Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium

Event: 22nd International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 7-11, Grapevine, Texas
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, focused on sepsis in emergency and critical care. Dr. Anand Kumar, University of Manitoba, presented the Knowles Memorial Keynote Lecture, “Optimizing Use of Antibiotics in Septic Shock.” The symposium served as the venue for the annual meetings of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia, Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Foundation, and International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
Awards: Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Pam Wilkins, Champaign, Illinois. A 1986 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wilkins is section chief and chief of service for equine medicine and surgery at the University of Illinois. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and ACVECC. Hill’s Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Achievement Award: Dr. Larry D. Cowgill, Davis, California, for his work relating to “the critical kidney.” A 1971 veterinary graduate of the University of California-Davis, Dr. Cowgill is a professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the ACVIM. T. Douglas Byars Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim: Dr. Diana Hassel, Fort Collins, Colorado. A 1993 graduate of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hassel is associate professor of equine emergency surgery and critical care medicine at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and ACVECC. VECCS Practice Manager of the Year, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance: Brandee Crowder, Fresno, California, was the charter recipient of this award. Crowder works at Fresno Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center. She was recognized for her leadership, strength during difficult situations, and dedication to the practice. ACVECC Research Grant Award ($6,935): Dr. Thomas Edwards, Dr. Amie Koenig, LeNae Pecenka, and James Edwards, PhD, University of Georgia, for “Preparation of purified canine albumin by heat denaturation of stored plasma.” VECCF Research Grant Award ($9,980): Drs. Carley Allen, Benjamin Brainard, Jaime Tarigo, and Dana LeVine, University of Georgia, for “Platelet number and function in response to a single dose of intravenous vincristine as assessed by flow cytometry and turbidimetric aggregometry.” Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Elanco: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Andy Carver, Michigan State University, for “Evaluation of vitamin D, alcitriol, and ionized calcium levels in dogs with sepsis.” Large Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Mila International: A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Jamie Kopper, Michigan State University, for “Gastrointestinal permeabiilty in obese horses.” ACVAA Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Smiths Medical and Surgivet: First place, small animal—Dr. Carrie Davis, University of Tennessee, for “Effect of fentanyl on the minimum infusion rate of propofol preventing movement in dogs”; large animal—Dr. Heidi Lehmann, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, for “Lidocaine or meloxicam analgesia decrease nociception as indicated by cardiovascular response of halothane-anaesthetized Bos indicus bull calves during surgical castration.” Case Report Award: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Dr. Amy Brida, Tufts University, for “Compartment syndrome where?” Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International: A stipend of $300 was awarded to Veronica Lopez, Veterinary Referral and Critical Care, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, for “Twisted: a case of uterine torsion.” Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Abaxis: A stipend of $500 was awarded to Dr. Samuel Stewart, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, Medford, Massachusetts, for “The effectiveness of ampicillinsulbactam continuous infusion versus intermittent infusions at maintaining therapeutic serum antibiotic concentrations in canine septic peritonitis.”

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business: It was announced that membership numbers have increased, and finances have been strong. The Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care increased its page count per issue last year, and that has decreased the lead time from manuscript acceptance to publication. The society now certifies 32 level 1, 24 level 2, and seven level 3 facilities, with several beginning the recertification phase.
Officials: Dr. Robert Messenger, Charlotte, North Carolina, president; Dr. Linda Martin, Pullman, Washington, president-elect; Dr. Chris Gray, East Lansing, Michigan, treasurer; Kenichiro Yagi, Los Altos, California, recording secretary; Dr. Scott Johnson, Austin, Texas, immediate past president; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, executive director; and members-at-large—Drs. Julie Dechant, Davis, California, 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-eight individuals passed the certification examination. They are as follows:

