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The technician must have a clear understanding of his or her role in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and general principles of fluid and drug therapy. When the CPA is the result of a reversible problem in an animal that has a treatable medical condition, rapid recognition and treatment may make the difference between a happy ending and a premature death. CPR provides artificial ventilation and circulation until advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) can be provided and spontaneous cardiopulmonary function is restored. CPR is divided into three phases: basic life support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), and prolonged life support (PLS). Through the use of didactics, case samples and mannequins, participates will be introduced to various concepts, new and current, pertaining to CPR.

Note: This is a dry lab.

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Dental extraction is the most common surgical procedure in small animal practice. The procedure can be awfully simple or simply awful. This lab will allow participants to try some techniques not often found in literature that can be of real help in avoiding — and getting out of — trouble. Techniques will be performed on canine cadaver heads.

Prerequisites: Session 105.

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This lab will introduce attendees to several objective measurement tools, therapeutic exercises, treatment modalities and assistive devices commonly used in small animal rehabilitation, including measuring limb circumference, goniometer measurements, passive and active exercises, ball work, laser therapy, slings, braces and carts.

Prerequisites: Attending Sessions 278–280 is recommended but not required.

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Participants will be given a PowerPoint overview on tick morphology, taxonomy and use of dichitomous keys. Microscopes will be set up with tick specimens of different developmental stages for identification. A teaching microscope will be attached to a data projector to show salient features. An optional quiz will be set up so participants can evaluate their learning experience. Attendees who would like to participate in an advanced tick identification session can stay through 5 p.m.

Prerequisites: Participants should have general microscope knowledge.

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In this wet lab, attendees will learn techniques to repair medial patella luxation, including identification of the underlying structural corrections that need to be made, the technique of wedge recession and block recession of the troclear groove, and tibial tuberosity transposition to correct pull of the quadriceps muscles. The instructor will demonstrate these techniques in detail, and attendees will practice on cadavers.

Prerequisites: Advanced general surgical skills are required.

Posture and gait analysis are key to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of many musculoskeletal physiologic imbalances. Musculoskeletal balance with gravity is dependent on accurate information from peripheral receptors that are profoundly affected by toenail trimming. Techniques for observation, analysis, trimming, training and restraint will be demonstrated and practiced. Profound changes can happen with just this simple procedure!

Prerequisites: Participation in Sessions 266–271 is suggested but not required.

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Practice implementing the techniques presented in Sessions 505 through 507, and familiarize yourself with big wide collars, Calming Caps™, head collars, blocking boards, using classical and operant conditioning to accustom dogs to muzzles and tolerate nail trims, and more.

All lab participants will go home with an enrichment toy for their cat or dog, a bottle of CEVA pheromone product, a clicker and a Lickety Stik treat product.

Prerequisites: Sessions 505, 506 and 507.

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Profitability is the one number that summarizes the financial success of all the operational decisions you make in your practice. Don’t let poor profitability sabotage your financial security. Attend this workshop to learn what causes low profit, how to estimate true profit as it relates to practice value, how to identify the areas of opportunity in your practice, and the action steps you can take now to improve profit. During this interactive workshop, participants will complete the VetPartners/NCVEI Profitability Estimator specifically designed to determine your practice’s true profitability, along with take-home instructions for continued use in your practice.

To maximize your experience and gain the most benefit from this session, please bring the following items with you:

• Your practice's most recent Federal Income Tax Return
• Accountant-issued practice Financial Statements for the same year as the tax return. Bring both the Income Statement/Profit and Loss Statement and the Balance Sheet.
• Copies of the W-2 form for ALL owners (if you are a corporation). Sole proprietors and partnerships will not have a W-2.
• DVM Production Report from your practice management software
• Value of the practice real estate
• A list of non-practice expenses paid through the practice
• Family members on the practice payroll
• Non-recurring expenses and/or income
• Laptop
• Pencil and an eraser
• Calculator

For more detailed information on these items, please download the complete list of instructions (pdf).

I. Emergency and Critical Care Procedures

1/25/12 — THIS LAB HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOW INTEREST.

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Participants will review radiology cases in pairs. After evaluating each case for radiographic findings and diagnosis, groups will take turns sharing their thoughts with the class. Review of each case will be made together using room-size projected images. The goal of this lab is to help each participant gain confidence in thoracic and abdominal imaging. It will be engaging, collegial and fun!

Prerequisites: Attendance in Sessions 400–405 will provide a good refresher on radiology material for these lab cases, though they are not required.

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Fee: $225

Now $125!

Gain hands-on experience and skills through step-by-step instruction as participants neuter patients for local humane societies. The program will cover safety and efficacy of pediatric sterilization procedures, as well as perioperative care, anesthetic protocols and specific surgical techniques for spaying and castrating puppies and kittens. This lab is suitable for the experienced surgeon hoping to learn new methods, as well as the newer surgeon with proficiency in basic surgery skills. By the end of the wet lab, participants should feel confident about bringing these techniques back to their own shelters and practices.

Note: This lab will take place at The Ohio State University, and shuttle transportation will be provided.