-3.

Year 1-3 Recommended Courses

General Clinical

Active Learning in the Companion Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital (DOCS)
Applied Surgical Anatomy (Mathews)
Companion Animal Preventative Care Clinic (Birkenheuer)
Complementary Vet Medicine (Berschneider)
Dentistry for Companion Animals (Martin)
History Taking and Physical Exam Skills (Olby)
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (Marcellin-Little)
Sample Collection and Interpretation (Williams)
Small Animal Practice Experience (Ford)
The Art and Practice of Effective Veterinarian-Client Communication (Gerard/Williams)

Clinical Laboratory

Diagnostic Cytology (Grindem)
Diagnostic Medical Mycology (Dykstra)
Diagnostic Toxicology – companion animals and pet birds (Brownie)
Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Diseases (Guy)
Necropsy Pathology (Meuten)
Surgical Pathology (Linder)

Other

Animal Behavior and Welfare (Simpson)
Emerging Diseases of International Importance (Cowen)
Professional Meeting (Bristol)
Selective Topics in Small Animal Theriogenology (Pinto)

 

Fourth Year Required Rotations

Required

Anesthesia (VMB 977)
Radiology (VMB 976)
Necropsy (VMP 977)
Clinical Pathology (VMP 978)
Companion Animal Medicine (VMC 971); 2 consecutive blocks
Small Animal Community Classroom (VMC 970)
Small Animal Surgery (VMC 973); 2 blocks
Extramural Studies - Small Animal (VMC 994); 1 min / 3 max

And 4 of the following:

Small Animal Veterinary Cardiology (VMC 972)

Veterinary Clinical Oncology (VMC 980)

Veterinary Ophthalmology (VMC 982)

Veterinary Dermatology (VMC 983)

Introduction to Clinical Neurology (VMC 984)

And 1 of the following:

Small Animal Emergency (VMC 960)
Veterinary Critical Care (VMC 976)

And 1 of the following:

Lab Animal Medicine (VMC 981)
Zoo Medicine (VMC 989)
Ruminant Health Management (VMP 970)
Poultry Healthy Management I (VMP 982)
Swine Medicine I (VMP 984)
Epidemiology (VMP 979)

 Recommended

Advanced Companion Animal Medicine (VMC 986)
Ultrasound (VMB 976A)

Other

The SAP focus area has a total of 16 required blocks. The remaining 8 blocks to be chosen under the direction of the SAP focus area faculty advisor.

Other Experiences

Employment Opportunities/Externships/Funding

a. Extramural Studies Program (Externships) TBA
b. Research Opportunities

c. Funding CVM Summer Research Interns (Dr. Olson)

CONFERENCES

Students may benefit from attending a conference. Annual meetings to consider include those sponsored by the following. Check websites of these organizations listed below, which have the latest information on upcoming meetings.

American Animal Hospital Association (5-day meeting in March); http://www.aahanet.org/

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (4-day meeting in May or June); http://www.avma.org/

American College of Veterinary Surgeons (3-day meeting in September or October); http://www.acvs.org/

American Veterinary Medical Association (5-day meeting in July); http://www.acvim.org/

North American Veterinary Conference Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (annual meeting in early-mid September) Western States Veterinary Conference

Rounds/Seminars/Journal Clubs

a. Clinical Conference: Fridays, 8:00 a.m.

b. Dermatology Rounds: "Flea" Rounds are held each Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.; Week 1 of the senior clinical rotation at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, "Topical Therapies," are discussed. Week 2, "Endocrine Testing," is discussed. Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. "Mystery Cases," are presented by senior students. **Due to space limitations, attendance by students other that those on this rotation is by prior permission only.

c. Medicine Rounds: are held daily at 8:00 a.m. in the Medicine Rounds Room, VTH. Space is limited, however, and prior approval for attendance is required (contact the senior clinician on duty for permission).

d. Neurology Daily Rounds: are held daily at 9:00 a.m. in the Electrophysiology room, VTH.

e. Oncology Daily Rounds: are held daily at 3:00 p.m. in the Oncology Rounds Room, VTH.

f. Oncology Grand Rounds: are held each Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the Oncology Rounds Room, VTH.

g. Pain Interest Group Rounds: are held the first Wednesday of every month in B222

h. Pathology Rounds: Anatomic Pathology rounds are held Wednesdays at 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Necropsy amphitheatre. Histopathology rounds are held Fridays at 7:50-9 a.m. in D236.

i. Research seminar: several ongoing series, as well as guest/invited speakers (usually posted on CVM listserv)

j. Soft tissue surgery walk-through rounds: are held daily at 7:30 a.m. in the VTH wards. Discussion rounds are held at variable times and by daily arrangement; contact the service for details.

Extracurricular Activities

SCAVMA
SCAAHA
SCAAFP
SVECC
SCAASP
SCAAEP
SCAABP
SCIVAPM
WAAZM
IVSA
HOLISTIC CLUB
PATHHEADS
SCAAP
CVM (CHRISTIAN VETERINARY MISSION & FELLOWSHIP)
DART (DISASTER ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM)
SCAASRP
SCAASV
SVECCS
VETS
BUSINESS CLUB
BEHAVIOR CLUB

Other Useful Information

Recommended Journals

Recommended Memberships

American Veterinary Medical Association (student membership)

Computer and Internet Resource Sites

PDA programs: Drug Formulary (Papich), The 5-minute Veterinary Consult Sample Collection and Interpretation www.courses.ncsu.edu/vmc991i/common/

Skill Lists

The following lists, while not complete, are an indication of the entry level skills needed for general small animal practice. These lists were taken from “ Greenfield CL, Johnson AL, Scaffer DJ. Frequency of use of various procedures, skills, and areas of knowledge among veterinarians in private small animal exclusive or predominant practice and proficiency expected of new veterinary graduates. JAVMA 2004, 224: 1780-1787.”

