VSPN TECH284-2019: Equine Surgery Non-Interactive

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

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Shana Lemmenes, CVT, VTS-EVN
Course Open: January 1, 2019 - December 15, 2019

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course course is open to all VSPN staff members with an interest in equine surgery.
VSPN CE Course: Open to VIN and VSPN members. This course has been RACE approved forveterinary technicians/technologists. (22-31612)

Course Description:
The veterinary technician plays a vital role in the equine surgical team. Knowing all aspects of the equine surgery process, from what instruments are needed to how to safely recover the patient is key to a safe and successful outcome. This course will cover commonly used surgical instruments, the sterilization process, safety concerns, and the order of procedures during both standing and general anesthesia surgeries. This course will consist of 5 (five) non-interactive segments that are in the form of videos to be watched. Segments will include quizzes, handouts to be read, 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. The segments and reading library handouts should take the participant a minimum of 90 minutes total. Participants must complete participation requirements by December 31, 2019 to be eligible to earn a certificate of participation.

Segment 1 - Surgical Instruments
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify and name common equine surgical instruments
  • Understand what each instrument is used for
Segment 2 - Surgical Packs
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Properly clean surgical instruments
  • Understand the different types of sterile wrapping materials
  • Understand how to wrap individual instruments and packs of multiple instruments
  • Understand the difference between gas and steam sterilization
Segment 3 - Safety
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify safety risks in all areas of equine surgery
  • Anticipate and prevent injury to patients and staff throughout the surgery process
  • Understand what PPE is required when using lasers and radiology equipment
Segment 4 - Standing Surgery
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Set up for standing surgery
  • Make a sedation CRI and hook it up
  • Prep a patient for standing surgery
  • Understand which equine surgical procedures are most commonly done standing
Segment 5 - General Anesthesia
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Set up the induction and surgery prep area
  • Set up a surgical instrument table
  • Understand how to properly pad a patient both in dorsal and lateral recumbency
  • Prep a patient for surgery under general anesthesia
  • Assist with the recovery
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.

    About the Instructor:
    Shana Lemmenes, CVT, VTS-EVN has worked as a technician since 2011 in small animal, and academia. She is a surgery technician and senior veterinary technician at the University of Minnesota Large Animal Veterinary Medical Center. Shana has also co-edited a textbook for Elsevier: Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 5th edition.

    Total CE Credit: 1.5

    Tuition: $32
    Prices are listed in US dollars.

    * Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
    *To ensure participants will have time to complete the course enrollment will close at 5pm ET on November 15, 2019,

    *For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

    1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN 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 (22-31612) 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