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Shock is the general term used to describe several conditions that lead to inadequate perfusion of the tissues. There are multiple types of shock, but the common derangement in all forms is inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells and inadequate elimination of metabolic byproducts.

Since the pre-analytical phase is by most accounts the most common source of errors related to laboratory testing, this session will focus on some of the more common causes and effects of these errors, and how to avoid them.

Pharmacogenomics is an emerging field studying how genetic differences within a population can cause differences in pharmacology. Usually the genetic change will influence the pharmacokinetics of the drug, through altered drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.

Information about veterinary drugs, both new and old, is presented to practitioners on a daily basis. This information is vital to educated and rational use of drugs as clinical conditions change and new situations arise. However, like any competitive industry, veterinary pharmaceutical companies need to market their products in a manner that will influence consumers (the veterinarian) to use them.

With the availability of many over-the-counter NSAID's, and several newer, relatively cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective agents marketed for veterinary patients, there are many choices for controlling acute and chronic pain and inflammation. Because patients are often given NSAID's in the presence of concurrent disease and along with other drugs, the potential for NSAID-related organ toxicity and NSAID-associated drug interactions should always be considered.

Drug companies cannot supply labeled drug products to treat every condition in every species, and veterinarians often turn to extra-label drug use (ELDU) to fill these unmet therapeutic needs. A special form of ELDU is compounding medications.

Review the common pathophysiology – Cause – Affect of the reasons cardiopulmonary arrest occurs in clinical practice and then review the current views on basic and advanced cardiac life support and provide my personal views on the subject based on over 35 years of clinical and some years of experimental research experience.

With the increase in concurrent use in small animal patients, drug interactions are becoming more and more likely. Polypharmacy can have a number of unintended side effects.

Commonly affecting the large breed deep chested breeds gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome has the potential to be a life threatening problem.

The neonatal period is defined as from birth to 2-4 weeks of age for puppies and kittens, with the pediatric period defined as up to 12 weeks of age. Because of major changes in physiology during this period, drug disposition and response are likely to be varied.

The manual PCV and plasma protein are quick, reliable methods for determining blood volume and hydration status when performed correctly. However, more than a bare-bones level of hematologic information has been made available with advances in technology.

Hypovolemia vs. dehydration

The title of this presentation is apropos, considering the fact that there are over 9,000 species of birds and nearly 8,000 species of reptiles. Knowing how different the hematology is between dogs and cats exemplifies how different eagle hematology may be from a parrot, or an iguana from a snake.

Sepsis is defined as the systemic inflammatory response to an infection. We commonly see patients that have a clinical presentation that appears similar to sepsis, but no source of infection can be identified. This syndrome has been termed the systemic inflammatory response syndrome or SIRS.

QA, as it relates to the clinical laboratory, is an all encompassing program for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of producing laboratory results to ensure that standards of quality are being met.

When a patient first arrives we have all been taught the ABCs of emergency care. We know that the assurance of a clear airway is paramount and the first thing we should all do, and then we move one to B and assure breathing is adequate. Then we move on to C (for cardiovascular) and assess and ensure the heart is pumping and pumping adequately... This process is termed vertical resuscitation and is a "step by step" process that is completed in a "priority of need" sequence.

The principles of management of patients with severe lung disease and injury are summarized and the cases depicting the use if these management techniques are presented

This session will discuss basic methodologies used by selected common biochemistry analyzers and quality assurance issues which may result in better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of various instrument types and ultimately assist with instrument selection.

From the very first time I was faced with the responsibility of possibly having to respond to an emergency when I was a young boy scout (at age 11) to just yesterday when I was an emergency clinician at the Pet Emergency Clinic, the immediate goal was "to make everything ready".

Practical management of severe wounds and open fractures begins with initial assessment and management. The first priority is the control of severe hemorrhage that may be associated with the injury.

The first step in empirical antimicrobial therapy is to first critically ask whether there is good evidence of a bacterial infection. Too often, antimicrobials are prescribed on a 'just in case' basis or because an owner resists additional diagnostics.

Leawood, Kan. -- Four years ago, Dr. Vern Otte, 67, a Leawood, Kansas-based veterinarian at State Line Animal Hospital, was looking for something different to do in his spare time.

Washington -- AVMA provides in-depth information on the necessity of antibiotic use for treating and preventing disease in companion animals and livestock.

Southampton, U.K. -- Veterinarians in the United Kingdom are four times more likely than members of the general population and twice as likely as other health-care professionals to commit suicide, according to a new study.

Only a few people can safely drive and talk on the phone at the same time.

Ithaca, N.Y. -- Cornell University researchers are developing a new way to help horses fight equine herpesvirus.

Birdsboro, Pa. -- The American Museum of Veterinary Medicine, located in Birdsboro, Pa. since 1990, is moving. Plans are underway to reopen in Grantville, Pa.

Logan, Utah -- The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Utah State University has received accreditation from the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD).

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Schaumburg, Ill. -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is seeking public comment on new two veterinary specialties in animal welfare and parasitology.