Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium

Event: 18th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 8-12, San Antonio
Program: This year’s symposium, conducted jointly by the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, and Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, was dedicated to the late Dr. Douglass Macintire, who died in December 2011. A past president of the VECCS, Dr. Macintire was a professor at Auburn University, where she developed the emergency medicine and critical care program. The symposium drew more than 2,500 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and practice managers, representing 35 countries. The focus was diagnostics in emergency and critical care. More than 430 hours of continuing education were offered, with lecture tracks for veterinarians and technicians, research abstracts, a practice management program, wet and dry labs, and workshops. Also offered were sessions on endothelial function, diagnostics, and microparticles; discussions on platelet mapping and stem cell therapy; and lectures and a dry lab on equine CPR. Updates were provided on the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation project. The symposium also served as the venue for the annual meetings of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists, Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists, and Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Foundation. For the second time, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management met at the symposium. Dr. Jim Giles presented the Robert P. Knowles Memorial Keynote Lecture on the care and use of military dogs in a combat environment. Dr. Giles, who is chief of the Animal Health Branch in the Department of Veterinary Science at the Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, spoke of his experiences in Afghanistan, where he cared for injured military dogs and interacted with their handlers.
Awards: Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award: Harold Davis Jr., West Sacramento, Calif., for his commitment, dedication, vision, and service to the society. Davis, who is the first veterinary technician to receive this honor, is supervisor of the Small Animal Emergency Nursing Service and coordinator and instructor of the hospital practices courses for veterinary students at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a past president of the VECCS and has served as operations director and audiovisual coordinator for the IVECCS since 1990. Hill’s Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Achievement Award: Dr. Dawn Boothe, Auburn, Ala., for her work relating to critical care pharmacology. Dr. Boothe is a professor of physiology and pharmacology at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Merck Animal Health Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year: Dr. Susan Holcombe, East Lansing, Mich., for her contributions as a lecturer and educator at the IVECCS for the past several years. Dr. Holcombe is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. ACVECC Research Grant Award ($9,000): Dr. Daniel Fletcher, Cornell University, for “Hyperfibrinolysis and hypocoagulability in canine hemoperitoneum.” VECCF Research Grant Award ($9,995.86): Dr. Robert Goggs, Bristol University, for ”Multicenter in vitro TEG-ROTEM standardization.” Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Duana McBride, Murdock University, for “Platelet closure time in dogs with hemorrhagic shock treated with hydroxethyl starch 140/0.3 or 0.9% NaCl.” Large Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Mila International: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Kari Vander Werf, University of Illinois, for “A comparison of blood gas, electrolyte, and metabolite results on blood obtained by arterial puncture, jugular, and transverse facial venous venipuncture in normal adult horses.” ACVA Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Smiths Medical and SurgiVet: First place—Dr. Ashley Barton-Lamb, Cornell University, for “Evaluation of maxillary arterial flow in cats with and without use of a spring loaded dental mouth gag”; Honorable mention—Drs. Odette O, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for “A comparison of epidural bupivicaine, bupivicaine + morphine, and bupivicaine + dexmedetomidine for analgesia in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopedic surgery”; and Joao Soares, University of California-Davis, for “Solubility of haloether anesthetics in human and animal blood.” Case Report Award, sponsored by Merial: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Dr. Justin Mathis, Colorado State University, for “Stuck between a rib and a hard place.” Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Erica Mattox, Garden City, Idaho, for “Stuck between a rock and a hard place: The case of the dyspneic pig.”

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business: Members were updated on society activities and initiatives since September 2010. The final proposal for the society’s emergency practice accreditation process was presented and approved. The Practice Management Committee reported that it has run surveys and sent emails to expand the practice management database. The Membership Committee considered ideas for expanding member benefits and noted that the VECCS Ambassador Program is continuing to expand with more than 80 members signed on. The Finance Committee discussed its meeting with investment advisers, focusing on socially responsible investing. The Publication Committee reported that manuscript submissions are higher than in 2011, and the independent rating for the journal has increased and improved. A special issue and supplement were published in 2012.
Officials: Dr. Marie Kerl, Columbia, Mo., president; Dr. Scott Johnson, Austin, Texas, president-elect; Dr. Cole Taylor, Leesburg, Va., treasurer; Andrea Battaglia, Ithaca, N.Y., recording secretary; Dr. Elke Rudloff, Glendale, Wis., immediate past president; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, executive director; and members-at-large—Drs. Diana Hassel, Fort Collins, Colo., and Jennifer Cyborski, Appleton, Wis.