Jonathan M. Babyak, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Christa Bernhard, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Susan Blades Golubovic, Annapolis, Maryland
Andy Carver, Gainesville, Florida
Ana Courtney Crane, Towson, Maryland
Christine A. Culler, Worthington, Ohio
Tara J. Fetzer, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Virginia M. Frauenthal, Carpinteria, California
Michelle Griego-Valles, Brooklyn, New York
Adam R. Grochowsky, Aurora, Colorado
Liz-Valérie Guieu, Chatenay-Malabry, France
Jack Hardy, Kansas City, Missouri
Brittany Heggem Perry, Spring, Texas
Justin A. Heinz, Upland, California
Jessica R. Heuss, Mesa, Arizona
Mara C. Hickey, Leichhardt, Australia
Jennie L. Hiratzka, Naperville, Illinois
Clare E. Hyatt, Phoenix
Laura Ilie, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Mary Jackson, Melbourne Beach, Florida
Stephanie M. Johnnides, Coral Gables, Florida
Casey J. Kohen, Davis, California
Selena L. Lane, Athens, Georgia
McGee Leonard, Los Angeles
Nyssa Levy, East Lansing, Michigan
Efa Llewellyn, Swansea, Wales
Leonel A. Londono, Newberry, Florida
Whitney Long, Morristown, Tennessee
Jennifer Mahon, Dallas
Megan Marquez, Lafayette, Colorado
Erin McGowan, Bedford, Massachusetts
Christopher McLaughlin, Coral Springs, Florida
Peggy McMahon, Los Angeles
Alicia Niedzwecki, San Antonio
Cassandra Ostroski, Lambertville, New Jersey
Courtney Peck, Watertown, Massachusetts
Ayla R. Preston, Windsor, Colorado
Christin L. Reminga, Brier, Washington
Joshua Rosenbaum, New York
Mallory C. Salcedo, St. Paul, Minnesota
Dustin Schmid, Laguna Hills, California
Joshua Smith, Madison, Wisconsin
Michael R. Smith, LaPlace, Louisiana
Meredith von Roedern, Bellmore, New York
Rebecca A. Walton, Ames, Iowa
Annie Wayne, Needham, Massachusetts
KimMi Whitehead, Philadelphia
Jarred M. Williams, Athens, Georgia

Officials: Drs. Elisa Mazzaferro, Stamford, Connecticut, president; Daniel Fletcher, Ithaca, New York, president-elect; Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia, vice president; Scott Shaw, Oxford, Massachusetts, treasurer; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Massachusetts, executive secretary; Elizabeth Rozanski, North Grafton, Massachusetts, immediate past president; and regents—Drs. Daniela Bedenice, North Grafton, Massachusetts; James Barr, College Station, Texas; Marie Kerl, Columbia, Missouri; 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 academy, celebrating 20 years since inception, conducted its 19th certification examination and held a pinning ceremony and reception for the class of 2015.
Business: Committee reports were presented and ratified. Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, was named the first honorary member of the academy. All the charter members of the academy were honored as Technicians of the Year.
Officials: Amy Newfield, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, president; Louise O’Dwyer, Manchester, England, president-elect; Kenichiro Yagi, Los Altos, California, treasurer; Angela Thorp, Chandler, Arizona, executive secretary; Trish Farry, Gatton, Australia, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Andrea Steele, Guelph, Ontario; Jess Kerr, Clifton, New Jersey; and Katy Waddell, College Station, Texas

American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program: Twenty-seven abstracts were presented as well as lectures. Among the lectures, Dr. Heidi Shafford, Portland, Oregon, presented “Challenges for Anesthesiologists in Private Practice,” and Drs. Michele Sharkey and Jean Recta, Food and Drug Administration, presented “Hurdles to Analgesic Drug Development.” Dr. Maxime Cannesson, University of California-Los Angeles, delivered “Cardiovascular Physiology Applied to the Perioperative and Critical Care Environments,” “Fluid Responsiveness and Hemodynamic Optimization,” and “Systolic Function Physiology and Assessment.” Dr. Jeff Mogil, McGill University, presented “What’s Wrong with Animal Models of Pain,” “Mice are People, Too: Social Modulation of and by Pain in Mice and Humans,” and “Sex Differences in Pain from Both Sides of the Syringe.” Drs. Theodore Price, Richardson, Texas, lectured on “Pathophysiology of Pain Review” and “New Pharmacologic Agents for Targeted Analgesia;” Todd Kilbaugh, Philadelphia, lectured on “Neuroanesthesia and Preoperative Neurosurgical Critical Care”; Alessio Vigani, Raleigh, North Carolina, lectured on “Local Regional Analgesia for Critically Ill and Septic Patients”; Alonso Guedes, St. Paul, Minnesota, lectured on “Chronic Pain Management on Felines”; and Amy DeClue, Columbia, Missouri, lectured on “Immunomodulary Effects of Opioids.” The 2016 ACVAA Career Achievement Award was given posthumously to Dr. E. Wynn Jones (see obituary). A diplomate of the ACVS and a founding diplomate and a past president of the ACVAA, Dr. Jones was professor emeritus at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
New diplomates: Fourteen new diplomates were welcomed into the ACVAA. They are as follows:

