Focus On – Exotic Pet Medicine

Course Master(s):

Dr. Lucile Gros, Dip. ECVDI (FR)

Instructor(s):

Dr. Hélène Evrard (FR)
Dr. Gauthier Gaborit (FR)

Course Overview

With the growing popularity of backyard poultry as companion animals, veterinarians are increasingly encountering chickens in practice. However, many practitioners feel less confident when it comes to diagnostics and surgical treatment.

This intensive 3-day course bridges this gap by combining essential theory with hands-on training, offering a practical and structured approach to the most common medical and surgical conditions in backyard poultry.

Topics:
· Preventive medicine and flock health management
· Reproductive, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders
· Other common systemic diseases in backyard chickens
· Therapeutic strategies and responsible medication use
· Behavioural aspects relevant to clinical assessment
· Diagnostic imaging principles, including both basic imaging modalities such as radiography and ultrasound and more advanced ones such as CT scan and MRI

The course is designed to reflect real-life clinical scenarios, enabling participants to confidently approach cases from first presentation to diagnosis and treatment.

Hands-on Practical Training
A key strength of this course is its strong practical component, allowing participants to actively develop essential clinical skills:
· Radiographic interpretation workshop – improving confidence in reading and interpreting avian radiographs
· Ultrasound (echography) lab – hands-on training in imaging techniques (subject to availability of live animals)
· Soft tissue surgery workshop – practical introduction to commonly performed surgical procedures in chickens
· Clinical case discussions – interactive sessions to integrate knowledge and decision-making

Course Program (Subject to change)