Course Overview:

The objective of Advanced Clinical Pathology is to standardize training for veterinary technicians, veterinary technician assistant, and veterinarians interested in increasing their knowledge and training ability in clinical pathology. This program is divided into four modules each comprised of a lecture, interactive case program, homework, and a final examination.

1. Two-day lecture program devoted to 4 hours of training in each module

2. Four webinar programs that review and outline 2 case studies from each module done online. Each webinar will be on a set schedule after the initial 2-day program

3. Four homework modules based on cases done online or done through virtual slides.

4. Final online examination

Modules Outline:

Module 1: Complete Blood Count - The lecture for this module focuses on sample handling, lab standardization, understanding anatomy and function of blood cells, identification of normal cellularity of blood films, and identification of pathologic changes. The webinar will help reinforce the concepts of the lecture, and using virtual slide technology, practices interpretation of blood films and how they correlate to disease conditions. The homework and examination portions of the material will test individuals on normal, abnormal and diseased cells.

Module 2: Chemistry - The lecture content will focus on sample handling, lab standardization, understanding of anatomy and function of the renal, hepatic and pancreatic organ systems, their clinical diagnostics, and changes that occur in disease conditions. The webinar will reinforce the concepts of the lecture interactive case studies. The homework and examination portions of the material will test individuals on their understanding organ physiology and anatomy, evaluating organ function with clinical diagnostics, and changes that can occur with disease conditions.

Module 3: Urinalysis & Electrolytes - The lecture focuses on sample handling, lab standardization, understanding electrolyte function and urinalysis, evaluating change in the presence of disease, and evaluating changes in urine cellularity to suggest disease conditions. The webinar will help reinforce the concepts of the lecture, and with the aid of virtual slide technology, offers practice and interactive case studies. The homework and examination portions of the material will test individuals on their understanding electrolyte physiology, evaluating electrolyte changes, and evaluating the urinalysis and urinary sediment.

Module 4: Advanced Diagnostics - The final program focuses on advanced diagnostics including blood gas, adrenal dysfunction, coagulation, cardiac and ischemia monitors, and fully evaluating the emergency patient. The webinar will reinforce the concepts of the lecture, and with the aid of virtual slide technology, offer practice and interactive case studies. The homework and examination will test individuals on mastery of advanced clinical diagnostics.

Course Instructors:

Dr. Sharon M Dial, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP (Clinical and Anatomic Pathology) received a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the Montana State University. She then received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Doctorate in Pathology from Colorado State University. Dr. Dial has been both a working pathologist as well as an active instructor at University of Wisconsin and Louisiana State University. She also has been a clinical pathologist for Animal Diagnostic Lab in Tucson, Ariz., and Antech Diagnostics. Dr. Dial is currently an Associate Research Scientist, Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology at University of Arizona. Dr. Dial is co-authoring Clinical Pathology for the Veterinary

Team, a reference and resource manual in clinical pathology for the veterinary team. Andrew J. Rosenfeld, DVM, Diplomate ABVP is the founder and president of VTEC and has spoken on numerous occasions on topics in Emergency Medicine, Small Animal Anatomy and Physiology, and Cardiology. Dr. Rosenfeld was Director of Technical Education for the Pet’s Choice family of veterinary hospitals and specialty practices. He has practiced small animal critical care and emergency medicine for 13 years, and served as hospital director of Paradise Valley Emergency Animal Clinic in Scottsdale for three years. Dr. Rosenfeld is a member of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and was an adjunct professor at Mesa Community College and Arizona State University. Dr. Rosenfeld has written The Veterinary Medical Team Handbook, a reference and resource manual for the medical team, (Blackwell 2007). Dr. Rosenfeld is co-authoring Clinical Pathology for the Veterinary Team, a reference and resource manual in clinical pathology for the veterinary team.

Course Completion:

This course is an academic program sponsored through Cedar Community College in Dallas, Texas. To successfully complete this program, each individual must maintain a 70% cumulative score based on 4 modules of homework (20% each) and final examinations (20% each). All course work and examinations will be completed on line. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of training and 2 hours of academic credit.