6 May 2026

Companion Animal Surgery – Endoscopic surgery

Arthroscopy, Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy

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 is to extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and competences in the approach to, assessment, diagnosis, and management of the sick companion animal patient in need of endoscopic surgery.

The course will extend the students assessment and management of the companion animal patient in need of endoscopic surgery incl. arthroscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy and plan the perioperative management of the patient, including specific anaesthesia and analgesia requirements.

Read more about the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

 

A mixture of case-based and problem oriented lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work. Scientific literature.

 

 

Having completed the course, the student must be able to:
 
Knowledge

  • Understand the aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical appearance and indications for arthroscopy in large joint disorders.
  • Understand the indications for laparoscopic surgery and on the selection of anaesthesia and anagelsia protocols.
  • Understand the indications for thoracoscopic surgery and on the selection of anaesthesia and anagelsia protocols.
  • Understand the use and typical techniques in endoscopic surgery.
  • Explain, reflect about, and discuss a problem oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing endoscopic surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 
Skills

  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in endoscopic surgery including:
    • Arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, stifle
    • Laparoscopic surgery incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (ovariohysterectomy/​ovariectomy, cystotomy, gastropexy).
    • Thoracoscopic surgery including incl. diagnostic biopsy procedures and surgeries (lung lobe extirpation, pericardectomy)
    • Complications
  • Risk assessment after surgery with focus on treatment effect, complications and estimation of prognosis.

 
Competences

  • Evaluate, plan and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which endoscopic surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of endoscopic surgery.

 

 

You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course: 

  • Hold a degree in Veterinary Medicine
  • Have a minimum of 2 years of relevant job experience from companion animal practice
  • Be proficient in English
  • Have completed the previous courses at the Companion Animal Surgery track.

 

 

The course responsibles at the specialisation track in Companion Animal Surgery are:

  • Professor James Edward Miles, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Research consultant Dorthe Hansen, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Lecturers at the specialisation track are:

  • Professor James Edward Miles, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Research consultant Dorthe Hansen, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Other national and international capacities within the field.

 

Course details

Duration: 5 days
Dates: 27-31 May 2024 - class of 2022
4-8 May 2026 - class of 2024
Frequency: Only available every second year
Course capacity: 24 students
Place: Ghent; Belgium
Course fee: EU/EEA citizens: 32,500 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens: 36,033 DKK
Level and credit: Master course; 4 ECTS
Examination date: Please consult the exam schedule
Application deadline: Master's programme: 1 May 2023 - class of 2024
Admission: Please consult the formal requirements for this course in the course curriculum

The opening of the application period is announced via the programme newsletter.
Download course curriculum