AO VET Online Course—Lameness in Dogs: Diagnosis and Decision-Making

This 3-week, course with a competency-based curriculum focuses on enhancing diagnostic and decision-making skills, specifically related to lameness in dogs, as a key component of improving outcomes of canine surgery.

It’s tailored to meet participants’ educational needs by offering:

A flexible schedule with self-directed online learning modules
Interactive modules designed to foster lasting retention of knowledge
Knowledge exchange on a global scale: Lectures, presented by experienced faculty, representing diverse expertise, and welcomes participants from across the globe.
Supportive educational environment: Participants are invited to raise questions, initiating discussion with thefaculty members and fellow participants, to maximize their learning outcomes.
Access to a wide range of online learning resources.
Credentialing commitment to growth: Participants earn recognition for their professional advancement by receiving an AO VET course completion certificate upon successfully completing the course.
High-quality education, backed by the AO Education Institute and expert surgeons.

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Course content

Goals of the course

This online course aims to provide participants with the opportunity to develop and refine their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the diagnosis and decision-making of lameness in dogs, while benefiting from the flexibility and the interactive learning environment of online education.
Target audience

This course is designed for individuals interested in managing both common and challenging lameness cases in dogs and in aiming to deepen their understanding of diagnosing canine lameness.

Veterinary clinicians and residents are encouraged to join the course, where they can become part of a supportive environment, conducive to expanding their knowledge and refining their diagnostic and decision-making skills in this field.
Learning objectives
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Conduct a discriminating orthopaedic examination in a canine patient

Position the animal correctly for the radiographic examination for obtaining effective musculoskeletal views, including obtaining special and stress radiographs

Recognise the importance of obtaining correctly positioned comparative bilateral orthogonal views in diagnosing musculoskeletal disease

Effectively use positioning aids with the goals of minimizing patient and operator radiation exposure and improving the consistent quality of diagnostic imaging studies

Recognize the indications and limitations of plain x-rays in diagnosing musculoskeletal disease in dogs

Recognise indications for performing advanced imaging studies

Perform effective joint taps and use synovial fluid interpretation in differentiating between inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease.
Course summary
Course divided into 3 key modules

Duration: 36 hours of self-directed learning

3 live online sessions (2.5 hours/session)

Interaction with faculty members and participants throughout the course

Self-assessment quizzes
Course modules
Orthopedic diagnostic techniques

Common causes of thoracic limb lameness

Common causes of pelvic limb lameness
Certification

AO VET course certificates are awarded for successful completion of the course.