VSPN TECH298-0521: Emergency & Critical Care of Exotic Companion Animals

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter:

Sarah Kolb, BAS, RVT, LAT, VTS-CP (Exotic Companion Animals)


Course Open: May 25 -July 2, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, June 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2021, 8:30-10PM ET (USA)    World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 6
RACE Category: 6 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.

Course Information:
This course is designed to provide the foundational principles of emergency and critical care nursing of exotic companion animals. General triage concepts, common emergency presentations, nursing care, and hospitalization will be discussed as related to critically ill patients of varying species. Participants will learn a variety of nursing skills, including stabilization techniques, catheter placement, fluid therapy, venipuncture and blood volume limitations, hand feeding, injection routes, wound management, and CPR. Participants will also gain a basic understanding of clinical signs, treatments, and prognosis for common disorders.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Discuss triage, nursing care, and hospitalization of ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rodents, avian and reptile patients.
  • Identify catheter, venipuncture, and injection sites on these species.
  • Calculate fluid rates and blood volume.
  • Discuss dietary needs and hand feeding of these species.
  • Identify clinical signs for common emergent conditions and discuss treatments and prognosis.
  • Demonstrate proper capture and restraint techniques of critically ill patients.
  • Discuss how husbandry relates to illness in reptiles.
Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VSPN CE course veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff, actively interested in emergency and critical care treatment of exotic companion animals.
Course Prerequisites: none

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-773647)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session June 1): Ferrets, Sugar Gliders, & Hedgehogs
In this session we will discuss triage, nursing care, and hospitalization of ferrets, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs. Discussion will also include identification of catheter, venipuncture, and injection sites. We will go over fluid rates and blood volumes in these species. We will identify clinical signs for common emergent conditions and discuss treatments and prognosis. Dietary needs of these patients will also be covered.

Week 2 (Real Time Session June 8): Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, & Rodents
In this session we will discuss triage, nursing care, and hospitalization of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rodents. Discussion will also include identification of catheter, venipuncture, and injection sites. We will go over fluid rates and blood volumes in these species. We will identify clinical signs for common emergent conditions and discuss treatments and prognosis. Dietary needs of these patients will also be covered. Proper capture and restraint techniques of critically ill patients will be discussed.

Week 3 (Real Time Session June 15): Birds
In this session we will discuss triage, nursing care, and hospitalization of birds. Discussion will also include identification of catheter, venipuncture, and injection sites. We will go over fluid rates and blood volumes in avian patients. We will identify clinical signs for common emergent conditions and discuss treatments and prognosis. Dietary needs of these patients will also be covered. Proper capture and restraint techniques of critically ill patients will be discussed.

Week 4 (Real Time Session June 22): Reptiles
In this session we will discuss triage, nursing care, and hospitalization of reptiles. Discussion will also include identification of catheter, venipuncture, and injection sites. We will go over fluid rates and blood volumes in reptile patients. We will identify clinical signs for common emergent conditions and discuss treatments and prognosis. Dietary needs of these patients will also be covered.

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.

Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by May 11, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* 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).

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on June 1, 2021 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.

To Enroll:
  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 . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

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