Description
Working dogs frequently present with different challenges and owner expectations than companion or sporting dogs. The symposium’s five speakers have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating working dogs and they are all well-known for their depth of knowledge and engaging communication.
The first day will focus on orthopaedic conditions, including lameness diagnosis, fracture repair and joint conditions. Day two will start off with external fixation and then concentrate on soft tissue conditions, including abdominal surgery and muscular injuries. Interspersed with essential breaks to foster networking and discussion, this event is a must-attend for rural veterinary professionals eager to hone their clinical skills and understanding of working dog surgeries.
Book early to ensure you don’t miss this unique event!
Speakers Biography
Dr Damian Chase
BVSc, MANZCVS, DECVS
European and NZ Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Damian is a surgical specialist based at Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa in Auckland and is a co-founder of Practical CPD. He graduated from Massey University in 1997 and spent a number of years in mixed animal practice before he completed his residency in small animal surgery at Glasgow University. Damian gained the Diploma for the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2011.
Damian has a keen interest in all aspects of surgery especially complex fracture fixation and reconstructive surgery. He also enjoys working with wildlife and has operated on a variety of different species such as chimpanzees, giraffes, and seals, including two trips to Cameroon to operate on lowland gorillas.
Dr Alastair Coomer
BVSc; MS; Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal
Alastair is a Board Certified small animal surgeon, completing his specialist training at the University of Florida in 2008. He is the Clinical Director for the VSA Christchurch hospital, has a clinical interest in all aspects of general surgery. He has found and recovered grass seeds from almost every location imaginable in dogs, and has a very balanced approach to working dog orthopaedic injuries.
Dr Andrew Worth
BVSc, MANZCVS(Radiology), PGDipVCS, FANZCVS(SA Surgery)
Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Andrew graduated from Massey University in 1990 and has worked in Australia, the UK and NZ as a small animal veterinarian. After completing a residency in small animal surgery at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, he became a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 2006. In 2015 he completed his PhD on hip dysplasia and lumbosacral disease in Police Dogs. He was a founding member of the MU Working Dog Centre and has published on farm dog injuries and outcomes. He is a Professor and Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. His current research interests include working dog orthopaedic disease, lumbosacral degeneration and biomaterials for surgery.
Dr Lance Wilson
BVSc (Hons) FANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Lance graduated from the University of Queensland in 2000 and after eight years in general practice, including the obligatory UK locum circuit, returned to UQ as a staff surgeon.
He commenced a residency training program in 2010 and in 2015 attained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal surgery.
Lance was head of the small animal surgery department at UQ until leaving in January 2017 to help create ARH Brisbane as a founding partner.
Lance remains passionate about all aspects of surgery, however has a special interest in neurosurgery, complex fracture repair and limb deformity correction.
Lance is kept busy and grounded by his beautiful wife Kirsten, three gorgeous children, a pack of dogs and a few tame cattle. In his little spare time, Lance enjoys the outdoors, spending time with his family and hobbling around the football field.
Dr Stephen Fearnside
BVSc(Hons) FANZCVS(Surgery) DACVSMR MANZCVS(VSMR)
Specialist in Surgery and Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dr Stephen Fearnside graduated from The University of Sydney with first class honours in 1995. After working in rural practice for a few years, he completed a surgical internship at The Northern Sydney Veterinary Specialist Centre, followed in 2000, by a Small Animal Surgery Residency and specialist training programme with now Queensland Veterinary Specialists.
On completion of his residency training, Steve was appointed as the Head of the Small Animal Department at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Camden. In 2004, he was awarded his Fellowship in Small Animal Surgery from the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS), becoming a registered specialist in the field of small animal surgery. He has served as the Surgery Chapter President of the College and also as Head Examiner in Surgery at both Membership and Fellowship level. He regularly lectures both undergraduates and postgraduates in Australia and overseas, and supervises specialist training programmes in small animal surgery through the College.
In 2017, Steve was awarded a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) in the Canine field, becoming one of the first two Australian veterinarians to be awarded this status. In 2021, Steve became the first person in Australia to be registered as a specialist in the field of Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also a founding member of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Chapter of the ANZCVS. At the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Sydney, Steve has established and supervises Australia’s first and currently only fully supervised residency and specialist training programme in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Steve is a Director at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital. His particular interests and focus areas in the practice include: surgical diseases of the spine, complex wound management and reconstructive surgery, advanced orthopaedics including total joint replacement and arthroscopy, orthopaedic and neurosurgical patient rehabilitation and management of musculoskeletal injuries in sporting and working dogs. He also has a passion for treating sick and injured wildlife and in 2021 undertook the Taronga Veterinary Professional Training Programme in Wildlife Care and Treatment.
