This 2-hour limited enrollment wet lab will provide attendees with hands-on training in blood smears, ear cytology, skin scraping, and fine needle aspirates on live animals. Attendees will prepare specimens for analysis using simple and differential staining techniques. Normal and abnormal findings will be identified microscopically, including hair, epithelial cells, yeast, mites, bacteria, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and macrophages. Methods of obtaining and preparing biopsies will be discussed but not performed.

Friday 5:00-7:00p (add-on registration and fee)
(Zwolinski/Temple)

In this 1-hour lecture, we’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s wildlife health program, including common diseases affecting Colorado’s wildlife, disease surveillance and testing, and disease management. We’ll also discuss the role of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in wildlife medicine.

(Van Wick)

This 1-hour didactical lesson will prepare technicians to recognize situations in which a microscopic examination of cells and tissues will provide diagnostic advantage. Attendees will learn to prepare tissues for sampling, select the appropriate method for sampling tissues, prepare materials for and perform such techniques as ear and vaginal cytology, fine needle aspiration, squash preparations, skin scrapings, and biopsies. Brief attention will be given to analyzing specimens microscopically.

(Zwolinski)

Unlock the secrets hiding in your patients’ pee! In this 1-hour lecture, we’ll explore the ins and outs of urinalysis testing—from collection to slide interpretation—while emphasizing why UA is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. We’ll cover how to identify casts, cells, crystals, and bacteria and how each element provides clues about renal function, infection, inflammation, and more.
We will also have tips and suggestions for how to improve in-house UA protocols in your clinic. Whether you’re brushing up on the basics or looking to make your pee-prep more precise, this session will leave you feeling empowered to take your UA game to the next level.

(Crane)

From parasite ova to protozoal trophozoites and beyond, fecal examination can help diagnose patient disease and help veterinary professionals treat their patients appropriately. As veterinary technicians, we are invaluable in performing these examinations. But did you know there is more than one way to do it and there are different techniques that will get us the best results? And now, with machines doing all the work for us, why should we even care? Technicians should be knowledgeable in the identification of internal parasites and bacterial overgrowth and identification. Knowing which fecal test to perform and how to manually perform these tests is necessary to come to a proper diagnosis for our patient. Come explore the different options that are available and the different internal parasites that you will potentially see with these options. Excellent review for those who have not manually done these tests. Livestock, small animal, and exotics will be covered in this 1-hour lecture.

(Temple)

Bloodwork doesn’t have to be intimidating! In this 1-hour, fun and approachable session, we’ll break down the basics of veterinary hematology with a focus on our furry friends—dogs and cats—with a quick tour through large animal species like horses, cows, pigs, and goats. You’ll learn to recognize key blood cell types, understand what a CBC is really telling you, and get comfortable with common abnormalities that show up in practice. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a confidence boost, this session is designed to help veterinary technicians feel more at ease reading blood smears, interpreting trends, and making sense of what’s happening behind the microscope. Come nerd out with us as we explore the weird, the normal, and the “wait, what is that?” of bloodwork across species.

(Crane)

Avian patients often present unique challenges in veterinary medicine—and hematology is no exception. This session offers a practical, technician-friendly guide to interpreting avian bloodwork, with information on psittacines and common pet bird species as well as general avian species. Attendees will learn how to identify and differentiate avian blood cell types, estimate white blood cell counts and platelet numbers, and recognize common blood parasites. We’ll also explore how avian hematology differs from mammals and what to watch for when working with avian species. This course is designed to increase confidence and competence in evaluating avian samples, whether in general practice or referral settings. Let’s make feathered bloodwork less intimidating—and a lot more fascinating.

(Crane)

Reptile hematology presents a unique set of challenges—and opportunities—for veterinary technicians. This session dives into the fundamentals of interpreting reptilian bloodwork, with an emphasis on species commonly seen in general and exotic practice. Attendees will learn how to identify and differentiate key blood cell types, perform manual estimates for white blood cells and platelets, and recognize normal versus abnormal findings. Special focus will be given to azurophils, heterophils, and other cells unique to reptiles, as well as the impact of factors like husbandry on hematologic values. We’ll also cover the identification of common blood parasites and what these findings can indicate about patient health. By the end of this session, participants will feel more confident approaching reptile bloodwork with clarity and curiosity.

(Crane)