While “the mouse” usually is king in Orlando, for a week in early December the horse takes center stage as the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) descends on that city for its annual convention. The AAEP hosts some of the best continuing education venues for veterinarians and horse owners throughout the year, but the annual convention is its largest, and best attended. Usually more than 5,000 industry folks gather at the AAEP Convention, with nearly 3,000 of them veterinarians from across the country and around the world. It also boasts a trade show with more than 300 exhibitors.

In this “Preview,” we will give veterinarians and horse owners a quick peek at the educational opportunities available at the convention. While the scientific sessions are designed for those with veterinary degrees, the AAEP is a leader in owner education, and thus sponsors a Horseman’s Day for non-veterinarians (see page 36) during the convention. While in only its third year, Horseman’s Day has grown to be one of the most outstanding venues for owner education in the country. Owners from across the United States travel to take in this full day of lectures. To register for Horseman’s Day, visit www.myHorseMatters.com, the AAEP’s web site for horse owners, or call the AAEP at 800/443-0177.

The range of educational opportunities at this year’s AAEP Convention includes hands-on, in-depth wet labs (see Wet Labs on page 35); small, moderated group discussions (see Table Topics on page 35); and individual- and panel-led topical gatherings (see Sunrise Sessions on page 35). All of these are in addition to the scientific sessions on a variety of topics (see Convention Topics Preview on page 37). There also are individual presentations grouped under How to… (see page 34) and Current Topics (see below).

The AAEP prides itself on not only bringing results of the latest research from around the world, but also in having practical lectures that have immediate “take-home” benefit to practicing veterinarians. Therefore, it’s a boon to horse owners to have their attending practitioners “take off” for a few days to attend the AAEP Convention. Veterinarians can register by visiting the organization’s web site at www.aaep.org, or by calling 800/
443-0177.

If you can’t attend the convention–or if you do attend and just can’t make it to all the lectures–The Horse will again provide complete layman’s coverage of the convention in a supplement to its February issue at no extra cost to subscribers and at www.TheHorse.com during and after the convention.

Current Topics

 Some research and field trials don’t “fit” into one of the designated topical areas, but are of importance to veterinarians. On Sunday morning, Dec. 8, a series of talks will be given on a variety of subjects. Following are the topics and presenters:

• Surgical Evaluation of Oviduct Disease and Patency in the Mare, Scott Bennett;
  
• Ultrasonographic Appearance of Fetal Fluids between 55 and 176 Days of
  Gestation in the Mare: Effect of MRLS, Kent Vince;
  
• A Review of the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Acute Laminitis: Pathophysiologic and Therapeutic Implications of Endothelin-1, Susan Eades;
  
• A Review of Equine Zoonotic Diseases: Risks in Veterinary Medicine, J.S. Weese;
  
• Clinical Field Efficacy and Safety of N-Butylscopolammonium Bromide in Horses, Joseph Bertone;
  
• Fractures of the Distal Phalanx in 72 Racehorses: 1990-2001, Tara Rabuffo;
  
• In Vivo Evaluation of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Collagenase-Induced Suspensory Ligament Desmitis, Scott McClure; and
  
• A Review of Dietary Fat Supplementation in Horses with Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, Erica McKenzie.

How to…

 The AAEP leadership wants to give veterinarians at the convention plenty of information they can take home and use. High on this list is a group of lectures presented in one session labeled as “How to…”

One topic of interest in the “How to…” session will include equine rescue information presented by Tomas Gimenez, DMV, a professor in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at Clemson University. Gimenez will focus on procedures used to rescue horses from trailer accidents, fires, ditches or ravines, and other types of emergencies. His talk emphasizes safety for the horse and rescuers. In the past eight years, Gimenez has helped organize two- to three-day courses throughout the country on emergency rescue that have trained more than 2,000 people. These courses are offered to emergency responders, paramedics, veterinary students, technicians, and veterinarians.

Also included in this year’s “How to…” session are the following topics and speakers. This session is held Saturday afternoon, Dec. 7.

• How to Inject the Sacroiliac Joint Region in Horses, Emmanuel Engeli;
  
• How to Perform Umbilical Sonograms in the Neonate, Robert Franklin;
  
• How to Prepare for Ocular Surgery in the Standing Horse, Brian Gilger;
  
• How to Diagnose Ocular Abnormalities With Ultrasound, Mary Beth Whitcomb;
  
• How to Perform Gastroduodenoscopy, Michael Murray;
  
• How to Diagnose Aortic and Mitral Regurgitation in Older Horses–A Case Approach, Jonathan Naylor;
  
• How to Use Fentanyl Transdermal Patches for Analgesia in Horses, Kirsten Wegner; and
  
• How to Prevent and Control Pneumonia Caused by Rhodococcus equi at Affected Farms, Noah Cohen.

Professional Development

 While anyone who works a full-time job has to balance a career and a life away from work, the schedule of an equine veterinary practitioner can be particularly tough on the home life. To address those areas of an equine veterinarian’s daily life, the AAEP offers a session of professional development and one on life management.

For example, in the Life Management session, speakers will discuss the following topics:

• Managing Change: Understanding the Demographics of the Evolving Workforce;
  
• Changing Paradigms as a Means to Improve Both Personal and Professional Life;
  
• Juggling Equine Practice and Life as a Single Parent;
  
• Acquiring and Retaining Young Associates in Practice; and
  
• Raising Children and the Practice of Veterinary Medicine

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