Topics Covered
Fracture Repair with Bone Plates – Dr Damian Chase
This session is designed to improve your understanding of fracture mechanics, bone healing, and the use of bone plates in fracture repair. The discussion will cover all modes of plate application including locking plate systems and will give you confidence in decision making when presented with a fracture.
Wound Management – Dr Damian Chase
Working dogs commonly present with complex skin wounds, these can often be challenging to manage. This session will concentrate on decision making in these tricky cases and will cover all aspects of wound management including wound healing, open wound management and reconstructive techniques.
Lameness examination (video assisted) – Dr Andrew Worth
This session will use video sequences to demonstrate orthopaedic examination in the dog, with emphasis on the carpus, elbow and shoulder, hock stifle and hip. Learn or revive the techniques that allow specific determination of instability/laxity and pain prior to diagnostic imaging. The key to any lameness diagnosis is to pinpoint the problem before we head to imaging (and avoid the wayward garden path).
Carpal injuries – Dr Andrew Worth
Working dogs commonly suffer injury to the collateral ligaments, the palmar fibrocartilage or both in the carpus following falls/bike injuries or being trampled/run-over. This session will look specifically at the levels/grades of injury and the way in which prognosis is determined. Surgical management will be discussed with an emphasis on carpal arthrodesis and the prognosis of PCA in working dogs.
Orthopaedic conditions of the foot/toes/pad – Dr Andrew Worth
A common area of injury, this session will be devoted to obtaining the best outcomes when metatarsal/carpal, digital and pad injuries occur in working dogs. Specifically the role of internal fixation for multiple fractures, tendon repair strategies, splinting and amputation of digits as options.
Hip and Lumbosacrum – Dr Steve Fearnside
Whilst hip dysplasia is not a common problem in true working dogs due to selection pressures, traumatic hip injuries are common. This discussion will focus on the management of traumatic injuries of the hip, particularly fracture and luxation.
Lumbosacral conditions are a relatively common cause of loss of performance, retirement from work and chronic pain in working breeds. This talk will review the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of lumbosacral conditions.
Elbows – Dr Steve Fearnside
Elbow dysplasia is not commonly seen in true working dogs due to the breed and selection pressures. This discussion will focus on injuries that may be seen affecting the elbow joints of working dogs including coronoid fissure.
Muscle injuries and rehabilitation – Dr Steve Fearnside
Musculotendinous injuries in working dogs are common given the activities they are asked to perform. This discussion will focus on some common musculotendinous conditions, their diagnosis and management. Rehabilitation after such injuries will also be discussed.
Cruciate ligament injury and management – Dr Alastair Coomer
While cranial cruciate ligament disease/injury is one of the most common causes of pelvic limb lameness in dogs, it is not only the cranial cruciate ligament which can influence lameness. In this session we will review assessment and treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs, but also dive into multi-ligament stifle injury in New Zealand working dogs including tips for diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal Surgery (GDV, splenectomy, foreign body) – Dr Alastair Coomer
Most working dog abdominal surgery is performed on an urgent basis. This review will cover most organ systems in the abdomen, their common presenting signs, and options for diagnosis and treatment, even when it’s the middle of the night and you have minimal assistance.
Grass Seed Foreign Bodies – Dr Alastair Coomer
Working dogs in New Zealand are surrounded by grass seeds, which burrow themselves into paws, ears and skin. This session will explore the common presentations for inhaled grass seed foreign bodies, and the most efficient ways to diagnose the problem and get the dogs back to work.
Hock and Achilles tendon injuries – Dr Lance Wilson
Orthopaedic issues affecting the tarsal region are frequently encountered in working dogs. This lecture will cover the more common traumatic and degenerative conditions seen in these dogs, including the diagnosis, surgical correction and anticipated prognosis.
External skeletal fixation – Dr Lance Wilson
When used appropriately, ESF is an excellent modality for osteosynthesis, trans-articular stabilisation and deformity correction. While worthy of an entire course in itself, this lecture will focus on select presentations commonly seen in working dogs where ESF may be the first-line, and sometimes only option available.
Accommodation
This 2-day workshop is held at The Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown. Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown is located on the shores of stunning Lake Wakatipu, boasting unmatched views across the water to some of the most majestic scenery in New Zealand. This accomodation is just a five minute walk from the centre of this exciting town.
To access your discounted rate, please follow these steps:
1. Visit www.rydges.com
2. Select Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown, enter your required dates* and number of guests staying and click ‘GO’
3. Click ‘I have a code’
4. In the ‘Corporate ID’ field enter your booking code: PRACTICALCPD
5. Click ‘UPDATE’
6. Your special rates will appear on the rates screen
* These rates are available for stays between 21 August 2024 and 24 August 2024 (inclusive).
Event Details
Start date: August 22, 2024
End date: August 23, 2024
Start time: 09:00
End time: 17:00
Venue: Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
Coordinates: XM72+WV Queenstown
Directions: 38-54 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown 9300