American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Program: The ACVECC conducted its certification examination and held its annual business meeting.
New diplomates: Fifty-five individuals passed the certification examination. They are as follows:

John Anastasio, Katonah, N.Y.
Danielle Babski, Tucson, Ariz.
Dominic Barfield, Hatfield, United Kingdom
Kelly Blackstock, Ithaca, N.Y.
Kimberly Boyle, Encinitas, Calif.
Cheryl Braswell, Ventura, Calif.
Yaron Bruchim, Jerusalem
Janine Calabro, Washington, D.C.
Jaime Chandler, Fisherville, Ontario
Elise Craft, Fairport, N.Y.
Ashley Davis, Estero, Fla.
Julie Dechant, Woodland, Calif.
Alberto Fernandez, Caguas, Puerto Rico
Kathleen Frantz, Avon, Ohio
Mitchell Fults, Eugene, Ore.
Anya Gambino, Boston
Michelle Goodnight, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Carol Haak, Saint Francis, Wis.
Sharlee Haas, Fort Collins, Colo.
Esther Hassdenteufel, Giessen, Germany
Mark Haworth, Perth, Western Australia
Caroline Hirst, Farnham, United Kingdom
Guillaume Hoareau, Davis, Calif.
Christine Iacovetta, Gainesville, Fla.
Tracy Julius, San Diego
Megan Kaplan, Pittsburgh
Eileen Kenney, Inglewood, Calif.
Kathleen Kersey, Cooper City, Fla.
Adam Lancaster, Estero, Fla.
Ta-Ying Debra Liu, Merced, Calif.
Barbara Maton, Murrysville, Pa.
Stacy Meola, Lafayette, Colo.
Erin Mooney, Werribee, Australia
Kara Osterbur, Pittsburgh
Lonny Pace, Riverside, Calif.
Edward Park, Fresno, Calif.
Adam Porter, Mahopac, N.Y.
Cassandra Powell, Fountain Valley, Calif.
Rolfe Radcliffe, Berkshire, N.Y.
Rebecca Rader, Livermore, Calif.
Lesleigh Redavid, Sarasota, Fla.
Christine Rutter, Pittsburgh
Laura Ruys, Culemborg, The Netherlands
Catherine Sabino, Guelph, Ontario
Heidi Schulze, Ottawa, Ontario
Megan Seekins, Seattle
Shelley Smith, Norwalk, Conn.
Nicole Spurlock, New York
Jennifer Stafford, Silver Spring, Md.
Jenefer Stillion, Calgary, Alberta
Catherine Sumner, West Roxbury, Mass.
Julie Walker, Fitchburg, Wis.
Leilani Ireland Way, Fort Collins, Colo.
Linda Weatherton, Las Vegas
Helen Wilson, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire

Officials: Drs. Tim Hackett, Fort Collins, Colo., president; Liz Rozanski, North Grafton, Mass., president-elect; Benjamin Brainard, Athens, Ga., vice president; Scott Shaw, North Grafton, Mass., treasurer; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Mass., executive secretary; Dennis Burkett, Newtown, Pa., immediate past president; and regents—Drs. Chris Byers, Omaha, Neb.; Jen Waldrop, Seattle; Alisa Reniker, Chandler, Ariz.; Barb Dallap-Schaer, Kennett Square, Pa.; Amy Carr, Murrieta, Calif.; and Lisa Powell, St. Paul, Minn.

