Take your knowledge to another level

Over the last 19 years, Improve International has enabled thousands of vets working in general practice to develop core clinical skills and gain additional postgraduate qualifications in more than 20 different subjects. The next step in this process of lifelong learning is a series of new modular programs and qualifications designed specifically for vets who wish to advance their knowledge and skills in their area of clinical interest. These new programs will be accredited by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) Delegates will be able to gain a General Practitioner Advanced Certificate awarded by ISVPS.

Is this programme for me?

• You will be an experienced vet with an existing good knowledge of the principles of small animal surgery and particularly small animal orthopaedics.

• You will probably have already undertaken additional training in the subject and gained a General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Surgery (GPCertSAS) or an equivalent qualification.

• You will have a strong interest in the subject and the desire to continually improve your knowledge and skills.

• You would like to carry on your studies in the same subject and learn new, more advanced techniques that you can take back into your practice.

• You would like to gain a higher-level qualification in the subject.

To undertake this higher level program, you will need to hold a GPCert(SAS) although there will be an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) route for those vets who can demonstrate that they already have a good knowledge of the subject and who wish to pass straight to the examination without undertaking a taught program. Achieving the GPCert(SAS) would then enable registration for the Advanced Certificate program.

Pricing

Early: From 94.500DKK Up to 90 days before course starts

Regular: From 105.000DKK Less than 90 days before course starts

All prices are exclusive of VAT.

Module 1 – Internal Fixation Date: April 1st 2025 Speaker: Heidi Radke, DVM DipECVS, MRCVS Learning objectives:

• Compare the difference between stress and strain and strength and stiffness and describe a stress/strain curve produced when a material is loaded.
• Describe the different properties of cortical and cancellous bone.
• Compare the difference between the typical load-displacement curves produced when cortical and cancellous bone is loaded.
• Summarise the differences between primary and secondary bone healing.
• Describe the radiographic appearance of delayed union, non-union and malunion.
• Explain the causes and treatment options for delayed union, non-union and malunion.
• Recognise the type of forces that need to be considered when choosing an implant.
• Discuss the type of fractures that are suitable for open anatomic reconstruction.
• Identify the primary implants that can be used in the most common fractures of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
• Compare the differences between cortical and cancellous screws.
• Describe the role that a locking screw has in a plate-screw construct compared to a non-locking screw.
• Explain the tension side/surface in the long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
• Describe the different methods of plate application in long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
• Explain the different configurations and considerations when using wire in a tension band cerclage of a transposed tibial tuberosity.
• Perform a tension band cerclage of a transposed tibial tuberosity, using an appropriate configuration and wire size for the patient, in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe the lateral surgical approach to the femur.

• Explain the considerations made when selecting an intramedullary pin size to be used in conjunction with a lateral plate (plate-rod construct).

  Module 2 - External Fixation Date: April 2nd 2025 Speaker: Heidi Radke, DVM DipECVS, MRCVS Leaning objectives:

• Recognise the fifteen critical principles for the application of a skeletal fixator.
• Describe the different External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) configurations that can be used to treat femoral and tibial fractures.
• Explain how to apply an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) to treat a short oblique tibial and fibular fracture.
• Describe the safe corridors to apply an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) on humerus, radius, femur, and tibia.
• Discuss the factors that can influence the resulting biomechanics of an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) construct.
• Discuss the how the biomechanics of External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) will influence fracture management planning.
• Describe the different types of External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) available and their specific use.
• Demonstrate application of a type IIb external fixator on a tibia.

Module 3 - Neurosurgery I Date: June 18th 2025 Speaker: Nick Grapes, RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Learning objectives:

• Perform a neurological examination.
• Describe all different causes for paraparesis in dogs.
• Recognise the cytologic feature of normal Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Describe the surgical approach to perform a cisternal and lumbar spinal tap.
• Perform a cisternal and lumbar spinal tap in a wet-lab environment.

• Recognise the antibiotics that have a higher penetration of the blood-brain barrier.

  Module 4 - Neurosurgery II Date: June 19th 2025 Speaker: Nick Grapes, RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Learning objectives:

• Describe the Magnetic resonance (MR) features of a dog suffering from Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
• Describe the surgical approach to perform a lumbar hemilaminectomy.
• Perform a one space thoraco-lumbar hemilaminectomy in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe the radiographic and Magnetic resonance (MR) features of a dog suffering from lumbosacral disease.
• Explain the surgical and non-surgical treatment for lumbosacral disease.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantage for each surgical and non-surgical treatment for lumbosacral disease.
• Perform a dorsal laminectomy at the L7-S1 disc space in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe the anatomic landmarks for an epidural injection of steroids.

• Perform an epidural injection of steroids in a wet-lab environment.

  Module 5 - Shoulder Surgery Date: September 8th 2025 Speaker: Alessandro Andreoni DVM DiplECVS , CCRT Learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomic structures that require assessment in order to perform arthroscopy.
• Describe the positioning of the portals used to perform shoulder arthroscopy.
• Describe the modified Cheli approach to the shoulder joint to treat an Osteochondral (OC) lesion of the humeral head.
• Describe the cranio-medial surgical approach to biceps tendon to perform a tenotomy/tenodesis.
• Perform the biceps test, the drawer test, and the biceps retraction test to diagnose biceps pain.
• Perform arthroscopy of the shoulder joint in a wet-lab environment.
• Demonstrate how to perform a Velpeau bandage and a spica splint bandage.
• Describe the advantageous properties of cancellous bone in regards to a bone graft.
• Describe how to collect a cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus.

