Veterinary emergency, critical care groups hold symposium

Event

24th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, Sept. 14-18, New Orleans

Program

This year's symposium, conducted jointly by the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, focused on trauma management in veterinary emergency and critical care. The symposium also served as the venue for the annual meeting of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Dr. Jan Kovacic, Appleton, Wisconsin, presented the Knowles Memorial Keynote Lecture, giving a historical perspective of veterinary emergency and critical care over the last 40 years.

Awards

Ira M. Zaslow VECCS Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro (Michigan State '97), Norwalk, Connecticut. Dr. Mazzaferro is an adjunct professor of emergency and critical care at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, also serving as staff criticalist at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. She is a diplomate of the ACVECC.

Hill's Dr. Jack Mara ACVECC Achievement Award
Dr. Justine Lee (Cornell '97), St. Paul, Minnesota, for her work related to toxicology. Dr. Lee is the founder and chief executive officer of VETgirl, a subscription-based podcast and webinar service offering Registry of Approved Continuing Education–approved continuing education. She is a diplomate of the ACVECC and American Board of Toxicology.

T. Douglas Byars Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Emergency & Critical Care Educator of the Year
Dr. K. Gary Magdesian (California-Davis '93), Loomis, California. Dr. Magdesian is a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and ACVECC.

Hill's Disaster Relief Award
Dr. Lorna Lanman (Illinois '73), Sun City West, Arizona, was the inaugural recipient of this award. A small animal veterinarian, Dr. Lanman owns PetsVet Animal Hospital in Surprise, Arizona. In 1996, she committed to devoting her time and talents to disaster relief and became a member of the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team program, recently phased out. Dr. Lanman has provided her assistance and support following hurricanes, including Floyd, Katrina, Rita, and Sandy; wildfires in New Mexico and California; and outbreaks of foreign animal diseases in the United States and England.

Gary L. Stamp Award
Dr. Gary L. Stamp (Illinois '70), San Antonio, was the inaugural recipient of this award named for him. He was honored for his years of commitment to advancing emergency medicine and critical care worldwide. He is a founding member and a past president of the VECCS and ACVECC, and he is a co-founder of the IVECCS. Dr. Stamp has served as executive director of the VECCS since 1999.

VECCS Practice Manager of the Year, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance
Marta Jackson, Vancouver, British Columbia. Jackson is general manager of Canada West Veterinary Specialists & Critical Care Hospital in Vancouver.

ACVECC Research Grant Award
($9,980): Dr. Melissa Claus, Murdoch University, for "The use of deferoxamine to reduce the inflammatory response in dogs with hemorrhagic shock treated with stored packed red blood cells."

VECCF Research Grant Award
($8,298): Dr. Amelia Munsterman, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for "Non-invasive measurement of gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity with unipolar electrodes in horses."

Small Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Pathway Vet Alliance:
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Brittany Enders, North Carolina State University, for "Repeated infusions of lyophilized canine albumin safely and effectively increases serum albumin and colloid oncotic pressure in healthy dogs."

Large Animal Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Mila International:
A $500 stipend was awarded to Dr. Alicia Long, University of Pennsylvania, for "The prognostic value of clinical criteria to define systemic inflammatory response syndrome in neonatal foals.

ACVAA Resident Abstract Award, sponsored by Smiths Medical and Surgivet:
first place, small animal—Dr. Kathryn Zatroch, Cornell University, for "Evaluation of atipamezole as treatment for dexmedetomidine-induced cardiovascular depression in anesthetized cats;" first place, large animal—Dr. Kelley Varner, University of Pennsylvania, for "Efficacy of alveolar recruitment in anesthetized horses ventilated with Heliox or 30% oxygen/70% nitrogen."

Case Report Award
A stipend of $300 was awarded to Dr. Pia Martiny, Cornell University, for "Placement of a temporary cholecystostomy tube to relieve pancreatic EHBDO in a dog."

Technician Case Report Award, sponsored by Animal Blood Resources International:
A stipend of $300 was awarded to Rachel Feuerstein, University of Tennessee, for "The troublesome tale of a shunted Schnauzer."

Poster Abstract Award, sponsored by Abaxis:
A stipend of $500 was awarded to Dr. Hendrik Lehman, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, for "Prospective comparative quality control study of a novel gravity-driven hollow-fiber whole blood separation system for the production of canine blood products."

