Individual Courses and Comprehensive Study Program

ESAVS offers two distinct Exotic Pets Medicine programmes, with different academic structures and programme leadership. Under both programmes, the main focus is placed on interactive and practical training under the supervision of course masters and instructors, who are all internationally, recognized European or American specialists.

The programme in Europe, and Asia (excluding mainland China) is accredited and recognised towards the ESAVS Certificate (CASVM) and Master (MASVM) programmes, contributing to the academic requirements of these qualifications. 

The mainland China programme, though same in rigor and depth, is NOT accredited and will be considered as an external course.

These are two separate programmes and should not be considered interchangeable. Participants intending to pursue an ESAVS Certificate (CASVM) or Master (MASVM) qualification are advised to verify the eligibility and recognition of individual courses before registering.

Exotic Pets Medicine – Mainland China

The Exotic Pets Medicine programme offered in mainland China is led by Prof. Dr. Zdenek Knotek and follows a separate curriculum from the programme offered in Asia and Europe.

Exotic Pets Medicine I (Methods of Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Cardiology):
This course covers the introduction to clinical anatomy of reptiles, birds and small mammals. It is focused on advances radiographic and ultrasonographic assessments of reptiles, small mammals and birds. It also focuses on the importance of clinical cardiology in exotic pet patients.  Reptile, avian and small mammalian radiography, ultrasonography and cardiology are clinically very important subjects and are covered in the practicals.

Exotic Pets Medicine II (Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Surgery, Endoscopy):
This course gives an overview of advanced methods of anaesthesia and analgesia in reptiles, birds and small mammals, and advanced surgical procedures in exotic pet patients. The participant will learn about how to deal with orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery (ovariectomy, salpingotomy, salpingectomy, enterotomy, spaying methods). Further subject covered in this course is exotic pet endoscopy.

Exotic Pets Medicine III (Clinical Medicine in Exotic Pets):
Participants will learn about how to realise the standard post mortem examination of exotic pet patient and how to use the methods of clinical pathology (parasitology, haematology, cytology and plasma chemistry) in modern clinical practice.

Exotic Pets Medicine – Asia (excluding mainland China)

The Exotic Pets Medicine programme offered in Asia(excluding mainland China) and Europe is led by Dr. Charly Pignon, with Prof. Dr. Zdenek Knotek serving as a member of the lecturing team.

Exotic Pet – Small Mammal: Diagnostic Imaging and Medicine:

This course is design for practitioners who already work with small mammals and who are willing to improve their knowledge and practice in this topic. The course will be illustrated by several clinical cases, and the lecturers will always pay attention to share with the participants the latest evidence-based data published and emphasize clinical application of these publications.

The first part of the course will focus on diagnostic imaging with lectures presenting radiography (including contrast), ultrasound techniques and radio anatomy in order to finely interpret the images. The CT scan and MRI lecture will focus on reasonable but necessary indications to perform these diagnostics and interpretations of the main lesions. These lectures will lead to an interactive clinical cases session and an ultrasound wet lab where the participants will be trained to perform abdominal ultrasounds on different live small mammal species.

The second part of the course will be on medicine with lectures on cardiology, pneumology, uro-nephrology, gastroenterology, reproduction, ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology and oncology. During these lecture, new and emerging diseases will be presented as well as updates on common diseases in order to give practical tools the practitioners to be able to improve the medical management of their patients. These lectures will lead to an interactive clinical cases session and a wetlab on cadavers about noninvasive endoscopy (oculoscopy, otoscopy, rhinoscopy, esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, coloscopy, cystoscopy on rabbits and guinea pigs).

Exotic Pet – Small Mammal: Anaesthesia and Surgery:
This course is not for beginners in small mammal practice, but for practitioners who are already receiving small mammals on a regular basis. It is a cases-oriented course, presenting clinical data from the latest literature and illustrated with clinical cases.

Exotic Pet – Avian Medicine and Surgery
This course is designed for veterinarians who wish to deepen their expertise in avian medicine and surgery, with a focus on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to manage the health of exotic bird species commonly encountered in clinical practice (including psittacines, passerines, raptors and chickens). Participants will explore essential aspects of avian husbandry, anatomy, physiology, and pathology as well as main clinical techniques including anesthesia, surgery, endoscopy and imaging techniques, gaining the confidence and skills necessary to provide exceptional care.

Exotic Pet - Reptiles: Herpetological Medicine and Surgery:
This course is designed for veterinarians seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge and practical skills in reptile medicine and surgery. The course provides an in-depth exploration of reptile taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, and husbandry, with a primary focus on snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises commonly encountered in European clinical practice. Participants will gain essential expertise in areas such as nutrition, clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia and analgesia, infectious diseases, internal medicine, surgery, and endoscopy. Through lectures, interactive workshops, and case-based discussions, attendees will develop the confidence and competence to manage a wide range of reptilian medical conditions and deliver high-quality care in clinical settings.