Avian Influenza and Why Are My Eggs So Expensive?

10/31/2015 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM

Presenter: Cricket Johnson, DVM

Basic Nutrition and Clinical Tools

10/31/2015 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM

Presenter: Veronica Whiteside, DVM

Establishing and Implementing Checklist and Time Out Routines

10/31/2015 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM

Presenter: Karen L Basher LVT-VTS-Anesthesia and Analgesia

Course Description: By establishing a set of standard questions that are to be ask prior to each
procedure, is an organized way to eliminate risks and errors.  Standardized questions can be
established for all and every service.  Whether it is a healthy pet visit for physical and vaccines
to surgical amputation to hourly treatments in nursing care ward.  These question identify the correct patient is having the correct procedure, medication, x-ray, etc. administered.  Questions
that help establish proper medical care just as if you yourself was in a doctor’s appointment or
emergency room.  These questions can be referred to as the "Time Out" period.  Establishing
and implementing a time out routine is the key to eliminating almost all errors and ensuring
patient safety.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will learn:

• The benefits one can achieve by having a standard operating procedure with the use of the checklist
• Making it uniform for everyone in the hospital to use
• How to keep them simply so they will work and the importance of a checklist/timeout period

Speaker Bio:

I have been a licensed veterinary technician since 1995 when I graduated State University of New York at Delhi.  During school and after I worked in general practice for 4 years before switching to a private referral specialty hospital in 1998.  I was a surgery/anesthesia technician for 2 years and enjoyed learning high risk anesthesia.  I transferred my career to academia at Cornell University Hospital for Animals Anesthesia Department in 2000.  Although my main focus is small animal anesthesia, I do enjoy being able to anesthetize equines and farm animals.  I applied and achieved for veterinary technician specialty exam in 2007.  I have maintained my certification for 8 years and counting.

 

An Update on Canine Influenza Viruses (LVT/DVM)

10/31/2015 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM

Presenter: Heidi Lee Pecoraro DVM PhD

The flu's plight to "get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!" An update on the emergence, epidemiology, and evolution of canine influenza viruses. 

Course Description: While canine influenza virus (CIV) subtype H3N8 first emerged in U.S. dogs in 2004, CIV subtype H3N2, an influenza virus circulating in dogs and cats in Southeast Asia since 2007, was not reported in U.S. dogs until Spring 2015. Direct contact is thought to be the route of transmission in dogs; however, CIV transmission dynamics are poorly understood. A recent study of over 5000 dogs residing in humane shelters across the U.S, including New York, suggests prevention strategies should focus on early viral detection and isolation of infected animals. Treatment options for influenza viruses, in general, are limited to antivirals and supportive care. This course will review the emergence of CIV in U.S. dog populations, diagnostic tests for viral infection, and prevention and treatment options.

 

Upon completion of the course, the participant will:

• Understand the basic biology and transmission of influenza viruses 
• Have knowledge of the diagnostic tests used to detect CIV 
• Be familiar with prevention and treatment strategies and challenges

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Heidi Pecoraro, originally from the beautiful shores of the Puget Sound in Washington State, attended Colorado State University where she received her DVM and PhD. The focus of her PhD studies was the epidemiology, ecology, and evolution of canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8. With her mentor, Dr. Gabrielle Landolt, Dr. Pecoraro completed a Morris Animal Foundation sponsored study to better understand the transmission cycle of CIV for creating efficient prevention tactics for shelters. Since graduation in 2014, Dr. Pecoraro has been a resident in Anatomic Pathology at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Pecoraro worked in human medicine, from hospice work to STD research, and in veterinary medicine for eight years as a veterinary assistant. Her main areas of interest are herd health and zoonotic diseases.

 

Communication, Stress and Compassion Fatigue

10/31/2015 1:20 PM - 3:10 PM

Presenter: Aggie Kiefer LVT

Course Description: This course is designed to help attendees better understand and
cope with the stress involved with working in a veterinary clinic setting. 

 

After completion of this course, the participant will understand various communication styles

• What leads up to stress
• how to recognize warning signs
• how to deal with that stress.

Speaker Bio:

Aggie Kiefer is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who has worked in both small
animal/exotic practice and the animal health industry for more than 30 years.
Aggie's familiarity with both aspects of Veterinary Medicine allow her to share
practical clinical knowledge combined with current market trends to give a
balanced and insightful understanding of the animal health industry.

An Introduction to Alternative and Complementary Therapies

10/31/2015 2:20 PM - 3:10 PM

Presenter: Richard A Mathes DVM

Course Description: The course will provide a brief explanation of acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs and laser therapies used in veterinary medicine.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will learn:

• The availability of therapies outside of conventional medicine and surgery that can be offered to veterinary clients and patients

Speaker Bio:

Richard Mathes DVM graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1986.  Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree was completed in 1991.  He worked in a rural Minnesota Dairy practice for 1.5 years before returning to NY in 1992.  He worked at Ridge Animal Hospital for 3.5 years and during this time began to study acupuncture.  Requirements for the title certified veterinary acupuncturist were completed with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1993.  Training in Chiropractic traditional Chinese herbs and low level laser therapy has been added over the years so that a multi modal approach using the best of all worlds can be offered to veterinary clients and patients.