Enroll Now

Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by March 14, 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:
Cytology is a valuable tool that can be utilized in the work-up of neoplastic lesions in any veterinary practice. This introductory course will present the key steps to maximize the diagnostic value of the sample including mapping, collection, preparation, and microscopic assessment for diagnostic utility. This will be followed by an introduction to the differentiation of different tissue types and the assessment of benign and malignant lesions. Course material will be consolidated with a discussion of common tumor types of companion animals.

• Explain the role cytology plays in the work-up of tumors in the companion animal
• Generate a detailed lesion/mass description and body map of companion animals
• Choose the best technique for sample collection of suspected neoplastic lesions
• Locate peripheral lymph nodes
• Select the appropriate smearing method to generate quality diagnostic smears
• List the factors that determine diagnostic quality
• Select and implement staining method suitable to produce a well stained, diagnostic smear
• Select the microscope lens and setting which optimize viewing of cytologic smears
• Evaluate the smear for diagnostic utility, including assessing cellularity, staining, cellular integrity and the presence of hemodilution and artifacts
• Plan a stepwise approach to the initial, low power evaluation of the smear
• Produce a detailed description of cellular features including cytoplasm, inclusions and nucleus
• Distinguish between cell types including discrete/round cells, epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells
• List the common criteria of malignancy seen with neoplastic cells
• Identify inflammatory changes that can cause dysplastic changes in tissue cells
• Describe the typical cytologic appearance of common cutaneous tumors
• Describe the typical gross appearance and locations of common tumor types
• Describe the common clinical presentation with common tumor types
• Describe the typical common tumor types based upon cellular origin

RACE Accreditation: This program has been RACE approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. (20-952807)

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 11): Introduction to Microscopic Evaluation and Assessing Diagnostic Utility of the Smear
This session will discuss determining diagnostic quality of smears, staining methods, microscope use, and the approach to evaluating the smear.

Week 3 (Real Time Session April 18): Microscopic Evaluation of Cellular Characteristics
This session will discuss producing a detailed description of cellular features, distinguishing between cell types, criteria of malignancy in neoplastic cells, and inflammatory changes in tissue cells.

Week 4 (Real Time Session April 25): Common Tumors of Companion Animals
This last session will include describing cytologic and gross appearances of common tumors, and being able to describe clinical presentation and types of tumors that patients may present with.

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.