Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Dec 1, 2025

Introduction

This intensive two-day course, Neurolocalisation and Case-Based Work-Up of Cranial, Spinal and Peripheral Nervous System Lesions, offers a practical, highly interactive deep dive into small-animal neurology. It combines concise, targeted lectures with hands-on case discussions to help clinicians sharpen their diagnostic skills and improve everyday clinical decision-making. With no restriction on participant numbers, the programme is designed to be accessible, engaging and immediately applicable in practice.

Course Objectives

  • Strengthen confidence and accuracy in small-animal neurolocalisation.
  • Quickly distinguish central from peripheral vestibular disease.
  • Understand when and how to perform CSF taps, and interpret CSF findings effectively.
  • Work through real cranial, spinal, peripheral and neuromuscular cases using a structured problem-solving approach.
  • Enhance clinical reasoning and streamline neurological work-ups in general practice.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

09.00-09.10 – Welcome
09.10-10.30 – Neurolocalisation
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-12.00 – Differentiating between central and peripheral vestibular disease
12.00-13.00 – Talk: CSF tap and CSF analysis
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.30-16.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with cranial pathologies (I)
16.00-16.30 – Coffee break
16.30-17.15 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with cranial pathologies (II)
17.15-18.00 – Day recap and welcome cocktail

DAY 2

09.00-10.30 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with spinal pathologies (I)
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-13.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with spinal pathologies (II)
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.00-16.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with peripheral nervous system pathologies
16.00-16.30 – Coffee break
16.30-17.30 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with neuromuscular lesions
17.30-18.00 – Closing remarks

Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Dec 1, 2025

Ventral slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries for treating cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform both procedures step by step, through theoretical lectures and practical wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgery is only the final stage in the work-up of clinical patients. Therefore, the course will also cover clinical reasoning, spinal neurolocalisation, as well as spinal imaging, ensuring a complete and structured approach from diagnosis to surgical decision-making.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

09.00-09.15 – Welcome and Introduction
09.15-09.45 – Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09.45-10.45 – Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10.45-11.15 – Coffee break
11.15-11:45 – Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11.45-13.00 – Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by participants)
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.00-15.45 – Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15.45-16.15 – Coffee break
16.15-17.00 – Talk: Spinal imaging
17.00-17.45 – Day recap and welcome cocktail

DAY 2

09.00-10.30 – Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos of cases spinal diseases
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-11.45 – Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11.45-12.15 – Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12.15-13.15 – Lunch break
13.15-15.30 – Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15.30-16.00 – Coffee break
16.00-17.30 – Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
17.30-17.45 – Closing remarks

2-Day Small Animal Internal Medicine Course (Dogs & Cats)

2-Day Small Animal Internal Medicine Course (Dogs & Cats)

Nov 24, 2025

Target audience: Practicing veterinarians
Format: Lectures, interactive case discussions, wetlabs, small-group workshops
Focus: Practical diagnostic skills, problem-oriented approach, and hands-on procedures

Course Introduction

Welcome to this comprehensive 2-day Small Animal Internal Medicine Course designed for practicing veterinarians seeking to enhance their clinical skills and decision-making abilities. This course uniquely combines cutting-edge theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on sessions, ensuring that participants can immediately apply what they learn in their daily practice. From diagnostic strategies to problem-oriented clinical reasoning, renal and urinary disorders, polyarthritis, and PU/PD management, this programme offers an unparalleled learning experience.
Participants will benefit from interactive case discussions, practical wetlabs—including nasogastric and oesophageal feeding tube placement, joint taps, and bone marrow biopsies—and small-group workshops, allowing for intensive skill development and personalised guidance from experienced instructors.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Apply systematic diagnostic strategies in small animal internal medicine.
  2. Utilise a problem-oriented approach for effective differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning.
  3. Recognise, diagnose, and manage renal and urinary tract disorders, including FLUTD.
  4. Understand and implement treatment strategies for polyarthritis and PU/PD cases.
  5. Perform key practical procedures confidently, including feeding tube placement, joint taps, and bone marrow biopsy.
  6. Integrate practical knowledge from wetlabs and case-based workshops into clinical practice for better patient outcomes.
Jana Milenkovic

