TECH157-0908 : Equine Diagnostic Imaging and Emergency Medicine

INSTRUCTOR:
Cindy Ann Shower, DVM

DATES:
September 29-November 5, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Sunday evenings, October 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2008; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give the basic understanding of difference imaging modalities used in equine practice. From the workhorse of radiography to the exotic allure of MRI, CT scan and Scintography, the course will discuss the basic principles of each imaging method; when their use is indicated, and limitations of its use. Additionally, the basics of emergency medicine to encompass splint use and application, emergency drugs to have on hand, controlling hemorrhage, respiratory emergencies, and foaling emergencies will be discussed.

Ann Shower, DVM is a solo mixed species practitioner in Franklin, North Carolina. From alpacas to wallabies, her practice, Leap of Faith Mobile Veterinary Services provides veterinary care for 4 counties in Western North Carolina. She has a special interest in equine medicine and surgery and raises Ponies of the Americas when off duty. She is the course instructor for several equine related VSPN CE courses in conjunction with the AAEVT certification.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• identify commonly used emergency drugs, and their indications for their use in equines.
• distinguish and give examples of the more common radiographic positions for limb radiography.
• identify common landmarks for lower limb radiography.
• describe the principles behind radiography.
• describe how to make corrections in technique to obtain diagnostic radiographs.
• describe the purpose and indicated use for MRI, thermography, scintography, CT scan in the horse.
• describe the more common methods of limb stabilization in emergencies.
• recognize a foaling emergency and explain what to do until the veterinarian arrives.

TEXTBOOK: There is NO required text for this course: The following are useful for reference if desired.

• Knottenbelt, D. C. (2006). Saunders Equine Formulary. Elsevier Health. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99811
• O'Brien, Timothy (2005), O'Brien's Radiology for the Ambulatory Equine Practitioner. Teton Media. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=97878

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Radiography, Basic but Bountiful
Content: Our first lecture will include an overview of the principles of radiography, how to position the horse for radiographs, technique correction to obtain diagnostic films, and some landmarks to use in identifying anatomy on films.

Week 2: MRI, CT, Thermography, Scintography: Oh the allure of the exotic (and expensive)
Content: The second week will cover basic principles of advanced imaging modalities, their use, indications, and limitations.

Week 3: ABC-123; It is an Emergency, Part 1
Content: Part 1 of emergencies will cover commonly used emergency drugs, review of vital signs, review of normal physiology of the heart, respiratory, and gastrointestinal (GI) systems. We will discuss what constitutes an emergency and how to be an efficient, cool-headed advantage in an emergency situation. Stabilization of limbs and how to correctly apply coaptation devices will be discussed. Discussion of emergency scenarios will be used.

Week 4: ABC-123; It is an Emergency, Part 2
Content: Part 2 of emergency medicine continues with a look at foaling emergencies, their recognition and what to do until the veterinarian arrives. Ophthalmic emergencies and head trauma will also be discussed.

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:
$117 ($105.00 early bird special if registered before September 15, 2008).
*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.

For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:

• Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE
  

• How To's of Online CE

• Polices & Procedures

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
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.

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

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

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950

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

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