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VIN MULT211-1021: Systems C: Organ System Pathophysiology and ABVP Core Examination Review 2021

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenters: Katherine M. James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN
Jennifer Ginn Foy, DVM, DACVIM
Janice L Huntingford DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT CAVCA
Course Open: October 28, 2021-January 16, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 9, 16, 2021 and January 6, 2022; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA)
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Total CE Credit: 14
RACE Category: 14 hours Medical

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Course Information:
The fifth of seven modules in the Organ System Pathophysiology and ABVP Core Examination review series, this course is designed to cover the pathophysiological basis of disease in small animals based on pathophysiological and discipline-specific concepts. Clinical examples will be used to illustrate these concepts.

The Organ System Pathophysiology and ABVP Core Examination Review series of courses may be used as a comprehensive review for the ABVP examination for small animals. This series of courses repeats every other year. Individual instructors may change some of their material year-to-year, but much of the core content is repeated. It should be noted that these courses are not designed specifically as a preparation for test taking. The instructors do not have access to information on the question types. Furthermore the questions used on the examination may be a few years behind the current knowledge and practice, whereas the course will strive to be more current. We recommend using the course to
  • keep progressing through the topics so all topics will have been studied prior to the exam and
  • provide participants with feedback on their strongest and weakest topics to guide their individual exam specific preparations.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • better understand the difference between sodium content and sodium concentration.
  • better understand disorders of sodium balance particularly edema.
  • better understand hypernatremia, hyponatremia and PUPD.
  • describe the neurologic innervation to and the muscular structure of the urinary bladder and urethra.
  • compare and contrast disorders of micturition - urine retention and urine leakage - including clinical findings, physical examination findings, diagnostic testing, and management.
  • describe defense mechanisms for urinary tract infections and diagnosis and management of simple and complicated urinary tract infections including prophylactic measures.
  • describe potential mechanisms for feline idiopathic cystitis and management.
  • compare and contrast urolithiasis including struvite, calcium oxalate, urate, and cystine and management.
  • understand basic musculoskeletal physiology.
  • understand respiratory diseases.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinarians actively interested in an overview of musculoskeletal, respiratory, urology and fluids/electrolytes/acid base information. This course is the fifth of seven modules in the Organ System Pathophysiology and ABVP Core Examination review series. The MULT207-1020: Pathologic Basis of Disease and the MULT208-0221: Principles of Medicine courses are recommended prerequisites.

Accreditation: This course is approved for 14 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 20-852647)

Course Agenda:

Weeks 1-2 (Real Time Session November 4 and 11, 2021): Fluids/Electrolytes/Acid Base
Presenter: Katherine M. James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 18, 2021): Urology I
Presenter: Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN

**** BREAK - November 25, 2021 ****

Week 4 (Real Time Session December 2, 2021): Urology II
Presenter: Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN

Week 5 (Real Time Session December 9, 2021): Musculoskeletal
Presenter: Janice L Huntingford DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT CAVCA

Week 6 (Real Time Session December 16, 2021): Respiratory I
Presenter: Jennifer Ginn Foy, DVM, DACVIM

**** BREAK - December 23 and 30, 2021 ****

Week 7 (Real Time Session January 6, 2021): Respiratory II
Presenter: Jennifer Ginn Foy, DVM, DACVIM

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.


Tuition: Member $322 ($290 early bird special if enrolled by October 14, 2021)
Non-Member $468 ($421 early bird special if enrolled by October 14, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on November 4, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357