SVMA Online Classoom

Welcome to the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association's Online Classroom 



This site is dedicated to providing online continuing education to veterinary professionals and the SVMA licensing course. 


Currently, there is forty (40) hours of continuing education in the SVMA Classroom.


As is the case with all continuing education events and materials, all online courses must be completed to be eligible for CE credit. 


All registrations for courses in the online classroom will be valid for one year, meaning all courses registered for must be taken and completed within a year. Automatic un-enrollments occur after 365 days. The exception is the SVMA Licensing Course which must be completed in 30 days.


Veterinary professionals from other jurisdictions may request access to the classroom by emailing svma@svma.sk.ca. 

Please use the subject line: Classroom Access Request


    Available courses

    An in-depth look at an equine rescue

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    Veterinary professionals are often the first called to assist with large animal rescue. However, many of us have no formal training in large animal rescue, making these tense situations even more stressful. This webinar will review a case of equine rescue (during the COVID pandemic) and use it as an example to highlight things that worked, things that didn't, and what the author might do differently next time. Of note, this was the first rescue that Dr. Robinson was involved in. Discussion and questions from the audience is encouraged.

    Speaker Biography – Dr Kate Robinson

    Dr Robinson is a clinician at McKee-Pownall Equine Services and a board-certified equine practice specialist. Previously, Dr Robinson as a assistant professor and field service clinician at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

    One hour of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Narcotics Storage and Record Keeping

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    This course was developed by the SVMA staff to help practices keep in compliance with Narcotic/Controlled drug storage, recording and other regulations. 
    This course is worth one-hour of continuing education. 

    Veterinary Forensics

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    Animal abuse and neglect affects all of us. As veterinary professionals, we see animals in distress every day and we do our best to relieve them of their suffering. But how do we determine when that distress should prompt us to report a case of suspect animal abuse or neglect? What if you are called to attend an animal welfare investigation with an animal protection agency - do you feel prepared to attend? Finally, how can the records you prepare help to strengthen an investigation that goes to court, or even avoid the need for you to testify in court? These questions and more will be addressed through the Veterinary Forensics course.

    This course will include the following topics:

    • How to identify animals in distress
    • How to report a suspect case of abuse or neglect
    • How to properly document a history and physical exam
    • Understanding chain of custody for evidence
    • The process for acting as an expert witness
    • The human side of abuse and neglect

    Suicide Awareness & Prevention in the Canadian Veterinary Profession

    The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), in partnership with Merck Animal Health, held its inaugural Mental Health Awareness Week from September 9 to 15, 2019. The week included a live Suicide Awareness and Prevention Webinar created and presented by Dr Kathy Keil. The webinar was recorded and SVMA has been given permission to include it in the SVMA Online Classroom.

    Course contents:

    • Learn and practice the four evidence based coping strategies that have been specifically researched in veterinarians and technologists to help reduce burnout and stress;
    • Learn and practice simple steps on how to help a co-worker who is in distress;
    • Leave the webinar with practical guidelines on how to start conversations about mental health in work environments;
    • Have access to a list of provincial and community mental health resources.

    SVMA is offering one CE hour for this presentation at no charge. The course must be completed (ie, questions at the end answered) to receive CE credits


    Poultry Basics for Veterinary Professionals

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    This course will help veterinary professionals in the following areas:

    Because of the addition of all medically important antimicrobials to the prescription drug list small poultry producers and backyard breeders will be turning to veterinary practices for assistance. These are not under this jurisdiction of the Poultry Extension Veterinarian and will require veterinary practices to diagnose and prescribe treatment.

    Your practice may even be receiving prescriptions from the Poultry Extension veterinarian for the poultry barns under their oversight. This will give you insight on how to dispense those medications.

    This course offers 5 hours of continuing education.

    Ethical Prescribing and Antimicrobial Stewardship

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    On December 1, 2018, Health Canada's recent changes to the Food and Drug Act go into effect. Several medically important antimicrobials have been moved to the veterinary version of the Prescription Drug List (PDL).  This means many antibiotics previously sold as over-the-counter (OTC) products will now require a prescription.

    This course addresses the legal and ethical obligations that veterinary practitioners are bound to follow when using, prescribing, dispensing and selling drugs and biologics. The video portion will be followed by questions to be answered for one hour of AMS CE credit.


