Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium

Event: 19th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 7-11, San Diego
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, marked 25 years since the first symposium was held and focused on the cardiovascular system in emergency and critical care. Continuing education offerings included lecture tracks, research abstracts, a practice management program, wet and dry labs, and workshops. In-depth reviews of clinical topics such as fibrinolysis, CPR, nosocomial disease, and antimicrobial selection were provided, and discussions were held on fluid therapy, transfusion medicine, current clinical pathology issues, developmental limits of pain, anesthesia for patients with co-existing disease conditions, and anesthesia cocktails. Also offered were case-based discussions on trauma and surgical emergencies, and papers on a variety of cardiology topics. The symposium served as the venue for the annual meetings of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists, Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Foundation, and International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Sean Bush, MD, was the Robert P. Knowles Memorial Keynote speaker. Dr. Bush is professor of emergency medicine at the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine.
Awards: Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Lesley G. King, Philadelphia, for her commitment, dedication, vision, and service to the society. A 1986 graduate of the University College Dublin in Ireland, Dr. King serves as a professor in the Section of Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and directs the school’s Emergency and Critical Care Residency Program. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, and European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. King also won the Hill’s Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Achievement Award for her work related to respiratory physiology and therapy. Merck Animal Health Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year: Dr. Tom Divers, Ithaca, N.Y., for his contributions as a lecturer and educator at the IVECCS for the past several years. Dr. Divers serves as a professor of large animal medicine and is section chief at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. ACVECC Research Grant Award ($10,000 award): Dr. Elizabeth Martin of Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists in Buzzards Bay, Mass., for “Evaluation of the sterility of single-dose vials used in multiple-dose fashion in a veterinary referral hospital setting.” VECCF Research Grant Award ($5,000 award each): Drs. Pamela Wilkins, Raymond Boston, Jonathan Foreman, Santiago Gutierrez, Kara Lascola, and Karie Vander Werf, all from the University of Illinois, for “Use of an exogenous L-lactate clearance (ExLC) test in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease as an aid to improving precision of care and evaluating short term prognosis”; and Drs. Amanda Abelson, Elizabeth Rozanski, Claire Sharp, and Samuel Jennings, all from Tufts University, for “Removal of hemangiosarcoma cells from peritoneal effusion through leukoreduction.” Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Zoetis: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Jayme Hoffberg, Michigan State University, for “Incidence of concurrent abdominal injuries in dogs with pelvic fractures: 133 Cases.” Large Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Mila International: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Jennifer Mayer from Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in Loomis, Calif., for “Characteristics and survival of equids attacked by dogs: 11 Cases.” Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Abaxis: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Alexandra Floras, Ontario Veterinary College, for “N-terminal pro-C-natriuretic peptide and cytokine kinetics in dogs with systemic inflammation.” ACVAA Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Smiths Medical and Surgivet: First place—Dr. Stephanie Keating, Ontario Veterinary College, for “Pharmacokinetics of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in dogs during isoflurane anesthesia and following sedative administration during anesthesia recovery”; Honorable mention—Dr. Gregg Griffenhagen, Colorado State University, for, “Pharmacokinetics of a single induction dose of propofol with or without 2% benzyl alcohol administered intravenously in cats”; Dr. Noah Pavlisko, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, for, “Evaluation of tissue hemoglobin saturation (StO2) via near-infrared spectroscopy during hypoxemia and hyperoxia in Beagles”; and Dr. Stefania Grasso, Purdue University, for “The hemodynamic impact of acepromazine or dexmedetomidine premedication on isoflurane anesthetized dogs.” Case Report Award, sponsored by Merial: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Dr. Andrea Brodeur, of Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, N.J., for “I guess it was colder than I thought.” Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Hill’s: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Laura Peirson, The Ohio State University, for “Management and treatment of severe burn wounds in the horse.” VECCS President’s Award: Dr. Steve Haskins, University of California-Davis, was the first recipient of this award. Dr. Haskins is the only individual to have presented lectures at all 19 symposiums over the past 25 years. Also recognized at the symposium were the current and previous editors of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care. They are Drs. Daniel Chan (2010- 2013), Shane Bateman (2007-2009), Cindy Otto (2001-2006), Marc Raffe (1995-2000), and Bill Muir (1991-1994).

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business: The board of directors reviewed the status of the facility certification program, which is ready to be implemented. The program offers certification to veterinary facilities that provide emergency and critical patient care. Discussions were held on the status of the society’s finances and membership. New officials will be elected in September 2014.
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: Thirty-two individuals passed the certification examination. They are as follows:

