VIN REPR201-1120: It's All in The Genes: Using Genetics, Genetic Testing, and Genetic Counseling to Improve Patient Health

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

Enrollment is closed.
Presenter: Jerold Bell, DVM
Course Open: November 3-27, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, November 10 and 17, 2020; 8:30-10:30 pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinarians actively interested in using genetics, genetic testing, and genetic counseling to improve patient health.
VIN CE Course: Open to VIN members. This course is approved by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 22-43950)

Course Information:
WSAVA

WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee Chair, Dr. Jerold Bell presents this two-part course exploring the latest thinking regarding the different genetic backgrounds of dogs and cats, common genetic diseases, and approaches we can take to alter the expression of genetic disease in predisposed patients.

Week 1 introduces the concept that the different genetic backgrounds of the populations of dogs and cats that we treat and care for (purebred, designer-bred, and mixed-breed) affect the expression of genetic disease. How we can alter the expression of genetic disease in predisposed patients. Common genetic diseases of cats and dogs are highlighted.

Week 2 deals with understanding genetic screening for pet and breeding animals, the different types of available genetic tests and how to interpret the results. This includes tests for specific diseases, breed ancestry, and genetic diversity. Resources will be highlighted for up to date genetic test availability and breed-specific genetic screening recommendations. Concepts and methods of genetic counseling for pet and breeding dogs and cats will be presented with common examples. Improving the genetic health of our patients through our role providing appropriate pre-breeding health screening and assessments for prospective breeding animals will be presented.

Week 1 (Real Time Session November 10, 2020): Understanding Populations and the Expression of Genetic Disease
Presenter: Jerold Bell, DVM
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • understand the genetic background of breeds and how they differ from natural species.
  • discuss genetic disease in purebred versus mixed-breed patients.
  • understand common genetic diseases of dogs and cats.

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 17, 2020): Genetic Screening, Testing, and Counseling
Presenter: Jerold Bell, DVM
Format: Audio
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • understand the different types of genetic screening and genetic testing.
  • interpret the results of different genetic tests for the individual patient.
  • offer valid genetic counseling for pet and breeder owners.
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.

About the Presenter:
Jerold (Jerry) Bell is an internationally known clinical genetics consultant and lecturer. He is Adjunct Professor at the Cummings School at Tufts, and owns Freshwater Veterinary Hospital in Enfield, CT. He is also Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Hereditary Disease Committee which offers small animal clinicians around the world clinically relevant information on the diagnosis and management of hereditary diseases and genetic predispositions to disease in dogs and cats.

Dr. Bell is also a member of the Board of Directors of the OFA, and the AKC Canine Health & Welfare Advisory Panel. He is author of "Veterinary Medical Guide to Dog & Cat Breeds" (Teton New Media) with Cavanagh, Tilley, and Smith. He was the director of the Tufts Canine and Feline Breeding & Genetics conferences from 2003-2015. Proceedings from these conferences can be found through the VIN service. Dr. Bell and his wife Candice breed and show Gordon Setters in conformation, hunt test, obedience, and dock diving.

Total CE Credit: 4

Tuition: FREE to VIN Members
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on November 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:
  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 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

"This program (22-43950) is approved by the AAVSB RACE to offer a total of 4 CE Credits, with a maximum of 4 CE Credits being available to any individual veterinarian. This RACE approval is for the subject matter categories of: Medical, using the delivery method of Interactive-Distance: (Web-based, Teleconference or Audio-Conference). This approval is valid in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE; however, participants are responsible for ascertaining each board's CE requirements."

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:
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