Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium

Event: 20th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 10-14, 2014, Indianapolis
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 the 25th anniversary of the founding of the ACVECC and focused on infectious disease in emergency and critical care. Continuing education offerings included lecture tracks, research abstracts and posters, a practice management program, wet and dry labs, and workshops. In-depth reviews of topics such as pain pathways, coagulapathies in trauma, acute kidney injury, vectors and pathogens, and mechanisms of edema were provided, and discussions were held on fluid therapy, transfusion medicine, and current issues in clinical pathology. Also on offer were case-based discussions on trauma and surgical emergencies, scientific articles on a variety of topics in cardiology, and presentations on the mechanisms of disease and sepsis. Dr. Vanessa Cook, Michigan State University, provided an overview of the latest research in gastrointestinal physiology, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and management of patients with large colon volvulus. Special tribute was paid to the late Dr. Steve Haskins (see JAVMA obituary, Aug. 15, 2014), who helped establish the VECCS and ACVECC. 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.
Awards: Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Bernie Hansen, Raleigh, North Carolina, for his commitment, dedication, vision, and service to the society. A 1980 graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hansen is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He also directs the university’s Companion Animal Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Hansen is a diplomate of the ACVECC and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Hill’s Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Achievement Award: Dr. Curtis W. Dewey, Ithaca, New York, for his work relating to diagnostic testing in neurology and treatments for critically ill patients. A 1989 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dewey is an associate professor in the Section of Neurology/Neurosurgery at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the ACVIM and American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Zoetis Animal Health Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year: Dr. Vanessa Cook, East Lansing, Michigan, for her contributions as a lecturer and educator at the IVECCS for the past several years. Dr. Cook received her veterinary degree from the University of Cambridge in 1992. She is an associate professor in large animal emergency and critical care at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Cook is a diplomate of the ACVECC and ACVS and a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. ACVECC Research Grant Award ($9,977): Dr. Christa Bernhard, University of Missouri-Columbia, for “Computed tomographic assessment of severe airflow limitation in experimentally asthmatic cats: Effects of heliox treatment.” VECCF Research Grant Award ($9,947): Dr. Julien Guillaumin, The Ohio State University, for “Comparison of albumin, colloid oncotic pressure, and coagulation factor levels in cryosupernatant, cryoprecipitate and plasma.” Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Zoetis: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Elizabeth Martin, Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, for “Evaluation of the sterility of single-dose medications used in a multiple-dose fashion in a veterinary referral hospital setting.” Large Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Mila International: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Breanna Sheahan, University of Illinois-Champaign, for “L-lactate area in neonatal foals: Preliminary results in normal foals from birth to 14 days of age.” Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Abaxis: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Alexandra Pfaff, Texas A&M University, for “Establishment of reference intervals for kaolin-activated thromboelastography in healthy Greyhounds.” ACVAA Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Smiths Medical and Surgivet: First place—Dr. Bonnie Gatson, University of Florida, for “Comparison of rescuer performance during two-finger versus two-thumb chest compression technique in a swine model of neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation”; Honorable mention—Dr. Lane Johnson, Knoxville, Tennessee, for “The interaction of magnesium sulfate and propofol on the minimum alveolar concentration preventing motor movement in sevoflurane-anesthetized dogs”; and Dr. Ludovica Chiavaccini, Mississippi State, Mississippi, for “Comparison of the analgesic effects of morphine, morphine-lidocaine and morphine-lidocaine-ketamine infusions on post-incisional pain in dogs.” Case Report Award: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Dr. Samantha Hart, University of Pennsylvania, for “A pathophysiological approach management to post-op sepsis.” Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Hill’s: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Brooke Quesnell, WestVet Animal Emergency Hospital and Specialty Center, Garden City, Idaho, for “The ups and downs of carbon monoxide toxicity.” European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Abstract Award: Dr. Anthony Barthelemy, Marcy l’Etoile, France, for “Comparison of DEA1 expression on dog erythrocytes analyzed by flow cytometric technique and a point-of-care immunochromatographic strip in a population of healthy donors and sick anemic recipient dogs in an intensive care unit.”

