Information can be found on our website at www.ferret.org. AFA members will be receiving a registration form to give to their veterinarian. Please contact afaevents @ earthlink.net (no spaces) for more information. The American Ferret Association, Inc. Presents A Two-Day Advanced Course, Management of the Ferret for Veterinary Professionals. October 6-7, 2006 Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree Pittsburgh, PA. Friday Session Schedule ** Limited to first 20 registrants, veterinarians and veterinary students only 7:00am Registration Opens 7:30am Continental Breakfast 8:30am Welcome & Opening Remarks 8:45am Session I: Ferret Cardiology 9:45am Refreshment Break 10:00am Session II: Introduction to Ferret Ultrasound 11:30am Luncheon 1:00pm Session III: Ferret Ultrasound Wet Lab 5:15pm Closing Remarks Friday 6:30pm to 9:30pm Meet and Greet Reception in Exhibit Hall (Cash Bar) & Saturday Registration Check In Saturday Session Schedule 7:00am Registration Opens 7:00am Continental Breakfast 8:00am Welcome & Opening Remarks 8:15am Session I: Emergency Medicine & Critical Care 9:30am Refreshment Break 9:45am Session II: Ferret Oncology Overview 11:00am Refreshment Break 11:15am Session III: Studying Ferret Behavior 12:15pm Luncheon 1:30pm Session IV: Update on Adrenal Gland Disease 2:45pm Refreshment Break 3:00pm Session V: Disseminated Idiopathic Myositis - An Emerging Disease 4:00pm Refreshment Break 4:15pm Session VI: Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Diseases 5:45pm Closing Remarks 6:00pm Conference Adjourns Speaker Faculty Anne K. G. Bazilwich, DVM - Symposium Chair Natalie Antinoff, DVM, DIPL ABVP (Avian) Mark Burgess, DVM Michelle H. Fabiani, DVM, DIPL ACVR Joerg Mayer, Dr Med Vet MSc Katrina Ramsell, PhD, DVM Valerie W. Staton, MS, PhD Robert A. Wagner, VMD Curriculum: Sessions for this symposium are set up to offer a selection of fundamental and in-depth instruction so that veterinarians entering at any level of experience will gain useful information. This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 13.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval; however, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. An abundance of ferret information will be freely distributed from the American Ferret Association display tables in the form of handouts. During our scheduled breaks you can enjoy the refreshments while visiting our informative display. Be sure to also visit our exhibitors in the exhibit hall. Exhibits will be open starting Friday at 9:00 am through Saturday at 3:00 pm. Friday - A Wet Laboratory: Ultrasound of the Ferret for Veterinary Professionals Session I: Ferret Cardiology: A complete overview of ferret cardiac diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and acquired valvular disease, coupled with diagnostic evaluation strategies and treatment protocols. Ultrasound becomes essential in differentiating between the cardiac diseases and in tailoring an appropriate treatment plan. Standard M-mode measurements include chamber dimensions, wall thickness and indices of systolic function. Session II: Introduction to Ferret Ultrasound: A basic introduction to ultrasound, including instrumentation (knobology), which will enable each participant to utilize the equipment to its full potential. Artifacts, such as reverberation, mirror image, slice thickness, refraction and shadowing will be discussed to help ensure that accurate, not artifactual, diagnoses are made. Then, a presentation about ferret ultrasound specifics that will focus on the normal ultrasound appearance of major organs, plus hints on how to find certain organs, i.e. the adrenal glands. A discussion and demonstration of comparison images of common diseases in ferrets seen via ultrasound will follow. Session III: Ferret Ultrasound Wet Lab: After the lectures, veterinary registrants will several hours to practice ultrasound techniques on ferret volunteers with professional supervision and guidance. There will be approximately one ultrasound machine per two veterinary registrants. Saturday - An Advanced Course: Management of the Ferret for Veterinary Professionals Session I: Emergency Medicine & Critical Care: A review of the stabilization, diagnostic work up and intervention of emergency conditions; plus fluid/electrolyte therapy and supportive care, including the mistakes you can avoid. Session II: Ferret Oncology Overview: A discussion of neoplastic diseases in ferrets, including diagnostic and treatment strategies, along with ancillary treatments to help you better care for these patients; plus, an overview of lymphoma in ferrets with preliminary information. Session III: Studying Ferret Behavior: A review of literature, experimental and 'real world' observations of ferret behavior, along with intervention strategies for clinicians and pet owners. Session IV: Clinical Workup of Adrenal Disease: A discussion of the diagnostic evaluation of adrenal gland disease and why we need to include more ultrasound exams; plus, a review of treatment options and how to determine the best protocol. Session V: Disseminated Idiopathic Myositis: Discovered in 2003, a discussion of the clinical and pathological correlations, epidemiology and outcomes of cases seen by one of the original investigators. Session VI: Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Diseases: The diagnostic and treatment possibilities for ulcers and megaesophagus, differential diagnoses of diarrhea, hepatitis, GI neoplasia and more; plus, important inter-relationships between GI and hepatic pathology. Vickie McKimmey Director of Shows and Special Events American Ferret Association, Inc. www.ferret.org [Posted in FML issue 5269]