By: Tiffany Jagodich, DVM, DVSc. DACVECC

Description:
Course description: High flow nasal oxygen is a novel modality of respiratory support in animals. It has been used widely in neonatal and pediatric children as well as adult humans. It’s use in dogs at this point, has been limited to acute hypoxemic failure but, evidence may lead us to investigate new perspectives for use of this device in other conditions. In this lecture, we will discuss the use of HFNC in people, in hypoxemic failure of companion animals, and further considerations for our brachycephalic patients.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the mechanisms of action and indications supported by the literature for use of HFNC in respiratory disease.
2. Describe the safety considerations for use of HFNC as related to the patient population and disease process.
3. Discuss when success or failure of HFNC is observed, and consideration when discussing outcomes with veterinary patient owners.

Speaker Info:
Dr. Jagodich completed her veterinary degree at the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College. She subsequently completed a rotating internship at Tufts University and then returned to the University of Guelph for her residency in emergency and critical care; as well as a graduate degree focussing on respiratory physiology and high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in dogs. She is currently the  founding criticalist for a private practice in British Columbia, Canada and trauma medical director for her hospital. Her areas of interest include respiratory medicine, mechanical ventilation, trauma and much more.

By: Lisa Hacker, MSW, APSW

Course Description:
Increasingly evident, stress and compassion fatigue are high among veterinary emergency and critical care providers. This course will review the sources of strain experienced by the profession, and primarily focus on brief, cognitive coping techniques that can be actively used during a shift, as well as afterwards, to promote emotional wellness.

Course Objectives:

1. Define emotional wellness and how that could look for you
2. Review causes of distress amongst emergency and critical care professionals
3. Discuss 4-5 cognitive coping strategies and why they are effective
4. Identify 1-2 techniques reviewed that are best fitted for you, and commit to putting them into practice

Speaker Info:
Lisa is a licensed, Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW) in the State of Wisconsin. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2009. Lisa’s post-graduate experience has been in pediatric, medical social work as well as veterinary social work since 2018. She is the 2014 recipient of the Milwaukee BizTimes “Health Care Hero” award for her work with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Currently, Lisa is the Social Work Program Manager for BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Pet Hospitals in the Milwaukee Market, which was featured in the June 2020 edition of the JAVMA. She also established and manages a training program for MSW students for three area universities. Additionally, Lisa is working on her Grief Support Specialist Certification at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a contributor to the forthcoming volume The Comprehensive Guide to Interdisciplinary Veterinary Social Work. At home, Lisa’s pack includes her spouse, a 12-year-old black lab, a 4-year-old golden retriever, and a 7-month-old chocolate lab.

By: Abigail Kitchens, DVM

Course Description:
This lecture will give the emergency veterinarian productivity tools that they can immediately apply to their next shift.  These tools will help improve their personal productivity regardless of management’s protocols or medical record systems.

Speaker Info:
Abigail Kitchens, DVM, 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University has been an educator of veterinarians for 10 years. She has taught over 200 hours of continuing education including time management, focus, and courses in alternative medicine. She is currently the director of Parker University Animal Chiropractic Program due to her experience and knowledge in curriculum design and presentation.

By: Abigail Kitchens, DVM

Course Description:
Did you go to veterinary school to be a typist?  I didn’t think so!  Medical Records have become a significant pain point for emergency veterinarians.  The ER has unique challenges including increased liability due to the type of cases presented and additional communication with the referring veterinarian.  Proper and efficient documentation is key to protect yourself and provide continuity of care.  This lecture will give the practitioner tools to help improve the quality and efficiency of records that they can apply to their next shift regardless of the record keeping system utilized in their practice.

Speaker Info:
Abigail Kitchens, DVM, 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University has been an educator of veterinarians for 10 years. She has taught over 200 hours of continuing education including time management, focus, and courses in alternative medicine. She is currently the director of Parker University Animal Chiropractic Program due to her experience and knowledge in curriculum design and presentation.

By: Angela M. Lennox, DVM, DABVP-Avian, ECM; DECZM-Small Mammal

Course Objectives:

1. To quickly identify respiratory emergencies in birds through client phone description and at-a-distance visual examination
2. To quickly formulate a plan for stabilization and determine when immediate intervention is required, e.g. measures such as placement of an airsac breathing tube for upper airway obstruction
3. To formulate a reasonable diagnostic plan to help implement the best therapy

Speaker Info:
Angela M. Lennox is a graduate of Purdue University, where she serves as an adjunct associate professor. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner (ABVP) in both Avian and Exotic Companion Mammal Medicine, and the European College of Zoological Medicine in Small Mammal medicine. She has practiced exclusively exotic animal medicine since 1991, and lectured extensively throughout the US and internationally, including at IVECCS.  Dr. Lennox is past president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and has authored and edited many books, book chapters and scientific articles.  She resides outside of Indianapolis with her husband of 30 years and 4 daughters.