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians

Program: The 15th certification examination was conducted. The academy also held a pinning ceremony and reception for the class of 2011.
Business: The academy established a Mentoring Committee and reactivated the Nursing Standards Committee.
Officials: Andrea Steele, Guelph, Ontario, president; Trish Farry, Queensland, Australia, president-elect; Brandy Terry, Malverne, Pa., treasurer; Angela Randels, Chandler, Ariz., executive secretary; Rene Scalf, Fort Collins, Colo., immediate past president; and members-at-large—Amy Breton, Tewsbury, Mass.; David Liss, South Pasadena, Calif.; and Christine Slowiak, Napa, Calif.

American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists

Program: Thirty-one abstracts and six posters were presented. Frank Vertosick, MD, led the special focus session with lectures on the evolution of neuronal capacity for suffering, including the phylogenetic differentiation of the brain with respect to sensory input, nerve cell populations, connectivity, and processing. Speakers addressed anesthesia for geriatric patients, safety issues in anesthesia, and new anesthetic and analgesic agents, and participated in a panel discussion on current practices in pain management. Also offered were lectures on neuropathic pain management in small and large animals and a panel of case presentations. Labs were held on small animal local anesthetic techniques and advanced anesthetic monitoring.
New diplomates: Thirteen new diplomates were welcomed into the ACVA. They are as follows:

Joaquin Aroas, Santiago, Chile
Caroline Baldo, Sao Carlos, Brazil
Michele Barletta, Minneapolis
Andrea Caniglia, Philadelphia
Sathya Chinnadurai, West Sacramento, Calif.
Catherine Creighton, Roseworthy, Australia
Stefano di Concetto, Grenada, West Indies
Hiroki Sano, Philadelphia
Luiz Santos, Murdoch, Australia
Molly Shepard, Athens, Ga.
Joao Soares, Davis, Calif.
Alessio Vigani, Gainesville, Fla.
Erin Wendt-Hornickle, Madison, Wis.

Business: Discussions were held on the backlog of accepted manuscripts for Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia; amendments to the constitution and bylaws; 2012 written examination results; and changes to examination procedures.
Officials: Drs. Bruno Pypendop, Davis, Calif., president; Khursheed Mama, Fort Collins, Colo., president-elect; Lydia Donaldson, Middleburg, Va., executive secretary; and Robert Meyer, Mississippi State, Miss., immediate past president

Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists

Program: The certification examination was conducted. Anesthesia-related lectures, an informational session, and a lab titled “Anesthesia complications and emergencies” were provided.
Business: Discussions were held about the recertification and examination processes, applications from abroad, the introduction of a new online application packet, and plans for moving forward in the coming year.
Officials: Darci Palmer, Auburn, Ala., president; Kristin Cooley, Madison, Mich., president-elect; Lynette DeGouff, Cortland, N.Y., treasurer; Sharon Johnston, Statham, Ga., executive secretary; Susan Bryant, Southbridge, Mass., immediate past president; and members-at-large—Christine Slowiak, Livermore, Calif.; Lindsey Scanson, Louisville, Ky.; and Brenda Fuller, Fort Myers, Fla.

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation

Program: The foundation organized and participated in a project to assist the San Antonio Animal Defense League. As part of the project, volunteers rehabbed a play yard, prepared dogs for a special adoption day, and installed a wet table. A silent auction was held, raising more than $8,500 for designated projects.
Officials: Drs. Bill Smith, Seale, Ala., president; Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia, secretary; and Gary Stamp, San Antonio, treasurer-administrator

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Program: The academy coordinated several pain management sessions. Dr. Lois Wetmore presented a focused review of current opioid pharmacology and clinical uses. A daylong symposium on neuropathic pain was held, including a presentation by Frank Vertosick, MD, on the evolution of suffering. A workshop was held for members considering the certified veterinary pain practitioner credentialing.
Business: Committee reports and budget and membership activities were reviewed. An overview of strategic planning was held. Members were updated on the academy’s activities for the past year, and goals were discussed.
Officials: Dr. Michael Petty, Canton, Mich., president; Dr. Bonnie Wright, Fort Collins, Colo., president-elect; Dr. Kathy Morris-Stilwell, Redford, Mich., treasurer; Mary Ellen Goldberg, Boynton Beach, Fla., executive secretary; and Dr. Mark Epstein, Gastonia, N.C., immediate past president