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Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by October 7, 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:
This course will introduce veterinary support staff to basic and advanced anesthesia techniques, which can be utilized on common exotic small mammals such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and small rodents. Special equipment, drug protocol selection, monitoring techniques, catheterization, and intubation techniques will be emphasized. Advanced anesthetic techniques such as epidural anesthesia/analgesia and analgesic constant rate infusions will be discussed in detail. Veterinary personnel will benefit from this course as it enhances team medicine and patient care.

• Discuss different monitoring equipment and their uses
• Describe how to perform a proper physical exam on exotic small mammals
• Have a better understanding of common anesthetic drugs used in companion exotic small mammals
• Select drug protocols in cooperation with the veterinarian based on the unique individual needs of the patient
• Calculate and deliver analgesic drugs using constant rate infusions
• Have a better understanding of epidural drugs/techniques in exotic small mammal species
• Describe the techniques of and feel more confident intubating rabbits and ferrets using a variety of techniques
• Demonstrate placement of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in a variety of sites and species

RACE Accreditation: This program has been submitted (but is not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 4): Physical Examination Techniques & Anesthesia Drug Selection for Premedication, Induction, Maintenance, CRI, and Epidurals
This session will discuss the importance of proper physical exams and the pharmacology of common anesthetic drugs used in companion exotic small mammals. Participants will learn how to select drug protocols in cooperation with the veterinarian based on the individual needs of the patient.

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 11): In-depth Discussion of the Usefulness of Balanced Anesthesia, CRIs, and Epidurals
This session will discuss how to calculate and deliver analgesic drugs using a constant rate infusion and explain the administration of epidural drugs to various exotic small mammal species.

Week 4 (Real Time Session November 18): Intubation Techniques, IV and IO Catheterization, and Fluid Therapy
The session will describe various techniques for intubating rabbits and ferrets to enable the participant to feel more confident with these cases. Participants will learn to deliver and monitor inhalant anesthesia and properly place intravenous and intraosseous catheters in various sites and species.

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.