VSPN TECH328-0121: ER Series: Fluids

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Enrollment is closed.

Presenter: Jeff Backus. RVT. VTS(ECC)


Course Open: January 13, 2021-January 30, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesday, January 20, 2021; 8:30-10PM ET
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff who are interested in a better understanding of the use of fluids in small animal emergency medicine.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(20-757365) “

Course Information:
This lecture covers all aspects of fluid therapy including fluid types, fluid requirements, and fluid plan calculations involving real-life cases. We’ll discuss perfusion parameters, evaluating response to fluid therapy, and monitoring for fluid overload.

Week 1 (Real Time Session January 20): Fluid Therapy is a Fluid Situation
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Explain perfusion parameters.
  • Discuss the differences in different types of commonly used parenteral fluids.
  • Understand how to create and calculate a fluid plan.
  • Discuss how to monitor a patient on fluids and evaluate their response to therapy.
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 Presenter:
Jeff Backus, RVT, VTS(ECC) started as a veterinary assistant in general practice in 1995. He began working in ECC in 2004. He became an RVT in 2009 and was an ER/ICU Supervisor at Animal Urgent Care for over 12 years. Jeffrey also taught part time at his alma mater, Heritage College, for 7 years. In 2013, he became credentialed as a VTS(ECC), sat on the AVECCTN exam committee for 3 years, was the committee chair of the credentialing committee for 3 years. He has been on the Board of Directors for the California RVT Association for 6 years, currently serving as President. For the past few years, he has been in academia, working as an ECC technician at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Currently he is a CVT for ASPCA Animal Poison Control. In 2019, he co-founded the Vet Tech Café podcast with Dave Cowan. He is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on all topics related to emergency and critical care, with a focus on toxicology, ECG, pain management, and endocrine emergencies.

Total CE Credit: 1.5

Tuition: $32 ($29 early bird special if enrolled by December 30, 2020)
* Enroll in both modules by January 20, 2021 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price.
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at 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.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on January 20, 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. 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.

“This program has been approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(20-757365) “

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. 797
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