CLINICAL PATHOLOGY: In-house blood smears - Saturday 10 April 2010, 08:45 - 12:30
■ Harold W. Tvedten DVM PhD DipACVP (Clinical Pathology, Anatomic Pathology) ECVCP
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This “wet-lab” will be a computer-based, small group study of blood smears with a powerpoint format. Participants will receive two CD-ROMs: one without diagnoses or interpretations, for use during the class; and the second with the same cases plus answers and interpretations, to be handed out at the end of the session. Blood smear analysis is a morphology-based skill and the CD, with many photomicrographs of blood cells, will be valuable to take back to the clinic. Topics will include anaemia diagnosis, interpretation of leucocyte responses, estimating platelet counts, and avoiding errors.
■ It is required that participants bring a laptop computer (PC type not Mac) with a CD drive and powerpoint software (2000 or later) plus an extension cord.
■ All exercises will be done on this laptop.
■ It is possible, and recommended, that 2 people work per computer.
If you do not have a laptop, you will need to pair up in advance with another person who can bring one.
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ONCOLOGY: Soft tissue sarcoma in the cat and dog - Saturday 10 April 2010, 09:00 - 12:30
■ Julius Liptak BVSc MVetClinStud FACVSc DipACVS DipECVS
■ David Ruslander DVM DipACVIM (Oncology) DipACVR (Radiation Oncology)
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Soft tissue sarcomas remain difficult tumours to manage in both canine and feline patients. Management failure is due to a combination of local recurrence as well as distant metastatic disease, especially in highgrade sarcomas in dogs and injection site sarcomas in cats. Treatment options continue to develop which are truly life-saving and often limb-sparing. Decisions made at the time of diagnosis and initial treatment have significant implications on prognosis. Preoperative imaging and potentially preoperative radiotherapy can dramatically alter the decision algorithm and are best done prior to any surgical intervention. This Masterclass will review the basic human and veterinary literature, with the goal of educating attendees about new surgical techniques as well as the rationale for radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Case examples will be used to reinforce the critical steps in this multimodality approach. This course is aimed at both generalist and specialists who are diagnosing or treating sarcomas.
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IMAGING: Imaging in the diagnosis of vascular liver diseases in dogs and cats - Saturday 10 April 2010, 14:15 - 17:45
■ Wilfried Mai DrMedVet MS PhD DipECVDI DipACVR
■ Victoria Johnson BVSc DVR DipECVDI MRCVS
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Vascular diseases of the liver, including congenital portosystemic shunts, arterio-portal fistulae and microvascular dysplasia, are relatively uncommon but are more prevalent in some breeds and seem to be increasing. In the past, relatively invasive angiographic techniques have been used for diagnosis but much progress has been made in developing non-invasive techniques such as abdominal ultrasonography. Although time-consuming and operator-dependent, ultrasonography can also be used to achieve minimally invasive injection of the portal system with iodinated contrast agent. More recently, computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) have been developed, and allow rapid imaging of the portal system to confirm or rule out hepatic vascular abnormalities with high-quality three-dimensional images that are easy to understand and assist the surgeon in planning for the best treatment options. This Masterclass will review the classification of hepatic vascular abnormalities, describe the imaging methods used for anatomically resolved vascular imaging, and describe the findings that can be expected with each of them, as well as the pros and cons of various modalities.
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ORTHOPAEDICS - Locking implants in orthopaedics - Saturday 10 April 2010, 14:15 - 17:45
■ Katja Voss DrMedVet DipECVS
■ Malcolm Ness BVetMed CertSAD DipECVS FRCVS
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Although the widest defi nition of “locking implants” would include external fixators and interlocking nails, this Masterclass will concentrate on Locking Plate Systems – specifically those which are currently commercially available for small animal surgery. Important mechanical and biomechanical differences between locked and “loose-screw” plates will be reviewed, with emphasis on the clinical information needed to use these powerful implants safely and effectively. The session is aimed at experienced orthopaedic surgeons with a sound understanding and substantial experience of AO type plating who want to know more about the benefits of locking plates.
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