By: Dr Sheilah A Robertson BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, MRCVS

Description:
In this session tips on how to start the difficult conversation about euthanasia will be discussed; this includes verbal priming, supporting the owner / family, understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy, focusing on the pet’s needs and being non-judgmental. Owners have four main budgets when making euthanasia decisions (financial, emotional, physical and time) and all must be considered. Setting the scene for success includes small but powerful ‘little things’ such as never separating the patient from the owner once the decision has been made, quickly creating a less clinical setting (blankets, cushions, dimming lights). How and when to ask for payment will be discussed.

Course Objectives:

1. Attendees will feel confident initiating difficult conversations about euthanasia by learning key words and phrases that are patient centric.
2. Attendees will understand why pre-euthanasia sedation is important for the whole veterinary team, patient and owner.
3. If intravenous access is not possible attendees will be confident with using alternate routes for administration of euthanasia solutions.
4. Attendees will perform their next euthanasia with confidence, calmness and a feeling of control form start to finish.

Speaker Info:
Dr. Sheilah Robertson graduated from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Following time in private practice and a surgery internship she undertook specialized training in anesthesia and completed her PhD at the University of Bristol. She is board certified in anesthesia and in animal welfare by the respective American and European Colleges and holds a certificate in small animal acupuncture. In 2019 she received her certification as a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Palliative and End-of-Life practitioner by the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She has published widely on the recognition and alleviation of acute pain. Currently she is the senior medical director of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a large network of veterinarians dedicated to end-of-life care and in-home euthanasia throughout the USA. Dr Robertson is also a courtesy Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

By: Dr Sheilah A Robertson BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, MRCVS

Description:
In this session the value of pre-euthanasia sedation or anesthesia and which drugs to choose will be discussed. Tips for intravenous access (have you tried dorsal pedal vein?) will be covered along with what to do if IV access is not possible. Non-intravenous techniques for dogs and cats will be covered. If things do not go as planned, we will discuss how to explain this to owners and how to deal with unexpected adverse effects. What we do after the euthanasia has an impact on the owner. This includes a discussion on body care, providing mementos, giving them time alone, and follow up within a few days.

Course Objectives:

1. Attendees will feel confident initiating difficult conversations about euthanasia by learning key words and phrases that are patient centric.
2. Attendees will understand why pre-euthanasia sedation is important for the whole veterinary team, patient and owner.
3. If intravenous access is not possible attendees will be confident with using alternate routes for administration of euthanasia solutions.
4. Attendees will perform their next euthanasia with confidence, calmness and a feeling of control form start to finish.

Speaker Info:
Dr. Sheilah Robertson graduated from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Following time in private practice and a surgery internship she undertook specialized training in anesthesia and completed her PhD at the University of Bristol. She is board certified in anesthesia and in animal welfare by the respective American and European Colleges and holds a certificate in small animal acupuncture. In 2019 she received her certification as a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Palliative and End-of-Life practitioner by the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She has published widely on the recognition and alleviation of acute pain. Currently she is the senior medical director of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a large network of veterinarians dedicated to end-of-life care and in-home euthanasia throughout the USA. Dr Robertson is also a courtesy Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

By: Kate Hopper BVSc, PhD, DACVECC

Description:
Envenomation by a poisonous animal can be a challenging emergency case to manage and the severity of potential injury varies between regions. This presentation will review key diagnostic and management aspects of snake and spider envenomation with guidelines for rational clinical decision making.

Course Objectives:

1. Review the main venomous snakes and spiders in North America
2. Understand the common presenting signs of pit viper envenomation
3. Review the key aspects to management of snake envenomation
4. Outline how venomous spider bites could present and the management approach to these cases

Speaker Info:
Kate is a Professor of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the University of California, Davis. She graduated from the University of Melbourne and completed residencies in emergency and critical care at both the University of Melbourne and UC Davis. Kate also completed a PhD in acid base physiology at UC Davis. Her current research interests include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, clinical acid base and electrolyte disorders and mechanical ventilation. Kate is a co-editor of the textbooks Small Animal Critical Care Medicine and Small Animal Emergency Medicine.

By: Sarah Musulin, DVM, DACVECC

Description:
Maximizing safety and efficacy is paramount when transfusing a patient.  This lecture will provide information on when and how to perform precompatibility testing.  A brief discussion of canine and feline blood types and blood typing will be followed by indications for crossmatching.  The remainder of the lecture will incorporate available literature and provide an understanding about crossmatching methods.

Course Objectives:

1. When is blood typing indicated prior to transfusing cats and dogs?
2. When is crossmatching indicated prior to transfusing cats and dogs?
3. What point-of-care crossmatching tests are available and what are some of the limitations?