• Perform collection of cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus in a wet-lab environment.

  Module 6 - Carpus and Hock Date: September 9th 2025 Speaker: Alessandro Andreoni DVM DiplECVS , CCRT Learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomy of the carpus and the hock joints IC.
• Compare the difference between performing a partial vs pancarpal arthrodesis.
• Compare the difference between performing a partial vs pantarsal arthrodesis.
• Describe the basic principles to adhere to when performing an arthrodesis.
• Discuss three different techniques to treat multiple metacarpal/metatarsal fractures.
• Describe in detail how to place a Secured Pin Intramedullary Dorsal Epoxy Resin (SPIDER) external fixator.
• Describe the principles of tendon repair. IC
• Perform a locking-loop suture (Kessler) and a three-loop pulley suture to repair tendon ruptures in a wet-lab environment.
• Explain how to perform placement of a tibio-calcaneal screw to temporary immobilise the hock joint.
• Perform placement of a tibio-calcaneal screw to temporary immobilise the hock joint in a wet-lab environment.*

Module 7 - Pelvic Surgery I Date: November 19th 2025 Speaker: Pilar Lafuente, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVS/ECVS, MRCVS Learning objectives:

• Describe the different anatomic approaches to treat a fracture of the iliac body.
• Describe how to approach and stabilise a short oblique iliac fracture.
• Explain how to perform a sacro-iliac stabilisation using a lag screw and/or a trans-iliac pin/bolt.
• Perform a sacro-iliac stabilisation in a wet-lab environment.

Module 7 - Pelvic Surgery II Date: November 20th 2025 Speaker: Pilar Lafuente, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVS/ECVS, MRCVS Learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomy of the hip joint and the surgical approach to perform a toggle stabilisation.
• Describe all different surgical options to treat an acute coxo-femoral luxation.
• Perform a femoral head and neck excision in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe all surgical options available for hip dysplasia: based on the dog’s signalment.
• Explain the advantage and disadvantage of all surgical options for hip dysplasia.
• Explain how to perform a Juvenile Symphysiodesis.
• Perform a Juvenile Symphysiodesis in a wet-lab environment.

Module 9 - Stifle Surgery I - Arthroscopy Date: November 21st 2025 Speaker: Pilar Lafuente, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVS/ECVS, MRCVS Learning objectives:

• Describe the radiographic features of a complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in a dog.
• Describe the position of the arthroscopic portals used to inspect and treat the stifle joint.
• Discuss the different types of meniscal lesions that can be found on meniscal inspection and reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of stifle arthroscopy vs stifle arthrotomy.

Module 10 - Stifle Surgery II - TPLO and CCWO Date: To be confirmed Speaker: To be confirmed Learning objectives:

• Explain the two most common methods to calculate the tibial plateau angle (TPA)
• Perform planning for Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) (Trans-Palatal Arch (TPA), degree of rotation, size of implants) on radiographs in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe how to calculate the size of the wedge to be removed when performing a Cranial - Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) and perform planning on radiographs.
• Perform Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery in a wet-lab environment.
• Perform Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) surgery in a wet-lab environment.

Module 11 - Stifle surgery III - Patella Luxation Date: To be confirmed Speaker: To be confirmed Learning objectives:

• Describe all surgical techniques available to correct a case of medial patellar luxation grade III/IV
• Perform a lateral transposition (+/- proximalisation/distalisation) of the tibial tuberosity followed by stabilisation with k-wires and tension band in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe how to measure the degree of deformity of the distal femur and of the proximal tibia.
• Explain how to surgically correct deformity of the distal femur and of the proximal tibia.
• Perform a distal femoral osteostomy to treat deformity of the distal femur that lead to patella luxation in a wet-lab environment.

Module 12 - Elbow Surgery I Date: March 16th 2026 Speaker: Alan Danielski, DVM MRCVS DipECVS Learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomic structures that require assessment in order to perform elbow arthroscopy.
• Describe the positioning of the portals used to perform elbow arthroscopy.
• Describe how to perform arthroscopy and an arthroscopic subtotal coronoid ostectomy.
• Perform arthroscopy of the elbow joint in a wet-lab environment.
• Perform an arthroscopic subtotal coronoid ostectomy in a wet-lab environment.
• Describe the modified Wendelburg approach commonly used to treat Osteochondral (OC) lesions of the medial humeral condyle or to approach the medial compartment to perform an unicompartimental elbow replacement.

Module 13 - Elbow Surgery II Date: March 17th 2026 Speaker: Alan Danielski, DVM MRCVS DipECVS Learning objectives:

• Describe step-by-step how to repair a Y or T fracture.
• Perform a lateral condylar humeral fracture repair in a wet-lab environment.

Module 14 – Elbow Surgery III Date: March 18th 2026 Speaker: Alan Danielski, DVM MRCVS DipECVS Learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomy of the ligaments of the elbow joint and perform an open reduction (tunnel technique) following a traumatic luxation of the elbow joint.
• Describe common techniques to diagnose an ununited anconeal process and the treatment options.
• Compare the surgical options that are available for the different manifestations of elbow dysplasia.
• Perform an oblique proximal ulnar osteotomy and a distal ulnar ostectomy as a treatment for short ulnar syndrome and elbow dysplasia in a wet-lab environment.
• Recognise the case selection criteria to perform Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) and - Proximal Abducting Ulnar Osteotomy (PAUL) surgeries.
• Perform a Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) in a wet-lab environment.