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Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by June 10, 2024) * 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). Prices are listed in US dollars.

Course Information:
Veterinary team members should be able to recognize and describe the many diseases and conditions diagnosed in the small animal veterinary hospital. Support staff should be able to help educate clients on how a veterinarian diagnoses disease, the body systems involved, and follow-up care after diagnosis. This course will also give an overview of diagnostic testing, symptoms of diseases, follow-up protocols, dietary needs for some diseases, and client education for canine and feline species. Preventable diseases will also be included to alert staff to the symptoms of these diseases and to educate clients on the value of vaccinations.

• Identify the body system affected by various common canine and feline diseases
• Explain the diagnostic testing used to identify these diseases in layman's terms
• Identify important signs and symptoms of which clients should be aware
• Identify signs and symptoms of diseases that can be prevented through inoculation
• Explain the side effects of commonly used treatment medications
• Explain the importance of ongoing testing when using various treatment medications

RACE Accreditation: This program has been submitted (but is not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.

Week 2 (Real Time Session July 8): Endocrine Disorders and Musculoskeletal Diseases
Endocrine disorders can sometimes be difficult to explain to the client. Week 2 will cover testing, treatment, and client education for diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), and hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease). We will also discuss musculoskeletal diseases seen in dogs and cats, including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, luxating patella, and cruciate ligament rupture.

Week 3 (Real Time Session July 15): Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular and renal diseases are diagnosed frequently in the veterinary clinic. While we are not able to “cure” these diseases, these can be manageable medical conditions. Week 3 will include treatment involved, dietary concerns, and management of chronic renal failure, glomerular nephritis, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure.

Week 4 (Real Time Session July 22): Respiratory Disease and Cancer
Respiratory issues and cancer are becoming more prevalent in veterinary medicine. During our last week, we will discuss testing, treatment, and client education on asthma, heartworm disease, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and hemangiosarcoma.

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.

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 VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.