General Practice Fundamentals

8 RACE-approved hours. Anytime On-Demand course available soon.

Free Resources Supporting General Practice Fundamentals

Use your VIN membership to access these resources, or click here to learn about a free 30-day VIN trial membership.

  • Veterinary Partner is the Veterinary Information Network's client education website with a treasure trove of the finest and most accurate pet health information to be shared with pet owners. This site includes client drug information handouts.
  • VINcyclopedia of Diseases is a set of “cheat sheets” for disease processes and how to work through them.
  • VIN Veterinary Drug Handbook is a comprehensive clinical resource with basic drug information such as pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, indications, contraindications, therapeutic dosages, adverse events, and drug interactions for drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
  • VIN Calculators will help you save time tracking those diabetic dogs, calculating intravenous medication rates, getting your patients on a diet, among other things.
  • VIN Message Boards (sign into your VIN account and click the Message Boards main navigation link) are where you can post information about your case and get feedback and brainstorming.
  • VIN Mentor: Visual Procedures Manual offers videos and pictures of complete medical procedures with step-by-step instructions, accompanying materials lists, and enough information to help you successfully perform the procedures. Videos are narrated to walk you through the procedures. Also, VIN has many other visual/video resources as well. Check out the collection of Exero Vet teaching videos.
  • VIN Drug and Food Recall Center provides links to recall notifications that affect veterinary practices and the clients and patients they serve.

General Practice Fundamentals Practice Pointers Playlist

(click the tiny "hamburger" button in the upper right of the playback window to see a list of videos)

About General Practice Fundamentals

Taught by Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD with assistance from Drew Olson, DVM, Steve Kellner, paralegal, and other subject matter experts.

Agenda and learning objectives

Simplifying the Diagnosis - 1 hour

Describe a simplified approach to cases and making a diagnosis.
List the diagnostic tests available in practice.
Understand common processes to simplify case management.

Common Conditions in Everyday Practice - 2 hours

Understand the diagnosis and treatment of:

Otitis externa, aural hematoma and atopy, common lameness, osteoarthritis and dental conditions, common conditions causing vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia, coughing and cardiovascular conditions, anaphylactic reactions, and toxicities, and trauma, seizures and lacerations.

What, When and How to Communicate Common Conditions with Clients - 3 hours

Understand the theory of creating prepared communications to clients for efficient and effective communication on common issues and conditions.

Write and recite a common communication to clients for:

Separation anxiety, aggression, scratching, and phobias, vaccinations, deworming, wellness laboratory work and parasite control, nutrition, weight control, common nutritional supplements and alternative diets, declawing and cosmetic surgeries, routine surgeries such as ovariohysterectomy, castration and dental procedures, atopy, allergies, and dermal disease, including treatments, osteoarthritis, caudal cruciate ligament rupture, medial patellar luxation, intervertebral disk disease and soft tissue injuries, anal gland conditions and expression, and heart disease, murmurs and congenital conditions.

Routine Surgery and Tissue Handling - 2 hours

Describe and understand:

Routine canine and feline ovariohysterectomies, routine canine and feline castration, routine tissue handling skills and suture patterns common to small animal practice, common dental procedures and oral surgery, and common mass removal procedures.