Get your Summer started with a BIG weekend!

www.improvecpd.com Get your Summer started with a BIG weekend! Three weekends of the finest CPD given by world-class speakers The Big Canine Weekend 9th and 10th June 2012 The Big Practical Techniques Weekend 16th and 17th June 2012 The Big Feline Weekend 21st to 22nd July 2012 SWINDON, WILTSHIRE

Join us this Summer! Our BIG Weekends are coming! To be held at Improve International s Head Offices and Training Centre at Alexandra House, near Swindon in Wiltshire, these small animal themed weekends will provide you with all the very latest clinical know-how whilst at the same time allowing you to have a well earned break! These events are a great opportunity for you to learn new skills in a relaxing environment. Stay in a 4* bedroom for a peaceful night s rest and enjoy the superb leisure facilities at Alexandra House. Perhaps go for a swim, have a sauna, work out in the gym, play tennis or simply enjoy the lovely surrounding countryside. We have included a special course dinner on the Saturday night when you can get to know fellow delegates and some of the course speakers that are staying at the venue. Following on from last year s successful Canine and Feline Big Weekends, we have included an additional topic this year Practical Techniques. Venue information The events will take place at Improve International headquarters and training centre at Alexandra House in Wiltshire. Alexandra House is a beautifully presented hotel set on 20 acres of stunning land. It is well connected by the M4, very close to the centre of Swindon and is an ideal place to stay with great facilities, peaceful surroundings and top class dining. ACCOMMODATION The spacious guest rooms at the Alexandra House Venue offer some of the finest accommodation in the area and the professional and courteous hotel staff will endeavour to ensure you have the most restful nights sleep possible. Each room has been designed to offer the height of modern convenience and comfort, and guests to the Alexandra House Venue can expect to find the following room amenities as standard - Wi-Fi access for your laptop TV Safe that will fit laptop computers Tea and coffee-making facilities Hairdryers Trouser press Dry cleaning service Certain rooms do accept dogs if accompanied by an Improve delegate. Dog friendly rooms are strictly limited, so if you would like to bring your dog with you, do mention it at the time of booking. LEISURE FACILITIES There are a number of facilities at Alexandra House ideal for relaxing, including - A heated indoor swimming pool Whirlpool Sauna and steam room State of the art fitness centre Aerobics studio with sprung-floor All-weather outdoor tennis court Games bar, with American pool tables, satellite TV and Xboxes Alexandra House also have an association with the local golf club (Broome Manor Golf Club) and are delighted to be able to offer you special rates as a guest or delegate of Alexandra House. 2 Tel: 01793 759159

Register Now for the most talked about CPD events of the year. Great topics, superb speakers, a brilliant venue and an amazing price all combine to ensure a big success. Two full days of CPD (12 hours) and course dinner and overnight accommodation included. The Big Canine Weekend 9th and 10th June Learn from Michael Herrtage, Alan Radford, Kathleen Tennant and Laurent Garosi An update on renal failure An approach to collapse and epilepsy Respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious diseases How to get the most from laboratory results 595 plus VAT The Big Practical Techniques Weekend 16th and 17th June Hands-on two-day How To course Refresh your practical skills and learn new techniques from Paul Aldridge and Simon Swift Small group sessions Learn how to perform a range of emergency and critical care techniques Refresh your approach to the cardiac patient including radiography, echocardiography and other key diagnostic skills 695 plus VAT The Big Feline Weekend 21st and 22nd July The latest clinical update from, Martha Cannon and Alasdair Hotston-Moore Feline case-challenges in practice Aspects of feline therapeutics Key feline infectious diseases update The surgical approach to thyroidectomy, urethral obstruction and trauma management 595 plus VAT www.improvecpd.com 3

