10:15am-6:00pm, Thursday, November 1

Two sections are being offered, the first for small animal and the other for large animal technicians. The large animal seminar will focus on ruminant and equine medicine. The small animal seminar will focus on stem cell therapy, wound management techniques, and interventional radiology.

8:00am-5:00pm, Friday, November 2

This day was organized with the large and small animal technician in mind. It will focus on advances and updates of sterilization, equipment maintenance and repair, patient preparation techniques, suture nomenclature as well as updates on antimicrobial resistance.

There will also be a presentation from the organizing committee of the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians (AVST).  Updates will be provided surrounding the application process and the first exam.  

8:00am-6:00pm, Saturday, November 3
Lectures will provide the technician with knowledge surrounding complicated anesthesia cases and how to manage these cases both pre and postoperatively. Topics will include the differences between ICU and anesthesia ventilators, portal systemic shunts, traumatic brain injuries and endocrine dysfunction. 

12:30-1:45pm, Friday, November 2
ALL technicians are invited to this complimentary event.

Pet's Ideal Weight - Do you need to guess anymore?
Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT 

Finding a pet's ideal body weight may have been a guessing game. New tools will help you to identify your patient's body fat index to help manage the ideal weight of your overweight and obese pets and find the 'true pet within'!

8:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday, October 31
Spencer Johnson (chair)
Sponsor: AO North America
Laboratory Fee: $300 early/ $350 late
The course will introduce the participants to the instrumentation, implants and techniques routinely used in orthopedic surgery.  It will familiarize the participants with the proper care and use of the instrumentation and help them develop appropriate and effective cleaning and sterilization methods for those instruments.  It will emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate asepsis and antisepsis protocols and focus on the role that veterinary technicians are playing in preventing and minimizing orthopaedic infections.  Finally, the course will familiarize the participant with short and long term care of the post-operative orthopaedic patient, including physiotherapy.  It will help the technician to improve client communication and help them develop better patient follow-up programs.

Overall, this course will provide practical experience, understanding and knowledge to help the veterinary technician to better assist the orthopaedic surgeon and take a greater, more active role in the decision making, treatment and care of the surgical patient.