The Vet Tribe - Essentials of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Online course for veterinarians

Essentials of Gastrointestinal Diseases

A clear, step-by-step approach to the gastrointestinal cases you see most, guided by a board-certified specialist, so you can diagnose and manage them with structure and confidence.

Dr Betty Chow BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM
6-week guided learning · 6 months access
12 CPD points (RACE & AVA approved)
Next cohort starts Monday 6 July
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Why this matters

Gastrointestinal cases are the ones that drag on - the chronic diarrhoea that won't resolve, the vomiting cat you keep re-working up, the dog that's been on three diets and still isn't right. The temptation is to keep testing and keep medicating. This course gives you a clear, step-by-step way through the gastrointestinal cases you see most, so you know what actually matters, what to skip, and how to build a plan that works.

What's inside the course
  • 6-week guided online program with 6 months total access
  • 12 CPD points, RACE and AVA approved
  • Direct Q&A with a board-certified specialist
  • Downloadable protocols & checklists
  • Interactive quizzes, case studies & practical scenarios
  • Personalised certificate upon passing the final exam
What's inside the course
Meet your mentor
Mentor photo

Dr Betty Chow BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM (SAIM)

Clinical Professor · International Lecturer · GI Nerd

Dr Betty Chow is a passionate educator and board-certified internal medicine specialist with deep expertise in small animal gastroenterology. She is the author of several textbook chapters on feline and canine GI, hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease, serves on the Comparative Gastroenterology Society board, and lectures worldwide. She is also about to begin a two-year nutrition residency, working toward double-board certification.

"Gastrointestinal medicine can be frustrating - it's complex, chronic, and often doesn't give us quick answers. But it's also one of the most rewarding areas of practice. My goal is to help veterinarians cut through the confusion, understand what matters, and manage these cases with structure, clarity, and confidence."
Meet Dr Betty
Course plan at a glance

What you'll learn, week by week

Week 1

Acute Diarrhea

Less Guesswork. More Clarity. Stop the Cycle of Over-Treatment.
Learn how to evaluate and treat acute diarrhea in dogs and cats with a focus on clinical judgment and evidence-based strategies:
You'll learn how to:
  • Common causes: diet, stress, dysbiosis. Not always infection
  • When (not) to test and when (not) to treat
More about this module
  • Why Clostridium and enterotoxins can be misleading
  • What diagnostics are more helpful than others
  • ENOVAT antimicrobial guidelines: why antibiotics are rarely (or almost never) indicated
  • Dietary management strategies: fiber, probiotics, rehydration
By the end of this module you will feel confident treating acute GI cases without over-testing or over-medicating. You will understand the clinical reasoning behind antibiotic avoidance and know how to build simple, effective treatment plans that work.
Week 1
Week 2

Canine Chronic Enteropathy

Sort It Out. Treat the Patient. Stop the Guesswork.
Learn how to approach chronic GI cases in dogs, including protein-losing enteropathies.
You'll learn how to:
  • Diet trials: how many, how long, and what to choose
  • Diagnostics that matter: cobalamin, folate, fecal testing, imaging
More about this module
  • The role (and limitations) of immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and FMT
  • What to do when dogs don't respond to anything
By the end of this module you will be able to confidently approach chronic GI cases using a step-by-step framework. You will know how to prioritize diet, interpret diagnostics, and tailor treatment plans based on patient response.
Week 2
Week 3

Feline Chronic Enteropathy

Stop Calling Everything “IBD.” Get Specific. Get Strategic.
Feline CE is not just “IBD.” This module teaches you how to navigate the overlapping clinical signs of CIE, small cell lymphoma, and other GI diseases in cats.
You'll learn how to:
  • Diagnostic strategies: diet trials, GI panels, ultrasound, when to biopsy
  • Understanding IHC and clonality testing
  • Treatment options: diet, prednisolone, budesonide, chlorambucil
More about this module
  • Updated terminology
  • Prognosis, monitoring, and owner communication
By the end of this module you will feel confident distinguishing inflammatory vs neoplastic GI disease in cats. You will know how to structure workups, interpret test results, and manage cases long-term, even when biopsy isn't an option.
Week 3
Week 4

Pancreatitis (Dogs & Cats)