The Big Canine Weekend Course code: 12BCANWS Introduction A mix of short-review lectures and case discussions will provide delegates with a thorough review of the latest clinical knowledge. The keynote speakers will give you Top Tips and allow plenty of time for any questions! A course dinner on the Saturday night offers a great opportunity to relax and discuss things further with fellow delegates. Speakers Laurent Garosi DVM MRCVS DipECVN RCVS & European Veterinary Specialist in Neurology Director Laurent is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology (ECVN) and RCVS/European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology. He is currently company director and head of the neurology/neurosurgery service at Davies Veterinary Specialists, England. Laurent has published widely in the field of neurology and is a regular speaker on the national and international continuing education circuit. He is currently vice-president of the ECVN, past chief examiner of the ECVN examination committee and co-editor with Simon Platt of a recently published textbook on Small Animal Neurological Emergencies. Michael Herrtage BVSc MA DipECVIM-ca DipECVDI DVR DVD DSAM DVSc MRCVS Michael Herrtage is Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Cambridge He is Dean of the Cambridge Veterinary School and is in charge of the small animal medicine and diagnostic imaging services at the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital. His clinical responsibilities include all aspects of small animal medicine and diagnostic imaging, but he has a particular interest in endocrine and metabolic disorders. Alan Radford BSc BVSc PhD, MRCVS Alan graduated from Liverpool. After an internship in Dublin, his career followed a research path, with publications on calicivirus, parvovirus, coronavirus, poxvirus, and herpesviruses. He is a member of the Advisory Board on Cat Disease. Recently he established the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Infection and Global Health at University of Liverpool. Kathleen Tennant BVetMed CertSAM Cert VC FRCPath PGCAP MRCVS Kathleen is a 1996 graduate who has always had an interest in small animal medicine and clinical pathology. After an internship, a residency and a year in the real world she returned to clinical pathology full time 11 years ago. After an enjoyable 5 years at the Royal Veterinary College she moved west to Bristol Veterinary School and Langford Veterinary Services in 2006. Timetable of events Saturday 9th June Session time Session title Speaker 9.30-10.20 Diagnosis and management of acute renal failure in dogs Michael Herrtage 10.20-11.10 Diagnosis and staging of chronic renal failure Michael Herrtage 11.10-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.20 The management of chronic renal disease Michael Herrtage 12.30-1.30 Lunch 1.40-2.30 How to approach the patient with intermittent collapse Laurent Garosi 2.40-3.30 Rational approach to the treatment of an epileptic animal Laurent Garosi 3.30-4.00 Coffee break 4.00-4.50 How to deal with the many different manifestations of vestibular disorder Laurent Garosi 7.00 Course dinner Sunday 10th June 9.30-10.20 Achoo: What s new in canine infectious respiratory disease Alan Radford 10.20-11.10 Poo: What s new in canine infectious gastroenteritis Alan Radford 11.10-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.20 False or true: How to diagnose infection? Alan Radford 12.30-1.30 Lunch 1.40-2.30 Haematology Kathleen Tennant 2.40-3.30 Cytology Kathleen Tennant 3.30-4.00 Coffee break 4.00-4.40 Biochemistry Kathleen Tennant 4 Tel: 01793 759159

Saturday 9th June 2012 9.30 10.20 Diagnosis and management of acute renal failure in dogs 10.20 11.10 Diagnosis and staging of chronic renal failure 11.30 12.20 The management of chronic renal failure Michael Herrtage The three sessions on renal disease and clinical nutrition in dogs will concentrate on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic renal diseases, highlighting issues that are of clinical importance in practice and emphasing recent advances in the field. The first session will be on the diagnosis and management of acute renal in dogs and will include: A brief overview of the pathophysiology of renal failure and the causes of acute renal failure The interpretation of laboratory testing for acute renal disease and the importance of distinguishing prerenal from renal failure The management of acute renal failure including the indications for peritoneal dialysis The second session will deal with the diagnosis and staging of chronic renal failure and will include: The aetiology of chronic renal disease The investigation and staging of renal failure The importance of imaging in the diagnosis of chronic renal disease and how to perform a renal biopsy The third session will deal with the management of chronic renal disease and will cover: The management of the different stages of renal failure The importance of clinical nutrition and its rationale in managing chronic renal failure The course will stress the important practical aspects of renal disease and the common pitfalls that are encountered in veterinary practice 1.40 2.30 How to approach the patient with intermittent collapse 2.40 3.30 Rational approach to the treatment of an epileptic animal 4.00 4.50 How to deal with the many different manifestations of vestibular disorder Laurent Garosi These sessions aim to provide the practitioner with a logical and step-wise approach to common medical neurology complaints. These sessions will cover how to approach a patient with intermittent