Companion Animal Dermatology - Applied Clinical Dermatology
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 Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The purpose of this course module is to further develop the skills of the student within the discipline of veterinary dermatology in companion animals.
The level of prior knowledge and skills within clinical dermatology from both veterinary candidate level and the first part of the master-education will be developed in order to form a solid basic platform within clinical dermatology.
In theory and by practical exercises the participant can expect that professional skills and competences within the subject of clinical companion animal dermatology will be extended at an advanced basic level.
The participants’ basic knowledge, professional skills and competences within clinical dermatology will be enhanced through theoretical seminars and case-based exercises.
The participants will be encouraged to define, identify and discuss clinical methodology, including identification of clinical dermatological lesions, and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision making in companion animal dermatology.
Read more about the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.
Lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work.
Knowledge
Having completed the course, the student must be able to:
- Define, identify and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in companion animal clinical dermatology.
- Explain basic structure and physiology of the skin and hair and define pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in common dermatologic diseases.
- Demonstrate critical reflection on the significance of skin anatomy and physiology in the clinical approach to dermatological lesions.
- Demonstrate critical reflection with respect to further diagnostic planning to achieve a specific diagnosis of the dermatological patient.
- Discuss the fundamental prerequisites for appropriate preparation of diagnostic protocols.
- List appropriate differential diagnoses based on clinical dermatologic presentations in companion animals.
Skills
Within the area of clinical dermatology, the graduate must be able to:
- Apply methodologies such as performing clinical dermatological examination and use basic diagnostic tools for relevant dermatological cases in companion animals, especially for pruritic lesional skin and non-pruritic alopecic lesions.
- Analyze and reflect on collected data in order to discriminate between relevant dermatological differential diagnoses.
- Demonstrate systematic approach to pruritic versus non-pruritic skin diseases including the discrimination between infectious causes versus inflammatory, hypersensitivity causes for pruritus, as well as systemic (endocrine) and local causes of the hair follicle for non-pruritic alopecia.
- Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy and management.
- Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.
Competences
Following the course, the candidate must be able to:
- Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical dermatology.
- Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical dermatology at an advanced basic level.
- Educate owners of chronic dermatological patients concerning long-term medical treatment and supportive long-term treatment for the skin barrier.
- Discriminate between curative and palliative treatment options in companion animal clinical dermatology.
- Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and continuously obtain new knowledge at an advanced level within clinical dermatology.
- Use relevant scientific literature in the field of dermatology.
- Evaluate different patient types combining the above-achieved skills.
You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course:
- Hold a degree in Veterinary Medicine
- Hold one of the following certifications
- DVA Certificate in Small Animal Diseases (equivalent to the 4 compulsory courses of the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science)
- Swedish / Norwegian / Finnish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats
- Equivalent competences
- Have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience from companion animal practice
- Be proficient in English
Find detailed information about the formal requirements for this course.
The course responsible at the specialisation track in Companion Animal Dermatology is:
- Associate professor Mette Schjærf, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lecturers: National and international capacities within the field.
Course details
Duration: | 5 days on campus |
Dates: | Offered next time fall 2025 |
Frequency: | Only available every second year |
Course capacity: | 14 students |
Place: | University Hospital for Companion Animals, Frederiksberg, Denmark |
Course fee: | EU/EEA citizens Single course participant: 33,500 DKK Master student: 30,000 DKK Non-EU/EEA citizens Single course participant: 37,740 DKK Master student: 34,240 DKK Tuition fees include course materials and lunch/coffee. Books are not included in the tuition fees and must be purchased by the participants. |
Level and credit: | Master course; 6 ECTS |
Examination date: | Please consult the exam schedule |
Application deadline: | Master's programme: 1 May 2025 Course: September 2025 |
Admission: | To be admitted, you must meet the admission criteria for specializations at Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science |
The opening of the application period is announced via the programme newsletter.
Download course curriculum