Fractures of the humerus and radius/ulna are common in dogs and cats. This course will discuss decision-making, surgical approach, fracture reduction techniques and surgical repair of different types of simple and comminuted fractures of the humerus and radius/ulna.

This course is designed to take one to a higher level in fracture repair.  We will teach reliable techniques and give valuable practical tips useful in repairing simple and more challenging comminuted fractures. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified and complications are rare if the principles of fracture repair are followed.

This course will familiarize participants with fracture repair techniques through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique

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Fractures of the femur and tibia are common in dogs and cats. This course will discuss decision-making, surgical approach, fracture reduction techniques and surgical repair of different types of simple and comminuted fractures of the femur and tibia.

This course is designed to take one to a higher level in fracture repair.  We will teach reliable techniques and give valuable practical tips useful in repairing simple and more challenging comminuted fractures. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified and complications are rare if the principles of fracture repair are followed.

This course will familiarize participants with fracture repair techniques through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique

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Fractures of the pelvis are common in dogs and cats. Pelvic fractures are also commonly accompanied by sacroiliac luxation or hip dislocation. This course will discuss decision-making, surgical approach, reduction techniques and surgical repair of fractures of the ilium and acetabulum as well as repair of sacroiliac luxation and hip dislocation.

This course is designed to take the general practitioner to a higher level in pelvic injury repair. We will teach reliable techniques and give valuable practical tips useful in repairing challenging pelvic fractures, sacroiliac luxation and hip dislocation. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified and complications are rate if the principles of fracture repair are followed.

This course will familiarize participants with repair techniques through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures and luxation on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique.

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The concept of biological internal fixation has been predicated for years with the goal of maximizing preservation of the blood supply to the fractured bone. This trend resulted in new implants and new techniques that allowed surgeons to approach fracture fixation with smaller, less invasive approaches. The principal concept is to gain access to the bone via small incisions away from the fracture zone, thus preserving blood supply to the fracture fragments. Minimally invasive surgical approaches reduce pain and minimizes trauma to the soft tissues leading. The small incisions provide a means of inserting a bone plate and placing screws to achieve stabilization and osteosynthesis. Methods of fracture reduction are included using the technique of indirect fracture reduction. Participants will learn different techniques to perform minimally-invasive fracture repair using MIS approaches with and without intraoperative imaging.

The technique of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) describes the stabilization of a fractured bone with a bone plate and screws which are applied without performing an extensive open surgical approach to directly expose, reduce and stabilize the fracture. When MIPO is performed, the fracture segments are aligned using indirect reduction techniques in a closed fashion. Small plate insertion incisions are made over the anticipated (intended) locations of the proximal and distal ends of the bone plate. A tunnel is developed adjacent to the fractured bone, beneath the overlying soft tissues. The plate is inserted through the tunnel and fixed in place with bone screws inserted through the plate insertion incisions. MIPO techniques can result in superior preservation of blood supply to the fracture site, less disruption of supporting soft tissue structures, and potentially a faster return to function and more rapid bone healing than would be achieved with an open surgical approach to facilitate bone plating.

This course will familiarize participants with minimally-invasive fracture repair of shaft, articular and periarticular fractures of the humerus, radius/ulna, femur and tibia. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique.

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This two-day advanced course is designed for veterinary professionals looking to expand their expertise in treating complex joint conditions using TPLO techniques. The course will focus on CrCL repair in toy breed dogs and cats, as well as in dogs with concomitant patellar luxation, providing a deeper understanding of the anatomical challenges and surgical considerations unique to these patients.

Key topics include the addition of isometric extracapsular sutures to stabilize the stifle following TPLO surgery, addressing excessive internal rotation post-surgery, and treating dogs with hyper-lax stifles. Additionally, the course will cover advanced techniques such as TPLO combined with Tibial Tuberosity Transposition (TTT) for managing low-grade medial patellar luxation (MPL), and Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO) for high-grade MPL.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to confidently approach complex TPLO surgeries and modifications, ensuring excellent functional outcomes for smaller patients and those with challenging joint conditions.

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This course will address CrCL repair using TPLO in dogs that have excessively steep tibial plateau angles, concomitant limb deformities and revision strategies for dogs with a failed TPLO. Treating special conditions such as these require accurate planning and modifications of the traditional TPLO technique. If performed by a properly trained surgeon, clinical function can be excellent following treatment of these conditions.

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CORA Based Leveling Osteotomy (CBLO) is a procedure where the tibial plateau angle is modified by centering the saw blade at the location of the CORA (center of rotation of angulation). In doing so there is no secondary translation, i.e., the proximal anatomic axis and distal anatomic axis are aligned. The osteotomy is stabilized with an implant specially designed locking plate and counter-sink compression screw. 

The course will detail surgical planning, surgical technique, post-operative management, complications, and long-term outcome. In this course participants will familiarize themselves with the CBLO procedure through lecture, clinical case presentations, radiographic pre-operative planning, and by performing the procedures on saw bone models and cadavers. Course participants will learn basic techniques in addition to techniques including management of Juvenile CCL injury with CBLO, small breed CBLO application (small plastic bone), and CBLO with concurrent patella luxation correction.

