Course Open: May 6, 2020 - June 13, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 2020; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter Level and Prerequisites: This basic course designed for all veterinary support staff handling avian patients and performing diagnostic hematology and cytologic tests. Course participants should be familiar with avian medicine and be actively involved in performing laboratory procedures.
VSPN CE Course: Open to veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff. “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval."(22-40082)) Course Description:
Participants will learn how to perform a full hematological and cytological evaluation of the avian patient. Topics will include sample handling and preparation, cell evaluation, calculations and counts, and blood parasites. The cytology portion of this course will cover the basics of avian cytology, including how to safely collect samples for cytologic evaluation from the avian patient, how to prepare those samples, and how to identify the differences between inflammation and neoplasia in avian species. Week 1 (Real Time Session May 13): Sample Collection and Handling
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- describe how to collect and process blood and cytology samples.
- demonstrate performing a complete blood count on avian blood
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- identify cell abnormalities and discuss their significance.
- identify blood parasites.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- discuss the principles of the various collection techniques from the more common locations in birds.
- explain sample preparation for accurate cytologic evaluation.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- recognize the cytologic differences between the different stages of inflammation in avian species.
- classify potential cytologic malignancy in the avian patient
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:
Jenni Jenkins-Perez has years of experience with various reptile species ranging from anoles to Nile crocodiles in both zoo/aquarium practice and private practice. Currently, she is a part-time veterinary technician for a small animal and wildlife veterinary practice and a part-time adjunct faculty instructor for a veterinary assisting program in central Florida. She is currently vice-president of the Veterinary Laboratory Association and is past president of that organization.
Michelle LaBelle-Lake has devoted her career to wildlife rehabilitation and working in facilities that provide services to exotics and wildlife as well as small animals. Most of her career was working at a veterinary emergency and referral center. She took her emergency and critical care training and wildlife rehabilitation training and founded the Wildlife Intensive and Critical Care Unit (WICCU). A not for profit organization that functions like a mobile emergency/rescue unit for wildlife. Michelle enjoys working in the lab, especially with exotic/wildlife species. Total CE Credit: 6
Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by April 22, 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).
Prices are listed in US dollars. *To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on May 13, 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
VSPN CE Coordinator VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE
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