Christine R. Adams, Huxley, Iowa
Alice J. Bennett, Vienna
Daniel T. Dugger, Davis, Calif.
Leyla Fatourechi, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Christina M. Fernandez, Melbourne, Fla.
Steven G. Friedenberg, Raleigh, N.C.
Vincent Gauthier, Montreal
Juliet N. Gladden, Skokie, Ill.
Jenifer R. Gold, Fort Collins, Colo.
Tobias Grave, Denny, Scotland
Jennifer M. Hall, Santa Monica, Calif.
Tiffany Lee Hall, Ocala, Fla.
Carey A. Hemmelgarn, Aberdeen, N.J.
Jennifer M. Herring, Knoxville, Tenn.
Stephanie A. Istvan, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Justin C. Mathis, Fort Collins, Colo.
Duana McBride, Potters Bar, United Kingdom
Adam R. Mugford, Bristol, United Kingdom
Lindsey K. Nielsen, Boston
Rafael Obrador de Aguilar, Auburn, Ala.
Lee E. Palmer, Auburn, Ala.
Medora Pashmakova, College Station, Texas
Rachel E. Peacock, Blackburn South, Australia
Katherine L. Peterson, Roseville, Minn.
Alan G. Ralph, Metairie, La.
Meghan J. Respess, Lenoir, N.C.
Kari Santoro Beer, Philadelphia
Jordan R. Scherk, Midvale, Utah
Eric L. Schroeder, Holt, Mich.
Vincent J. Thawley, Philadelphia
Danielle E. Thomas, Northampton, Mass.
Joel G. Weltman, Madison, Wis.

Officials: Drs. Elizabeth Rozanski, North Grafton, Mass., president; Elisa Mazzaferro, Stamford, Conn., president-elect; Benjamin Brainard, Athens, Ga., vice president; Scott Shaw, Windsor, Conn., treasurer; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Mass., executive secretary; Timothy Hackett, Fort Collins, Colo., immediate past president; and regents—Drs. Christopher G. Byers, Omaha, Neb.; Jennifer E. Waldrop, Seattle; Alisa Reniker, Chandler, Ariz.; Barbara Dallap-Schaer, Kennett Square, Pa.; Amy Carr, Murrieta, Calif.; and Lisa L. Powell, St. Paul, Minn.

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians

Program: The 16th certification examination was conducted. The academy also held a pinning ceremony and reception for the class of 2012.
Business: Committee reports were presented, and strategic plans for the coming year were discussed. A comprehensive AVECCT study guide is anticipated to be published and released in 2014.
Officials: Andrea Steele, Guelph, Ontario, president; Trish Farry, Queensland, Australia, president-elect; Jessica Kerr, Clifton, N.J., interim 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 Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program: Thirty-one abstracts and six posters were presented. Christopher Lee, MD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, led the special focus session with lectures on the history of, and current approaches to, pain management in human neonates. Dr. Craig Johnson, Massey University, spoke on methods of measuring pain and the phylogenetic and developmental limits of pain. Also held was a panel discussion on pediatric pain management across species.
New diplomates: Seventeen new diplomates were welcomed into the ACVAA. They are as follows:

Chiara Adami, Bern, Switzerland
Kate Bailey, Raleigh, N.C.
Shannon Beazley, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Dan Boruta, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Deanne Caines, Toronto
Jeannette Cremer, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Mariana Crumley, Kennett Square, Pa.
Ellie Drynan, Murdoch, Australia
Lisa Ebner, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Giacomo Gianotti, Philadelphia
Tiffany Granone, Gainesville, Fla.
Amber Hopkins, Escondido, Calif.
Tokiko Kushiro-Banker, Kennett Square, Pa.
Jill Maney, Palm Springs, Fla.
Odette O, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Chris Quinn, Estella, Australia
Margaret Wypart, San Diego

Business: Discussions were held on the performance of the ACVAA journal, amendments to the bylaws, 2013 written examination results, changes to the examination procedures, residency training initiatives, a proposed maintenance of certification policy, and advanced courses in veterinary anesthesia for practitioners.
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 and labs and an informational session were provided.
Business: Discussions were held on the recertification, examination, and application processes and plans for moving forward in the coming year. Committee reports were presented.
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, Napa, 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 Holly’s Garden, a shelter in San Diego that focuses on rescuing miniature-breed dogs. As part of the project, volunteers rehabbed a play yard, refurbished a treatment room, and installed a bank of cages. A silent auction was held, raising almost $8,000 for designated projects.
Officials: Drs. Bill Smith, Seale, Ala., president; Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia, secretary; Gary Stamp, San Antonio, treasurer-administrator; and directors—Dr. Lorna Lanman, Sun City West, Ariz.; Alyce D’Amato, Fox Valley, Wis.; Aggie Kiefer, Yardley, Pa.; Deanne Pawlisch, Schaumburg, Ill.; Dr. Susan Barnes, Leesburg, Va.; and Dr. Bob Messenger, Charlotte, N.C.

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Program: The academy coordinated several pain management sessions. Dr. Tony Yaksh presented a review on the pathophysiology of pain. A daylong symposium on pediatric pain and the development of pain in neonatal and pediatric animals included presentations by Christopher Lee, MD, and Dr. Craig Johnson. Dr. Lois Wetmore reviewed current opioid pharmacology and clinical use. A workshop was held for members considering the certified veterinary pain practitioner credentialing.
Business: An overview of the academy’s activities and goals was provided.
Officials: Dr. Bonnie Wright, Fort Collins, Colo., president; Nancy Shaffran, Erwinna, Pa., president-elect; Dr. Douglas Stramel, Carrollton, Texas, treasurer; Mary Ellen Goldberg, Boynton Beach, Fla., executive secretary; and Dr. Michael Petty, Canton, Mich., immediate past president