Jana Milenkovic

DVM, Dr. med.vet, DACVIM (SAIM)

Jana Milenkovic graduated with honors in 2015 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. After graduation, she worked for two years at the Veterinary Clinic “Novak” in Belgrade, Serbia. In 2017, she enrolled in a Rotating Internship program at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, Germany. Following the successful completion of the Rotating internship, she began a Specialty Internship in Internal Medicine in 2018 at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland. In 2020, at the same university, she completed her doctoral thesis on canine thyroid tumors and tumor-derived organoids. Later that year, she started a Residency program of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM – SAIM). In 2024, Jana achieved Diplomate status, becoming Board Certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Jana is currently working as a senior clinician in internal medicine at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Day 1 – Diagnostic and Problem-Oriented Approach in Internal Medicine and Urinary Disorders

08:30–09:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:00–09:15 Introduction and Course Overview

09:15–10:00 Diagnostic Strategies in Small Animal Internal Medicine

10:00–10:45 Problem-Oriented Clinical Reasoning: Differential Diagnosis in Practice

10:45–11:15 Coffee Break

11:15–12:00 Acute Kidney Disorders: Recognition and Initial Management

12:00–12:45 Chronic Kidney Disease: Long-Term Management Strategies

12:45–13:30 Glomerular Disorders: Diagnosis and Clinical Approach

13:30–14:30 Lunch Break

14:30–15:15 Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): Practical Approach

15:15–16:00 Interactive Case Discussion: Renal and Urinary Tract Conditions

16:00–16:30 Coffee Break

16:30–18:00 Small Group Case-Based Workshop: Applying Diagnostics and Clinical Decision-Making

18:00–18:30 Welcome Cocktail

Day 2 – Advanced Clinical Skills, Polyarthritis, and PU/PD Approach

09:00–09:15 Welcome and Brief Recap of Day 1

09:15–10:00 Polyarthritis: Recognition, Diagnosis, and Clinical Importance

10:00–10:45 PU/PD in Dogs and Cats: Systematic Assessment and Differential Diagnosis

10:45–11:15 Coffee Break

11:15–12:00 Treatment Strategies in Internal Medicine: Focus on PU/PD and Polyarthritis

12:00–12:45 Practical Wetlab: Nasogastric and Oesophageal Feeding Tube Placement

12:45–13:30 Practical Wetlab: Joint Tap (Arthrocentesis)

13:30–14:30 Lunch Break

14:30–15:15 Practical Wetlab: Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy Techniques

15:15–16:00 Case Discussion: Polyarthritis, PU/PD, and Complex Internal Medicine Scenarios

16:00–16:30 Coffee Break

16:30–18:00 Small Group Case-Based Workshop: Applying Diagnostics, Clinical Reasoning, and Treatment Planning

18:00–18:30 Closing Remarks and Farewell

Medicine and Surgery of Exotic Pets – 3 days course

Medicine and Surgery of Exotic Pets – 3 days course

Nov 1, 2025

Objectives

  • Update knowledge in the medicine of small mammals, birds, and reptiles
  • Deepen surgical and anesthetic skills
  • Practice through hands-on workshops using models/animals/cadavers where feasible
  • Develop an integrated clinical approach adapted to real-world practice
Norin Chai

Norin Chai

DVM, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ECZM

Graduated from the National Veterinary School of Alfort, Norin completed two Masters of Science in 1995, one in “Tropical Animal Pathology” and one in “Tropical Animal Production”. In 1996, he completed his veterinary thesis on “Ecology and ethology of the leopard (Panthera pardus)”. In the meantime, he began his career as the director of the Manda National Park (Chad) from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he joined the National Museum of Natural History (France) as a research engineer, deputy director and Head vet of the Parc de la Haute Touche (zoological park in central France). In 2000, Norin returned to Paris as a veterinarian at the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes. In 2008, he obtained his PhD on amphibian medicine. In 2013, he became Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo). From 2005 to September 2020, he held the position of headvet and deputy director of the Menagerie. At the same time, Norin was the veterinary manager of all the transgenic animal research facilities of the National Museum, president of the NGO Elefantasia and co-founding president of the Regional Wildlife Monitoring Laboratory. He left his position at the zoo in October 2020 to follow his own personal conservation and humanitarian projects, in particular with his association Yaboumba, founded in 2000. He is regularly requested for expertise on medical and surgical cases in wildlife and on conservation projects around the world.