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business: It was announced that membership numbers for 2014 were very strong, and continued growth is expected for 2015. President of the VECCS, Dr. Scott Johnson discussed his goals for the next two years. He plans to develop and use an updated strategic plan to guide the growth and success of the society; wants to ensure that the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care continues to meet the needs of the membership and that international distribution continues to grow; and would like to improve and expand member benefits.
Officials: Dr. Scott Johnson, Austin, Texas, president; Dr. Robert Messenger, Charlotte, North Carolina, president-elect; Dr. Cole Taylor, Leesburg, Virginia, treasurer; Kenichiro Yagi, Los Altos, California, recording secretary; Dr. Marie Kerl, Columbia, Missouri, immediate past president; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, executive director; and members-at-large—Drs. Diana Hassel, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Steven Epstein, Davis, California

American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

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

Ashley E. Allen, Gainesville, Florida
Mary E. Aslanian, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Anusha Balakrishnan, Bangalore, India
April E. Blong, Ithaca, New York
Tamera L. Brabson, Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Aimee C. Brooks, West Lafayette, Indiana
Scott C. Chamberlin, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Brooke E. Clark, Cedar Park, Texas
Stefano Cortellini, London
Karina Creighton, Long Branch, New Jersey
Erin R. Daniels, Lacombe, Louisiana
Megan E. Davis, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Kristina DePaula, Dudley, Massachusetts
Jillian M. DiFazio, New York
Meghan R. DuHadway, Columbia, Missouri
Beth Eisenberg, Arlington, Massachusetts
Pamela K. Fettig, Washington Township, New Jersey
Alexandra Floras, Toronto
Polly A. Glover, Ashburn, Virginia
Kimberly A. Helmbold, Penfield, New York
Jamie E. Hoffberg, Glenview, Illinois
Sarah Humphrey-Pagnotta, St. Paul, Minnesota
Amy Kaplan, Bellevue, Nebraska
Timothy Koors, Eureka, Missouri
Kendon Kuo, Auburn, Alabama
Joyce Lee, Glendale, California
Ronald Li, Davis, California
Sean B. Majoy, San Antonio
Robin L. McIntyre, Oakland, California
Bari Morris, Milford, Connecticut
Thandeka Ngwenyama, Moscow, Idaho
Lisa E. Olsen, Ankeny, Iowa
Armi Pigott, Ventura, California
Richard “Chap” Pratt, Reno, Nevada
Melissa A. Salgado, Nanuet, New York
Shaunita J. Sharpe, Prospect Heights, Illinois
Jacqueline L. Short, Huntington Beach, California
Katherine F. Smith, Nashville, Tennessee
Emily Thomas, Swindon, United Kingdom
Cheryl Trempala, Milwaukie, Oregon
Yuki C. Tse, Seattle
Beth Tynan, Columbia, Missouri
Paul J. Usechak, Durham, New Hampshire
Kathleen Van Lanen, Westchester, Illinois
Alessio Vigani, Cary, North Carolina

Officials: Drs. Elizabeth Rozanski, North Grafton, Massachusetts, president; Elisa Mazzaferro, Stamford, Connecticut, president-elect; Benjamin Brainard, Athens, Georgia, vice president; Scott Shaw, Windsor, Connecticut, treasurer; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Massachusetts, executive secretary; Timothy Hackett, Fort Collins, Colorado, immediate past president; and regents—Drs. Barbara Dallap-Schaer, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Amy Carr, Murrieta, California; Lisa L. Powell, St. Paul, Minnesota; Karl E. Jandrey, Davis, California; Garret Pachtinger, Levittown, Pennsylvania; and Justine Lee, St. Paul, Minnesota

