Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $132 ($118 early bird special if enrolled by August 22, 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 credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinarians to both basic and advanced anesthesia techniques which can be utilized in common companion pet birds such as parrots, passerines, ducks, geese, and chickens. Basic anatomy and physiology, special equipment, drug protocol selection, monitoring techniques, intravenous and intraosseous catheterization, and intubation techniques will be emphasized. Advanced anesthetic techniques such as analgesic constant rate infusions and air sac cannulation will be discussed in detail.

• Understand the basic differences in anatomy and physiology between common companion avian species.
• Become familiar with the common anesthetic drugs used in avian patients and how they relate to the procedure being performed.
• Analyze case-based examples of proper selection of anesthetic protocols.
• Select monitoring equipment for avian anesthesia.
• Outline how we operate and utilize multi-parameter monitoring equipment.
• Analyze case base examples of avian anesthesia relating to equipment selection.
• Understand and perform a proper physical exam in avian species .
• Discuss and be familiar with venipuncture sites in companion avian species.
• Have the ability to calculate blood volume and understand how much can be safely taken from an avian patient.
• Discuss the usefulness and benefits of multi-modal or balanced anesthetic techniques in companion avian species.
• Outline vascular access and intraosseous catheter placement as well as common fluids used in companion avian patients before, during, and after anesthesia.
• Examine air sac cannulation and its usefulness to induction and maintenance of anesthesia.
• Ability to provide successful post-operative care to avian patients.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(20-924113)

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 19): Equipment Selection for Anesthesia Delivery and Monitoring
Equipment Selection for Anesthesia Delivery and Monitoring

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 26): Physical Examination & Venipuncture Techniques
Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to understand and perform a proper physical exam in avian species, discuss and be familiar with venipuncture sites in companion avian species, have the ability to calculate blood volume and understand how much can be safely taken from an avian patient.

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 3): In-Depth Discussion of the Usefulness of Balanced Anesthesia, Calculating CRIs, IV and IO Catheterization, Fluid Therapy, Intubation, Air Sac Cannulation, and Successful Recovery Techniques#
: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to discuss the usefulness and benefits of multi-modal or balanced anesthetic techniques in companion avian species, outline vascular access and intraosseous catheter placement as well as common fluids used in companion avian patients before, during, and after anesthesia, examine air sac cannulation and its usefulness to induction and maintenance of anesthesia and the ability to provide successful post-operative care to avian patients.

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 September 12, 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.