collapse, rational approach to the treatment of an epileptic animal and how to deal with the many different manifestations of vestibular disorder. Each session will cover the essentials a practitioner needs to tackle these complaints and are extensively illustrated by video case examples. Seizure management in practice Video tour of neurological causes of intermittent collapse The many faces of vestibular disorder Rationale behind the use of anti-epileptic treatment Management of refractory seizures Recognition of common neurological causes of intermittent collapse (paroxysmal movement disorder, different type of epileptic seizures, neuromuscular disease, narcolepsy) How to recognise and approach the different form of vestibular disorder www.improvecpd.com 5

Sunday 10th June 2012 9.30 10.20 Achoo! What s new in canine infectious respiratory disease Alan Radford Canine infectious respiratory disease represents a common presenting condition in practice. It causes problem outbreaks in shelters. Many of the pathogens involved are now included in core canine vaccines. More recently new pathogens have been identified as contributing to this syndrome. This lecture will briefly review what we have known for some time about infectious respiratory disease in dogs, and include Bordetella bronchiseptica, distemper virus, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus. After we have dealt with the revision, we will concentrate on new diseases that have more recently been recognised as additional causes of respiratory signs including coronaviruses and influenza viruses such as H3N8 and H1N1. The latter have the potential to emerge in the UK from several sources, and some may be zoonotic. The possible emergence of new causes of infectious respiratory disease in our canine populations. An understanding of the populations most at risk. The role of vaccines in controlling infection. 10.20 11.10 Poo; What s new in canine infectious gastroenteritis Alan Radford Poo: What s new in canine infectious gastroenteritis. Acute infectious gastroenteritis remains an important cause of sometimes severe disease, generally in unvaccinated dogs. Probably the most common cause of such disease is canine parvovirus. As well as disease in individual dogs, infection can cause outbreaks in places where population immunity is low like rescue shelters. As before, this lecture will start with a brief review of what we have known for some time about canine infectious gastrointestinal disease in dogs, concentrating on parvoviruses. We will start with the emergence of this virus in the late 1970s and end with a discussion of the recent evolution of this virus and what implications this has for host range. I might have to be naughty and mention cats in this bit.. sorry! We will also tackle the often misunderstood consequences of how recent parvovirus evolution has affected the antigenicity of this important virus, and whether this has any implications for vaccination. The session will conclude with a short summary of the role of canine enteric coronaviruses, how they relate to feline coronaviruses, and their role in canine disease. How virus evolution impacts on host range in canine / feline parvoviruses How virus evolution can affect antigenicity, and what if any are the implications for vaccine protection. 11.30 12.20 False or true; How to diagnose infection Alan Radford False or true: How to diagnose infection? The ability to diagnose infection underlies much of clinical practice. Researchers get a lot of credit for designing new methods and this has led to a lot of related techniques often with misleading names such as immunochromatography, haemaglutination inhibition, and polymerase chain reaction. In this session we will review the common ways of diagnosing infectious disease and see that they all fall into one of two categories, namely those that detect some part of the pathogen, and those that detect the host s immune response to it. Some understanding of the methods is crucial to successfully interpreting the clinical relevance of a test result for our patients. Case studies of example canine infections will be used to illustrate key points. We will conclude with a brief look of what the future may look like for veterinary diagnosis. Understanding that all tests fall into one of two types. The importance of understanding the type of test that has been performed. Understanding why positive results become progressively less reliable in low prevalence populations. 