IVECCSNews

The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

(VECCS) in conjunction with the American College of

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and

the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and CriticalCare (AVECCT) present a four and one-half day Small

Animal, Exotics and Equine clinical symposium

(IVECCS - 2003) for veterinarians, technicians and

hospital staff. This intense educational program will

be held September 9–13 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This meeting is considered to be unsurpassed in cutting

edge and clinically relevant CE.

The focus of IVECCS continues to be on presenting thehighest quality CE, combining the major clinical dis-

ciplines at one conference. The Theme of IVECCS 2003 is

Pain Management. IVECCS is CE that saves lives.

Location

New Orleans

� A very unique, exciting and very popular convention

city

� Rich in culture; fabulous food and birthplace of the

‘‘Blues’’ and Jazz capital of the world� Historic French Quarter with shops, cafes, clubs,

shopping

New Orleans Marriott – Headquarters Hotel

� New Orleans premier convention hotel property,

perfectly situated on the edge of the French Quarter

with restaurants, lobby bar, fitness center, indoor-

outdoor pool� Primary facility for IVECCS Scientific Program,

Receptions, and Exhibit Hall

� Preferred Room Rates: VECCS has contracted with the

New Orleans for the very special room rate of $164/

nite for a single or double room.

� For Hotel Reservations Call: 1-800-228-9290 or 1-504-

581-1000

IVECCS Registration

Pre-Registration

� Program and registration information is on the

VECCS Web page (www.veccs.org) was mailed

April 15.

� On-line Registration began in mid-April for VECCS

Members.

� Early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure

you get the Limited Enrollment Labs, Workshops andSmall Group Discussions you want.

� Early Registration Discount Deadline: August 8th.

Program Features

Small Animal Core Lectures

Several comprehensive tracks of instruction will pro-

vide basic to advanced cutting-edge material on

emergency and critical care. Information is presentedin Topic modules to focus on specific problems and

therapeutic interventions. Core Modules include:

� Shock/Trauma

� Medical Emergencies

� Surgery

� Anesthesia & Analgesia

� Fluids & Transfusion Medicine

� Respiratory medicine� Cardiology

� Nutrition

� Gastrointestinal

� Feline Medicine.

Special Sessions

� Practice Management - Clinic design - Special 2-day

program with architects, practice managers & con-

sultants presenting.� Residents Forum: Resident level presentations on a

focus area. New ACVECC Diplomates will lead the

discussions on some controversial topics. Scheduled

for Friday evening.

� ACVECC Advanced Track: Powerful, challenging

program track for the individual seeking the most

advanced critical care information. Emphasis is on

Pain Management.� Point - Counterpoint: Popular session will start the day

at 7:15 a.m.; pro & con debate controversial topics

� Exotics & Avian: Review & update of emergencies and

critical problems unique to these species.

� Knowles Memorial Lecture: Ethics of Veterinary Critical

Care (Dr. Bernard Rollin)

9th International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium

Sept 9-13, 2003

GENERAL INFORMATION

& Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2003 117

Multidisciplinary Review

Resident level, concise, and to the point systems review

all day Tuesday Sept 9th. Multiple speakers will cover

major organ system problems in-depth, exemplifying

the level of knowledge needed to successfully prepare

for the ACVECC certifying examination. Sample multi-

ple choice questions will be presented. A keypadsystem will be used for audience participation and for

self-evaluation. A separate Proceedings booklet also

will be provided.

Labs, Workshops and Small Group Discussions

Limited Enrollment Sessions (LES): Over 50 sessions to

choose from: Labs, Workshops and Small Group

Discussions. Labs include ultrasound, endoscopy, la-

parascopy & thoracoscopy, pain management, ventila-

tion and more. Explore solutions to those challengingand perplexing diagnostic, treatment and monitoring

cases. Have your specific questions answered in a small

group setting; personal attention from instructors.

Equine Program

Core lecture series: Unique equine program developed by

equine critical care specialists will focus on managing

the most challenging and life-threatening emergencies

confronting the equine practitioner. This session will be

a combination of lectures, case presentations and panel

discussions to maximize the training experience.

Registrants will interact and share experiences while

learning the latest diagnostic and therapeutic proce-

dures from the experts.Abstracts: Expanded session this year. Full line-up of

clinical & applied equine research papers.

Veterinary Technician Program

� All Lecture Sessions Open to Technicians: Techs and

nurses may attend any or all general core sessions they

choose for their technician registration.

� Tech Specific Lecture Series: Grief management, nursing

care protocols, anesthetic problem cases, recognition& management of cardiac arrhythmias, shock, pain

management, critical care monitoring and much,

much more.

� Special Lab & Discussion Sessions: Monitoring, case reports,

analgesia techniques, CPR, catheters & tubes, more.

