Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by October 17, 2022) * 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:
This course will introduce veterinary support staff to both basic and advanced anesthesia techniques, which can be utilized on common exotic small mammals such as rabbits, ferrets, Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and small rodents. Special equipment, drug protocol selection, monitoring techniques, catheterization, and intubation techniques will be emphasized. Advanced anesthetic techniques such as epidural anesthesia/analgesia and analgesic constant rate infusions will be discussed in detail.

• Discuss different monitoring equipment and their uses.
• Describe proper physical exam.
• Have a better understanding of common anesthetic drugs used in companion exotic small mammals .
• Select drug protocols in cooperation with the veterinarian based on the unique individual needs of the patient.
• Calculate and deliver analgesic drugs using a constant rate infusion.
• Have a better understanding of epidural drugs/technique in exotic small mammal species.
• Describe the techniques of and feel more confident intubating rabbits and ferrets using a variety of techniques.
• Demonstrate placement of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in a variety of sites and species.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-936520)

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 14): Physical Examination Techniques & Anesthesia Drug Selection for Premedication, Induction, Maintenance, CRI, and Epidurals
This session will discuss the importance of proper physical exams and the pharmacology of common anesthetic drugs used in companion exotic small mammals. Participants will learn how to select drug protocols in cooperation with the veterinarian based on the unique individual needs of the patient.

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 21): In-Depth Discussion of the Usefulness of Balanced Anesthesia, Calculating CRIs, and Epidurals
This session will discuss how to calculate and deliver analgesic drugs using a constant rate infusion and explain administration of epidural drugs to a variety of exotic small mammal species.

Week 4 (Real Time Session November 28): Intubation Techniques and IV and IO Catheterization and Fluid Therapy
The session will describe the techniques of a intubating rabbits and ferrets using a variety of techniques to enable the participant to feel more confident with these cases. Participants will learn to deliver and monitor inhalant anesthesia and proper placement of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in a variety of sites and species.

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.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on November 7, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

1. VIN CE Courses:
   1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
   2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
2. VSPN CE Courses:
   1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
   2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
   3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
   1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.