1.40 2.30 Haematology Kathleen Tennant In this haematology session, case examples will be used to revise some of the more common canine haematological abnormalities seen in the laboratory. More unusual cases will be discussed to illustrate the approach to both anaemic animals and those with platelet or leucocyte abnormalities. Common errors in sampling, running samples and interpretation will be covered. The classification of anaemia what the machine can tell you about why this dog is so pale. Red cell morphology the link between abnormal erythrocyte forms and the underlying disease. Platelets how to assess numbers in a coagulopathic animal. Leucocyte morphology how neutrophils give away the severity of an inflammatory process, when to worry about lymphocytes and more. At the end of this you should be able to use a combination of machine generated values and smear examination to get more information from your haematology screening. You should also be able to recognise some artefactual abnormalities in common haematology methods. 2.40 3.30 Cytology Kathleen Tennant In this cytology session clinical cases will be used to demonstrate the approach to screening In house cytology samples. Separation of artefact from true abnormality and the decision making process to distinguish normal tissue from inflammation and/or neoplasia will be illustrated. A selection of cases, from the commonest to the more unusual, will explain the changes in inflammatory cells which help to distinguish septic from non septic causes. The changes in cell morphology with advancing criteria for malignancy are discussed and examples of tumours whose behaviours fit the criteria and those who buck the trend are shown. Deciding if the smear is diagnostic what commonly goes wrong. Inflammation what sort and why is it there? Tissue cells benign versus malignant and how some cells lie! At the end of this session, you should have an organised approach to screening cytology smears and an appreciation of when to refer them on. You should be able to recognise some common artefacts. You will be able to screen for sepsis as a cause of inflammation and appreciate how difficult macrophages/ histiocytes are! You will be able to look for criteria for malignancy but appreciate that not all tumour behaviours follow their morphology. 4.00 4.50 Biochemistry Kathleen Tennant This session uses clinical cases to explore some of the biochemical patterns of disease. The dilemmas and problem solving involved in teasing out the reasons for unexpected results are illustrated as well as some of the most frequently misinterpreted biochemical pictures. The relationship between serum biochemistry and selected urine analysis results are brought together in some historical cases, with endocrinology where appropriate. From enzymology of liver and pancreatic disease to electrolyte disturbances, these case should cover a wide range of common clinical chemistry problems. Spurious results why does this animal look so well when the numbers look so bad? Enzymology familiar enzymes in unfamiliar situations Electrolytes in various disease states At the end of this session you should be familiar with some of the commoner causes of incorrect biochemistry results and have a grasp of the problem solving process to get to the bottom of what went wrong. You should have been re- familiarised with enzymes as markers of disease and been shown some more unusual causes of elevation or decrease. Electrolyte disturbances should be clearer and some more unusual cases explained. 6 Tel: 01793 759159

The Big Feline Weekend Course code: 12BFELWS Introduction This lively two-day event hosted by three keynote speakers will bring you up to date with key areas of Feline Practice. There will be plenty of time for questions, and a course dinner on the Saturday night will give delegates an opportunity to mix with peers and some of the speakers in a relaxed environment. Speakers Martha Cannon BA VetMB DSAM(fel) RCVS Martha Cannon is an RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine and an RCVS Diplomate in Small Animal Medicine (Feline). She is a partner and co-owner of the Oxford Cat Clinic, is a trustee director of the Feline Advisory Bureau and a member of the veterinary subcommittee of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. PhD BVMS MRCVS Diane BVMS is a veterinary virologist. She authors a website dedicated to FIP, feline chronic gingivostomatitis and blood groups: www.catvirus.com. She is Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School, where she was formerly head of the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, and is a member of the European Advisory Board of Cat Diseases (www.abcd-vets.org). Alasdair Hotston-Moore MA VetMB CertSAC CertVR CertSAS PGCert(HE) MRCVS Alasdair qualified from Cambridge in 1990. He then completed a Junior Fellowship on Small Animal Medicine and a Residency in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery at the University of Bristol at Langford. After a brief period in Aberdeen he returned to Langford in 1997 and was Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery then Head of Small Animal Surgery and Senior Clinical Fellow until 2009. He holds RCVS Certificates in Small Animal Cardiology, Veterinary Radiology and Small Animal Surgery and a postgrad Certificate in Medical Education. He is