� AVECCT Mock Exam

Register EarlyFor Information contact VECCS: 210-698-5575 nn e-mail: info@veccs.org

IVECCS Future Dates

The International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care symposium (IVECCS) will be held every year starting this

year with IVECCS 2003, IVECCS future dates:

2003 – September 9–13, New Orleans, Marriott.

2004 – September 8–12, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

2006 – September 17–21, San Antonio, Marriott Rivercenter.

2008 – September 7–11, San Antonio, Marriott Rivercenter.

& Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2003118

VECCSNews

VECCS Members Enjoy Canadian Spring Break

Nearly 130 VECCS members, accompanied by 90

companions and guests, attended the Spring Breakmeeting in Banff, Alberta. The setting was magnificent,

complete with terrific snow, exquisite hotel accommo-

dations, and top-quality CE, as always. Morning and

evening scientific program sessions were held to allow

maximum time for personal development. Highlights

included:

� Twelve hours of CE on controversial topics, which

generated much discussion among members.� Impressive Welcome and Member Appreciation

Reception held in the charming ‘Scottish Knights’

banquet hall of the Banff Springs Hotel.

� Generous corporate sponsorships provided excep-

tional amenities for all registrants.

Special Thank You to our Sponsors:

� Dan Scott & Associates� Hallowell, EMC

� Hill’s and Hill’s Canada

� Novartis Animal Health

� Pfizer Animal Health

VECCS SPRING BREAK 2003 PROCEEDINGS

� Available now – $10 each

� See Order Form on page 135

Board of Directors Meeting

The VECCS Board of Directors met on March 5 at the

Banff Springs Hotel in conjunction with the VECCS

Spring Break Meeting. Business issues of the Societywere discussed and actions taken as warranted. Much

of the discussions were related to the various joint

projects with ACVECC, AVECCT and SVECCS. A

synopsis of the minutes and agenda is available on

the VECCS web site (www.veccs.org). Board actions

include:

� Review of general operations: membership increased

by over 300 from 2001 to 2002 (15% increase); grossand net income were very positive and the best ever

recorded for VECCS.

� The Board approves action to sponsor a student awardfor proficiency and excellence in emergency/critical

care at each academic institution where there is an

active SVECCS Chapter.

� JVECC: The Board discussed how to have the journal

best serve the needs of the membership. Net cost of

production has gone down since contracting withBlackwell to publish it last year.

� CPCR chart approved: Several months ago the Board

tasked that a CPCR chart be developed reflecting the

current state of knowledge and literature review.

Such a chart is now ready for mass production and is

based on the papers printed in JVECC December

2002 and March 2003.

� Approved establishing a Veterinary Emergency andCritical Care Foundation in conjunction with ACVECC

and AVECCT: This would be a separate entity

incorporated to allow a more beneficial tax status as

a way to raise research and training donations.

� Reviewed VECCS CE programs: Reconfirmed the

policy to make IVECCS the most cutting edge but

practical CE possible while conducting practitioner-

oriented CE programs at other major National meet-ings. (See listing on page 122–123.)

IVECCS 2003 Update

By the time you read this, you will have received at

least one IVECCS Brochure and e-mail announcement

urging prompt registration for IVECCS 2003. Registra-

tion opened online to VECCS members first in lateApril. See the website (www.veccs.org) for more

details. You may contact us for additional information

or assistance:

Toll-free # for the IVECCS Registration:866-348-3227 Alt # is 615-301-3045

E-mail: IVECCS@Walkermgt.com

Reminders

� Pre-IVECCS labs are Tuesday September 9

� IVECCS 2003 General Scientific Program runs

Wednesday September 10 through Saturday noon

September 13.

� Register Early.

� Choice of Proceedings in CD or book format; alsowill be on-line 15 days prior to Symposium.

� ACVECC post-graduate course to be held at

IVECCS.

� Theme of IVECCS is Pain Management – two full

days.

& Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2003 119

ACVECCNews

The American College of Veterinary Emergency and

Critical Care (ACVECC) is experiencing very steady

growth, with an increased number of candidates and

residents each year. Note the following announcements:

� Thirty-one credential applications were submitted in

January, and 29 candidates’ credentials were ac-

cepted pending completion of their programs andfinal scientific paper acceptance by June 30.

� New Guidelines for Training and Application are

available on the website (acvecc.com or acvecc.org)

There have been changes, so please check them

out!!

� The College has been working on a ‘Task Analysis’

with the help of a consultant over the past year. The

consultant’s final report has been distributed to theRegents, and all Diplomates will be e-mailed a copy

of the lengthy report. Such an analysis is recom-

mended for all specialties, and results in formatting

the certification examination to assure that it reflects

the activities of the Diplomates. It is anticipated that

it will result in some changes to our examination in

the future, and the report and its implications will be

discussed by the Diplomates at our meeting in New

Orleans.� There will be an ACVECC Diplomate discussion

session Friday September 12 at IVECCS and a

Diplomate Dinner at IVECCS on September 11.

