Morning Lecture Sessions:
Small Animal Focus
Caring about Cancer: Demystifying Common Oncologic Diseases
This course is designed to educate the general practice technician on companion animal oncology: basic cancer types and treatment possibilities, staging the patient before referral to a specialist, and preparing the client for the emotional, physical and financial costs.
The 5 Most Common Small Animal Ocular Diseases
How to diagnose the most common ophthalmic diseases. Medical treatment and surgical options and when to refer to a specialist will also be discussed.
Canine Congenital Cardiac Disease
An in-depth presentation of canine congenital cardiac disease. Etiologies, diagnostics, and treatment options will be discussed with emphasis on practical application in a general practice setting.
Practical Discussion of Common Behavioral Problems
We will talk about behaviors such as fear, anxiety, aggression, and elimination “error.” Clients will often have more honest conversations with technicians than they will their doctor. This gives us opportunity to strengthen our relationship with that client and make a positive impact on that patient’s life experience. Let’s have a conversation about what clients want to know, how we can best address those questions, as well as resources we can refer them to.
Acute Lameness: Is it Osteosarcoma?
In this session, we will be discussing patients presenting with acute lameness with imaging suspicious of Osteosarcoma. We will cover things to look for on imaging, what diagnostics can be helpful prior to referral, and survival outcomes for patients.
The Importance of a Decimal, Every Number Counts: Drug Calculations
Today we are working on understanding medical math calculations, and are hopefully going to achieve a mathematical understanding between doctor and technician lingo, learning the basics of different conversions and calculations.
An Introduction to the RECOVER CPR Guidelines
The RECOVER CPR guidelines are research-based standards that are meant to standardize and prioritize techniques in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In this introduction, participants will gain an understanding of what the RECOVER Guidelines are, how they can optimize these standards in their own practices, and how they and even their team can become certified rescuers.
The Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment
This lecture will cover the steps and equipment needed for a successful and thorough dentistry procedure. Topics will be discussed starting with the awake oral exam through the anesthetized exam, charting, ultrasonic scaling, hand scaling, polishing and radiographs.
Where’s the Leak? -Understanding Protein Losing Enteropathy/Nephropathy
Two commonly seen “leaky” syndromes in dogs and cats are Protein Losing Nephropathy and Protein Losing Enteropathy. This lecture will provide a review of etiology, presenting symptoms, diagnostics and management of both these syndromes.
Large Animal Focus
Equine Intra-Op Radiographs
Similar to radiographs taken outside the operating room (OR), anatomic and directional terms are critical in accurately discussing radiographic projections. It is especially critical in the OR as it is how the surgeon will communicate in real time what projections they need and how they need to be altered. In this session we will discuss techniques for this important skill.
Going Ham: A (Not so Boaring) Guide to Porcine Restraint and Venipuncture
This session will provide an overview of pig restraint and handling techniques. It will also cover access points for IV catheterization and venipuncture.
Equine Eye Equine Ophthalmology for the Veterinary Technician: Ophthalmic Examination Techniques
How to diagnose, medically treat, surgical options and when to refer to a specialist for the most common equine ophthalmic diseases.
Lunch Sessions:
Client Communication: Handling the Difficult Conversations with Ease
Description
Afternoon Sessions:
Think It Through Case Reviews – *Small Animal Focus
Goat Medicine
This session will use an interactive case-based approach to review management of common (and not-so-common) presenting complaints in caprine patients.
What the Me-tas-ta-sis?!
In this session, we will review different types of metastatic disease that have been seen in different oncology patients. Some presentations may surprise you!
Labs – *Small Animal Focus
Navigating Assistive Devices: How do I Choose?*
This afternoon class will introduce you to all things in assistive devices, including wheelchairs, boots, slings, harnesses and other equipment or devices designed to help our pet patients. You will be taught what is available and how to fit them to your patients. If you have ever wondered how to choose what to use, this is the class for you!
Blood Pressure: Pump it up!*
During this lab we will be learning and refining our skills on how to properly obtain a blood pressure measurement using standardized methods including Doppler and sphygmomanometer
Small Animal Ophthalmology Examination Skills for the Veterinary Technician*
Learn how to perform a thorough ophthalmic exam including Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, intraocular pressure, and indirect and direct ophthalmic exam.
Dental Radiology: Tips and Tricks Lab Session*
Practice taking dental radiographs using skull models. Learn different visuals and techniques to make the process more efficient.
Equine Eye Examination
Learn how to perform a thorough ophthalmic exam including Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, intraocular pressure, and indirect and direct ophthalmic exam
Applying the RECOVER CPR Guidelines*
The RECOVER CPR guidelines are research-based standards that are meant to standardize and prioritize techniques in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In this hands-on introduction, participants will have the opportunity to apply basic life support (BLS) techniques using the RECOVER CPR guidelines.
It’s Going Down: Neurologic Exam for Companion Animals*
Explaining and demonstrating how to perform a neurologic exam. We will have dogs with us so that you may perform these exams yourself.
Masterclasses – *Small Animal Focus
Help! My Patient’s Been Bitten and Can’t Get Up!: Recognition and Treatment of Coral Snake Envenomation*
Description
Working Through Drug Calculations
Today we are working with calculating and understanding math calculations, and are hopefully going to achieve a mathematical understanding between doctor and technician lingo, learning the basics to different conversion and calculations. The Bev way, that helps me make sense of it all in my brain.
Recipes for Success: Designing Anesthetic Protocols for Dogs and Cats*
Participants will be presented with review of commonly used drugs for premedication and induction of anesthesia. In addition, drug combinations tailored for various patient conditions will be discussed for both feline and canine patients.
*Schedule may be subject to change.