Recognize. Treat. Feed.
Move beyond outdated assumptions and get clarity on diagnosing and managing pancreatitis in both species, from acute cases to chronic relapsers.
You'll learn how to:
  • Clinical signs and comorbidities you might miss
  • What to do (and not to do) with pancreatic enzyme testing and ultrasound findings
More about this module
  • Treatment: fluids, antiemetics, analgesia, and nutritional support
  • Fuzapladib: when should we use it?
  • Chronic pancreatitis, DM, EPI, and long-term care
By the end of this module you will feel confident diagnosing and managing both acute and chronic pancreatitis. You'll understand how to interpret diagnostics, build supportive treatment plans, and reintroduce nutrition safely and effectively.
Week 4
Week 5

Case-Based & Real-World Application

Real Cases. Real Decision-Making. Build Your GI Toolkit.
This final module puts everything into practice using realistic case studies and clinical scenarios. Work through GI cases from initial triage through to discharge planning.
By the end of this module you will be able to apply everything you've learned to complex GI cases. You'll practise building stepwise treatment plans, thinking like an internist, and adjusting confidently even when the diagnosis is evolving.
Week 5

Week 6 Examination

The exam - based directly on the course content - can be accessed any time after you complete the course materials. You'll have three attempts, each limited to two hours, and your result appears instantly. Score at least 70% to receive your personalised certificate signed by Dr Betty Chow DACVIM.
Secure your spot
6-week guided learning · 12 CPD points · risk-free
What to expect each week

Every step is designed to help you learn faster, remember more, and act with confidence in the clinic.

Start with a quiz

Each module begins with a quick quiz to see what you already know.

Learn from specialists

Short, practical videos from a board-certified specialist.

Take notes in your workbook

Download the module workbook to capture key points and charts.

Quizzes & case studies

Go through case studies and apply your knowledge in realistic scenarios.

Ask your questions

Post in the community - specialists have your back.

Extra tools & resources

Protocols, articles, tables and guides if you want to dig deeper.

Everything you get
Learn from Anywhere

Learn from Anywhere

Join today, learn online at your own pace. 6 weeks of guided modules + 6 months access.

Ask Questions

Ask Questions

Not just video lessons - mentors are present to answer your questions as you learn.

Video Lessons

Video Lessons

Over 12 hours of training in short 5-20 minute videos for any schedule.

Learning Materials

Learning Materials

Downloadable notes, diagrams, drug charts and a workbook.

Track Progress

Track Progress

Pre- and post-module MCQs that measure progress and keep knowledge sharp.

Case Studies

Case Studies

Realistic scenarios to help you apply skills in real-world contexts.

24/7 Community

24/7 Community

A private space where vets connect and learn together.

Exam & Certificate

Exam & Certificate

Pass the online MCQ exam with 70%+ to earn your official certificate.

18+
video lessons
61+
quizzes
180+
page workbook
20+
charts & PDFs
12
RACE & AVA points
24/7
online access
T
Created 5d
GI Diseases
Cobalamin supplementation timing
Hi, I would just like to confirm my understanding. When cobalamin is low in a chronic enteropathy case, should I supplement before or alongside the diet trial...
7 👁
H
Created 9d
GI Diseases
Distinguishing feline IBD from small cell lymphoma
In a cat with chronic vomiting and weight loss where biopsy isn't an option for the owner, how confidently can we rely on ultrasound and GI panels alone to guide treatment? According t... read more
4   23 👁
B
2d 🕐   2 💬
Ask your mentor

Your mentors aren't just names on a screen

Throughout the course, you can post your questions directly inside the platform and get clear, practical answers from board-certified specialists. You're never working through it alone.

What vets say about The Vet Tribe

You don't have to take our word for it. Here are a few words from vets and students who have already joined.

★★★★★

"I can honestly say I'm loving it and I actually look forward to spending an hour or two each week to sit down and do the lessons. It's really interactive learning."

@droliviaclarke
★★★★★

"I loved that the course was self-paced, so I could still complete it amongst my busy schedule. The interactive case studies were very valuable, as this is my favourite way to learn."

@natgonz.vet

Want to hear more from our vets? See all testimonials

Choose your cohort

Pick your start date and save your spot

We run Essentials of Gastrointestinal Diseases in small guided cohorts so Dr Chow and the team can properly support everyone and answer real clinical questions along the way. Enrolment for the next cohort is open now, and you get full access the day yours begins - so you can plan your six weeks around the shifts you're already working. Once a cohort's start date passes, the next chance to join is the following month.