The ten most important skills overall listed by practitioners were: general and elective surgery skills, good communication skills, ability to perform a complete physical exam, ability to interpret diagnostic tests, ability to take a good history, ability to obtain and interpret radiographs, ability to perform anesthesia and manage pain, ability to formulate a diagnostic plan, good interpersonal skills and being a team player.

 

Specific Procedures (in order of expected proficiency)

Where Taught

Vaccine Protocols and Techniques

951, 970, Ford’s senior handout

Anal Sac Expression

932

Heartworm Testing

Parasitology, 970

Skin Scraping

937, 970, 983

Ear Cleaning

937

Anesthesia, including intubation

932

Venipuncture

932, 937, 957, 970, clinics

Castration

932, 957, 970

Dental Prophylaxis

Dental selective

Ovariohysterectomy

932, 957, 970

Wound Management

932 (lecture), bear dog project

Peripheral venous catheter placement

932, 957, 965, clinics

Fine-needle aspiration

937, clinics

Onychectomy

965

Tooth Extraction

965

Cystocentesis

932, clinics

Routine periodontal treatment

Dental selective

Urinary catheter placement

937

Select skin lesion and skin biopsy

937

Bandage, splint, cast application

932, 961

Superficial mass excision

932 (lecture), surgery selective

Necropsy

Pathology lecture, rotation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Emergency elective

Incisional biopsy

932 (lecture)

Management of worn or fractured teeth

Dental Selective

 

Specific Skills (in approximate order of frequency performed in practice)

Where Taught

Take a complete patient history

937, clinics, 971 rounds

Perform complete physical exam

937, 932, clinics

Practice with integrity

 

Have a good attitude

 

Take a complete history

 

Provide excellent client services

 

Formulate diagnostic/therapeutic plans

Problem-based medicine, 951, clinics

Good written/oral communication skills

 

Have well developed interpersonal skills

 

Interpret results of blood, urine, fecal testing

Clinical pathology, Parasitology, 951, clinics

Assess and manage anesthetized patient

932, 977

Demonstrate critical thinking skills

 

Apply knowledge disease diagnosis/control

970

Perform oral exam

Dental selective

Multitask and deal with stress

 

Assess patient, formulate anesthetic plan

932, 977

Plan, organize, present ideas

 

Be goal-oriented

 

Have a team-oriented approach

All team-taught courses

Provide optimal post-operative care

932, clinics

Evaluate body weight/condition

937

Communicate risks, benefits, costs anesthesia

 

Create and encourage enthusiasm

 

Produce quality radiographs

Radiology

Asses and treat postoperative pain

932, clinics

Properly restrain patients

Dogs 937, cats 970

Advise owners on early socialization

Behavior

Perform basic eye examination

937

Recognize 1 o and 2 o skin lesions

937

Use monitors on anesthetized patients

932, 977

Safely restrain/immobilize aggressive patient

No specific lecture/lab

Perform orthopedic examination

937, 961

Understand ectoparasite lesion distribution

951

Assemble anesthetic machine

932, 977

Understand dx, rx of DJD

932, 961

Troubleshoot anesthesia machine

932, 977

Interpret radiographs

Radiology, 951, 961

Know how to humanely shape behavior

Behavior

Give client ed on flea allergy

951

Perform cardiovascular exam

Physiology, 937

Monitor growth rates in young animals

 

Use nutrition in managing disease

Nutrition

Prepare slides for cytology

Clinical Pathology

Test/interpret conscious proprioception

937, 961

Dx/rx hip dysplasia

932, 961

Correlate tests for hepatic dysfunction

951

Differentiate prerenal/renal azotemia

951

Test/interpret deep pain

937, 961

Recognize inflammatory leukogram

Clinical Pathology

Test/interpret spinal reflexes

937, 961

Obtain complete behavioral history

Behavior

Perform cytological interpretation

Clinical Pathology

Id cardiac disease/failure on radiograph

Radiology

Localize spinal pain

937, 961

Rx/dx cats inappropriate urination

Behavior

Rx/dx cranial cruciate rupture

937, 961, 965

Rx/dx/prognosis congestive heart failure

951

Rx/dx noise phobia/separation anxiety dogs

Behavior

Construct glucose curve

951, clinics

 

Specific Areas of Knowledge (in approximate order of frequency used in practice)

Where taught

Influence history/signalment on ddx

951, 971

How to use diagnostic laboratory

Clinical Pathology

Ddx/rx for pruritus

951

Behavioral effects castration/OHE

932

Dx/rx localized alopecia

951

Problems related to improper diet

Nutrition, 932, 961

Nutritional needs dogs/cats

Nutrition

Nutritional needs at various life stages

Nutrition

Normal/abnormal species specific behavior

Behavior

Attributes of commercial dog food

Nutrition

Behavioral counseling for common dog issues

Behavior

General and systemic pathology

Pathology courses

Behavioral changes indicating problem

Behavior

DDx/rx generalized alopecia

951

How to interpret food labels

Nutrition

Basic ocular pharmacology

Pharmacology, 961

Normal reproductive behavior dog/cat

 

Use elimination diet for food allergy

Nutrition, 983

Association growth rate/diet/skeletal disease

961

Influence of neuro exam on DDx

961

Pathophysiology electrolyte disturbances

951

References for rx seizure disorders

961

References for ddx neuro disorders

961

Pathophysiology anemia

951

Advantage/disadvantage diagnostic ultrasound

Radiology

Pathophysiology adrenal gland dysfunction

951