The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN DIAG405-0721: Ultrasound in the ER/GP Trenches - The Basics

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

Presenters: Thomas Hansen, DVM, DABVP
Daniel Heder, DVM
William Blevins, DVM, MS, DACVR
Thomas Baker, BS
Course Open: July 28-September 4, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2021; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 8
RACE Category: 8 hours Medical

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Course Information:
Ultrasound plays an invaluable role in case management from the initial assessment of an emergent patient to further exploration of clinical and laboratory abnormalities, to in some cases providing a definitive diagnosis. This modality can be somewhat intimidating at first and a learning curve does exist. This is especially true during the current pandemic when the availability of radiologists, sonographers, and hands on training can be limited.

We have put together a course we hope will assist and encourage the beginning sonographer over the initial humps of understanding how the machine works, learning common indications for an ultrasound, and performing a basic complete abdominal scan. This basic virtual course will begin with the fundamentals of ultrasound including a discussion on first steps (focused assessment scans). It will continue with an introduction to the complete abdominal scan and then conclude with a focus on the kidney and an introduction to the gastrointestinal tract. This course is ideal for new and beginning sonographers but will also provide a good review for general practitioners with a variety of experience levels. A follow up intermediate level course is tentatively planned for Spring 2021.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • describe how an ultrasound works.
  • operate common controls.
  • recognize situations where the beginning sonographer can put the ultrasound to use right away.
  • perform the basic abdominal exam.
  • tell the difference between normal and abnormal examples of specific organs.
  • discuss the normal and abnormal sonographic appearance of the kidneys, urinary bladder, urethra, and prostate with case examples
  • discuss the techniques for urinary tract image capture and know how to collect a diagnostic image set for telemedicine.
  • discuss the many faces of the GI disease with case examples.
  • find, measure, and assess normal adrenal glands.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary support staff actively interested in ultrasound basics, learning how to optimize scans, and ultrasound fundamentals.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-799775)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session August 4, 2021): Ultrasound Indications, Mechanics, First Steps, and Case Examples
Presenters: Thomas Hansen, DVM, DABVP
In this session you will learn how to understand how an ultrasound works and how to operate common controls and learn situations where the beginning sonographer can put the ultrasound to use right away.

Week 2 (Real Time Session August 11, 2021): What's That? A Beginners Guide to Veterinary Abdominal Ultrasound
Presenters: Tomas Baker, BS
After this session you will know how to perform the basic abdominal exam and be able to tell the difference between normal and abnormal examples of specific organs

Week 3 (Real Time Session August 18, 2021): Next Steps - Normal and Abnormal Sonographic Appearance of the Urinary Tract with Case Examples
Presenters: Daniel Heder DVM
In this session you will learn how to tell normal and abnormal sonographic appearance of the kidneys, urinary bladder, urethra and prostate. Also a review of the urinary tract and how to capture and collect images for telemedicine.

Week 4 (Real Time Session August 25, 2021): Basic Techniques to Perform a Complete Exam of the GI Tract
Presenters: Daniel Heder, DVM
This session will cover a review of basic techniques used to perform a complete exam of the GI tract and how to make sure you have seen and recorded the important stuff.

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 July 14, 2021)
Non-Member $292 ($263 early bird special if enrolled by July 14, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on August 4, 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