Watch for exact times and location.

ACVECC Awards

Scientific Achievement Award named for Dr. Mara.

ACVECC mourns the death of Dr. Jack Mara. We

benefited from his support, encouragement, demeanor,

and friendship since our formation in 1989 – and manyof us were helped by him for years before that. He will

be missed – and ACVECC is pleased to honor him by

naming our annual Scientific Achievement Award the

‘Dr. Jack Mara Scientific Achievement Award’.

ACVECCCREDENTIALS & EXAM

1. Candidates beginning training programs must notify the ACVECC Executive Secretary at the beginning of

their approved Standard Residency or Alternate Track Training Program in order to initiate the process

leading to board certification. A one-time Resident Registration Fee of $200 becomes effective for those starting

programs in 2003.

2. Application for examination must be made to the ACVECC Executive Secretary on a form obtained upon

written request from the College and include the Credential Review Fee of $300. Application fees will not berefunded if the applicant is determined to be ineligible to take the examination.

3. Eligibility rulings are made by the Council of Regents upon recommendation of the Credentials Committee,

and applicants will be notified no less than six months preceding the exam date.

4. Credential Applications Deadline for 2004: January 7, 2004

5. 2003 Examination: September 2003, New Orleans, LA (with IVECCS 2003). Exam fee is $400.

For Additional Information Contact:

Dr. James Ross, ACVECC Executive SecretaryTUSVM, 200 Westboro Rd., North Grafton, MA 01536 95

Ph: 508-839-5395 website: www.acvecc.org.

& Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2003120

SVECCSNews

Raegan Wells, Immediate Past Vice-President, PVM2004, Colorado State University

The outgoing 2002–2003 SVECCS National Boardwarmly welcomes our newly elected group of officers.The organization is proud to have such a diverse andhighly qualified group of individuals to represent allrecognized student VECCS chapters. We are certain thatthe upcoming scholastic year will be full of adventure andpromise for our organization.

Chapters are requested to please forward any change inchapter presidents and/or advisors to Colleen Elligott at

dogdoc2b@hotmail.com as soon as possible to ensure thatall chapters are kept abreast of new SVECCS develop-ments.

The highly anticipated 9th IVECCS in New Orleanswill serve as a meeting ground for the new board andparent VECCS advisors. A pre-emptive thank you isextended to the Nestle-Purina Corporation for theircontinued support of the student, intern and residentdinner to be held in New Orleans. Any new proposalsor developments arising from this meeting will bereported in the next SVECCS News section of the Journalof VECCS.

AVECCT News

Dana Heath, RVT, VTS (ECC, Anesthesia), PresidentAVECCT

The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical CareTechnicians (AVECCT) has completed another applicationprocess. We have accepted 14 applicants who will take the2003 examination in New Orleans, LA. Congratulations andGood Luck to all our 2003 applicants!!

We are pleased to report that we have hired awebmaster to transform our website. In the near future itwill include a members-only section, a membershipdirectory and photo gallery, and a downloadable applica-tion packet. Stay tuned for more updates!

AVECCT looks forward to being involved with IVECCS2003 in New Orleans, LA. We are planning to provide anopportunity for the public to learn more about AVECCT. Ifyou have any questions about or interest in AVECCT,please join us for a general information meeting onSeptember 11 at 5:30 pm. There will also be an AVECCTMembers-Only Business Meeting and an AVECCT Mem-

bers-Only New Members Pinning Ceremony and Receptionimmediately following the General Information Meeting. Wehave also developed a very challenging and interestingtechnician scientific program for all emergency and criticalcare-minded participants. We hope to see you there!

We are pleased to announce that Harold Davis hasagreed to be the AVECCT Liaison. His vast experience andtenure within our organization and with VECCS will serveus well. Thank you Harold!

Upcoming AVECCT Dates of Interest

� July 2003 – New Application Packets (for 2004) availablefrom VECCS office and AVECCT website http://www.veccs.org/technicians/index.cfm

� September 9, 2003 – 6th AVECCT Examination, NewOrleans, LA.

� September 15, 2003 – Recertification applications deadlinefor Charter members and first-year examinees

� January 7, 2004 – 7th Examination Application deadline

For information regarding AVECCT, the credentialing application or the examination process, please contact:

The AVECCT Liaison, Harold Davis, RVT, VTS (ECC), 3329 Dominica Street,West Sacramento, CA 95691 Ph: 530-754-9109

Congratulations to the new SVECCS National Officers!

President: Colleen Elligott, Class of 2005, The Ohio State University

Vice-President: Mary Scott, Class of 2005, Oklahoma State University

Recorder: Melissa Java, Class of 2005, University of Pennsylvania

Treasurer: Jennifer Cole, Class of 2005, Colorado State University

Member-at-Large/Website Coordinator: Taesha Gonsalves-Hubers, Class of 2004, Ontario Veterinary College

& Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2003 121