Course Open: June 3, 2020-July 11, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, June 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 2020, 8:30-10PM ET
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be geared towards veterinary technicians and technologists but will also be open for veterinarians and licensed or experienced staff interested in neoplastic cytology.
Course Prerequisites: Participants should have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and blood cell identification.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(22-41635)" Course Description:
Cytology is a valuable tool that can be utilized in the work-up of neoplastic lesions in any veterinary practice. This introductory course will present the key steps to maximize the diagnostic value of the sample including mapping, collection, preparation and microscopic assessment for diagnostic utility. This will be followed by an introduction to the differentiation of different tissue types and the assessment of benign and malignant lesions. Course material will be consolidated with a discussion of common tumor types of companion animals. Week 1 (Real Time Session June 10): Lesion Description and Collection Techniques
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Explain the role cytology plays in work-up of tumors in the companion animal
- Generate a detailed lesion/mass description and body map of companion animals
- Choose the best technique for sample collection of suspected neoplastic lesions
- Locate peripheral lymph nodes
- Select the appropriate smearing method to generate quality diagnostic smears
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- List the factors that determine diagnostic quality
- Select and implement staining method suitable to produce a well stained, diagnostic smear
- Select the microscope lens and setting which optimize viewing of cytologic smears
- Evaluate the smear for diagnostic utility, including assessing cellularity, staining, cellular integrity and the presence of hemodilution and artifacts
- Plan a stepwise approach to the initial, low power evaluation of the smear
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Produce a detailed description of cellular features including cytoplasm, inclusions and nucleus
- Distinguish between cell types including discrete/round cells, epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells
- List the common criteria of malignancy seen with neoplastic cells
- Identify inflammatory changes that can cause dysplastic changes in tissue cells
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Describe the typical cytologic appearance of common cutaneous tumors
- Describe the typical gross appearance and locations of common tumor types
- Describe the common clinical presentation with common tumor types
- Describe the typical common tumor types based upon cellular origin
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:
Jenny Fisher, RVT, VTS (SAIM-oncology) has worked in the veterinary field for 26 years. From working in the kennels at the age of 15, to becoming a registered veterinary technician in 2002. Her clinical experience includes 13 years as the head oncology technician at Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics. Main clinical duties included supervising other technical staff, overseeing daily radiation and chemotherapy treatments, responsible for anesthetizing and positioning radiation therapy patients, teaching fourth year veterinary students, managing the radioactive iodine program, as well as serving on many administrative committees. After receiving her VTS (SAIM-Oncology) in 2015, Jenny left full-time academia and took a position as the Director of Education for PractiVet Animal Health.
Dr. Pam Baker is a practicing small animal veterinarian and a full-time clinical pathology professor in the Veterinary Technology program at Seneca College in Ontario, Canada. In 2008, she completed the Graduate Diploma program in Clinical Pathology at Ontario Veterinary College. Dr. Baker has offered numerous lectures and wet labs at continuing education seminars and conferences in North America. Her special area of interest is making clinical pathology approachable and practical.
Total CE Credit: 6
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CVMA 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 June 10, 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