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Joint instability commonly occurs due to ligament or tendon injury leading to pain and lameness. Ligament injury commonly occurs secondary to trauma or chronic overloading of the joint. Traumatic ligament tears can be treated by:

1. Primary Repair
2. Ligament Reconstruction
3. Osteotomy Techniques
4. Bracing Techniques
5. Arthrodesis

Primary repair of ligaments is performed using appropriate suture materials and patterns. Ligament reconstruction is performed using biological grafts or prosthetic materials. Osteotomy techniques may be used to balance forces and stabilize the joint. Arthrodesis may be indicated if ligament reconstruction is unlikely to adequately stabilize the joint or cases of severe osteoarthritis.

Tendon injuries also occur secondary to acute trauma or chronic repetitive stress. Mild tendon injuries may be treated by coaptation or regenerative medicine. Coaptation includes bandages, commercial braces and custom orthotic braces. Regenerative medicine may be promote and speed healing using modalities such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), stem cells, shock wave or LASER. Tendon repair is performed using special tension-relieving suture patterns to give strength and discourage gap formation. Tendon reconstruction is also possible using biologic grafts. Severe tendon tears may also require arthrodesis to adequately support the adjacent joint.

This course will discuss diagnosis and treatment of injuries of the shoulder, carpus, tarsus, hip, stifle and common calcaneal tendon. Participants will have the opportunity to use state of the art implants to treat a variety of ligament and tendon injuries.

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Medial patellar luxation (MPL) is a common orthopedic problem in dogs and cats. Successful treatment of these conditions requires accurate diagnosis and assessment. This course will provide up-to-date information on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of patellar luxation.

Lectures and labs will emphasize techniques that can readily be performed in practice. The course includes surgical treatment of MPL using 3 different types of trochleoplasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, soft tissue balancing techniques and a discussion on when corrective osteotomy may be needed. Participants will also learn how to treat CrCL in patients having concomitant MPL using a novel extracapsular ligament system. Following lecture and case review, participants will perform all these different techniques on cadavers and plastic bone models. 

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Arthrodesis is a technique used to return function to limbs having severe damage to a joint. Arthrodesis is also referred to as “fusion of the joint”. The goal of arthrodesis is bone fusion across the joint to eliminate joint pain and provide joint stability. Arthrodesis may be partial or complete depending on the degree and location of the problem in the joint.  

Arthrodesis is performed commonly in the carpus and tarsus and less commonly in the shoulder, elbow and stifle. This course will discuss the indications, principles and technique of partial and complete arthrodesis of the carpus, tarsus and shoulder. New implant designs have made arthrodesis much simpler and more affordable. Postoperative management and complications will also be discussed.

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Do you have difficulty approaching or reducing long bone fractures? Are you interested in learning simple techniques designed for the general practitioner to repair the most common fractures in dogs and cats? This laboratory is the one for you! We will teach reliable techniques and give valuable practical tips useful in repairing simple and more challenging comminuted fractures of long bones. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified and complications are rare if the principles of fracture repair are followed. 

This course will familiarize participants with fracture repair techniques through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique. 

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This course will focus on basic abdominal surgical procedures performed in general practice. A strong emphasis will be placed on basic surgical principles related to gastrointestinal surgery and urinary surgery. This course includes 6.5 hours of lecture and 8 hours of lab using canine cadavers. During the cadaver labs, basic gastrointestinal surgery (gastrotomy, gastrectomy, gastropexy, enterotomy, enterectomy), cystotomy, urethrostomy, and splenectomy will be demonstrated by instructors and then performed by participants. 

At the end of this course, participants will be comfortable performing the techniques mentioned above.

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This course will cover the most common surgical procedures performed on the head and neck in general practice with 7 hours of lectures and 7 hours of wet lab on canine cadavers. After this course, the participants will better understand the pathologies inducing upper airway obstruction in dogs and cats. Emergency treatment of an upper airway obstruction with a temporary tracheostomy will be presented.

The different types of salivary mucocele will be explained, and their surgical treatment will be illustrated with several surgical cases. The critical anatomical landmarks important for a successful surgical outcome will be presented.

The different surgical options for treating otitis externa and media will be illustrated. The benefit of an early lateral ear resection associated with a ventral bulla osteotomy will be explained to improve the medical treatment of otitis externa and avoid a total ear canal ablation. Total ear canal ablation will also be performed in the practical session. 

Thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy will be addressed in the lecture.

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Joint injury and subsequent instability is a common problem in both canine companions and canine athletes. Excessive repetitive loading over time can result in joint trauma and instability, which ultimately will result in poor function and osteoarthritis. While some injuries can be repaired with the goal of getting a canine athlete back to work or sport, other injuries can be career ending; yet need to be addressed to ensure a pain free quality of life. 

This course will discuss diagnosis and treatment of common injuries affecting both the companion and canine athlete such as hip luxation, collateral ligament injury, shoulder lameness/instability, and carpal/tarsal /metabone injuries. Following the lecture and case review, participants will utilize bone models and cadavers to perform various surgical techniques such as a hip toggle, collateral ligament repair, shoulder reconstruction, and partial arthrodesis. Post-operative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants’ repair technique.

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Solid tumors of the skin are very common in small animals. General practitioners can add to practice profitability, as well as strengthen client and referral relationships by understanding the staging and surgical procedure every tumor needs. Instructors will teach the principles of surgical oncology and staging, as well as how to perform basic/intermediate tumor removals from an oncological standpoint. 

Participants will perform biopsies and practice surgical methods for removal of cutaneous tumors in different locations of the patient’s body. Additionally, closure of the defect using different techniques of skin reconstruction will be taught. Participants should have a basic knowledge of anatomy and surgical techniques prior to attending this course.

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