VSPN TECH256-0519: Feline Infectious Diseases Module 2

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

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC,SAIM)
Course Open: May 1, 2019-June 8, 2019
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays May 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2019; 8-9:30 PM ET(USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

To prepare for your online experience, review the VIN-VSPN CE informational video prior to the course open date.

Level and Prerequisites: This advanced course is geared toward veterinary technicians that have interest in feline diseases or work in a feline centered practice. Basic disease processes and physiology will not be covered in this course; participants should have a solid knowledge base of these topics prior to enrolling.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (22-35718)

Course Description:
This an all-inclusive feline infectious diseases course. In both modules, a total of 28 infectious diseases that affect our feline patients will be covered. The second module will finish with fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infectious diseases. The course will wrap up with cleaning protocols and how to implement them in the clinic. Pathophysiology, geographical location, transmission methods, diagnosis, treatment, and cleaning protocols will be covered with each one of the 28 diseases. Classes will include case reports and each week with have interactive portions in the message boards and library to help the participant better understand feline infectious diseases.

Week 1 (Real Time Session May 8): All Those Pesky Parasites
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Understand pathophysiology and geographical locations of parasitic infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydophilia and cytauxzoonosis.
  • Understand transmission methods and isolation protocols.
  • Understand the most current diagnostic, treatment options and supportive care methods.
  • Be able to educate clients on home care of their pet.
Week 2 (Real Time Session May 15): The Fungus Among Us
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Understand pathophysiology and geographical locations of fungal infectious diseases such as histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis and cryptococcus.
  • Understand transmission methods and isolation protocols.
  • Understand the most current diagnostic, treatment options and supportive care methods.
  • Be able to educate clients on home care of their pet.
Week 3 (Real Time Session May 22): The Wonderful World of Bacteria
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Understand pathophysiology and geographical locations of bacterial infectious diseases such as bordetella, hemotropic mycoplasmosis, Bartonella, staphylococcal infections and multi drug resistant infections.
  • Understand transmission methods and isolation protocols.
  • Understand the most current diagnostic, treatment options and supportive care methods.
  • Be able to educate clients on home care of their pet.
Week 4 (Real Time Session May 29): How do I Apply All This to My Every Day?
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Review of transmission methods of all infectious diseases covered.
  • Review life spans of infectious diseases.
  • Learn how to apply cleaning methods to the clinical setting.
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

*The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation, please be prepared to listen.

*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 Instructor:
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM) has been at Texas A&M University since 2007, first working in the Small Animal ICU, then feline internal medicine and is currently the surgical oncology technician.. She graduated from Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK and has been a registered veterinary technician since 2000. In 2011 she received her veterinary technician specialty in emergency and critical care and in 2014 she received her second VTS in small animal internal medicine. She is one of three organizing committee members of the AVTCP-feline specialty. Paula has spent most of her career in academia working in academia teaching veterinary students tasks that will help them be a better patient advocates when they graduate. Paula is also involved in teaching technicians in online programs and being a guest lecturer and lab instructor at local, regional and national continuing education symposiums

Total CE Credit: 6

Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by April 17, 2019)
* Enroll in both modules by April 3, 2019 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* 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).
*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close at 5pm ET on May 8, 2019, 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. 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. 792 or email VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

*Note: “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (22-35718)“ ;

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 VSPN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 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: VSPNCE@vspn.org
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
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