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians

Program: The 17th certification examination was conducted. The academy also held a pinning ceremony and reception for the class of 2013.
Business: A major achievement for 2014 was the publication and release of a comprehensive AVECCT study guide. Committee reports were presented, and strategic plans for the coming year were discussed. Nancy Shaffran, Erwinna, Pennsylvania, was named the AVECCT Specialty Technician of the Year. Shaffran serves as a consultant and lecturer in pain management. She is a past president of the AVECCT and president-elect of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
Officials: Trish Farry, Brisbane, Australia, president; Amy Breton, Tewsbury, Massachusetts, president-elect; Ken Yagi, San Jose, California, treasurer; Angela Randels, Chandler, Arizona, executive secretary; Andrea Steele, Guelph, Ontario, immediate past president; and members-at-large—David Liss, South Pasadena, California; Christine Slowiak, Napa, California; and Louise O’Dwyer, Manchester, United Kingdom

American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program: Forty-one abstracts and nine posters were presented. Dr. Randall O. Dull, University of Illinois-Chicago, spoke on the role of the glycocalyx in lung and vascular function. Dr. Gregg Griffenhagen, Colorado State University, lectured on toxic effects of local anesthetics. ACVAA diplomates spoke on approaches to hypoxemia in the anesthetized patient, anesthesia in cats, anesthesia for patients with sepsis, perioperative infection control, anesthesia checklists, anesthesia for cesarean section patients, and pain management in geriatric patients.
New diplomates: Nine new diplomates were welcomed into the ACVAA. They are as follows:

Amanda Abelson, North Grafton, Massachusetts
Ashley Barton-Lamb, Boston
Tatiana Ferreira, Madison, Wisconsin
Stephanie Keating, Etobicoke, Ontario
Stephanie Krein, Philadelphia
Sabrina Reilly, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Nicole Rolfe, Guelph, Ontario
Bradley Simon, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
Geoffrey Truchetti, St. Apollinaire, Quebec

Business: Discussions were held on the performance of the ACVAA journal; amendments to the bylaws, 2014 written examination results, possible elimination of the oral examination, residency training initiatives, and a proposed policy for maintenance of certification. An increase in dues was approved.
Officials: Drs. Khursheed Mama, Fort Collins, Colorado,president; Lesley Smith, Madison, Wisconsin, president-elect; Lydia Donaldson, Middleburg, Virginia, executive secretary; and Bruno Pypendop, Davis, California, immediate past president

Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists

Program: The certification examination was conducted.
Officials: Kristin Cooley, Madison, Wisconsin, president; Kim Spelts, Colorado Springs, Colorado, president-elect; Lynette DeGouff, Cortland, New York, treasurer; Sharon Johnston, Statham, Georgia, executive secretary; Darci Palmer, Corvallis, Oregon, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Jody Nugent-Deal, Davis, California; Lindsey Howard, Louisville, Kentucky; and Brenda Feller, Fort Myers, Florida

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation

Program: The foundation hosted its first working K9 ER Care and CPR Course. Indianapolis police officers, first responders, and search and rescue personnel attended the all-day course that included hands-on instruction and lectures on anatomy, bandaging and wound management, CPR in the field, exposure to toxins, and common traumas. The foundation also raised $10,800 for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department K9s. Immediate past president Dr. Bill Smith was honored for his years of service to the foundation.
Officials: Alyce D’Amato, Fox Valley, Wisconsin, president; Dr. Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia,secretary; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, treasurer-administrator; Dr. Bill Smith, Seale, Alabama, immediate past president; and directors—Dr. Lorna Lanman, Sun City West, Arizona; Aggie Kiefer, Yardley, Pennsylvania; Deanne Pawlisch, Schaumburg, Illinois; and Dr. Susan Barnes, Leesburg, Virginia

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Program: The academy coordinated several pain management sessions. Dr. Bernie Hansen, North Carolina State University, presented a review on pain and lectured on analgesia in critically ill patients. A workshop was held for members considering the certified veterinary pain practitioner credentialing.
Business: An overview of the academy’s activities and future initiatives and goals was provided.
Officials: Dr. Bonnie Wright, Fort Collins, Colorado, president; Nancy Shaffran, Erwinna, Pennsylvania, president-elect; Dr. Douglas Stramel, Carrollton, Texas, treasurer; Mary Ellen Goldberg, Boynton Beach, Florida, executive secretary; and Dr. Michael Petty, Canton, Michigan, immediate past president