2 September 2026

Companion Animal Surgery – Neurosurgery and TPLO

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 advanced neuro- or orthopedic surgery.

The course will extend the students assessment and management of the companion animal patient in need of need of advanced neuro- or orthopedic surgery and plan the perioperative management of the patient, including specific anaesthesia and analgesia requirements as well as postoperative management, follow up and rehabilitation.

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, diagnostic work up, and clinical appearance of intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the indications for surgery and on the selection of anaesthesia and anagelsia protocols in patients with intervertebral disc disease.
  • Understand the use and typical surgical techniques in intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine as well as lumbar-sacral disease.
  • Understand the TPLO surgical techniques, when it is indicated, and the needed follow up.
  • Explain, reflect about, and discuss a problem oriented and evidence-based work-up and treatment plan for patients undergoing intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Define and identify relevant anatomical structures.

 
Skills

  • Perform neurological examination, advanced imaging interpretation and lesion localisation.
  • Perform advanced atraumatic surgical techniques in intervertebral disc surgery.
  • Plan the rehabilitation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease or TPLO postsurgery.
  • Manage common complications secondary to intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Risk assessment after surgery with focus on treatment effect, complications, ethical and welfare challenges and estimation of prognosis.

 
Competences

  • Evaluate, plan and manage a diagnostic work-up for a patient with a complex history in which intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery is indicated.
  • Plan advanced therapy/procedures for companion animal patients in need of intervertebral or TPLO surgery.
  • Independently obtain, evaluate and elaborate on evidence-based new knowledge within companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO surgery.
  • Collaborate and communicate within and between specialist and non-specialist peers and laypersons involved in companion animal patients in need of intervertebral disc disease or TPLO 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: 2-6 September 2024 - class of 2022
31 August - 4 September 2026 - class of 2024
Frequency: Only available every second year
Course capacity: 24 students
Place: Novara, Italy
Course fee: EU/EEA citizens: 32,500 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens: 36,033 DKK

Tuition fees include hotel and full board.
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
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