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Additional Fee
By Invitation Only
By Invitation Only
Hybrid Laboratory
Hybrid Laboratory
Preregistration Recommended
Preregistration Recommended
Recorded for On-Demand
Recorded for On-Demand
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Working Group
Eligible for ACVS MOC
Eligible for ACVS MOC

Technicians

Surgical Sides: Anesthesia and Nutrition

Thursday, October 23, 2025
10:15 AM - 6:00 PM  

A board-certified anesthesiologist presents information regarding neuromuscular blocks and their application in surgery. Discussion includes preoperative and intraoperative options. A Nutrition VTS presents information on enhancing surgical patient recovery through nutrition. A shorter presentation discusses food palatability for recovering surgical patients. The AVST reception at the end of the day includes a panel discussion about alternate career paths for surgical technicians.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize various neuromuscular blocks available to patients based on individual clinical capabilities.
  • Integrate new options for post-operative analgesia management or augment current protocols as individual clinical situations allow.
  • Describe techniques for enhancing post operative patient recovery through nutrition as well as palatability options to encourage patient nutritional intake.

Presentations:

  • 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM  
    Thoracoscopic Subtotal Pericardectomy (VATS Procedure)

    Speaker: Sarah Lloyd, BS, LVT, VTS(Surgery) (she/her/hers) – Animal Surgical Center of Michigan

  • 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM  
    Fundamentals of Ophthalmic Surgery for Veterinary Technicians

    Speaker: Audrey C. Hudson, DVM, DACVO – Omega Veterinary Group

  • 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM  
    Science Meets Flavor: Enhancing Pet Food Palatability After Surgery

    Guest Speaker: Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) (she/her/hers) – Hill's Pet Nutrition

  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM  
    Technician Guide to Anesthesia for Orthopedic Procedures

    Guest Speaker: Amanda Crawford, DVM, DACVAA (she/her/hers) – Westford Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center

  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM  
    Updates to Postoperative Pain Assessment and Management for the Veterinary Technician

    Guest Speaker: Amanda Crawford, DVM, DACVAA (she/her/hers) – Westford Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center

  • 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM  
    Healing Through Nutrition: Enhancing Pet Recovery After Surgery

    Guest Speaker: Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) (she/her/hers) – Hill's Pet Nutrition

  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
    VPA: Yes or No? Where Should We Go?

    Speaker: Teri A. Raffel Kleist, CVT, VTS (she/her/hers) – ACVS

  • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM  
    Panel Discussion: Unique Career Opportunities for Veterinary Technicians

    Speaker: Teri A. Raffel Kleist, CVT, VTS (she/her/hers) – ACVS

    Guest Speaker: Steven W. Frederick, LVT, VTS (Surgery) (he/him/his) – Blue Pearl Pet Hospital

    Speaker: Cherie Ouellet, RVT, VTS (Surgery) – Colorado State University