The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN EXOT330-1122: Avian Reproduction and Pediatrics

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

Presenter: Bob Doneley BVSc FANZCVS (Avian Medicine)
Course Open: November 14-December 29, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Mondays, November 21, 28, December 5, and 19; 7:00-9:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 8
RACE Category: 8 hours Medical


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $184 ($166 early bird special if enrolled by November 7, 2022)
Non-Member $292 ($263 early bird special if enrolled by November 7, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
As aviary and companion birds are living longer and healthier lives, the emphasis in avian medicine is moving away from infectious diseases to those caused by husbandry and nutrition, or even just longevity. Amongst these are problems associated with the breeding of birds – both reproductive disorders and paediatric issues. This course is intended to help those veterinarians and veterinary staff become familiar with how (and why) birds breed, the incubation process, how chicks develop, and the problems commonly encountered with neonatal birds.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • Week 1: How do birds breed?
    • understand how sex is determined in birds.
    • understand how the sex of a bird can be identified.
    • recognize the anatomy of the reproductive organs.
    • understand the triggers that drive breeding behavior.
    • understand the physiological changes associated the formation and laying of an egg.
    • understand the principles of artificial incubation of eggs.
  • Week 2: Reproductive disorders
    • understand how reproductive disorders develop.
    • diagnose common reproductive problems.
    • understand how to manipulate avian physiology through husbandry changes and hormonal manipulation to prevent or manage common disorders.
    • discuss modern breeding technologies available for aviculture medicine.
  • Week 3: Assessing the psittacine chick
    • understand the normal development of a parrot chick.
    • discuss the husbandry and nutritional requirements of a parrot chick.
    • conduct a physical examination on a parrot chick.
    • understand the use and limitations of diagnostic testing in parrot chicks.
  • Week 4: Common problems and emergencies in psittacine pediatrics
    • provide care for the emergency pediatric case.
    • recognize and diagnose common pediatric disorders.
    • treat and prevent these problems.


Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary support staff interested in avian reproduction and pediatrics.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-929763)


Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session November 21, 2022): How Do Birds Breed?

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 28, 2022): Reproductive Disorders

Week 3 (Real Time Session December 5, 2022): Assessing the Psittacine Chick

Week 4 (Real Time Session December 19, 2022): Common Problems and Emergencies in Psittacine Pediatrics


Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. 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(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $184 ($166 early bird special if enrolled by November 7, 2022)
Non-Member $292 ($263 early bird special if enrolled by November 7, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on November 21, 2022 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.


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN@vin.com. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


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 office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

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

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services: CEonVIN@vin.com
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