Speaker Info:
Sarah Musulin, DVM, DACVECC
Clinical Associate Professor, Emergency & Critical Care, NC State
ER Director, Blood Bank Director, NC State

Dr. Sarah Musulin received her veterinary degree from Auburn University (2004).  She completed a small animal rotating internship at University of Florida (2005) and her residency training in Emergency and Critical Care at North Carolina State University (2010).  Dr. Musulin achieved her Diplomate status in 2010.  Dr. Musulin is a Clinical Associate Professor at NC State, the Director of Emergency Services and the Blood Bank Director.  She is a current board member and past president (2016 – 2020) of the Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.  Dr. Musulin’s teaching and research interests are in transfusion medicine and blood banking.

By: Marc Seitz, DVM, DACVR, DABVP

Description:
Is surgery indicated?  Few questions cause an emergency clinician’s stomach to tie up in knots!  This session will use radiographs from real cases to discuss interpretation strategies for diagnosing mechanical gastrointestinal obstructions.   Alternative radiographic imaging techniques available to most emergency clinicians will also be discussed.

Course Objectives:

1. By the end of the session, the attendee will be able to diagnose the three main types of mechanical gastrointestinal obstructions with radiography: pyloric outflow obstruction, small intestinal mechanical obstruction, and linear foreign body.
2. The attendee will be able to utilize the following to increase the diagnostic yield of radiography for diagnosing mechanical gastrointestinal obstructions: left lateral projection, objective criteria for small intestinal dilation, negative contrast gastrography using soda, pneumocolonogram, and compression radiography.
3. The attendee will be able to recognize free gas and decreased serosal detail in cases of gastrointestinal rupture and presumed septic peritonitis.

Speaker Info:
Marc Seitz, DVM, DACVR, DABVP

Dr. Seitz is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at Mississippi State University (MSU).  He earned both his B.S. in biochemistry and his DVM from MSU.  After graduation, he spent eight years in private practice as both a general practitioner and emergency clinician prior to returning to MSU as an emergency faculty member.  In 2014, he earned Diplomate status with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine and Feline).  Due to his interest in performing and teaching ultrasound, in 2018 he began working towards a second specialty in diagnostic imaging and is now a full-time board-certified radiologist.  In addition to clinical practice, he thoroughly enjoys teaching, with the ultimate goal of translating sound medical practices and current veterinary literature into useful clinical skills for both general practitioners and emergency clinicians.  His passion for teaching has been recognized through the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award (2016).

By: Amanda Cavanagh, DVM, DACVECC

Description:
In this 1-hour presentation, learners will first dive into the challenges of accurate volume assessment in dogs and cats presenting with emergent conditions or hospitalized with critically illness. The challenges and limitations of various invasive techniques for volume assessment will be briefly reviewed. Point of care ultrasound is a non-invasive, inexpensive, easily learned tool that can be used to assess volume status and urine output in dogs and cats. Learners will be introduced to ultrasound techniques that indirectly assess volume by imaging the heart and caudal vena cava. Techniques will be applied to clinical scenarios. Learners will also be introduced to bladder measurements as a noninvasive method of assessing urine output to aid in volume assessment.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the challenges of volume assessment in critically ill patients
2. Describe the technique for imaging the caudal vena cava, left ventricle, and bladder to approximate blood and urine volume
3. Interpret caudal vena cava images and left ventricular end diastolic diameter measurements to determine volume status in a patient
4. Describe changes in imaging and measurements in response to fluid boluses

Speaker Info:
Amanda Cavanagh, DVM, DACVECC
Service Leader, Small Animal Urgent Care
Assistant Professor, Emergency and Critical Care
CSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Amanda Cavanagh, DVM, DACVECC is an Assistant Professor of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at Colorado State University and is the section head of the Urgent Care Service. She received her DVM from Auburn University in 2011 and acquired ACVECC board certification after completing a residency at North Carolina State University in 2015. Dr. Cavanagh has specific interests in point of care ultrasound, traumatology, and toxicology.

By: Steven Epstein, DVM, DACVECC

Description:
This lecture will review how intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE) work for treating lipophilic intoxications and provide a framework for decision making for the rationale use of ILE in various toxins.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the differing mechanisms of how intravenous lipid emulsions act as an antidote
2. Recognize which toxins intravenous lipid emulsions are useful for treatment
3. Understand the limitations of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy
4. Recognize adverse effects of intravenous lipid emulsions

Speaker Info:
Dr. Steven Epstein attended University of California at Davis for his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.  He then went on to complete an internship in anesthesiology at Kansas State University and then completed a three-year residency in veterinary emergency and critical care at UC Davis.  Dr. Epstein is now Professor of Clinical Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care. His research interests include CPR, diagnostic testing in the emergency room, and antimicrobial resistance patterns.