Head of Referral Surgery and a Director of Bath Veterinary Referrals. Timetable of events Saturday 21st July Session time Session title Speaker 9.30-10.20 Feline lymphosarcoma diagnosis and treatment of its many forms Martha Cannon 10.20-11.10 Aspects of feline therapeutics medicating the patient, use of NSAIDs in the cat Martha Cannon 11.10-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.20 An approach to the inappetant cat Martha Cannon 12.30-1.30 Lunch 1.40-2.30 Dealing with the dyspnoeic feline patient Martha Cannon 2.40-3.30 Feline herpesvirus more than just cat flu 3.30-4.00 Coffee break 4.00-4.50 Preventing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline leukaemia virus ((FIV) 7.00 Course dinner Sunday 22nd July 9.30-10.20 Feline chronic gingivostomatitis an update 10.20-11.10 Fading kittens 11.10-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.20 Housing and husbandry for the control of respiratory disease 12.30-1.30 Lunch 1.40-2.30 Thyroidectomy in the cat Alasdair Hotston-Moore 2.40-3.30 Investigation and management of urethral obstruction Alasdair Hotston-Moore 3.30-4.00 Coffee break 4.00-4.50 Trauma management wound care and reconstruction Alasdair Hotston-Moore www.improvecpd.com 7

Saturday 21st July 2012 9.30 10.20 Feline lymphosarcomas diagnosis and treatment of its many forms Martha Cannon Lymphosarcoma is the most common feline neoplasm and manifests in a number of different forms, some more aggressive than others. The prognosis depends on the site and type of lymphosarcoma but in many cases treatment can be very rewarding if the diagnosis is made early. Recognising and managing the common forms of feline lymphosarcoma and also some of the less common manifestations: Gastrointestinal Lymphosarcoma in its diffuse and focal forms Extra-nodal Lymphomas: e.g. Renal, Nasal, Laryngeal Mediastinal Lymphosarcoma The lecture will provide an overview of which forms of lymphosarcoma are likely to be respond well to treatment and which will carry a poorer prognosis. We will cover diagnostic imaging findings, how to get good quality samples to make the diagnosis, and look at practical approaches to treatment that can be used in general practice. 10.20 11.10 Aspects of feline therapeutics medicating the patient, use of NSAIDs in the cat Martha Cannon However good a vet you are, the success or otherwise of your treatment plan depends on the ability of the owner to dose their cat with the products that you prescribe. Medicating cats is famously difficult and we cannot afford to ignore this helping clients to overcome the problems will improve treatment outcome and also bond cat owners to your practice in the long term. Appropriate use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can dramatically improve the quality of life of older cats, but concerns regarding potential adverse effects may inhibit us from using them in this important pet population. This session will provide practical tips and tricks to improve owner compliance with regards to medicating cats with either acute or chronic problems. We will review the current ISFM/AAFP Consensus Guidelines on Long Term Use of NSAIDs in cats and look at recent data on long term effects of treatment in cats with stable chronic renal failure. Raise awareness of the importance of owner compliance and the real difficulties facing owners when they attempt to medicate their cats. Find simple and cost effective ways to help owners to give medications Provide guidelines for the safe and effective long term use of NSAIDs, even in elderly cats and those with renal compromise. 11.30 12.20 An approach to the inappetant cat Martha Cannon Maintaining a good level of nutrition is essential for recovery from any illness or injury but can be especially challenging in sick cats. This lecture will review some of the common but less easily diagnosed causes of inappetence in cats and will provide effective techniques, tips and tricks that will allow improved nutrition and improved outcomes in sick cats: Identifying the underlying cause of inappetence: recognising nausea, pancreatitis and pain in sick cats Medical management of nausea and inappetence in cats Placing and using feeding tubes 1.40 2.30 Dealing with the dyspnoeic feline patient Martha Cannon Dyspnoea is a common presenting sign in cats being the end result of a wide range of clinical problems. The dyspnoeic cat represents a genuine emergency, and must be handled appropriately to prevent fatal stress-induced decompensation. Emergency management of the dyspnoeic cat Clinical examination techniques and respiratory pattern analysis to reach a rapid categorisation of cause Common causes of dyspnoea and the approach to their investigation and treatment Be familiar with the potential causes of dyspnoea in cats Know how to deal with the dyspnoeic cat to prevent a bad situation from getting worse Safe approaches to investigation: when to sedate and with