Daniel Almeida, St. Paul, Minnesota
Annatasha Bartel, Davis, California
Alessia Cenani, Davis, California
Bonnie Gatson, Gainesville, Florida
Lane Johnson, Starkville, Mississippi
Yishai Kushnir, Rehovot, Israel
Claudio Natalini, Ithaca, New York
Jordan Nickel, Fort Collins, Colorado
Noah Pavlisko, Blacksburg, Virginia
Rachel Reed, Athens, Georgia
Daniel Sakai, Ithaca, New York
Rebecca Sayre, Magnolia, Texas
Leon Warne, Werribee, Australia
Melina Zimmerman, Keyport, New Jersey

Business: It was reported that in 2016, the journal Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia has received 246 submissions from 37 countries. The acceptance rate has been 43.7 percent, and the mean turnaround time from submission to final acceptance has averaged 16 weeks. Amendments were made to the constitution and bylaws involving changes in language with regard to certification requirements, membership, and duties of the Committee on Education. A pre-residency checklist was established listing all the prerequisites for entering an ACVAA-approved anesthesia residency program. Details on the certifying examination redesign plan were presented, describing the proposed changes. Discussions were held on the financial status of the college and financial projections. Nominees for the at-large and Region 3 director positions were announced.
Officials: Drs. Lesley Smith, Madison, Wisconsin, president; Chris Egger, Knoxville, Tennessee, president-elect; Lynne Kushner, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, executive secretary; and Khursheed Mama, Fort Collins, Colorado, immediate past president

Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program: The certification examination was conducted.
Business: The academy discussed issues facing the AVTAA and presented ideas and plans for changes in the coming year.
Officials: Kim Spelts, Colorado Springs, Colorado, president; Katy Waddell, College Station, Texas, president-elect; Lynette DeGouff, Cortland, New York, treasurer; Darci Palmer, Auburn, Alabama, executive secretary; Kristin Cooley, Madison, Wisconsin, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Brenda Feller, Fort Myers, Florida; Jody Nugent-Deal, Davis, California; and Brynn Schmidt, Los Angeles

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation

Program: The foundation hosted its third annual K9 ER Care and CPR Course. More than 60 first responders, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and border patrol officers attended the all-day course, which included hands-on instruction and lectures on anatomy, bandaging and wound management, CPR in the field, exposure to toxins, and common traumas. The foundation raised more than $12,000 and used some of the funds to cover the costs associated with the K9 ER Care and CPR Course; donated a portion to Ranch Hand Rescue, an animal sanctuary and counseling center in South Argyle, Texas; and designated money toward the Dougie Fund for Disaster Relief, established in honor of past VECCF board member, the late Dr. Dougie MacIntire.
Officials: Alyce D’Amato, Appleton, Wisconsin, president; Dr. Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia, secretary; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, treasurer-administrator; and Dr. Bill Smith, Seale, Alabama, immediate past president

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Program: The academy coordinated several pain management sessions. Dr. Karol Matthews, professor emeritus at the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, presented a review on pain and the lectures “Analgesia for the Pregnant Cat and Dog,” “Analgesia for Nursing Mothers,” and “Pediatric Pain of Today Can Be Forever: Importance of Prevention and Treatment.”
Business: The academy reviewed current initiatives, provided progress updates, and identified future projects and goals.
Officials: Nancy Shaffran, Erwinna, Pennsylvania, president; Dr. James Berry, Fredericton, New Brunswick, president-elect; Dr. Douglas Stramel, Carrollton, Texas, treasurer; Mary Ellen Goldberg, Boynton Beach, Florida, executive secretary; and Dr. Bonnie Wright, Fort Collins, Colorado, immediate past president