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Business

It was announced that membership numbers are almost the same as the previous year and finances are strong. The impact factor of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care has gone up. The society has now certified and re-certified 82 veterinary emergency and critical care facilities in total, with several beginning the re-certification phase. Online continuing education offerings to membership have risen and will continue to expand. Participation in social media has increased visibility and exposure for the society. The board of directors has agreed to form a task force with the ACVECC to address issues relating to the shortage of emergency room veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Dr. Scott Johnson, Austin, Texas, a past president of the society, was recognized for his service on the board of directors and for his contributions to the society.

Officials

Dr. Linda Martin, Pullman, Washington, president; Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, Norwalk, Connecticut, president-elect; Dr. Chris Gray, East Lansing, Michigan, treasurer; Kenichiro Yagi, Ithaca, New York, recording secretary; Dr. Robert Messenger, Charlotte, North Carolina, 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

Fifty-seven individuals passed the certification examination. They are as follows:

Maya Aharon, Wilmington, Delaware
Tara Assenmacher, Okemos, Michigan
Kathryn Benavides, Rochester, New York
Allison Biddick, Edmond, Oklahoma
Patricia Biello, Guelph, Ontario
Ludivine Boiron, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France
Samantha Campos, Gainesville, Florida
Adelina Chan, Maroubra, Australia
Annie Chih, Shoreline, Washington
Siew Kim Chong, Kew, England
Kimberly Claus, Flower Mound, Texas
Anne Cohen, Park Ridge, Illinois
Jennifer Daly, North Port, Florida
Francesca DiMauro, Ajax, Ontario
Emma Kate Evans, Charlottesville, Virginia
Kate Farrell, Sacramento, California
Lindsey Fejfar, Brooklyn, New York
Meghan Fick, Raleigh, North Carolina
Sarah Gaudette, Edmonton, Alberta
Rita Ghosal, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Marcella Granfone, Scottsdale, Arizona
Thomas Greensmith, Newbury, England
Sonya Hansen, Lewisville, Texas
Kayla Hanson, New Berlin, Wisconsin
Jenica Haraschak, Champaign, Illinois
Alex Hatch, Saint-Jean-de-Gonville, France
Natasha Hodgson, Knoxville, Tennessee
Kristen Hutchinson, Roseville, California
Brittany Jaeger, Tampa, Florida
Tiffany Jagodich, White Rock, British Columbia
Jonna Jokisalo, Espoo, Finland
Megan Kees, Alexandria, Virginia
Christine Keyserling, New York
Kevin Kirchofer, Oviedo, Florida
Corinne Lawson, Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Nikki Licht, Salt Lake City
Ashley Lockwood, Quincy, Massachusetts
Jennifer Loewen, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kristen Marshall, Knoxville, Tennessee
Elizabeth Martin, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Katharine Mauro, Raleigh, North Carolina
Amy Nadolski, San Diego
Christopher Norkus, Bloomfield, Connecticut
Kimberly Oparil, Grafton, Massachusetts
Kathleen Osekavage, Louisville, Colorado
Mariana Pardo, Huntington, New York
Colin Reich, Columbia, Missouri
Robyn Sherman, Cottleville, Missouri
Kristin Smith, New Haven, Connecticut
Kim Sprayberry, Paso Robles, California
Monique Stanley, Wooloowin, Australia
Laurie Stephens, Spring, Texas
Jennifer Stewart, Agoura Hills, California
Brittany Sylvane, Mineola, New York
Hamsini Yagneswar, St. Paul, Minnesota
Eunice Lee Yuh, Pittsburgh
Erik Zager, Hastings on Hudson, New York

Officials

Drs. Daniel Fletcher, Ithaca, New York, president; Ken Drobatz, Philadelphia, president-elect; Beth Davidow, Seattle, vice president; Scott Shaw, Oxford, Massachusetts, treasurer; Armelle de Laforcade, North Grafton, Massachusetts, executive secretary; Elisa Mazzaferro, Norwalk, Connecticut, immediate past president; and regents—Drs. James Barr, College Station, Texas; Daniela Bedenice, North Grafton, Massachusetts; Marie Kerl, Columbia, Missouri; Greg Lisciandro, Spicewood, Texas; Maurine Luschini, East Syracuse, New York; and Deb Silverstein, Philadelphia

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians

Program

The academy conducted its 21st certification examination and held a pinning ceremony and reception for the Class of 2017. Angel Rivera, Milwaukee, was honored as Technician of the Year.

