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Neurosurgery and TPLO
Module 9 - Expand skills in advanced neuro- and orthopedic surgery for companion animals, focusing on intervertebral disc disease and TPLO.
This course is a part of
Companion Animal SURGERY - Advanced course - Module 9
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.
This course is only available for students enrolled on the Surgery specialisation track.
For more details about the course, please refer to the course curriculum.
Read more about the specialization tracks and the Master's programme on the main page:
Course Directors on Neurosurgery and TPLO
James Edward MilesProfessor MSO |
Dorthe HansenDVM, GPCertSAS, MS CACS (Surgery) |
Course details on Neurosurgery and TPLO
Dates and examination
Course dates 2026
31 August - 4 September 2026
Course dates 2028
4 - 8 September 2028
The course is available every second year.
Examination
Please find dates and details about the exam in the exam schedule.
Learning outcomes
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.
Admission criteria
This course is only available for students enrolled in the Surgery specialisation of Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.
Visit the Surgery page.
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 specialisation.
Read more about admission on the main page of Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.
Tuition fees
EU/EEA citizens*
32,500 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens
36,033 DKK
Tuition fees include hotel and full board.
*Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland is entitled to a subsidised tuition fee, due to EU legislation, hence the difference in price.
Location
28100 Novara
Italy
Contact
Christine Gulstad
Study Administration Officer
Tel.: +45 35 32 12 73
James Edward Miles
Professor MSO
DVM, PhD, GPCert SAS
I qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1995. I have been employed at the small animal hospital at the Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) since 2006, where my responsibilities include teaching and provision of surgical services.
In 2011 I completed a PhD at Copenhagen University based on research into objective diagnostic criteria relating to medial patellar luxation. Current research interests include identifying and assessing new objective criteria, and aspects of biomechanics relating to hind limb function, especially in regard to patellar luxation.
Dorthe Hansen
DVM, GPCertSAS, MS CACS (Surgery)