The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN DIAG213-0921: Clinical Concepts in Collecting and Evaluating Blood Smears and Bone Marrow

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

Presenters: Rebekah G. Gunn-Christie, DVM, DACVP
Adam Honeckman, DVM, DACVIM
Course Open: September 29-November 20, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 27, November 3 and 7, 2021; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 10
RACE Category: 10 hours Medical

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Course Information:
This course offers a unique perspective on blood smears and bone marrow aspirates from both an internist and a clinical pathologist teaching in tandem. This allows for discussion of:
  • how to obtain diagnostic samples.
  • how to interpret blood smears and bone marrow aspirates in conjunction with history, physical exam, laboratory data, and diagnostic imaging.
  • how to use blood smears and bone marrow aspirates information to optimize a treatment plan.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • perform appropriate specimen collection and handling techniques for blood collection as it relates to CBCs and other hematologic testing.
  • recognize when collection of bone marrow is indicated.
  • utilize appropriate collection techniques for both bone marrow aspirates and core biopsies.
  • evaluate a bone marrow specimen to determine adequacy of the specimen and have a basic proficiency in identifying cell types present.
  • recognize the appearance of RBCs in a blood smear.
  • demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes a normal finding, breed-related normal-finding, and abnormal finding with regards to RBCs.
  • recognize the appearance of WBCs in a blood smear.
  • demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes a normal finding, breed-related normal-finding, and abnormal finding with regards to WBCs.
  • recognize the appearance of platelets in a blood smear.
  • demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes a normal finding, breed-related normal-finding, and abnormal finding with regards to platelets.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in cytology topics.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 10 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-814574)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session October 6, 2021): Hematology/Peripheral Blood Smears

Week 2 (Real Time Session October 13, 2021): Bone Marrow

**** BREAK - October 20, 2021 ****

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 27, 2021): RBC Cases

Week 4 (Real Time Session November 3, 2021): WBC Cases

Week 5 (Real Time Session November 10, 2021): Platelet and Other Cases; Q&A Session 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 $230 ($207 early bird special if enrolled by September 15, 2021)
Non-Member $355 ($319 early bird special if enrolled by September 15, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on October 6, 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.

  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. 797 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. 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