TECH235-0913: Anesthesia for the Avian Patient

INSTRUCTOR(S): Jody Nugent-Deal, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia, Exotic Companion Animal)
COURSE OPEN: September 6-October 8, 2013
REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Saturdays, September 14, 21, and 28, 2013; 9:30pm-11:00pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a Practice Session prior to the first Real Time Session. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate level course will cover basic to advanced anesthetic techniques in avian species commonly seen in companion animal practice such as pet parrots, finches, canaries, birds of prey (falconry birds), chickens, and waterfowl. Veterinarians and their technicians will benefit from this course to enhance team medicine and patient care.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Course Description:
This course will introduce credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinarians to both basic and advanced anesthesia techniques which can be utilized in common companion pet birds such as parrots, passerines, ducks, geese, and chickens. Special equipment, drug protocol selection, monitoring techniques, intravenous and intraosseous catheterization, and intubation techniques will be emphasized. Advanced anesthetic techniques such as analgesic constant rate infusions and air sac cannulation will be discussed in detail

This course consists of three (3) ninety (90) minute Real Time Session, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

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

• demonstrate placement of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in a variety of sites.
• select drug protocols in cooperation with the veterinarian based on the unique individual needs of the patient.
• calculate and deliver analgesic drugs using a constant rate infusion.
• describe the technique of and feel more confident intubating various avian species.
• deliver and monitor inhalant anesthesia via mask, endotracheal tube, and air sac cannula.
• operate and utilize multi-parameter monitoring equipment.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course. Recommended Textbook(s):

• Ballard, B. M. and Cheek, R. (Eds.) (2010). Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician, 2nd ed. Wiley and Sons. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=87574
• Bryant, S. (2010). Anesthesia for Veterinary Technicians. Wiley and Sons. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99934
• Mitchell, M. and Tully, Jr., T. (2008). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Elsevier Health. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99992

About the Instructor:
Jody Nugent-Deal graduated from Yuba College Veterinary Technology Program in 1998, and worked in a small animal practice in northern California until starting her career at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) in 1999. She worked almost 10 years in the Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery Service before moving to the Small Animal Anesthesia Department where she is the primary veterinary technician providing anesthesia care for the exotic animals. Jody achieved her VTS in Anesthesia in 2009 and is actively involved in the credentials committee. She is a founding member of the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice – Exotic Companion Animal group serving as the acting executive secretary and appeals committee chair. Jody has a special interest in pain management, anesthesia, analgesia, and emergency and critical care management of dogs, cats, and exotic animals.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session September 14): Equipment Selection for Anesthesia Delivery and Monitoring
Content: This session will include information about how and why specific monitoring equipment is chosen for avian anesthesia. Specific equipment such as the ECG, ETCO2, pulse oximetry, Doppler, blood pressure monitoring (direct and indirect), ventilators, and spirometry will be discussed in detail. This session will end with case based discussion relating to anesthetic equipment selection.

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 21): Physical Examination Techniques & Anesthesia Drug Selection for Premedication, Induction, Maintenance, and CRI
Content: This session will start a brief discussion on performing a proper physical examination in companion avian species followed by a basic pharmacologic review of common anesthetic drugs used in these unique species. There will be a detailed discussion about how and why a specific anesthetic drug protocol is chosen including how different disease processes and ASA status affect protocol selection. We will conclude with a clinical presentation of a patient requiring anesthesia. As a group, we will design an anesthetic protocol to review what has been learned.

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 28): In-Depth Discussion of the Usefulness of Balanced Anesthesia, Calculating CRIs, IV and IO Catheterization, Fluid Therapy, Intubation, and Air Sac Cannulation
Content: This session will discuss the usefulness and benefits of multi-modal or "balanced" anesthetic techniques in companion avian species. Common drugs used for constant rate infusions (CRIs) and local blocks will also be discussed. Participants will learn how to properly and safely calculate dosages on even the smallest patients. Vascular access and intraosseous catheter placement will be presented as well as common fluids used in companion avian patients before, during, and after anesthesia. This session will conclude with a discussion on air sac cannulation and its usefulness to induction and maintenance of anesthesia.

CE CREDITS: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird special if enrolled by August 23, 2013)

* 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 September 13, 2013. 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 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

*Note: "This course is approved for 4.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB 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 VSPN/VIN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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 VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Barb Burri (Barb@vspn.org); ext. 764 (New Hampshire)
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193 (Illinois)
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 (Florida)
Lisa Kernaghan (Lisa@vspn.org); ext 159 (Arizona)
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187 (Colorado)

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