Companion Animal Cardiology – Diagnostic Cardiology

Course content

The purpose of this course is to further develop the skills of the student within the discipline of veterinary cardiology in companion animals. The level of prior knowledge and skills within cardiology from both veterinary candidate level and the first part of the Master education will further be developed into an advanced level. In theory and by practical exercises to extend the participants knowledge, professional skills, and competences within the subject of clinical cardiology at an advanced level.

Education

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 Continual Professional Development (CPD).

 

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in companion animal clinical practice specifically within clinical cardiology.
• Explain the causes, hemodynamics, and pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in systolic and diastolic heart diseases/failure.
• Explain the effects of anesthesia on the heart.
• Explain the role of biomarkers in heart diseases
• Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of epidemiology and screening of heart diseases in companion animals.
• Give genetic counseling with those companion animal owners or breeders whose animals are at an increased risk of either having a heritable disorder or of passing it on to their unborn offspring.
• Explain cardiopulmonary resuscitation – basic and advanced life support in companion animals.
• Give an insight into critically ill patients and hemodynamic disturbances.

 

Skills
• Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical cardiovascular examination and assessing the cardiovascular size and function and tools as well as master relevant skills such as intermediate clinical ECG, intermediate thoracic radiology and intermediate trans-thoracic echocardiography (i.e. understand physics, “knobology” and probe selection; practical and theoretical ultrasound sessions; M-mode and 2D diagnostics (anatomy/standard heart projections, principles); basic spectral and color Doppler examination.
• Assess and interpret systolic and diastolic assessments.
• 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 within the area of clinical cardiology.
• Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences
• Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical cardiology.
• Educate owners of chronic cardiovascular patients concerning long-term medical treatment.
• Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate, and make decisions within clinical cardiology at an advanced level.

A combination of theoretical lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice and case-based practice. Case-study work.

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.


SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:
• Danish Certificate in Small Animal Diseases, in danish known as "Fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte".
• Swedish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Swedish known as "Steg 1".
• Norwegian Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Norwegian known as "Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr".
• Finnish Specialist in Diseases of Dogs and Cats, in Finnish known as “Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri".


SCAM13024U Applied Clinical Cardiology

Written
Oral
ECTS
1 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Type of assessment details
The Ongoing Test consists of three parts.
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) preparation and oral presentation of problem oriented clinical cases and
c) an on-site steeplechase test.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

Note that no aids are allowed in the on-site steeplechase test. 

 

The use of AI or AI-assisted tools is prohibited for this exam.

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in companion animal clinical practice specifically within clinical cardiology.
• Explain the causes, hemodynamics, and pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in systolic and diastolic heart diseases/failure
• Explain the effects of anesthesia on the heart.
• Explain the role of biomarkers in heart diseases.
• Explain, reflect about, and demonstrate overview of epidemiology and screening of heart diseases in companion animals.
• Give genetic counseling to those companion animal owners or breeders whose animals are at an increased risk of either having a heritable disorder or of passing it on to their unborn offspring.
• Explain cardiopulmonary resuscitation – basic and advanced life support in companion animals.
• Give an insight into critically ill patients and hemodynamic disturbances.

 

Skills
• Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical cardiovascular examination and assessing the cardiovascular size and function and tools as well as master relevant skills such as intermediate clinical ECG, intermediate thoracic radiology and intermediate trans-thoracic echocardiography (i.e. understand physics, “knobology” and probe selection; practical and theoretical ultrasound sessions; M-mode and 2D diagnostics (anatomy/standard heart projections, principles); basic spectral and color Doppler examination.
• Assess and interpret systolic and diastolic assessments.
• 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 within the area of clinical cardiology.
• Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences
• Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical cardiology.
• Educate owners of chronic cardiovascular patients concerning long-term medical treatment.
• Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate, and make decisions within clinical cardiology at an advanced level.

ECTS
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
A graded evaluation including three written assignments on clinically relevant topics and a case-log with three cases from clinical practice.

To pass the course, students must have passed both Exam 1 and Exam 2. However, students may attend Exam 2 without having passed Exam 1.
Examination prerequisites

Students may attend this examination without approval of Exam 1 (SCAM25028E Ongoing Test).

Aid
All aids allowed except Generative AI
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assessment

To achieve the the maximum grade 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Define, identify, and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision-making in companion animal clinical practice specifically within clinical cardiology.
• Explain the causes, hemodynamics, and pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in systolic and diastolic heart diseases/failure.
• Explain the effects of anesthesia on the heart.
• Explain the role of biomarkers in heart diseases.
• Explain, reflect on, and demonstrate overview of epidemiology and screening of heart diseases in companion animals.
• Give genetic counselling with those companion animal owners or breeders whose animals are at an increased risk of either having a heritable disorder or of passing it on to their unborn offspring.
• Explain cardiopulmonary resuscitation – basic and advanced life support in companion animals.
• Give an insight into critically ill patients and hemodynamic disturbances. 

 

Skills 
• Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical cardiovascular examination and assessing the cardiovascular size and function and tools as well as master relevant skills such as intermediate clinical ECG, intermediate thoracic radiology and intermediate trans-thoracic echocardiography (i.e. understand physics, “knobology” and probe selection; practical and theoretical ultrasound sessions; M-mode and 2D diagnostics (anatomy/standard heart projections, principles); basic spectral and color Doppler examination.
• Assess and interpret systolic and diastolic assessments.
• 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 within the area of clinical cardiology.
• Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

              

Competences
• Evaluate companion animal diseases within clinical cardiology.
• Educate owners of chronic cardiovascular patients concerning long-term medical treatment.
• Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate, and make decisions within clinical cardiology at an advanced level.

Part time Master and Diploma courses

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 87
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 40
  • English
  • 162

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
SCAM25029U
ECTS
See exam description
Programme level
Part Time Master
Duration
5 course days full time.
Placement
Spring
This course is offered in the Spring semester (even-numbered years). For more information about the exact course dates, please visit the webpage.
Price

Diagnostic Cardiology – University of Copenhagen.

Schedulegroup
Monday - Friday full time
Capacity
4
Studyboard
Study Board for the Professionel Master´s Degree Programmes at The Faculty og Health and Medical Science
Contracting department
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Jakob Willesen   (2-6d7a4376787167316e7831676e)
Teacher

National and International capacities within the field.

Saved on the 25-06-2025

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