A Day in the Life of… An Emergency Shift at Christmas: Practical Tips for Seasonal Emergencies in Small Animal Practice

Join us for an immersive CPD event tailored to the unique challenges of working an emergency shift during the festive season. From managing life-threatening cases to navigating the unexpected, this program provides practical tips, evidence-based updates, and real-world strategies to handle the most common seasonal emergencies in small animal practice.

Expand each section to see a full lesson synopsis and learning outcomes for each session! This event will provide you with 8 hours of CPD.

In addition to the live sessions, there will also be a panel discussion at the end of the day to answer any questions that you may have and to further support you to consolidate your learning. If you are dealing with any tricky cases in your practice, why not bring those along with you as well!

Once you have signed up to this event, you will also receive 12 months access to all of the content. Each session will be recorded and uploaded after the session – so you can watch the content back as many times as you want.

Don’t miss this practical, high-yield event designed to keep you ready for anything the festive season throws your way. Connect with peers and take away skills to elevate your emergency practice.

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Live Clinical Programme08:30 - 17:30

Introduction to the day

08:30-08:45

Dr. Scott Kilpatrick & Dr. Katie Ford

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Kickstart your day with an introduction to the program, highlighting the relevance of seasonal emergencies and how these sessions will help you navigate the festive period with confidence.

Session 1: All I want for Christmas is to fix my broken heart!

08:45-09:35

Dr. Liz Bode (Cardiology Specialist)

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Focus: Cardiovascular Emergencies
Learn a systematic approach to diagnosing and managing cardiovascular emergencies during the holidays, with an emphasis on heart failure. This session includes practical tips for stabilizing patients and making critical decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify key signs of cardiovascular distress in emergency settings.
Apply evidence-based decision-making for suspected heart failure.
Understand pharmacological interventions for acute stabilization.

Session 2: All I want for Christmas is some new platelets!

09:40-10:30

Dr. Scott Kilpatrick (Internal Medicine Specialist)

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Focus: Thrombocytopenia Management
Explore the management of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, focusing on emergency diagnostics, therapeutic options, and when to escalate care.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in emergencies.
Explore treatment options, including immunosuppressants and transfusions.
Develop confidence in managing complex cases under pressure.

Break

10:30-11:00

We will be right back!! It's time to grab refreshments for the upcoming sessions!

Session 3: All I want for Christmas is a better belly!

11:00-11:50

Professor Jon Hall (Soft Tissue Surgery Specialist)

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Focus: Acute Abdomen Decision-Making
Navigate decision-making in acute abdomen cases, including foreign body obstruction and septic peritonitis, with practical approaches to diagnostics and management.

Learning Outcomes:

Recognize critical signs of acute abdomen in emergencies.
Formulate a diagnostic plan to differentiate causes.
Apply up-to-date techniques for managing surgical and septic cases.

Session 4: All I want for Christmas is to be able to pee!

12:00-12:50

Dr. Sam Taylor (Internal Medicine Specialist)

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Focus: Emergency Urethral Obstructions
Dive into the emergency management of urethral obstructions, including catheterization techniques and insights into evidence-based care for blocked cats.

Learning Outcomes:

Master catheterization techniques for male cats.
Understand up-to-date treatment protocols and their evidence base.
Prevent and manage complications post-relief.

Lunch break

12:50-13:30

We will see you after lunch for more great sessions!

Session 5: All I want for Christmas is to stop eating things I shouldn't!

13:30-14:20

Dr. Kerry Doolin (ECC Specialist)

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Focus: Seasonal Toxicities in Dogs and Cats
This session focuses on recognizing and managing common seasonal toxicities that pets are exposed to during the holiday season. From festive foods to household hazards, gain practical knowledge on diagnosing and treating toxic exposures, with an emphasis on preventing complications such as acute kidney injury.

Learning Outcomes:

Recognize common seasonal toxins, including chocolate, xylitol, raisins, grapes, and ethylene glycol.
Understand the pathophysiology of toxicity and its impact on organ systems, especially the kidneys.
Develop evidence-based strategies for managing toxic exposures, including decontamination, supportive care, and specific antidotes where applicable.
Educate clients on preventive measures to keep pets safe during the holidays.

Session 6: All I want for Christmas is to eat my dinner!

14:30-15:20

Dr. Scott Kilpatrick (Internal Medicine Specialist)

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Focus: Managing Anorexia in Hospitalized Patients
This session covers the use of feeding tubes, antiemetics, and prokinetic therapies to optimize nutritional support for critical patients.

Learning Outcomes:

Assess and address anorexia in hospitalized patients.
Understand indications for feeding tubes and how to place them.
Use pharmacological aids to improve patient outcomes.

Break

15:20-15:45

We will be right back!! It's time to grab refreshments for the upcoming sessions!

Session 7: All I want for Christmas is a better back!

15:45-16:35

Dr. Debbie James (Neurology Specialist)

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Focus: Neurological Emergency Management
Get hands-on with practical approaches to managing neurological patients, focusing on spinal emergencies and decision-making for optimal outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

Assess and stabilize patients with neurological emergencies.
Understand imaging modalities and their role in diagnosis.
Formulate treatment plans for spinal injuries and acute neuro cases.

Final Panel Discussion: Expert Q&A

16:35-17:30

All speakers

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Conclude the day with an interactive discussion, where speakers will answer your questions and share their expertise in handling holiday emergencies.

