TECH135-0706: Basic Avian Hematology

INSTRUCTOR:
Drew Bickford, AS, CVT

DATES:
July 20 - August 11, 2006
Real Time Sessions: Tuesday evenings; July 25 and August 1, 2006; 8:00pm - 9:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Participants will learn how to perform a full hematological evaluation of the avian patient. Topics will include sample handling and preparation, cell evaluation, calculations and counts, and blood parasites.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

• Properly handle avian blood samples
• Perform a complete blood count on avian blood
• Identify cell abnormalities and their significance
• Identify blood parasites

This course is geared towards the veterinary technician looking to expand knowledge in the area of avian medicine.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: Sample Handling, Calculations, and Red Blood Cell Morphology: We will discuss sample collection, anticoagulants, and slide preparation. We will also cover how to perform and calculate an estimated white blood cell count and talk about various morphologic changes in the avian red blood cell.

Week 2: White Blood Cells and Avian Blood Parasites: We will look at the different white blood cells in birds and discuss how to properly identify them in various species. We will also look at the different changes that can occur to white blood cells and how these can paint a picture of the patient's health. We will also discuss commonly seen avian blood parasites and their significance.

Textbook:

There is no required text for this class

Other course materials will be in the form of handouts and slideshows/web tours. There will also be a list of sources where the materials were retrieved to help create this course.

CE HOURS: 3

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

TUITION:
$53 ($48 early bird special if registered before July 6, 2006)
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)
*VT students: You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

Minimum Requirements for Online CE

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. Each person must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

Note: "This course has been approved for approval for 3 hours of continuing education credits 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. Call VIN/VSPN for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board.)

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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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Nanette R. Walker Smith, RVT, CVT (VSPNCE@vspn.org)
BS, AS, AS
VSPN CE & Content Director (www.vspn.org)

Ginger Sanders (Ginger@vspn.org)
VSPN CE Services

1-800-700-4636 or 530-756-4881 ext 187 or 183

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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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.