3 HR RACE APPROVED CE COURSE

Is It Surgical?

The practical radiographic approach to mechanical obstruction in dogs and cats

Stop second guessing abdominal radiographs and learn a repeatable framework for deciding when a case is urgently surgical or can wait and be monitored with supportive care. 

Benjamin Colburn, DVM, DACVR 

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Only Case-Based Content

I'll show the major findings, make conclusions, and then discuss next steps

Practical

No academic fluff or medical jargon

Learn a Search Pattern

Develop a step-by-step process for evaluating abdominal radiographs so you can stop guessing. 

Meet Your Instructor

Benjamin Colburn, DVM, DACVR

Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist

Education 

  • Undergraduate: Angelo State University - San Angelo, Texas
  • Veterinary School: Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - College Station, Texas 
  • Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Residency: VitalRads - Cypress, Texas 
  • Board Certification: Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology
 
You know the case  

The radiographs look "busy", but "is this surgical?" 

The cat has been vomiting for 3 days 

Owners want answers on the next steps, but they are limited on resources

"Do I think this cat needs surgery?" 

In the course, I'll show you some key findings to look for to help you make a decision/call, just like the video below. 

 
Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Surgical?

  1. Intro

    4 lessons
    1. About This Course
    2. Passing foreign bodies with conservative care
    3. Search Pattern
    4. Review of Radiographic Opacities

  2. Stomach

    22 lessons

    1. Normal Anatomy

      1. Stomach Normal Anatomy
      2. Take the Left Lateral First

    2. Displacement of the Stomach with Intact Diaphragm

      1. Hepatomegaly
      2. Microhepatia
      3. Splenomegaly / Other Nonspecific intraabdominal mass

    3. Displacement of the Stomach without Intact Diaphragm

      1. Diaphragmatic Hernia
      2. Diaphragmatic Hernia 2
      3. Tension Gastro-Thorax
      4. Hiatal Hernia

    4. Displacement Within the Esophagus

      1. Gastroesophageal intussusception

    5. Dilation

      1. Food Bloat
      2. GDV
      3. 360 GDV
      4. Gastric Dilation
      5. Chronic Pyloric Outflow Obstruction
      6. Pyloric Foreign Bodies 1
      7. Pyloric Foreign Bodies 2
      8. Pyloric Foreign Bodies 3
      9. Bone Ingestion
      10. Poorly Defined Foreign Bodies
      11. Gastroenteritis

    6. Wall Changes

      1. Mural Disease

  3. Small Bowel

    19 lessons

    1. Normal Anatomy

      1. Normal Anatomy / Search Pattern
      2. Measurements for Mechanical Obstructions

    2. Non obstructive Foreign Bodies

      1. Non-obstructive Foreign Material
      2. Non-obstructive Foreign Material 2

    3. Obstructive Foreign Objects

      1. Stone/Rock Foreign Bodies
      2. Corn Cob Foreign Body
      3. Poorly Defined/Lucent Foreign Bodies 1
      4. Poorly Defined/Lucent Foreign Bodies 1 Ultrasound Images
      5. Poorly Defined Foreign Material 2
      6. Fabric Like FB
      7. Possible Hair Ties
      8. Intro Linear Foreign Bodies
      9. Plications (Cats)
      10. Plication (dogs)
      11. Septic Peritonitis / Peritoneal Gas

    4. Hernia

      1. Abdominal Body Wall Hernia

    5. Functional Ileus

      1. Functional Ileus

    6. Mesenteric Volvulus

      1. Mesenteric Volvulus

    7. Infiltrative

      1. Infiltrative

  4. Colon

    6 lessons

    1. Normal Anatomy

      1. Normal Anatomy

    2. Colitis

      1. Enterocolitis

    3. Foreign Bodies

      1. Beach Sand

    4. Colonic Torsion

      1. Colonic Torsion

    5. Intussusception

      1. Intussusception

    6. Infiltrative

      1. Colonic Mass

  5. Quiz

    0 lessons

What people are saying:

"I just finished the course. I think it's great! I really like how you showed normal vs abnormal. It helpe dme orient myself quickly" -- Lex

"You had good images and lectures. They were short, so it kept my attention!" -- Al 

"These videos are great and easier to understand than my vet school radiology lectures!" Anonymous 

What You'll Learn

What structures should you evaluate when reading GI x-ray cases so that you can make the correct conclusion/plan for your patient?

From Dr. Colburn:

"I created this course because I remember exactly what it felt like to stare at abdominal radiographs and wonder whether I was missing something important.

After reviewing thousands of studies and seeing what ultimately went to surgery, I developed a system that dramatically improved my miss rate. My goal is to help you do the same."

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