    Veterinary Practice & Social Media

    This is the CE session that was delivered at the WDDC 35th Anniversary Open House in September 2018. This online version has been approved by the SVMA for 3 CE hours.

    Topics include:

    • SaskVets & how the SVMA does their social media
    • provincial associations vs veterinary practices
    • how to write effective posts
    • using photos
    • dealing with negativity
    • control settings
    • analytics
    • bylaws around marketing
    • do's and don'ts
    • regulatory "changes" and how to relay those messages to clients
    • and much more!

    Special thanks goes to WDDC for hosting the event and recording the video. This CE course is free to all veterinarians and veterinary technologists across Canada.

    A Conversation About Animal Welfare

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    The effects of animal abuse and neglect touch all of us. The reality is, abuses of pets and livestock persist. 
    This 4 hour course of SVMA approved scientific CE will address the following in a conversation with veterinary professionals about dealing with abuse and neglect:

    • Changes to the SK Animal Protection Act: Issues and consequences of mandatory reporting; Goals and expectations of investigative process
    • What the Human Model of Mandatory Abuse Reporting Can Teach Us
    • Considerations for Euthanasia of Large and Small Animals: Timeliness; Transport of compromised animals
    • Managing Nutritional Welfare Cases in Beef Cattle
    The SVMA wishes to thank the presenters of the course for their support in making this adapted into a online CE course.

    Dennis Will, DVM, retired CFIA
    Yolande Seddon, PhD, WCVM Large Animal Clinical Sciences
    Kaley Pugh, MSc, Director, Animal Protections Services of Saskatchewan
    John Campbell, DVM, WCVM herd health and sustainable beef systems research

    Antimicrobial Stewardship (2017)

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    Watch the video, then answer the questions at the end to receive one hour of SVMA approved CE credit.

    Antimicrobial Stewardship (2016)

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    Watch the video, then answer the questions at the end to receive one hour of SVMA approved CE credit. 


    Diffusing the Angry Client

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    Diffusing The Angry Client: This six-step program was created using data from the hotel, restaurant, and airline industries. It is a systematic approach to dealing with angry or complaining clients and one that every staff member should know. Audience: All Team Members.

    Speaker Biography – Dr Andy Roark Dr. Andy Roark is a practicing veterinarian, international speaker, author, and media personality. He is the founder of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and DrAndyRoark.com. He has been an award-winning columnist for DVM360 and his popular Facebook page, website, podcast and YouTube show reach millions of people every month.

    Dr. Roark has received the NAVC Practice Management Speaker of the Year Award three times, the WVC Practice Management Educator of the Year Award, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. His greatest achievement however involves marrying a bad-ass scientist and raising 2 kind and wonderful daughters.

    One hour of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Poultry Vaccination - Corona Virus (IBV): Not in this flock!

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    Poultry Vaccination - Corona Virus (IBV): Not in this flock!

    This webinar aims to provide veterinary professionals with information regarding the vaccination of small flock/backyard poultry including reasons to vaccinate, vaccine administration, which vaccines to administer, ordering poultry vaccines, and serology.

    Dr Tyra Dickson grew up on a grain farm in southern Manitoba. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master’s of Science in Agriculture (Poultry Nutrition) at the University of Manitoba. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After 9 years in mixed animal practice, in April 2019, she began work as the Poultry Extension Veterinarian for Saskatchewan.

    Dr. Stephanie Smith developed her passion for poultry early in life and that has continued through her veterinary career in both mixed animal and poultry veterinary practices. She currently works with the Ministry of Agriculture. She and her husband manage a grain and cattle farm near Arelee, Saskatchewan. When not busy with work and farming, she enjoys spending time with her many chickens, horses and dogs.

    One and a half (1.5) hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Practical Techniques in Soft Tissue Surgery 2

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    These sessions will consist of a variety of practical soft tissue surgery techniques that most veterinarians can perform in their practice. Video segments of clinical case material, carefully edited to form a real-life experience, will be used as a means of delivering the surgical lectures. An advantage of this lecture style is that participants are able to see the case actually operated on during the lecture.



    Surgical management of canine cystic and urethral calculi

    A ‘never fail’ technique for retropulsion of calculi lodged in the urethra of male dogs will be presented. Surgical management of cystic calculi will be discussed and a new protocol will be demonstrated that will eliminate the possibility of leaving a stone behind after performing a cystotomy. Video of a clinical case will be used to illustrate all techniques.

