VSPN TECH178-0420: Fundamentals of Small Animal Anesthesia Module 2

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

Enrollment is closed.
Presenters: Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia), Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
and Lee Palmer, DVM, MS, DACVECC
Course Open: April 2, 2020 to May 10, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2020; 9:00-11:00pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is focused towards the veterinary technician who routinely deals with anesthesia case management. Veterinarians are highly encouraged to enroll with their veterinary technicians to help foster a team approach when performing anesthesia. Module 1 is a required prerequisite for Module 2 to help insure a complete understanding of the basic principles of anesthesia before learning how to develop an anesthesia protocol. These modules are approved CE for those applicants applying for their VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia).
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval." (22-39065)

Course Description:
Module 2 will continue to build on the foundation principles of canine and feline anesthesia covered in Module 1. The focus of Module 2 will be on anesthesia drugs used for premedication, induction and maintenance; pertinent information regarding induction and recovery; the use of intra-operative pain management techniques such as local/regional blocks and analgesic continuous rate infusions; use of ancillary drugs intra-operatively; and common anesthetic complications that may arise throughout the anesthetic period. Case scenarios will be presented during the real time sessions to highlight key points about the drugs and techniques. Participants will be encouraged to take the information presented each week and use it to construct an overall perspective of anesthesia case management. At the end of the course, participants will be able to effectively collaborate with their veterinarian in the development of anesthesia protocols and manage a patient through all phases of anesthesia care.

Week 1 (Real Time Session April 9): Pre-anesthetic Drugs
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Outline components of balanced anesthesia drug protocol.
  • Discuss drugs used during the pre-anesthetic period.
  • Analyze case-based discussions.
Week 2 (Real Time Session April 16): Induction Period and Recovery Period
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Discuss drugs used for induction of anesthesia.
  • Discuss drugs used for maintenance of anesthesia.
  • Understand importance of monitoring and nursing care during recovery phase.
  • Classify rough recoveries and management options.
Week 3 (Real Time Session April 23): Pain Management
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Define multimodal approach to pain management.
  • Outline pain physiology and pain terminology.
  • Examine local and regional block techniques.
  • Discuss analgesic continuous rate infusions.
  • Analyze case-based discussions.
Week 4 (Real Time Session April 30): Anesthetic Complications and Ancillary Drugs
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Understand and detect predictable complications (hypoventilation, hypotension, etc.).
  • Discuss possible complications from human error.
  • Prepare for anesthetic emergencies and recognize signs of cardiopulmonary arrest.
  • Discuss the use of sympathomimetic and neuromuscular blocking agents.
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: There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Presenters:
Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia),strong has worked exclusively in veterinary anesthesia for 19 years. Most of her experience comes from working in a university setting where her primary duties are to assist in the instruction of 4th year veterinary students during their anesthesia rotation. In 2017, she needed a change of pace and now works in a private surgical practice as the primary anesthetist. She lectures at the national and local level and provides anesthesia consulting for private practices.
Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia) developed an interest in anesthesia as a student at Michigan State University. After graduation she worked in a general practice for a few years before moving on to the Anesthesia Department at the University of Illinois Veterinary College. In specialty practice her main focus has been anesthesia and pain management. She is also a featured speaker on the topic of anesthesia at a variety of veterinary conferences in the United States and Canada. Both Brenda and Darci are VSPN message board moderators for the anesthesia and pain management folders.
Lee Palmer, DVM, MS, DACVECC is a board-certified Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian that provides training in K9 Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) to military, law enforcement and Search and Rescue (SAR) K9 handlers as well as Tier 1 operators and civilian tactical EMS (TEMS) personnel. Dr. Palmer serves as: Veterinary Consultant for the USAF Pararescue; a member for the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) Prehospital and Veterinary ATLS sub-committees; founding member and co-lead of the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care K9-TECC working group; Board of Adviser for the Committee of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care; and Emergency and Critical Care consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN).

Total CE Credit: 8

Tuition: $168($151 early bird special if enrolled by March 19, 2020)
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Enroll in both modules by February 13, 2020 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on April 9, 2020, 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.

To Enroll:
  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. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. 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.
Enrollment is closed.

“This program has been approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval." (22-39065)

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 VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN 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