what. Approaches to treatment of the common causes of dyspnoea in cats 2.40 3.30 Feline Herpesvirus more than just cat flu The wide ranging effects of the feline herpes virus will be reviewed and diagnosis and treatment options discussed. Feline herpesvirus (FHV) is one of the two cat flu viruses. PCR is the most sensitive diagnostic test but a positive result must be interpreted with caution because at least 80% of cats is latently infected with FHV. While acute infection can be fatal, the consequences of chronic infection are often more difficult to treat. As well as cat flu, FHV is implicated in ocular disease, fading kittens, chronic sinusitis and dermatitis Chronic stress causing reactivation of latent FHV is a major reason for FHV related clinical signs L-lysine is probably contra-indicated in feline FHV, due to the peculiar arginine requirement of the cat Famciclovir is the treatment of choice in difficult cases Vaccination does not prevent infection or latency, but does prevent FHV-related pneumonia 4.00 4.50 Preventing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline leukaemia virus (FIV) In this interactive session, we will look specifically at the role of diagnostic tests in the prevention of feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection (and therefore FIP), FeLV and FIV in the pet cat, breeding cattery, shelter, trap neuter release programmes. How reliable are in-house tests? What do they tell us? When should we have in house test results confirmed and what tests should we request? In this session, the veterinary surgeon will Find out which tests are best for FCoV antibodies, FeLV antigen and FIV antibodies Learn when in-house test results require further confirmation Learn how to use FCoV tests in FCoV eradication programs for breeders NEVER euthanase a healthy cat who has had a FCoV (or so-called FIP) positive test NEVER euthanase an FIV positive kitten, since the antibody is likely MDA and the kitten not really infected Interpret FeLV PCR results with caution Understand the potential causes of inappetence in cats Develop a logical approach to investigating the cause of inappetence Know the safe and effective medical options for treating pain, nausea and inappetence in cats Be familiar with the commonly used tubes for assisted feeding in cats nasooesophageal tubes, oesophagostomy tubes, gastrostomy tubes and how to select the most appropriate choice for a particular case. 8 Tel: 01793 759159

Sunday 22nd July 2012 9.30 10.20 Feline chronic gingivostomatitis an update Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FGS) is a nightmare for the clinician: causing huge distress to the patient and his guardian, and often being intractable to treatment. The aetiology of FGS is multifactorial, the roles played by feline calicivirus (FCV), food and other organisms implicated will be examined. FGS is painful, sometimes causing the cat to become aggressive, so cases may be mistaken for behavioural cases. FCV is present in most FGS cases and cessation of FCV shedding is a good marker for recovery but FCV alone is not the cause Changing to a natural, varied, predominantly wet / raw diet will help many of these cats While FeLV testing can help decision making before undertaking expensive and painful dental work, FIV testing is probably of little use Cats with active FGS should not be vaccinated. In recovered cats, vaccination must - not re-infect the cat with FCV - give maximum protection against wild strains of FCV - not itself cause FGS to re-occur 10.20 11.10 Fading kittens Kitten death is estimated to be around 30% in pedigree kittens, compared with 5% in moggies. This session will cover the causes of fading kitten syndrome and how to reach a diagnosis. At least 25% of kitten death is due to feline parvovirus (FPV). The cat flu viruses are responsible for kitten death in the pre-weaning period. Other causes of fading kittens include neonatal isoerythrolysis, parasitic and bacterial infections, genetic and management factors. Post mortem of faded kittens is essential to establishing cause The majority of death/disease of kittens is viral in aetiology especially parvovirus - even in households of fully vaccinated cats The new DNA test for detecting blood group A cats carrying recessive blood type B genes will be discussed in the context of preventing neonatal isoerythrolysis 1.40 2.30 Thyroidectomy in the cat Alasdair Hotston-Moore This session will review the surgical technique, perioperative and post operative complications of thyroidectomy. Considerations of choice of surgical technique and instrumentation will be included, together with aspects of anaesthesia and post operative care. The surgical anatomy of the thyroid glands The surgical techniques described The peri and post operative care of the patient Possible complications of thyroidectomy and their management 2.40 3.30 Investigation and management of urethral obstruction Alasdair