    Feline perineal urethrostomy – a novel approach

    Feline perineal urethrostomy has classically been approached with the patient placed in a perineal position. Although this positioning is awkward for the surgeon it has become the standard approach. This lecture will suggest taking another look at patient positioning. Placing the cat in dorsal recumbancy allows for a much more ‘ergonomic’ approach for the surgeon and enhances visualization of the regional anatomy. In addition, this positioning allows access to the patients’ urinary bladder. Video of this novel approach will be used to illustrate the advantages of dorsal recumbancy positioning.

    Wound management secrets

    Think of the most difficult location to bandage a wound……this seminar will suggest a method of how you can ‘bandage that wound’! Also……can you force a wound to continue to contract….…oh yes you can! Videotape of these selected ‘secrets’ to facilitate wound management will be discussed.

    Speaker Biography – Dr Howard Seim
    Dr. Seim graduated from Washington State University, completed an internship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada, and a surgical residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1983. He is currently on the surgical staff at Colorado State University. He was recipient of the Merck AGVET Award for Creative Teaching, the CSU Award for Instructional Innovation and selected as the North American Veterinary Conference’s Small Animal Speaker of the Year in 2009. Dr. Seim is founder of VideoVet a Veterinary Surgery Continuing Education video series. www.videovet.org

    Three hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Critical Care

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    "Staying alive" vs. "Another one bites the dust"
    CPR is something that isn’t needed often but when needed, it is important that you and your team know the proper steps and technique to give the animal the best chance of survival. This lecture will review the RECOVER CPR algorithm including basic and advanced life support with some case based examples. 
    "Blue ain't your colour"- Approach to respiratory distress 
    Cats and dogs can have develop respiratory distress due to a large number of problems. This lecture will cover initial stabilization of patients suffering from respiratory distress as well as some case based examples of common causes of respiratory distress. 

    Speaker Biography – Dr Jennifer Loewen, DVM, DACVECC 
    Dr. Jen Loewen is an assistant professor of small animal emergency medicine and critical care at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Loewen grew up in Winnipeg, Man., before earning her veterinary degree at the WCVM in 2014. Following graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Iowa State University and a residency in small animal emergency and critical care at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Dr. Loewen obtained her board certification from the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2018. Her research interests include fluid management and simulation teaching.


    Two hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Top 10 Small Ruminant Diseases – A Goat-to Guide to What Ewe Need to Know

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    This lecture will focus on some of the biggest problems and diseases in small ruminant practice. Covering everything from husbandry practices and how they influence disease processes to the clinical presentation of some of the most common diseases you will encounter, this discussion aims to provide you with the tools necessary to tackle many small ruminant challenges. This a lecture that EWE DOEn’t want to miss!

    Dr. Michael Pesato is originally from Vermilion, Ohio and attended veterinary school at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation in 2015, Dr. Pesato completed an internship and residency focusing on food animal practice with the Section of Field Service at New Bolton Center, the large animal campus of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Pesato became a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Food Animal Practice) in 2019. He spent two years practicing with the Section of Field Service after his residency, working to develop a Small Ruminant Wellness Program that focused on both individual animal care and herd health management. Dr. Pesato is now an Assistant Clinical Professor of Food Animal Medicine at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. His specific interests include preventative medicine and management techniques for sheep, goat, and cattle clientele and he has a passion for educating students, clients, and colleagues alike.


    Three hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Companion Animal Dentistry

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    This three-hour webinar will include the following topics.

    Creating the best flap; a tension releasing process
    Flaps are used for various procedures from extraction to crown lengthening to bone augmentation, to closing palatal defects or oronasal fistulae. For each procedure, flap variations exist. Some modifications are dictated by individual parameters others are the result of the operator's preference. This presentation will review and compare which flaps are best when extracting specific teeth, from the envelope flap used for most premolars to the more complicated single or double vertical release flaps used for canines 01· maxillary molars.


    Extraction techniques using luxators
    There is more than one way to extract a tooth. This presentation will concentrate on how to use luxators with minimal bone removal. It will review the equipment required to use this technique. It will dwell into the physics involved in breaking the fibers of the periodontal ligament; the only tissue that should be damaged during an extraction.

