08/26/2026
The CPE Small Animal Medicine Station 2 isn’t just about getting to the right diagnosis. It’s about showing that you can prioritize, make critical-care decisions, and communicate an effective treatment plan under pressure.
🐾 No live animal is used in this station, but you should approach it as if you’re working a typical night shift in an emergency clinic.
You’ll have 35 minutes to complete the written portion, including your medical assessment, treatment orders, and prescription. Then, you’ll have 10 minutes for the oral portion, where you’ll explain your plan to a veterinary technician and answer questions about your case.
⚠️ Many candidates underestimate this station. The combination of critical-care considerations and a strict time limit can make it challenging, even when you know the medicine.
💡 One of the best ways to prepare? Write as many timed cases as possible. Practice working through cases from start to finish while keeping yourself within the 35-minute limit. The more you practice prioritizing what matters most under pressure, the more prepared you’ll feel on exam day.
Remember: This station is testing more than your ability to identify a diagnosis. It’s testing how you think, prioritize, treat, and communicate like a clinician.