2025 CE DAYTIME SESSIONS
tools to elevate emergency room performance and ultimately improve outcomes and quality assurance for both patients and caregivers. THE CRITICAL LINK IN PATIENT SURVIVAL Rebecca Giacomini, RVT, VTS (ECC) 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Room 202 CD The Critical Link in Patient Survival emphasizes the indispensable role of veterinary nursing staff in ensuring the survival and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients. The knowledgeable and experienced veterinary nurse, often underrecognized, is central to patient recovery due to their dynamic clinical decision-making and capacity to manage complex, evolving cases. Given the diversity of conditions in critical patients—from trauma to sepsis to multi-organ failure—the nurse’s ability to respond with precision, adaptability, and advanced clinical insight is crucial. Evidence from human healthcare highlights the critical importance of mid-level practitioners and nursing staff in patient survival, mirroring the growing recognition of veterinary nurses’ contributions to patient care. Simply put, these professionals form a vital link in the chain of patient survival: subsequently influencing positive outcomes and holding a central role in patient management. CRI CALCULATIONS AND DRUG INDICATIONS, OH MY! Rebecca Giacomini, RVT, VTS (ECC) 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM | Room 202 CD This lecture is designed to provide veterinary nurses specializing in emergency critical care, and anesthesia with a practical understanding of Constant Rate Infusions (CRIs) and drug indications commonly associated with this use. Through exploration of clinical cases and real-world scenarios, attendees will learn to calculate and administer CRIs effectively, tailoring dosages to specific patient needs with additional pearls of wisdom throughout. The session will emphasize drug choices, dosage adjustments, and nursing management decisions to optimize patient care and other efficiencies. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, this lecture aims to enhance the competence and confidence of veterinary nurses in managing critical cases and delivering precise, targeted care. ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE ER Rebecca Giacomini, RVT, VTS (ECC) 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM | Room 202 CD Animal Cruelty in the ER addresses the critical and often emotionally challenging role veterinary nurses play when caring for patients suspected of abuse or neglect. This lecture emphasizes the importance of recognizing the clinical and behavioral signs of cruelty, understanding how to document and collect evidence, and being informed on the proper procedures for reporting cases to authorities. Veterinary professionals must be equipped not only to provide medical care but also to navigate the legal and ethical complexities that accompany suspected abuse cases. Furthermore, research highlights the strong link between animal cruelty and domestic violence, underscoring the broader societal implications of recognizing and addressing these situations. While the topic is undoubtedly serious and difficult, the lecture is designed to empower veterinary nurses with the knowledge and compassion needed to advocate for their vulnerable patients and contribute to the protection of both animals and humans.
the CPR leader, individual team members, and communication strategies. Debriefing after CPR can significantly improve team performance and patient outcomes. This presentation explores the benefits of debriefing, offering practical tips for conducting effective sessions that enhance learning, build stronger teams, and refine resuscitation practices. You'll learn how to turn chaotic situations into composed, efficient resuscitation efforts through debriefing. REPTILE WELFARE AND ENRICHMENT Lorelei D'Avolio, CVT, LVT, VTS (Clinical Practice- Exotics), CVPM 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM | Room 203 AB This lecture will help technicians understand the fundamentals of animal welfare for this group of companion animals. The focus is to inspire creativity in how to bring safe, effective enrichment options to these animals that are so often overlooked with regards to this vital aspect of captivity. We will discuss aspects some natural behaviors and looking at a variety of research models, consider how to create rich environments that would most stimulate and simulate those natural behaviors. EVERYTHING TECHNICIANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REPTILE TEETH Lorelei D'Avolio, CVT, LVT, VTS (Clinical Practice- Exotics), CVPM 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Room 203 AB Many technicians may not have considered the dental health of their reptilian patients before. Technicians working with reptiles should be aware which reptiles have teeth that collect plaque and need prophylaxis, which have teeth that shed and regrow, and those that have no teeth at all. This presentation includes an in-depth review of the different kinds of teeth reptiles have, how they form, and how to care for them. REPTILE RESTRAINT FOR ROUTINE PROCEDURES Lorelei D'Avolio, CVT, LVT, VTS (Clinical Practice- Exotics), CVPM 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM | Room 203 AB This lecture focuses on safe restraint for both reptiles and for the technicians who are restraining them. It includes basic anatomy relevant to restraint and how to safely get a variety of reptiles into positions we need them in for specific procedures, such as phlebotomy. Understanding how to properly handle these unique animals will enhance not only the patient experience, but