Hotston-Moore This session will focus on a practical approach to what is often a frustrating condition. Using examples of clinical experience, the key techniques in investigation and management will be presented, including radiography, ultrasonography and catheterisation. There will also be an overview of surgical options: tube cystotomy, perineal urethrostomy and prepubic urethrostomy. A practical short term management plan for the "blocked cat" Appropriate investigative techniques, particularly radiography Selection of cases for surgery and selection of an appropriate surgical technique 4.00 4.50 Trauma management wound care and reconstruction Alasdair Hotston-Moore This session will consider the management of wounds from presentation to definitive closure. Appropriate acute wound care, the decision making for early or delayed closure and techniques to prepare for closure will be addressed followed by an overview of reconstructive techniques (local, distant and axial pattern flaps and skin grafts). Rational early wound care Wound management in preparation for closure Decision making in wound closure Section of a reconstructive technique 11.30 12.20 Housing and husbandry for the control of respiratory disease This session will consider the multimodal approach in practice to controlling respiratory disease. Respiratory disease can be a major problem for the breeding, rescue and boarding cattery and sometimes also for the pet multicat household or veterinary surgery. In this session we will see how important housing, husbandry and hygiene are in reducing respiratory infection and explore the uses and limitations of vaccination. Vaccination is useful, but not solely effective, in the control of respiratory infection in catteries: good building design, hygiene practice, nutrition and stress reduction are all vital Chronic stress causing reactivation of latent FHV is a major reason for FHV related clinical signs Virulent systemic calicivirus strains usually emerge from a cattery situation: the large throughput of cats permits selection of virulent mutant www.improvecpd.com 9

The Big Practical Techniques Weekend Introduction Course code: 12BPRACWS Have you ever been frustrated at just not knowing how to carry out that practical technique? Would you like to develop your confidence in those how to skills? If so, this hands-on, two-day course has been designed for you!!! We ve put together two packed days of short discussions followed by a chance to carry out those essential skills in a safe wet-lab environment. Join the experts Paul Aldridge and Simon Swift for an interactive and fun weekend at the lovely Alexandra House in Wiltshire. Speakers Paul Aldridge BVSc CertSAS MRCVS Paul qualified from Liverpool University in 1995, and for the past 11 years has been involved in Emergency Veterinary Medicine. He gained his RCVS certificate in Surgery in 2007, and is currently senior surgeon at a hospital based practice in the North West of England, that also hosts the UK s largest emergency centre. Paul divides his time between emergency cases and surgical referral patients. His clinical interests include multiple trauma patients and the management of acute abdominal cases. He is widely involved in providing CPD for both nurses and vets, and is co-author of the forthcoming book Practical Emergency and Critical Care Nursing Simon Swift MA VetMB CertSAC DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. Simon Swift Simon qualified from Cambridge and after a brief period in mixed practice in Cornwall moved into small animal practice in the Northwest and became obsessed with cardiology. He passed his certificate in 1990 and built up a large hospital practice before moving to Liverpool University as a lecturer in cardiology in 2005. He was awarded the European Diploma in 2009 and now runs the cardiology referral service at Northwest Surgeons. Timetable of events Saturday 16th June 2012 Session time Session title Speaker 9.15 Registration and coffee 9.30-10.15 Useful techniques for respiratory cases Paul Aldridge 10.15-11.15 Practical session thoracocentesis, chest drain placement and tracheostomy tube placement Paul Aldridge 11.15-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.15 Discussion vascular access techniques Paul Aldridge 12.15-1.00 Practical session Vascular cut downs, placing central lines, intra-osseous needles Paul Aldridge 1.00-2.00 Lunch 2.00-2.45 Discussion useful techniques for abdominal cases Paul Aldridge 2.45-3.45 Practical session abdominal techniques including effective abdominocentesis Paul Aldridge 3.45-4.00 Coffee break 4.00-5.00 Practical session - miscellaneous techniques Paul Aldridge 7.00 Course dinner Sunday 17th June 2012 9.15 Registration and coffee 9.30-10.00 Clinical examination: Murmurs and gallops Simon Swift 10.00-11.00 ECG interpretation and practical ECG reading session Simon Swift 11.00-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-12.00 Thoracic radiography basic patterns Simon Swift 12.00-1.00 Practical film reading session Simon Swift 1.00-2.00 Lunch 2.00-3.00 Introduction to echocardiography Simon Swift 3.00-3.30 Coffee break 3.30-4.30 Practical echocardiography session Simon Swift 4.30-5.00 Echocardiographic appearance of common acquired cardiac diseases Simon Swift 5.00 Close Simon Swift 10 Tel: 01793 759159

