TECH142-0607: Small Animal Parasitology

INSTRUCTOR:
Patricia A. Payne, DVM, PhD

DATES:
June 1 - July 7, 2007
Real Time Sessions: Wednesday evenings; June 6, 13, 20, and 27; 8:30pm-10:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to help veterinary support staff understand the how and the why of the proper diagnosis and identification of common parasites in small animals. Data will be presented to bring enthusiasm for the fecal flotation with centrifugation technique and therefore the proper diagnosis of internal parasitism in dogs and cats. Canine and feline heartworm diagnostics will be reviewed. How to identify the life stages of fleas, lice and ticks will be demonstrated and control products discussed.

Dr. Payne teaches parasitology at Kansas State University Veterinary school and obtained her PhD in that specialty for both large and small animals. She is an equally talented instructor for veterinarians and veterinary staff and has an avid interest in providing valuable up-to-date information on parasites for any area. This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• run fecals correctly!
• identify the different eggs and oocysts in feces found in dogs and cats.
• use heartworm microfilaria, antigen and antibody tests to the best advantage of the practice and their client's pets.
• identify common ectoparasites including fleas, lice and ticks.
• explain the life cycle of fleas, lice and ticks and how the products that are available to control these pests are best utilized.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required or recommended textbook for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Introduction to proper fecal techniques:
Why do eggs and oocysts float? Things you can do to make sure that they do. Fecal flotation with centrifugation will soon be the gold standard diagnostic technique in small animal practice; the data presented should help you understand why and generate excitement.

Week 2: Identification
We'll determine identification of common eggs and ova as well as some of those pesky pseudo parasites. The quagmire of giardia diagnostics will also be discussed.

Week 3: Diagnostic techniques
When are special fecal techniques (sedimentation, Baerman exams) necessary? Heartworm diagnostics: dogs and cats too

Week 4: Ectoparasites
This last session will cover the life stages of fleas, lice and ticks and the products available.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6

TUITION:
$111 ($100.00 early bird special if registered before May 18, 2007).
* 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). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm

**For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:
How to's of online CE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/VSPN_M02233.htm
Policies and Procedures: https://www.vin.com/Members/VSPN/Library/Misc/VSPN_M06292.htm

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
5. VIN Member veterinarians ARE ELIGIBLE to take this course, we are requesting RACE accreditation for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. **Please access the course enrollment through www.vspn.org/CE.

Note: "This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Ginger Sanders (Ginger@vspn.org), ext 183
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881

**For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.