Select your start date

Choose how to pay

A$1289.00 +tax
pay in full
2 × A$644.50 +tax
monthly
4 × A$322.25 +tax
monthly
Risk-free enrolment No interest, no hidden fees Secure checkout
How your cohort works

Your cohort starts on its scheduled date, and that's the day your access opens and Module 1 unlocks. From there, a new module unlocks each week across the six weeks of guided learning, so you have time to absorb each topic before moving on. You keep full access to every recording and resource for six months, so you can revisit lessons and protocols whenever a real case calls for it. Throughout your cohort, Dr Chow and the team are there in the community to answer your questions - you're never working through it alone.

100%
MONEY-BACK
GUARANTEE
Try it risk-free

We've got your back

We believe in the quality of our courses and we stand behind them. If you start your cohort and decide it isn't the right fit, just let us know before Module 2 unlocks and we'll refund you in full - no questions asked. You only stay if this genuinely helps you in practice.

✓ Full refund before Module 2 ✓ No questions asked ✓ No interest, no hidden fees

This course is for you if...

  • You're a veterinarian (or final-year vet student) who wants to handle GI cases with confidence
  • You want structured guidance and real-world protocols that work in practice
  • You're returning to practice and need a confidence-building refresher
  • You're already in practice but want more clarity and consistency in how you manage GI cases
  • You want to learn directly from a board-certified specialist, without the fluff or overwhelm

This course is not for you if...

  • You're not a veterinarian or vet student
  • You're looking for a casual, theory-heavy course with no application to real cases
  • You prefer live-only teaching instead of structured, on-demand learning
  • You're not ready to practise what you learn through quizzes and case studies

Why learn from Dr Betty Chow?

Clinical Professor · International Lecturer · GI Nerd
  • Board-certified specialist - board-certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine, with a dedicated focus on gastroenterology, hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease
  • Internationally respected educator - clinical professor, global lecturer, and author of multiple textbook chapters on feline and canine GI medicine; serves on the Comparative Gastroenterology Society board
  • Referral-level expertise - brings deep experience from referral hospitals and academic institutions, translating specialist-level reasoning into everyday practice
  • Practical, evidence-based focus - bridges advanced internal medicine with step-by-step frameworks you can confidently apply in clinic tomorrow
Mentor portrait
Not ready yet? Start with a free lesson

Feline Pancreatitis: A Free Lesson

A free video lesson on diagnosing and managing pancreatitis in cats, taken straight from the course - how to interpret fPL results, avoid the common diagnostic pitfalls, and approach nutrition and treatment in your next feline patient. Created and taught by Dr Betty Chow BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM (SAIM).

Get the free lesson →
Free lesson
Join the course

Essentials of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Learn with Dr Betty Chow DACVIM and build the confidence to diagnose and manage gastrointestinal disease with structure and confidence.

  • 6-week guided learning, 6 months access
  • Over 12 hours of training in short videos
  • Direct Q&A with a board-certified specialist
  • Interactive case studies, quizzes & protocols
  • Certificate after passing the final exam
  • 24/7 access to The Vet Tribe community
12 CPD points · RACE and AVA approved
Secure your spot
Course thumbnail
Frequently asked questions
When does my course start?

Your course starts on the day your chosen cohort begins - you'll see the available start dates in the enrolment box above. That's the day your access opens and Module 1 unlocks. A new module then unlocks each week across the six weeks.

Are the lessons live?

No. All teaching is delivered as pre-recorded videos (5-20 minutes each) grouped into weekly modules, about two hours of content per module. No time-zone clashes and no 5 a.m. alarms.

Do I get all modules at once?

No. The course releases one module each week so you have time to absorb each topic. Module 1 unlocks the day your cohort starts, then a new module every seven days. You keep access to all content for six months from your cohort start date.

Will I have contact with the mentor?

Yes. You'll be part of The Vet Tribe Community on our website or app, where you can ask questions and get answers from mentors and the wider community. You won't be learning alone.

How long do I keep access?

You'll have full access for six months from your cohort start date. Learn at your own pace, revisit modules, and stay connected the whole way through.

Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page or get in touch - we're happy to help.

Join the Essentials of Gastrointestinal Diseases online course

Learn with Dr Betty Chow DACVIM and build the confidence to work through GI disease with structure and confidence. Secure your spot while places last.

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