Currently, Norin consults in a referral veterinary clinic specialized in exotic animals (Spenac Argos, Paris), in a zoo-rescue Center (La Tanière Zoo, Chartres), in other several rescue centers (Costa Rica and Asia) and has a business coaching activity.

He has published numerous articles in indexed veterinary journals, national magazines and given hundred lectures in national and international conferences.

Day 1 – Internal Medicine and Diagnostics

  • Session 1: Introduction – Physiological and clinical specificities of exotic pets
    (comparative approach)
  • Session 2: Internal medicine of small mammals
  • Session 3: Internal medicine of birds
  • Session 4: Internal medicine of Reptiles

Workshops

  • Workshop 1: Hematology and biochemistry in Birds and Reptile – sampling techniques,
    interpretation of results (interactive case studies)

Day 2 – Imaging diagnostics

  • Session 5: Radiography, ultrasound in small mammals and birds, reptile
  • Session 6: Endoscopy in Exotics

Workshops

  • Workshop 2: radiography in exotic pets
  • Workshop 3: ultrasound in small mammals and reptile
  • Workshop 4: Endocopy in Birds and Reptiles

Day 3 – Surgery and Anesthesia

  • Session 7: Anesthesia and analgesia in exotic pets
  • Session 8: Surgery in small mammals
  • Session 9: Surgery in birds
  • Session 10 : Surgery in reptiles

Workshops

  • Workshop 5 (surgery on models/cadavers): Dentistry in Rabbits
  • Workshop 6 (surgery on models/cadavers): Orthopedics in Rabbits
  • Workshop 7 (surgery on models/cadavers): Orthopedics in Birds
  • Workshop 8 (surgery on models/cadavers): Main surgeries in Chelonians
Ultrazvuk 1

Ultrazvuk 1

Oct 24, 2025

Dvodnevni kurs ultrazvučne dijagnostike abdominalnih organa koji za cilj ima upoznavanje polaznika sa mogućnostima ultrazvučne dijagnostike, savladavanje tehnike pregleda jetre, žučne kese, slezine, bubrega, mokraćne bešike, muškog i ženskog reproduktivnog trakta, digestivnog trakta, desnog režnja pankreasa kao i upoznavanje sa najčešćim ultrazvučno vidljivim patologijama.

Prvi dan

Vreme Naslov Format
09:00 – 10:00 Uvod i osnove Teorijski
10:00 – 10:30 Upoznavanje sa aparatom Praktično
10:30 – 11:00 Pauza za kafu  
11:00 – 11:45 Jetra, žučna kesa, slezina Teorijski
11:45 – 13:30 Jetra, žučna kesa, slezina Praktično
13:30 – 14:30 Pauza za ručak  
14:30 – 15:15 Bubrezi, mokraćna bešika Teorijski
15:15 – 16:30 Bubrezi, mokraćna bešika Praktično
16:30 – 17:00 Pitanja  

Drugi dan

Vreme Naslov Format
09:00 – 09:45 Želudac, creva, pankreas Teorijski
09:45 – 10:30 Želudac, creva, pankreas Praktično
10:30 – 11:00 Pauza za kafu  
11:00 – 11:30 Ženski i muški reproduktivni trakt Teorijski
11:30 – 13:30 Ženski i muški reproduktivni trakt Praktično
13:30 – 14:30 Pauza za ručak  
14:30 – 16:00 Praktičan rad Praktično
16:00 – 16:30 Pisanje izveštaja Teorijski
16:30 – 17:00 Pitanja