Foundations of Small Animal Medicine

Small animal medicine focuses on companion dogs and cats across the life span. Sound practice rests on understanding wellness, preventive medicine, and the common conditions that fill the typical caseload. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the principles of canine and feline wellness, recognize the structure of preventive care including vaccination and parasite control, identify common medical conditions, and understand the principles of diagnostic reasoning in small animal practice. What you will learn: - Principles of canine and feline life stage wellness - Vaccination protocols including core and non-core vaccines - Parasite control principles across geographic regions - Common medical conditions including dermatology, gastrointestinal, and urinary presentations - Common infectious diseases and zoonotic considerations - Diagnostic reasoning frameworks across common cases - Client communication frameworks for preventive and medical care The course uses readings, case examples, condition summaries, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students strengthening small animal practice. It does not replace supervised clinical training or jurisdiction-specific licensure. By the end you will have a structured foundation in small animal medicine.