ESAVS Study Programs

Individual Courses and Comprehensive Study Program

The ESAVS haematology/cytology program consists of 4 one-week modules. Three of these (CYTOLOGY I, CYTOLOGY II, HAEMATOLOGY) are entirely held online as interactive live webinars. The HAEMATOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY PRACTICAL will be an onsite course.

CYTOLOGY I (theory + online practicals)

In this first course, the basic principles of cytopathology will be covered, including sampling techniques, slide preparation and staining, cytology principles of inflammation and neoplasia. The course will then focus on three main areas of cytology which are commonly performed in general practice, including cytology of skin and subcutaneous lesions, cytology of lymph nodes, cytology of ears, urinalysisand cytology of cavitary effusions.
Furthermore, every day the participants will be presented with digital cytology casesto solve in order to put in practice what they learned during the course. Digital cytology will give you the same experience as being in front of the microscope and is the best way to learn cytology from home.

CYTOLOGY II (theory + online practicals)

This second cytology course will focus on the remaining areas of cytopathology that are still clinically relevant but tend to be examined by more experienced personnel. The topics covered include cytology of internal organs(e.g. thoracic organs, liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, uro-genital tract), cytology of fluids(e.g. nasal flush, TW, BAL, synovial fluids, CSF), and other districts (e.g. musculoskeletal system, eyes, histiocytic disorders). There will also be a small session on histopathology covering all the information a veterinarian should know before collecting and submitting a histopathological sample for analysis to an external laboratory. Correlation cytopathology-histopathology will also be discussed.
Similarly to CYTOLOGY I, every day the participants will be presented with digital cytology cases to solve in order to put in practice what they learned during the course. Digital cytology will give you the same experience as being in front of the microscope and is the best way to learn cytology from home.

HAEMATOLOGY (theory + online practicals)

This online course will cover all aspects of haematology from the pre-analytical phase(sample collection, choice of instruments, quality control) to the analytical phase(blood sample analysis, blood smear preparation and examination). Large part of the course will be dedicated to the microscopic examination of all blood components(red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets) with a very practical approach, including diagnostic approach to anaemia. Day 4 will be entirely dedicated to myelo- and lymphoproliferative disorders, including advanced diagnostic techniques(flow cytometry, PARR) that are often needed to confirm and/or refine a diagnosis of leukaemia. There will also be space to discuss coagulation disorders, blood typing, and transfusion medicine, which are all topics of major clinical relevance.
Similarly to the other courses, every day the participants will be presented with haematology cases to solve and digital blood smears to look at in order to put in practice what they learned during the course. Digital haematology will give you the same experience as being in front of the microscope and is the best way to learn haematology from home.

CYTOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGY PRACTICAL WEEK (theory + practicals)

This on-site course will be a chance to meet in person and to put in practice all that was learned during the previous online courses. Basic approach to main cytology samples (skin, lymph nodes, fluids, internal organs) and to haematology cases / blood smears will be reviewed. The participants will also be able to examine with individual microscopes large numbers of cytology and haematology samples. This course will also give the participants the opportunity to ask questions and to clarify any doubts they may still have from the previous online courses.