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OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
TO
VETERINARY SUPPORT STAFF

    
VSPN CE Course TECH155-0915: Reptile Hematology
Audio and Text: In some of the course Real Time Sessions the lecture will be predominantly audio
while in others the lecture will be predominantly text.

Instructor(s): Jenni Jenkins-Perez, LVT, CVT, AA, BASc (VT) and Michelle LaBelle-Lake, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Course Open: September 15, 2015-October 9, 2015
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, September 22 and 29, 2015; 9-10:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a Practice Session prior to the first Real Time Session. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

*The instructors for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend one of the Practice Sessions.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate intermediate course will focus on reptilian blood cell identification and include sampling and collection. Participants must have basic knowledge of blood slide preparation (does not need to be reptile knowledge) and be familiar with reading blood smears.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

Course Description:
This course is designed to help the veterinary technician understand the basics of reptilian hematology. Topics covered include sample collection locations from snake, lizard, and chelonian species and how to perform smear and stain techniques. Students will also learn the basics of performing manual erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and differential evaluation. This course will focus on reptilian blood cell identification and students are encouraged to bring their own images of reptilian blood cells to post on the message boards for discussion and/or identification. Common hemoparasites seen in various species of reptiles will also be covered briefly; abnormal blood cells will be briefly covered.

This course consists of two (2) ninety (90) minute Real Time Sessions, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

*The lecture portion of this course will utilize both text and audio presentation, please be prepared to listen.

*To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to 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 Instructors:
Jenni Jenkins-Perez has years of experience with various reptile species ranging from anoles to Nile crocodiles in both zoo/aquarium practice and private practice. Currently, she is a part-time veterinary technician for a veterinary specialty practice and is president of the Veterinary Laboratory Association. Michelle LaBelle Lake has devoted her emergency and critical care skills to exotics and wildlife. She founded and operates the Wildlife Intensive and Critical Care Unit (WICCU), a not for profit organization which focus on providing the same or similar medical care to wildlife that owned animals receive. One of her other passions is working in the lab, especially with exotic species. Michelle has trained under Jenni since Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session September 22): Sample Collection, Preparation, Staining, and Blood Cell Counting Techniques
Content: This session will include blood collection sites commonly used with snakes, lizard, and chelonian species. Other topics covered this week include how to make blood smears for differential evaluation and which stains are most effective for staining reptilian blood. The Natt-Herrick and the eosinophil white blood cell manual counting methods will also be discussed.

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 29): Cell Identification, Differential Evaluation, and Hemoparasite Identification
Content: This week's session will focus on identification of the reptilian blood cells and how they differ in structure and function from both mammalian and avian blood cells. The various hemoparasites seen in reptiles and abnormal cells associated with certain disease processes will also be discussed briefly.

CE Credits: 3

Tuition: $60 ($54 early bird special if enrolled by September 1, 2015)

* 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).
*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close at 5 PM ET, September 22, 2015, 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 VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
*Note: "This course is approved for 3 continuing education credits 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 800-846-0028 ext. 792 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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 VSPN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VSPN office at 800-846-0028 ext. 792.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Charlotte Waack, RVT, CVT
VSPN Director/VSPN CE Interim Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452 226154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
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