also that of the owner who is often watching how their reptile is being handled. fundamentals of sedation and anesthesia in reptiles are similar to those used in dog and cat procedures. But there are very distinct differences when it comes to how the drugs work due to the differences in anatomy and physiology of reptiles. This lecture will delve into these differences as well as describe proper patient preparation and recovery techniques. RESUSCITATING EMERGENCY ROOM FLOW, In this lecture, we address the critical need to revitalize and optimize emergency room operations, efficiencies, and patient care among all facility types. Examining innovative strategies and best practices, we aim to enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of emergency departments. We will dive into streamlining patient flow, minimizing wait times, and implementing efficient triage systems that align with contemporary veterinary healthcare standards. Emphasis will be placed on optimizing resource allocation and staff coordination to elevate the overall quality of patient care in high-stress, time-sensitive situations. Through this exploration, we aspire to equip veterinary professionals with insights and REPTILE SEDATION AND ANESTHESIA Lorelei D'Avolio, CVT, LVT, VTS (Clinical Practice- Exotics), CVPM 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM | Room 203 AB Many of the drugs, monitoring techniques, and EFFICIENCIES, AND PATIENT CARE Rebecca Giacomini, RVT, VTS (ECC) 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM | Room 202 CD
diagnosis by a licensed DVM 3. Implement treatment protocols prescribed by a licensed veterinarian 4. Utilize effective cleaning and disinfecting protocols for effective disease containment 2024 RECOVER CPR GUIDELINES: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM) 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM | Room 203 AB Cardiopulmonary arrest is scary, but in many cases, especially when caused by acute, reversible issues such as anesthesia, a trained and prepared team can successfully resuscitate the patient! In 2012, the RECOVER Initiative published the first evidence-based veterinary CPR guidelines based on an extensive review of the primary literature. Between 2019 and 2024, a group of over 300 veterinary and veterinary technician specialists answered a series of over 150 specific clinical questions about resuscitation through extensive evaluation of the clinical and experimental literature using the GRADE process. In this lecture, the updated RECOVER 2024 guidelines will be reviewed, highlighting changes to the recommendations for CPR in dogs and cats. This hour will focus on Basic Life Support, including optimal approaches to chest compressions and ventilation. CPR can be successful if your team is trained and prepared. Come learn about these important, updated guidelines! 2024 RECOVER CPR GUIDELINES: ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM) 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Room 203 AB Cardiopulmonary arrest is scary, but in many cases, especially when caused by acute, reversible issues such as anesthesia, a trained and prepared team can successfully resuscitate the patient! In 2012, the RECOVER Initiative published the first evidence-based veterinary CPR guidelines based on an extensive review of the primary literature. Between 2019 and 2024, a group of over 300 veterinary and veterinary technician specialists answered a series of over 150 specific clinical questions about resuscitation through extensive evaluation of the clinical and experimental literature using the GRADE process. In this lecture, the updated RECOVER 2024 guidelines will be reviewed, highlighting changes to the recommendations for CPR in dogs and cats. This hour will focus on Advanced Life Support measures, including monitoring, drug administration, and defibrillation therapy for these patients based on the new RECOVER 2024 CPR guidelines. CPR can be successful if your team is trained and prepared. Come learn about these important, updated guidelines! 2024 RECOVER CPR GUIDELINES: NEWBORN RESUSCITATION Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM) 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM | Room 203 AB The 2024 RECOVER evidence evaluation and treatment recommendation process was expanded to investigate the unique aspects of resuscitating newborn dogs and cats immediately after birth. In this session, attendees will learn about the RECOVER evidence-based newborn resuscitation algorithm. This algorithm provides a step-by-step approach to essential resuscitation measures for puppies and kittens as they transition from intra- to extrauterine life. Key questions addressed in this presentation are: Which newborns need resuscitation? How does the heart rate guide resuscitation measures? What monitoring should be used during resuscitation? Should oxygen supplementation always be given? How about doxapram? What is the most important intervention to save non-vigorous newborn puppies/ kittens? Attendees will further gain awareness of how fundamentally different newborn resuscitation is from CPR in adult dogs and cats. (Note: the Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines have not yet been published). THE POWER OF DEBRIEFING: BUILDING STRONGER TEAMS AND BETTER PRACTICES Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM) 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM | Room 203 AB CPR requires a well-coordinated team effort to be successful. This presentation focuses on the dynamics of teamwork during resuscitation, emphasizing the roles of
61 SWVS 2025 ONSITE GUIDE
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