VSPN TECH178-0421: Fundamentals of Small Animal Anesthesia Module 2

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter: Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
and Lee Palmer, DVM, MS, DACVECC
Course Open: April 1, 2021 -May 9, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2021; 9:00-11:00PM ET (USA)    World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 8
RACE Category: 8 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.

Course Information:
Module 2 will continue to build on the foundation principles of canine and feline anesthesia covered in Module 1. The focus of Module 2 will be on anesthesia drugs used for premedication, induction and maintenance; pertinent information regarding induction and recovery; the use of intra-operative pain management techniques such as local/regional blocks and analgesic continuous rate infusions; use of ancillary drugs intra-operatively; and common anesthetic complications that may arise throughout the anesthetic period. Case scenarios will be presented during the real time sessions to highlight key points about the drugs and techniques. Participants will be encouraged to take the information presented each week and use it to construct an overall perspective of anesthesia case management. At the end of the course, participants will be able to effectively collaborate with their veterinarian in the development of anesthesia protocols and manage a patient through all phases of anesthesia care.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Outline components of balanced anesthesia drug protocol.
  • Discuss drugs used during the pre-anesthetic period.
  • Analyze case-based discussions on the pre-anesthetic period.
  • Discuss drugs used for induction of anesthesia.
  • Discuss drugs used for maintenance of anesthesia.
  • Understand importance of monitoring and nursing care during recovery phase .
  • Classify rough recoveries and management options.
  • Define multimodal approach to pain management.
  • Outline pain physiology and pain terminology.
  • Examine local and regional block techniques.
  • Discuss analgesic continuous rate infusions.
  • Analyze case-based discussions on pain management.
  • Understand and detect predictable complications (hypoventilation, hypotension, etc.).
  • Discuss possible complications from human error.
  • Prepare for anesthetic emergencies and recognize signs of cardiopulmonary arrest.
  • Discuss the use of sympathomimetic and neuromuscular blocking agents.
Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VSPN CE course is focused towards the veterinary technician who routinely deals with anesthesia case management. Veterinarians are highly encouraged to enroll with their veterinary technicians to help foster a team approach when performing anesthesia. Module 1 is a required prerequisite for Module 2 to help insure a complete understanding of the basic principles of anesthesia before learning how to develop an anesthesia protocol. These modules are approved CE for those applicants applying for their VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia).

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. This program is approved for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (22-39065)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session April 8): Pre-anesthetic Drugs
The components of a balanced anesthesia drug protocol.

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 15): Induction Period and Recovery Period
The drugs used for induction and mainenance of anesthesia, monitoring and care during recovery.

Week 3 (Real Time Session April 22): Pain Management
Multimodal pain management, pain physiology and terminology.

Week 4 (Real Time Session April 29): Anesthetic Complications and Ancillary Drugs
Predictable complications and anesthetic emergencies.

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: $168 ($151early bird special if enrolled by March 18, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* Enroll in both modules by February 11, 2021 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.

* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA 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 on April 8, 2021 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. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email . 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. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

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

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
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