How do we best treat animals in cardiopulmonary arrest? An evidence-based veterinary CPR guideline published by the RECOVER Initiative in 2012 aimed at determining how to maximize the chances of patient survival led to the official veterinary CPR certification process approved by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. This course will equip participants with concepts and techniques in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) reinforced through scenario-based simulations. The certification process consists of an online course provided by the RECOVER website that is completed and followed by onsite training at the conference. Successful completion of this course grants participants with certification as a RECOVER BLS Rescuer and a RECOVER ALS Rescuer. Human medical professionals certify in human CPR. Veterinary medical professionals should certify themselves in veterinary CPR!

Dogs (typically small breeds) will often present with acute onset lameness secondary to complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Upon physical exam, the stifle is very unstable, and a Grade 2-3 patella luxation is often present as well. The patella luxation is aggravated by the presence of excess internal rotational instability due to the CrCl injury. To return the patient to normal function, the CrCl injury must be addressed (stabilized) as well as the patella luxation. The technique described in this laboratory allows the attending surgeon to stabilize the craniocaudal laxity with an isometric extracapsular procedure that allows stabilization of the patella luxation using standard technique.

Workshop Objectives

• Study stifle extracapsular repair, treatment of meniscal tears and meniscal release and treatment of MPL.
• Update your knowledge on practical surgical techniques and procedures and become familiarized with the latest technology to utilize.
• Increase confidence levels when performing various soft tissue and orthopedic surgery procedures.
• Gain a better knowledge of the regional anatomy related to the surgical procedure.

Online pre-learning to the course is available for free once you have registered for the interactive lab.

This will be a four (4) hour cadaver lab designed for participants to gain experience placing male and female urinary catheters and advanced intravenous catheter (jugular and femoral) placement. This lab will consist of lecture time to discuss indications, potential complications, supplies needed and other information to set the participant up for success in the hospital. Then the participant will have access to canine and feline cadavers to gain experience performing both procedures with experienced veterinary technicians. This lab is for anyone pursuing a veterinary technician specialty or wanting to advance your skills.

This live dog lab will have 6 tables for ultrasound instruction. Our goal is to have 1 instructor per table and groups of 4 participants at each table (24 DVM participants). Each participant will scan for 4.5 minutes before rotating. After all 4 participants have scanned at a table (i.e. every 18 minutes), groups will rotate to the next table. An example timeline for the morning session is in table 1 below. The afternoon session would be the same, it would just start at 1:30 pm. The topics for each table are listed below in table 2. Each table would need someone to monitor the dog, ultrasound gel, alcohol, an ultrasound scanner, and 5 stools. Dogs should be clipped in advance. The haircut over the abdomen should extend from about the 10th intercostal space caudally to the inguinal region and about 2/3 of the way up the side of the abdomen on the left and right. We will need at least male intact dog and 1 intact female dog for the morning session and the same for the afternoon session.

This live dog lab will have 6 tables for ultrasound instruction. Our goal is to have 1 instructor per table and groups of 4 participants at each table (24 DVM participants). Each participant will scan for 4.5 minutes before rotating. After all 4 participants have scanned at a table (i.e. every 18 minutes), groups will rotate to the next table. An example timeline for the morning session is in table 1 below. The afternoon session would be the same, it would just start at 1:30 pm. The topics for each table are listed below in table 2. Each table would need someone to monitor the dog, ultrasound gel, alcohol, an ultrasound scanner, and 5 stools. Dogs should be clipped in advance. The haircut over the abdomen should extend from about the 10th intercostal space caudally to the inguinal region and about 2/3 of the way up the side of the abdomen on the left and right. We will need at least male intact dog and 1 intact female dog for the morning session and the same for the afternoon session.

This lab will cover techniques utilized in small animal dentistry, including cleaning, polishing, dental charting, instrument use and care. We will discuss post-cleaning treatments and home care products. We will demonstrate on cadavers and skulls. The nerve block lab will allow participants to practice various techniques of performing regional analgesia.

Hands-on practice of dental extractions is the best way to improve this critical skill for general practitioners. This lab will focus on extraction of the 8 strategic teeth of the canine patient including the upper 4thpremolars, the canine teeth and the lower first molars. Each attendee will understand the steps of a comprehensive extraction that includes creating and closing a flap, understand equipment used for each step of an extraction, and perform surgical extractions on a canine cadaver.

Hands-on practice of dental extractions is the best way to improve this critical skill for general practitioners. This lab will focus on extraction of the 8 strategic teeth of the canine patient including the upper 4thpremolars, the canine teeth and the lower first molars. Each attendee will understand the steps of a comprehensive extraction that includes creating and closing a flap, understand equipment used for each step of an extraction, and perform surgical extractions on a canine cadaver.

Do snitches really get stitches? Participate in this lab and find out! In this lab, we will discuss suture materials, knots, techniques, and when to utilize each one. The hands-on portion of the this lab will allow you to put your knowledge into practice. These skills will help elevate your technical skills and enable you to better assist your veterinarian team!

This lab will involve a discussion of commonly encountered anesthesia complications, focusing on trouble-shooting problems with the anesthesia machine and monitoring equipment. This lab is geared towards small animal cases, but the principles could be applied to large animals cases.

This lab will provide an overview and discussion of currently available small animal pain scales that can be implemented in general practice. Practical approaches to CRI calculations will be discussed for drugs commonly used in this manner, including helpful apps available. Hands-on practice with setting up and running a syringe pump for those that are new to their use will conclude this lab.

The anesthesia machine is an integral part of maintaining a patient safely under general anesthesia. Over the years there has been extensive research in improving the safety of an anesthesia machine and where the most common weaknesses and faults can occur and a theme across the boards is that more often than not, it is the user that is the weakest link. This lab will allow the participants to become familiar with the anesthesia machine including its individual parts and their function in a fun escape room atmosphere. Work as a group to solve puzzles and find clues to help you unlock a set of boxes to reach your prize.