    Surgical and difficult extractions
    In this lecture we will cover techniques necessary when dealing with complications associated with extractions such as supernumerary roots, unerupted teeth, ankylosis, root l'idges, retained roots, fractured roots, root dilaceration. All of the above are fairly easy to correct once one knows how. The exception being ankylosis that is truly a difficult condition to deal with.

    Speaker Biography – Dr Loic Legendre DVM, FAVD, Diplomate AVDC, EVDC
    Dr. Loïc Legendre has been providing veterinary dental care in the Lower Mainland since 1995. After practising as a small animal veterinarian, Dr. Legendre started to specialize. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and a specialist of the American Veterinary Dental College and of the European Veterinary Dental College. In addition to daily practice, he enjoys teaching at international conferences. His areas of interest are orthodontics, maxillofacial reconstructive surgery and cancer treatments.


    Three hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    Bovine Respiratory & Antimicrobial Resistance

    Antimicrobial Resistance in Bovine Respiratory Disease – It’s getting worse so what can we do? Presentation of a recent study looking at antimicrobial resistance and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in a feedlot in Alberta and comparing single source ranch calves and auction market calves. Also, an overview of the current state of antimicrobial resistance in BRD in the feedlot, as well as looking at possible strategies to reduce the use of antimicrobials.

    Antimicrobial Resistance Research: Emergency of clinical metagenomics offers opportunities for veterinary medicine to incorporate principles of “precision medicine” into herd health management. Funded by Genome Canada, “Genomic ASSETS for livestock” program is applying a suite of novel tools to develop a new paradigm for BRD control and antimicrobial stewardship in beef feedlot production

    Speaker Biographies – Dr Trent Wennekamp & Dr Anatoliy Trokymchuk
    Dr Trent Wennekamp grew up on a mixed grain and cattle farm. Trent took his undergraduate training at the University of Alberta and then went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. Trent worked overseas for a year in New Zealand as a veterinarian before joining the Lloydminster Animal Hospital in Lloydminster Alberta in 2002 and is now a partner in that practice. Trent recently completed his master’s studies, with research focusing on biosecurity in beef cattle as well as Bovine Respiratory Disease and antimicrobial resistance. Trent is kept busy at home following after the various activities of his four boys.

    Dr Anatoliy Trokymchuk, DVM, MSc, MBA is the Chief Scientific Officer at Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc. Anatoliy received a DVM diploma with highest honours from Bila Tserkva State Agrarian University in 1997 and started a professional career in a remote rural veterinary practice in Ukraine. In 2002 as a part of his graduate veterinary epidemiology program at the National Agrarian University, he served as a visiting fellow at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine focusing on translational research in veterinary public health programs. Recruited by the government of Ukraine as a veterinary public health inspector in 2003, Anatoliy actively participated in the veterinary public health service development and from 2005 to 2007 served as a regional office director. From 2007 to 2010, Anatoliy worked for Fast Genetics – a high-health swine breeding stock subsidiary of HyLife in Northern Saskatchewan. Anatoliy received graduate training in epidemiology (2014) and business administration (2018) from the University of Saskatchewan. Since 2013, he has been working for Prairie Diagnostic Services in various roles focusing on animal health surveillance, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, antimicrobial susceptibility testing development, and antimicrobial stewardship in the context of One Health. For the last four years, development of regional animal health surveillance and whole genome sequencing diagnostic applications are of particular interest to Anatoliy’s group. PDS team led by Anatoliy is the first laboratory in Canada certified by Oxford Nanopore Technologies for commercial whole-genome sequencing. PDS has successfully implemented nanopore whole-genome sequencing for routine bacterial and viral identification and is working towards the development of rapid culture-independent laboratory testing methods based on metagenomics for animal health and agriculture.


    Two hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.

    Examining Hematology Findings

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    This is a hematology centered presentation. including the steps for reviewing a blood smear to complement automated results. Case study includes examining the analyzer print out and deciphering what it means and compare it to what it looks like on a smear. 

    Speaker Biography – Brianne Bellwood, RVT, VTS (Clinical Pathology) CCRVN 

    Brianne Bellwood, RVT, VTS (Clinical Pathology), CCRVN is a 2002 graduate of the AHT program at Olds College. After graduating, Brianne worked in mixed animal practice. In 2008, Brianne began teaching at Lakeland College in the Animal Health Technology and Veterinary Medical Assistance programs and has served as Program Coordinator in the past for both programs. In 2016, Brianne achieved her NAVTA Veterinary Technician Specialty designation in the field of Clinical Pathology from the Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians. Her passion for clinical pathology and teaching has led to opportunities to present CE topics both in Canada and Internationally, as well as having the privilege of authoring a number of textbooks and articles for various veterinary publications. Currently Brianne is completing her Master’s Degree in Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing through the University of Glasgow.

