Veterinarians from around the world get hands-on training from world renowned experts this week in Orlando
As advances in animal medicine approach that of human, veterinarians need to stay current on the latest techniques in diagnosis and treatment for pets.
At the 19th annual NAVC Institute in Orlando, veterinarians from around the world received hands-on intensive training this week from world renowned veterinarian experts on the latest in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, how to perform soft tissue and orthopedic surgery and how to retrain young dogs with behavior problems so they are not given up or euthanized. Most important, the veterinarians can immediately put their learnings to use in their own practices.
“Pets are living longer than ever and are an integral part of our lives,” said NAVC CEO Tom Bohn, CAE, MBA. “Treatments that have readily been available in human medicine – whether it’s cancer or arthritis treatment – are now available to pets. With so many new techniques, it’s hard for veterinarians to keep up. NAVC keeps veterinarians up to date on the latest treatments and provides hands-on training from leading experts so veterinarians everywhere can provide the best care to our pets.”
Dr. Sonya Gordon, Professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, was one of the instructors at the NAVC Institute. A global expert on canine heart disease, Dr. Gordon helped lead the clinical research and innovative treatment of the number one cause of heart-related deaths among dogs – mitral valve disease (MVD). Her work and that of her colleagues are extending and improving the quality of life for dogs.
“A lot of cats and dogs get heart disease so cardiology is a big part of what veterinarians see in their daily practices,” said Dr. Gordon. “This is an exciting time for cardiology. New guidelines to treat the most common form of heart disease in dogs are enabling us to spot and provide treatment earlier. This means dogs live longer and feel better. It’s really exciting.”
Orlando veterinarian Dr. Lynn Honeckman led several live case studies at the Institute, providing new ways of approaching and treating behavior problems in pets.
“Behavior problems are one of the top reasons people relinquish or euthanize their pets. This is most significant in animals less than three years in age,” said Dr. Honeckman. “Young pets are losing their lives or being re-homed because of behavior problems. There is a lot we can do for these pets through early intervention, treating this as the brain disease it often is and retraining that helps them better deal with stress, anxiety or fear.”
Based in Orlando, the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), is the world’s leading provider of continuing professional development and support services for the global veterinary healthcare community. It provides continuing education and training to tens of thousands veterinary professionals worldwide each year. The NAVC Institute provides in depth continuing education for veterinarians in a unique setting where they learn alongside experts in critical healthcare areas including cardiology, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, ultrasound, behavior medicine and dentistry. More than 350 veterinarians from 20 different countries around the world attended the five-day event where they were immersed in one specialty area.
