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Course Information:
The veterinary technician plays a vital role in the equine surgical team. Knowing all aspects of the equine surgery process, from what instruments are needed to how to safely recover the patient is key to a safe and successful outcome. This course will cover commonly used surgical instruments, the sterilization process, safety concerns, and the order of procedures during both standing and general anesthesia surgeries, as well as some of the more advanced surgical procedures. This course will consist of 7 (seven) non-interactive segments that are in the form of videos to be watched. Segments will include, handouts to be read, and a mandatory end of course test.

• Identify and name common equine surgical instruments
• Understand what each instrument is used for.
• Properly clean surgical instruments.
• Understand the different types of sterile wrapping materials.
• Understand how to wrap individual instruments and packs of multiple instruments.
• Understand the difference between gas and steam sterilization.
• Identify safety risks in all areas of equine surgery.
• Anticipate and prevent injury to patients and staff throughout the surgery process.
• Understand what PPE is required when using lasers and radiology equipment.
• Set up for standing surgery.
• Make a sedation CRI and set it up.
• Prep a patient for standing surgery.
• Understand which equine surgical procedures are most commonly done standing.
• Set up the induction and surgery prep area.
• Set up a surgical instrument table.
• Understand how to properly pad a patient both in dorsal and lateral recumbency.
• Describe how to prep a patient for surgery under general anesthesia.
• Assist with the recovery.
• Identify the equipment and surgical instruments used in laparoscopic surgery.
• Understand the reasons a laparoscopy would be performed.
• Understand the importance patient positioning in laparoscopy.
• Understand what colic is and its causes.
• Identify the clinical signs of colic.
• Identify the equipment and surgical instruments used in colic surgery.
• Identify the equipment and surgical instruments used in arthroscopic surgery.
• Understand the reasons an arthroscopy would be performed.
• Identify the difference between the two lasers and which laser is used in particular procedures.
• Understand what PPE is required.
• Identify the specialized equipment and surgical instruments used in arthroscopic procedures.

Segment 2: Surgical Packs

Segment 3: Safety

Segment 4: Standing Surgery

Segment 5: General Anesthesia

Segment 6: Laparoscopy and Colic

Segment 7: Arthroscopy, Lasers, and Miscellaneous Surgical Procedures

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.

Tuition: $52.50
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* 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).

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.