EXOT500-0701 : Basic Reptile Medicine

INSTRUCTORS:
* Stephen John Hernandez-Divers, B.Sc.(Hons), B.Vet.Med., D.Zoo.Med.(Reptilian), C.Biol. , M.I.Biol., M.R.C.V.S.
* Diplomate RCVS Zoological Medicine, RCVS Consultant in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Reptiles)
* Sonia Hernandez-Divers, DVM

DATES:
July 16 - September 10, 2001
Real-time sessions: Mondays 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/5 (last session moved to Wednesday due to Labor Day weekend); 9:30- 11:30 PM ET

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide veterinary practitioners with an insight into reptiles with practical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The eight-week course will include sessions on the biology, husbandry and nutrition; physical examination and common disease presentations, hematology and biochemistry, radiology, diagnostic sampling techniques, therapeutics, anesthesia and basic surgery. Eight interactive sessions will be accompanied by lecture notes

COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 - Reptile biology, husbandry and nutrition. A general overview on keeping reptiles requires an understanding of their biology, environmental requirements and correct nutrition.

WEEK 2 - The physical examination and common disease presentations. Correct handling and physical examination techniques will be discussed along with an overview of common presentations.

WEEK 3 - Blood work. Blood collection, Basic hematology and biochemistry assessments and interpretation

WEEK 4 - Radiology. Proper positioning and basic interpretations of snakes, lizards and turtles

WEEK 5 - Collection and use of diagnostic samples including techniques for collecting and assessing diagnostic material from the integument, respiratory system, gastro-intestinal system.

WEEK 6 - Therapeutics including basic principles of reptile drug therapy, antimicrobial therapy, analgesics & anaesthetics etc.

WEEK 7 - Anesthesia including preoperative stabilization and assessment, induction agents, maintenance and monitoring and post-operative support.

WEEK 8 - Basic surgery including required equipment and instruments, optional but preferred equipment, basic incision and wound healing, examples of simple surgeries

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand the basic biology of reptiles, and advise on appropriate husbandry and nutrition of the common pet reptiles
2. Undertake a full physical examination safely and effectively on common snakes, lizards and turtles.
3. Draw blood for basic hematologic and biochemical tests, and interpret the results
4. Perform standard radiographic techniques in snakes, lizards and turtles.
5. Collect and interpret samples from the integument, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems
6. Have a basic understanding of reptile therapeutics and be able to select and deliver appropriate medications
7. Safely anesthetize reptiles for basic diagnostic and surgical procedures.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Discussions will begin on the start date of the course, and will continue for one week following the last real time session.

CE HOURS: 16

TUITION: $240; Early-bird $216 prior to July 2nd, 2001
Non-Member-- $290 EarlyBird (NonMember) -$266

TO REGISTER:
Call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email CEonVIN@vin.com, listing the course title, your full name, and your preferred method of payment (credit card, check).

PLEASE NOTE
If the course starts in less than 48 hours, email CEonVIN@vin.com, or phone the VIN office directly (800-700-4636)

For More Information On VIN's Upcoming CE Courses, check our course catalog.

Note: "Course meets the requirements for 16 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education."

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

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Debbie Friedler
Coordinator
Continual Education Division
Veterinary Information Network
CEonVIN@vin.com

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.