Continuing education is important for any veterinarian looking to stay up to date with the constantly evolving field of veterinary medicine. Advances in diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and animal health trends require ongoing learning to provide the best care. For food animal veterinarians especially, staying current isn’t just about professional development, it’s a key component of ensuring animal welfare, public health, and a secure food supply.
The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine recently announced they are expanding access to their veterinary education. Their aim is to ensure food animal veterinarians have the latest information to protect animal health and support producers.
According to Craig Payne, director of veterinary extension and continuing education, the recently launched continuing education courses for veterinarians feature experts from across the U.S. The five new courses provide practical education in food animal medicine and production and cover the following topics:
- Bovine Pinkeye
- Internal Parasite Management in the Cow Herd
- Milk Residues and Withdrawals in Goats
- Theileria orientalis in Missouri Cattle
- Treatment/Control of Digital Dermatitis in Beef Cattle
Each of these new offerings is worth 0.5 hours of continuing education credit per course, and the college aims to release one new course every month.
Other Resources
For veterinarians seeking more continuing education opportunities, several national organizations provide robust libraries of approved courses, tools, and support.
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB): AAVSB manages the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program, which ensures continuing education courses meet standardized criteria. Veterinarians can search the RACE database to find approved online and in-person courses that comply with their state’s licensing requirements.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): The AVMA offers a wide range of online continuing education courses through its AVMA Axon platform. These courses span topics such as clinical medicine, practice management, and public health and well-being. Many are free for AVMA members and are RACE-approved for license renewal.
- North American Veterinary Community (NAVC): Through its VetFolio platform, NAVC offers hundreds of continuing education courses, webinars, and podcasts across a wide range of species and specialties. VetFolio also features interactive content and modules that make it easy for busy professionals to learn on their own schedule.
These platforms are particularly valuable for veterinarians working in rural areas who may not have access to large conferences or in-person seminars. Whether you’re brushing up on clinical skills or diving into emerging topics, these trusted organizations offer flexible and comprehensive options for professional development.
Staying up to date on advancements in veterinary medicine is vital for veterinary professionals at all career stages. With the University of Missouri and other institutions expanding their offerings, there’s never been a better time to invest in your continued professional growth.
