VSPN TECH174-2020: Blood Chemistry in the Canine and Feline Non-Interactive

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition)
Course Open: February 18, 2020- December 31, 2020

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is focused toward those veterinary personnel who are familiar with laboratory testing and equipment. This course will not cover how to use specific pieces of equipment, but rather help staff identify how to improve sample collection and tests available, and testing procedures to result in more reliable results.
VSPN CE Course: Open to VIN and VSPN members.
This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians/technologists (22-32825).

Course Description:
Many of us run blood tests and chemistry profiles daily. Do you really understand what each of these tests indicate and what they mean? This class will go through the most common chemistry tests and explain what each one indicates, how they correlate with other tests, and what they really mean. We will also cover some of the more common tests done in-house for viruses and parasites. Common tests sent out to reference labs will be reviewed as well to complete the course.

This course will consist of three (3) non-interactive segments that are composed of videos and crossword puzzles, and a mandatory end of course test. To earn a certificate of participation, you must attain a score of 80% or higher on the end of course test. Participants must complete participation requirements by December 31, 2020 to be eligible to earn a certificate of participation.

Course Outline: Segment 1: (Clinical Chemistry )
Total time:
0.5 hours

Upon completion of this segment, the participant should be able to
  • Identify common problems associated with in-house testing such as hemolysis, icterus and lipemia
  • Identify the common non-enzymatic tests
  • Describe what the tests indicate and how they interrelate with other tests
  • Identify limitations of some of the tests
Segment 2: (Enzymes and Electrolytes)
Total time:
0.5 hours

Upon completion of this segment, the participant should be able to
  • Describe enzymatic tests and how they differ from the non-enzymatic tests
  • Identify the causes for enzyme changes in the dog and cat including the organ(s) that produce them and their interrelation to each other
  • Identify the function and charge of electrolytes and how they differ from enzymes and by-products
  • Describe tests commonly sent out to reference labs including sample preparations and parameters for running the test; including bile acids, cortisol, toxicology, and specific drug testing
Segment 3: (Serology and Virology)
Total time:
0.5 hours

Upon completion of this segment, the participant should be able to
  • Identify in-house tests as well as those commonly sent out to a reference laboratory such as for bacteria, viruses and parasites
  • Describe sample collection and preparation, and the goal of the test
Course Materials: Course materials in the form of handouts and additional educational online activities will be available in the course library.

Required Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Instructor:
Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition) is a published author and has veterinary technician specialty certifications in Emergency Critical Care, Small Animal Internal Medicine, and Nutrition. Her experience in general, emergency and specialty practices, as well as in education, provides solid experience in teaching the various aspects of nutrition. She is president-elect of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (AVNT). Ann is currently working as a private consultant, veterinary technology instructor and mentor.

Total CE Credit: 1.5

Tuition: $32
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on December 1, 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.

  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. 792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

*Note: “This program (22-32825) is approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. “
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