Program Overview

Program Description

The Professional Specialist in Small Animal Medicine program is an intensive specialization program in Internal Medicine for dogs and cats, with theoretical and practical curricular activities.

Objective

The program aims to form a professional medical veterinarian specialist in small animal medicine, capable of managing the different aspects involved in these topics.

Specific Objectives

• Prepare the Specialist for an adequate interpretation of anamnesis data, physical and complementary examination results, to reach accurate diagnoses and apply the most effective therapies for each case.
• Develop in the Specialist the ability to communicate with owners, colleagues, and students in the field of small animal medicine.
• Provide the Specialist with updated medical knowledge and tools to develop clinical care and research activities, self-learning, and continuous professional and personal self-evaluation.

Research Areas

• Veterinary Medicine

Curriculum

The program is divided into four semesters, with the following courses:

First Semester

• Diploma Modules in Small Animal Medicine: 150 hours
• Clinical Immunology: 42 hours
• Pharmacology: 45 hours
• Clinical Pathology: 70 hours
• Seminars/Discussion of Clinical Cases I: 46 hours
• Clinical Care I: 452 hours
• Total: 805 hours

Second Semester

• Diploma Modules in Small Animal Medicine: 150 hours
• Medicine I: 120 hours
• Seminars/Discussion of Clinical Cases II: 46 hours
• Clinical Care II: 464 hours
• Total: 805 hours

Third Semester

• Imaging in Small Animals: 132 hours
• Medicine II: 110 hours
• Seminars/Discussion of Clinical Cases III: 60 hours
• Clinical Care III: 464 hours
• Total: 808 hours

Fourth Semester

• Diploma Modules in Small Animal Imaging: 132 hours
• Medicine III: 100 hours
• Seminars/Discussion of Clinical Cases IV: 60 hours
• Clinical Care IV: 474 hours
• Total: 808 hours

Courses

• Preclinical Sciences: includes subjects such as Parasitology, Pathology, Hematology, and Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology.
• Internal Medicine I: includes subjects such as Feline Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Dermatology.
• Internal Medicine II: includes subjects such as Respiratory Medicine, Nephro-Urology, Gastroenterology, Cardiovascular, and Endocrinology.
• Medicine III: includes subjects such as Anesthesiology, Oncology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Intensive Care, and Ophthalmology.

Academic Team

• Dra. Sonia Anticevic C. (Dermatology)
• Dra. Fernando Fredes M. (Parasitology)
• Dra. Daniela Iragüen C. (Pharmacology)
• Dra. Paola Ledesma L. (Intensive Care and Emergencies)
• Dra. Loreto Muńoz A. (Feline Medicine and Respiratory)
• Dr. Daniel Sáez V. (Imaging)
• Dr. Cristián Torres M. (Oncology)
• Dra. Alicia Valdés O. (Nephro-Urology and Gastroenterology)

Guest Professionals

• Dr. Luis Godoy O. (Surgery)
• Dr. Javier Green L. (Neurology)
• Dra. Tamara Melo (Clinical Pathology)
• Dra. Macarena Peńa (Endocrinology)
• Dra. Catalina Zúńiga (Cardiology)
• Dra. Alejandra Sepúlveda (Odontology)
• Dra. Guisela Acuńa (Feline Medicine)
• Dr. Rodrigo Häfelin (Neurology)

Admission Requirements

• Title or Degree Required: Professional Title of Medical Veterinarian
• Required Documents:
  • Certificate of title, legalized before a notary.
  • Curriculum Vitae with a description of professional experience, if any.
  • Letter indicating the reasons that motivate the application and commitment to completing the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation from prominent professionals in the area.
  • Medical certificates that accredit physical and mental health, compatible with the program.

Application Process

• Receipt of Documents for Application: December 10, 2021, to January 22, 2022.
• Personal Interviews with Candidates: January 24 to 28, 2022.
• Selection of the Applicant: Based on the analysis of the received background and personal interview of the candidates, by the Academic Committee of the Program.
• Application Results: March 1 to 11, 2022.

Program Details

• Duration: 2 years, distributed in 4 academic semesters and a total of 3,226 direct hours.
• Schedule: Full-time (lective activities in daytime schedule and hospital shifts in daytime and nighttime schedules).
• Location: The program's activities will be held in the facilities of the Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences of the University of Chile, in the Veterinary Clinical Hospital (Bilbao Headquarters).
• Organization: Small Animal Medicine Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences of the University of Chile.

Tuition Fees

• Annual Tuition: $3,400,000
• Enrollment Fee for 2022: $157,900
• Payment Method: 1) Cash (5% discount) 2) Tuition divided into 9 monthly installments (April-December)