    Two hours of SVMA approved continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists

    Practical Techniques in Soft Tissue Surgery I

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    These sessions will consist of a variety of practical soft tissue surgery techniques that most veterinarians can perform in their practice. Video segments of clinical case material, carefully edited to form a real-life experience, will be used as a means of delivering the surgical lectures. An advantage of this lecture style is that participants are able to see the case actually operated on during the lecture.

    Intestinal anastomosis – tips to make it easier
    When performing an intestinal resection and anastomosis by yourself (i.e., no assistant to help!) I have several tips that may make the procedure easier for you. I will suggest a number of alternative techniques that you can consider incorporating that may make this common procedure easier and more predictably successful. Video of clinical cases will be used to illustrate these techniques.

    Surgical management of GDV
    This seminar will focus primarily on the surgical management of GDV patients. Video of clinical cases during intraoperative decision making will be presented. We will focus on the authors’ preferred method for gastric derotation and the technical aspects of performing a 15-minute incisional gastropexy. Extensive use of video of clinical cases will give participants a real-life experience.

    Anal sacculectomy: a novel approach
    Anal sacculectomy is frequently performed in veterinary practice. It can be tricky to get all of the anal sac epithelium and preserve the external anal sphincter muscle and caudal rectal nerve. A ‘novel’ technique has been suggested that allows the surgeon full control of the perianal anatomy and thus preservation of vital structures during anal sac resection. This technique facilitates complete removal of the anal sac while encouraging protection of caudal rectal nerve fibers and external anal sphincter muscle. Video showing this technique in a clinical case will illustrate its potential usefulness in your practice.

    The 4 ligature splenectomy
    Years ago the anatomist suggested that in order to safely remove the spleen the left gastroepiploic artery and vein must be preserved or the gastric blood supply would be severely compromised. We now know this is not true! I will suggest a way to use this new anatomical information to safely remove the spleen in a non-GDV patient using 4 (maybe 5!) ligations.

    Surgical management of brachycephalic syndrome
    This session will discuss the management of upper airway obstruction in brachycephalic breeds. Emphasis will be placed on nasoplasty and soft palate resection. A new technique for nasal planum resection will be discussed. There is compelling evidence suggesting that not all everted laryngeal saccules need to be resected! Videotape will be used to illustrate surgical techniques.

    Speaker Biography – Dr Howard Seim
    Dr. Seim graduated from Washington State University, completed an internship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada, and a surgical residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1983. He is currently on the surgical staff at Colorado State University. He was recipient of the Merck AGVET Award for Creative Teaching, the CSU Award for Instructional Innovation and selected as the North American Veterinary Conference’s Small Animal Speaker of the Year in 2009. Dr. Seim is founder of VideoVet a Veterinary Surgery Continuing Education video series. www.videovet.org

    Four hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.


    How to Drive Change In Your Practice

    Change is both difficult and necessary. This program is probably my most popular, and it outlines key steps that anyone can take to help create change in their organization. The stories I tell here will make you laugh, cry, and, most importantly, remember. Audience: All Team Members.


    Dr. Andy Roark is a practicing veterinarian, international speaker, author, and media personality. He is the founder of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and DrAndyRoark.com. He has been an award-winning columnist for DVM360 and his popular Facebook page, website, podcast and YouTube show reach millions of people every month. Dr. Roark has received the NAVC Practice Management Speaker of the Year Award three times, the WVC Practice Management Educator of the Year Award, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. His greatest achievement however involves marrying a bad-ass scientist and raising 2 kind and wonderful daughters.


    Three hours of continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technologists.

    Professional Conduct & Discipline Committee Training

    SVMA Licensing Course B 2020

    SVMA Licensing Course 2020

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    This licensing course is for new and existing members. 
    This course is approved for 4 hours of Continuing Education.
    New members will be pre-enrolled on the date of their approval. Existing members can self-enroll for $75.00 + GST. 
    Please note that this course must be completed within 30 days of enrollment.