Business

Committee reports were presented and ratified.

Officials

Louise O'Dwyer, Manchester, England, president; Megan Brashear, Portland, Oregon, president-elect; Kenichiro Yagi, Ithaca, New York, treasurer; Andrea Steele, Guelph, Ontario, executive secretary; Amy Newfield, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Justin Chandler, Matawan, New Jersey; Jess Kerr, Clifton, New Jersey; and Katy Waddell, College Station, Texas

American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program

Thirty-two abstracts were presented. Drs. Juan Duchesne, New Orleans, and Steven Spitalnik, New York, lectured on "Massive Transfusion and Transfusion Reactions." Dr. Nick Andrews, Boston, presented "Evaluation of Novel Analgesics and Methods of Assessing Pain in Non-Human Species." Dr. Robert Brosnan, Davis, California, delivered "Anatomic and Molecular Mechanisms of Inhaled Anesthetics, Intracranial Pressure Changes in Different Species." Dr. Alan Kaye, New Orleans, presented "Liposomal Encapsulated Bupivacaine." Drs. Peter Pascoe, Davis, California, and Debbie Wilson, East Lansing, Michigan, lectured on "Gastroesophageal Reflux." The 2018 ACVAA Career Achievement Award was given to Dr. Cynthia Trim, Watkinsville, Georgia. A 1970 veterinary graduate of the University of Liverpool in England, Dr. Trim is professor emeritus of anesthesiology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a past president of the ACVAA and a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Dr. Trim serves as editor-in-chief of the journal Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Dr. Doris Dyson (Guelph '76), Guelph, Ontario, received the ACVAA President's Award for Meritorious Service. Dr. Dyson is professor emeritus of anesthesiology at the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College. She is a diplomate of the ACVAA. Drs. Claudio Natalini and Sarah Shane, Mississippi State University, were awarded the ACVAA Foundation Research Grant for "Determination of plasma levels for target intravenous continuous rate infusion and repeated intramuscular administration of dexmedetomidine in standing horses." A memorial tribute was given to the late Dr. William Lumb (see obituary, April 15, 2018).

New diplomates

Sixteen new diplomates were welcomed into the ACVAA following the board certification examination it held June 1-3 in Chicago (see story, Sept. 1, 2018).

Business

Discussions were held on the results of the 2018 certifying examination and bylaw amendments that need to be voted on by the membership by the end of 2018. Also discussed was the financial status of the college and the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society. Nominees for the 2018 executive secretary and Region 2 and 5 director positions were announced, with additional nominations welcomed.

Officials

Drs. Christine Egger, Knoxville, Tennessee, president; Colin Dunlop, Gladesville, Australia, president-elect; Lynne Kushner, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, executive secretary; and Lesley Smith, Madison, Wisconsin, immediate past president

Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia

Program

The certification examination was conducted.

Business

The academy met with the ACVAA and discussed issues facing both organizations. Katy Waddell, the new president of the academy, outlined short-term and long-term goals for the AVTAA.

Officials

Katy Waddell, College Station, Texas, president; Jennifer Sager, Gainesville, Florida, president-elect; Lynette DeGouff, Cortland, New York, treasurer; Darci Palmer, Auburn, Alabama, executive secretary; Kim Spelts, Colorado Springs, Colorado, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Jody Nugent-Deal, Davis, California; Brynn Schmidt, Los Angeles; and Amanda Shelby, Avon, Indiana

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation

Program

The foundation partnered with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and provided spay/neuter services for animals in shelters and feral cats. Also provided was basic veterinary care. Volunteers helped troubleshoot complicated medical cases at the society's adoption center. The foundation hosted its fifth annual K9 ER Care and CPR Course. More than 30 first responders attended the all-day course, which included hands-on instruction and lectures on anatomy, wound management, CPR in the field, exposure to toxins, and common traumas. The foundation raised more than $12,000, a portion of which will be directed toward the Dougie Fund for Disaster Relief, to help veterinary practices and animal caregivers impacted by natural disasters.

Officials

Alyce D'Amato, Appleton, Wisconsin, president; Dr. Deborah Silverstein, Philadelphia, president-elect; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, treasurer; and Dr. Bill Smith, Seale, Alabama, immediate past president