The Emergency Cat – Part 1
The emergency feline patient is a unique patient. This fundamental truth is nowhere more critical than in the emergency setting, where subtlety, unique physiology, and species-specific responses can mean the difference between life and death.
- Ideal for Veterinarians
- 6 Structured CPD Points
- 3 Months Access
- RACE Non-Interactive CE
This course includes
- 3-month access
- Course ebook
- Extra resources
- Lecture Recordings
- Quiz assessment
- CPD certificate
What you'll learn
Welcome to this introductory course designed for veterinarians who want to sharpen their skills in feline emergency medicine. We will move beyond canine-centric protocols and delve into what makes the cat a distinct and often deceptive patient. This module focuses on the key physiological and clinical differences you must know to effectively recognise and manage common crises.
We will start by exploring the feline stress response and shock, where classic signs of decompensation can be masked until a patient is in profound crisis. Next, we tackle acute abdominal disease, decoding the cat’s often vague and misleading presentation of surgical versus medical conditions. Underpinning these topics, we will highlight essential differences in physiology – from drug metabolism and fluid balance to pain expression – that can significantly alter your diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
By the end of this course, you will have a stronger framework for managing your next feline emergency!
We will start by exploring the feline stress response and shock, where classic signs of decompensation can be masked until a patient is in profound crisis. Next, we tackle acute abdominal disease, decoding the cat’s often vague and misleading presentation of surgical versus medical conditions. Underpinning these topics, we will highlight essential differences in physiology – from drug metabolism and fluid balance to pain expression – that can significantly alter your diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
By the end of this course, you will have a stronger framework for managing your next feline emergency!
Course Outline
Lecture 1: The Diagnosis and Management of Shock in the Cat
Shock in the cat is different to that in the dog. The unique feline physiology masks classic signs, resulting in rapid clinical deterioration. This lecture provides a clear, practical guide to feline-specific shock.
We will decode the subtle early indicators – and the neurological response that causes them, to enable rapid and effective diagnosis. You will then turn this knowledge into an effective, tailored treatment response. We’ll cover the critical nuances of fluid resuscitation, vasopressor selection, and essential drug dosing differences to build your confidence in managing this life-threatening condition.
Lecture 2: The Feline Acute Abdomen
The “acute abdomen” in a cat is a complex diagnostic challenge. Their clinical signs are often vague, and the differential list spans from immediately surgical to purely medical conditions. This lecture provides a systematic approach to unraveling this common but critical presentation.
We will first build a framework for a rapid, efficient diagnostic approach, followed by an extensive literature review to assist you in being able to identify patients with serious abdominal disease – with the goal of providing timely and effective therapy.
Lecture 3: 10 Things You Need to Know about the Emergency Cat!
Effective feline emergency medicine starts with understanding why cats are different. This lecture moves beyond clinical anecdotes to explore the core physiological and clinical differences that fundamentally change your approach to cats in crisis.
We will contrast canine and feline responses in critical areas: their unique stress and pain response, fundamental variations in drug metabolism and hepatic function, and key differences in cardiovascular, respiratory and renal physiology that directly impact fluid therapy and shock management.
This foundation will transform how you both interpret clinical signs, as well as provide treatments and outcome predictions. You’ll leave with a clear framework for adjusting your mindset and protocols, ensuring your care is precisely tailored to the feline patient from the moment they enter your clinic.
This foundation will transform how you both interpret clinical signs, as well as provide treatments and outcome predictions. You’ll leave with a clear framework for adjusting your mindset and protocols, ensuring your care is precisely tailored to the feline patient from the moment they enter your clinic.
Course Tutor
BVSc MVS PG Cert Vet Stud MACVSc (Vet. Emergency and Critical Care; Medicine of Dogs)
AUD 94
This course is FREE for our Annual Vet Education Member