Saturday 16th June 2012 Dealing with emergency patients can be very rewarding, but can also be very stressful! Often procedures that the clinician may be unfamiliar with (or has only performed a few times), need to be carried out rapidly and under pressure if the patient is to be saved. By discussing the rationale of these techniques, and offering a chance to practice hands on in a wet lab situation, the course aims to provide delegates with the necessary skills to confidently carry out these procedures back at their own practice. Respiratory techniques (thoracocentesis, chest drain placement, tracheostomy tube placement) Vascular access techniques (vascular cut downs, placing central lines, intraosseous needles) Urinary obstruction procedures (cystocentesis, retro hydropulsion, tube cystostomy, pre-scrotal urethrostomy) Acute abdomen cases (abdominocentesis and analysis, placement of abdominal drains) Nutritional support via feeding tubes CPCR techniques Which procedures will help respiratory emergencies and how to perform them. How to gain vascular access when normal techniques fail. Build confidence in diagnosing acute abdominal cases and their management. Appropriate treatment of urinary obstruction. When feeding tubes are indicated, and which are most suitable. How to maximise the outcome of CPCR Sunday 17th June 2012 Clinical examination will concentrate on thoracic auscultation what is normal and what is abnormal as well as how to interpret the abnormal. A brief session on how to take the perfect chest radiograph will be followed by a practical film reading session. Some of the more common ECG abnormalities encountered in general practice will be illustrated with treatment guidelines. Finally, the day will close with a brief overview of echocardiography and then a practical session on how to obtain those standard views. Examples of common acquired cardiac diseases will be shown. Murmurs and gallop sounds Arrhythmia recognition Thoracic radiography Echocardiography Recognition of heart murmurs and gallop sounds and an understanding of their significance Ability to diagnose the common arrhythmias encountered in general practice Management of the common arrhythmias Ability to obtain good quality diagnostic radiographs reliably Interpretation of chest films especially lung patterns and the cardiac silhouette Understanding of the standard echocardiographic views and how to obtain them www.improvecpd.com 11

Registration Your details Title: First Name: Last Name: Qualifications: Address: Registration I wish to register for the following weekend event/s: Big Feline Weekend I will be bringing a partner who will share my double room and attend the academic programme I will be bringing a partner who will share my room but not attend the academic programme I would like a dog friendly room Big Canine Weekend I will be bringing a partner who will share my double room and attend the academic programme I will be bringing a partner who will share my room but not attend the academic programme I would like a dog friendly room Big Practical Techniques Weekend Post Code: Practice Name and Address (if not detailed above): Post Code: Home Tel No: Work Tel No: Fax No: Mobile: Email: Fees I will be bringing a partner who will share my double room and attend the academic programme I will be bringing a partner who will share my room but not attend the academic programme I would like a dog friendly room To attend the academic programme on both days, lunches, course dinner, all refreshments, bed and breakfast on the Saturday night and event proceedings: 595.00 plus VAT ( 714.00 in total) for Canine and Feline weekends, 695.00 plus VAT ( 834.00 in total) for the Practical Techniques weekend. Vet partner sharing a double room and attending the academic programme: 545.00 plus VAT ( 654.00 in total) for canine and feline, 645.00 plus VAT ( 774.00 in total) for the practical weekend. Non-vet partner sharing a double room: 75.00 plus VAT ( 90.00 in total) for dinner, bed and breakfast. Payment by CARD To pay by card, call our office on (01793) 759159 and one of the Improve team will process your payment. Payment by CHEQUE / BANKERS DRAFT Please find enclosed a cheque/bankers Draft for: made payable to Improve International Ltd. If you are enclosing a CPD voucher please write the serial number(s) here Alexandra House, Whittingham Drive, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 0QJ Tel 01793 759159 Fax 01793 759259 Email enquiries@improvecpd.com Web www.improvecpd.com 12 Tel: 01793 759159