Meet the speakers

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Scott Kilpatrick

Director, Internal Medicine Specialist

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Scott graduated from Edinburgh Vet School in 2007. Initially, he worked for the PDSA, before taking a Senior Veterinary Surgeon position with Vets Now in Edinburgh in 2010. Scott started his residency in internal medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 2012 after completing a year as a Teaching Fellow in Anatomy and Physiology. He completed his residency in 2016 after finishing his Masters in the pathogenesis of canine liver disease and has since been working in referral practice. Interventional radiology is something that really interests Scott, and he spent some time in 2018, working in this area at UC Davis in California. Scott has created and delivered a Post-graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency Medicine in association with the University of Chester. In 2023 he was awarded Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for his meritorious contribution to clinical practice.

Liz Bode

Director, Cardiology Specialist

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Liz graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006. After spending some time carrying out voluntary work with SPANA, Liz took up a job in mixed practice in East Yorkshire. Shortly after this, Liz completed an internship at the University of Cambridge and solidified her love for all things cardio. She subsequently embarked on a PhD at the University of Manchester looking at cellular calcium handling in heart failure and ageing and was awarded her doctorate in 2013. After another spell in small animal practice Liz completed her residency in cardiology at the University of Edinburgh in 2017. Following her residency she worked at the University of Liverpool as a senior lecturer in small animal cardiology. More recently, she was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and has taken on the role of Module Co-ordinator for the CertAVP cardiology modules at the University of Liverpool. She currently works at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists in the UK. In 2022 she was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for her meritorious contribution to clinical practice.

Jon Hall

Surgery Specialist (Soft Tissue)

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Jon was born into primary care practice and spent several years working as a small animal GP after graduating in 2004. He became an ECVS specialist in small animal surgery in 2015 and has worked at the RVC, the University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh. He is a Professor in small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham, a Fellow of the Royal College and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He loves a good bit of surgery and being in a lucky position to help out colleagues with their surgical conundrums and through teaching. Jon has worked on call for his whole career and spent a few months working in a dedicated emergency clinic. He has been a lecturer and examiner on the BSAVA CertECC and helps train Vets Now graduates on practical approaches to emergency surgeries. These experiences mean that he can empathise with colleagues working sole charge OOH and those having to fit in emergencies either in their busy daily routine or through the night with work the following morning! Experiences that encourage a certain pragmatism.

Samantha Taylor

Internal Medicine Specialist

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Sam graduated from the Royal Vet College in 2002 and completed internships in private referral practice before starting a Feline Advisory Bureau Residency at Bristol University. She was awarded the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2009. In 2011 she became an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine and in 2019 was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for outstanding contributions to the profession. She is also a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Feline Medicine). Sam is the International Society of Feline Medicine Veterinary Specialist Lead and works as a Medicine Specialist at Lumbry Park in Hampshire. Sam is an Honorary Lecturer in Internal Medicine at Surrey University Veterinary School, is an editorial board member for JFMS and Frontiers in Veterinary Science, a tutor on the Sydney CVE feline medicine course and coordinates the ISFM International Guidelines. Sam co-authored guidelines on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, NSAIDs, acute pain, inappetence and blood transfusion and others. She has written books, book chapters and papers on internal medicine topics and enjoys a mix of clinical work, writing and lecturing. She has a particular interest in clinical research to answer those important clinical questions to practically improve feline health and wellbeing.

Kerry Doolin

ECC Specialist

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Kerry has been an emergency vet for 15 years after graduating from the University of Sydney in 2005. Kerry furthered her training via a speciality emergency and critical care internship at the University of California in Davis, followed by a three year residency in emergency and critical care at the Royal Veterinary College in London. In 2019 she passed her specialty exams to become a diplomat of the American College of Emergency and Critical Care. For the last year she has been working in Sydney as Head of ECC at North Shore Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre.

Katie Ford

Veterinary Surgeon

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Katie graduated with distinction from the University of Liverpool in 2012. Since then she has continued to work in small animal first opinion practice, gaining her RCVS Certificate in Internal Medicine in 2017. Realising the power of preventative mindset strategies through her career and journey, she trained as a coach and in CBT, and now teaches other professionals how to use these techniques to thrive in the veterinary world. She regularly helps individuals and companies on topics such as gratitude, self-worth and dealing with imposter syndrome. She was the keynote speaker at BVNA 2020, and has spoken on stages across the world. Aside from being a personal development and human potential enthusiast, she co-runs a virtual event company and can be seen behind the scenes masterminding tech on many events in the veterinary space.

Debbie James

Neurology Specialist

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Dr. Debbie James is from Victoria, B.C. and moved back to Vancouver Island to establish a neurology and neurosurgery service at WAVES Veterinary Hospital. Debbie received her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College. In 2003, she completed her neurology/neurosurgery residency at the University of Georgia and became board certified (DACVIM – Neurology). She was a faculty member at the University of Georgia until she moved to Toronto in 2005, where she was a medical and surgical neurologist at a multi-specialty referral hospital for 12 years. Following this, she worked in a multi-specialty hospital in Vancouver, BC. For the past 3 years, Dr. James has been practicing neurology and teaching neurology residents at the Animal Neurology and Imaging Center in New Mexico and Arizona. She is a regular speaker at conferences and enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge with colleagues and students. In her spare time, she can be found on a mountain bike or a surfboard somewhere in the world, outside exploring BC with dogs Roo and new addition Tommy.

ticket prices

Ticket	Price
Veterinary Surgeon	£350	purchase ticket
Veterinary Nurse/Technician	£250	purchase ticket

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A Day in the Life of… An Emergency Shift at Christmas: Practical Tips for Seasonal Emergencies in Small Animal Practice

Live Clinical Programme08:30 - 17:30

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