Subject Guidelines: Membership with Honours Guidelines
Small Animal Medicine
To be offered from 2010
INTRODUCTION
These Membership Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Red Book:
Advice to Membership Candidates.
ELIGIBILITY.
Candidates must have held a Membership in Small Animal Medicine for at least four
years.
Candidates for Membership with Honours must submit a credentials document by
October 31 in the year preceding the examination. The document must provide
documentary evidence of the following:

An original, first-author, scientific, peer reviewed publication in a peer-reviewed
journal in the subject of Small Animal Medicine, published within the four
years prior to the date of submission of credentials including but not limited to:
- Experimental research studies
- Clinical studies (for example prospective/retrospective studies)
- Clinicopathological studies
- Epidemiological studies
- Case reports
- Review papers
- Short communications

Attendance at one (1) scientific meeting of more than two days duration, in the
subject of Small Animal Medicine, within the four (4) years prior to the date of
submission of credentials

One (1) oral presentation to a scientific meeting of peers in the subject of
Small Animal Medicine, within the four (4) years prior to the date of submission
of credentials
OBJECTIVES
To demonstrate that the candidate has an advanced level of superior knowledge and
understanding in the principles and application of Small Animal Medicine to be able
to give sound advice in this field to veterinary colleagues.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Knowledge Levels:
Detailed knowledge - candidates must be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the topic
including differing points of view and published literature. The highest level of knowledge.
Sound knowledge – candidate must know all of the principles of the topic including some of the finer
detail, and be able to identify areas where opinions may diverge. A middle level of knowledge.
Basic knowledge – candidate must know the main points of the topic and the core literature
For the purposes of this subject, the term small animals will be taken as meaning cats
and dogs.
1.The candidate will have a sound knowledge of:
a. the normal canine and feline anatomy and physiology and the aetiology,
pathogenesis and pathophysiology of organ dysfunction in the cat and the
dog;
b. the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and management of
common infectious and non infectious canine and feline diseases;
c. preventive medicine as it applies to the cat and the dog;
d. diagnostic tests and procedures as these apply to the diagnosis of disease
conditions in the cat and the dog;
e. pharmacotherapy, chemotherapeutics, vaccines and biologics used for the
treatment, prevention and control and management of common canine and
feline diseases;
f. canine and feline nutrition and husbandry, especially as it applies to the
management of common disease conditions, paediatrics, geriatrics and
other special life stage or training requirements
The candidate will have a basic knowledge of:
a. canine and feline diseases exotic to Australia and New Zealand but which
could be of potential significance or importance to canine or feline health in
Australia and New Zealand
b. the measures to reduce the public health significance of those diseases of
the cat and the dog which are zoonotic.
2. The candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
a. collect, interpret and record clinical data in canine and feline cases
including:
i. historical and physical examinations of all body systems;
ii. the results of common clinical pathology investigations;
iii. the results of diagnostic imaging examinations including
radiography and ultrasound imaging
Sound diagnostic expertise is required.
b. perform the following technical procedures, with a sound level of
expertise;
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Knowledge Levels:
Detailed knowledge - candidates must be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the topic
including differing points of view and published literature. The highest level of knowledge.
Sound knowledge – candidate must know all of the principles of the topic including some of the finer
detail, and be able to identify areas where opinions may diverge. A middle level of knowledge.
Basic knowledge – candidate must know the main points of the topic and the core literature
c.
i. biopsy techniques (fine needle aspiration and cutting needle
core samples, with and without imaging guidance)
ii. blood pressure measurement
iii. body cavity centesis: thoracic, abdominal, pericardial
iv. bone marrow biopsy & aspiration
v. cerebrospinal fluid collection
vi. electrocardiography
vii. enteral nutrition tube placement
viii. joint fluid aspiration
ix. prostatic massage/ejaculate collection
x. thoracostomy tube placement
xi. transtracheal aspiration & bronchoalveolar lavage
d. analyse common clinical problems and make sound clinical judgements;
e. communicate effectively with clients and peers
EXAMINATIONS
For information on both the standard and the format of the Written and Oral
examinations, candidates are referred to the Red Book: Advice to Membership
Candidates. The examinations are the same as those offered to candidates for
Membership in Small Animal Medicine.
Written Paper I:
This paper is designed to test the Candidate’s knowledge of the principles of Small
Animal Medicine as described in the Learning Outcomes. Answers may cite specific
examples where general principles apply, but should primarily address the theoretical
basis underlying each example.
Written Paper II:
This paper is designed to (a) test the Candidate’s ability to apply the principles of
Small Animal Medicine to particular cases/problems or tasks and (b) test the
Candidate’s familiarity with the current practices and current issues that arise from
activities within the discipline of Small Animal Medicine in Australia and New
Zealand.
A pass requires a mean mark of at least 75% in the two written components. No
supplementary examination will be offered.
Skill levels:
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Detailed expertise – the candidate must be able to perform the technique with a high degree of skill,
and have extensive experience in its application. The highest level of proficiency.
Sound expertise – the candidate must be able to perform the technique with a moderate degree of
skill, and have moderate experience in its application. A middle level of proficiency.
Basic expertise – the candidate must be able to perform the technique competently in uncomplicated
circumstances.
Oral Examination
This examination requires the candidate to demonstrate achievement of the above
mentioned Learning Outcomes. A pass requires a mark of at least 75% in the oral
exam component. No supplementary examination will be offered.
RECOMMENDED READING MATERIAL
The following list of recommended reading material is intended as a guide only.
Candidates should not necessarily limit themselves to only studying material on the
list.
Essential Reading
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Vols I & II. Ettinger SJ & Feldman EC
(eds), 6th Edition. Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, 2005.
Small Animal Internal Medicine. Nelson RW & Couto CG (ed), 4th Edition. MosbyYear Book, St Louis, 2003. Note: this text does not contain adequate detail
regarding pathophysiology.
Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIV: Small Animal Practice. Bonagura JD (ed).
Saunders, Philadelphia, 2009 (and any subsequent editions).
Journals
Australian Veterinary Journal
Australian Veterinary Practitioner
Compendium of Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information contact the Chief Examiner
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