VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

• recognize the various internal and external parasites that commonly affect farm animals.
• identify various testing methods available to diagnose parasites including fecal examination and skin scrapings.
• identify ova from the various parasites commonly affecting farm animals.
• recognize common ectoparasites such as mites, ticks and various species of flies.
• demonstrate knowledge of a number of disease conditions that are caused and transmitted by parasites.
• understand how to achieve an effective control program to minimize parasite infestations thereby reducing the risks of related pathologies.

About the Instructors:
In addition to being a longtime veterinary technician, Shelley Shopsowitz has had a special interest in horses for over 40 years. As well as being a horse owner and caretaker, Shelley has taken a wide variety of equine nutrition courses and completed the Equine Science Certificate at Equine Guelph, University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She is also the owner/operator of an equine consulting service providing owners and caretakers with information on the care and feeding of horses. Jessie Loberg has been a credentialed veterinary technician since 2000. She is an instructor at the Bel-Rea Institute of Veterinary Technology and is very active in the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (AAEVT).

Week 2 (Real Time Session February 12): Endoparasites
Content: We will look at the different types of endoparasites that can potentially affect large animals. We will review representative life cycles in order to accurately distinguish, describe, and identify organisms by visual characteristics as well as measurement. Understanding of how parasites are transmitted is important to enhance the participant’s ability to comprehend and communicate effective control programs.

Week 3 (Real Time Session February 19): Laboratory Diagnostics
Content: This section will cover laboratory methods of diagnosis including fecal flotation, fecal egg counts via McMaster's Method, and sedimentation, and skin scraping. We will also discuss proper specimen collection, storage, and fixatives. Reading materials will be provided for independent study of proper microscope anatomy and use.

Week 4 (Real Time Session February 26): Pathology of Disease as it Relates to Endo- and Ectoparasites
Content: Disease conditions related to parasite infestations - both ecto and endoparasites will be considered. Colic in horses, warbles in cattle as well as serious diseases such as West Nile disease are examples of pathologies to be covered. Implementing a control program including deworming and management procedures will also be discussed.

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 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.