Enabling veterinary professionals to learn and master skills to put into practice is central to the annual hands-on offering from the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC).
The 23rd NAVC Institute, happening on May 20 to 24 in Orlando, Fla., will provide its attendees immersive hands-on training focused on ophthalmology, with Kate Myrna, DVM, MS, DACVO, and associate professor at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine leading the four-day course.
“Eye problems are always an emergency and can go from irritation to sudden blindness within minutes,” says Dana Varble, DVM, CAE and NAVC chief veterinary officer. Equipping veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians the knowledge and skills to provide “more immediate, easily accessible care” is part of the goals of this event, Dr. Varble adds.
“In today’s economic environment, not everyone has the means to accept a referral to a specialist. With less than 600 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the entire U.S., many pet owners do not have access to a specialist, especially in some states where there aren’t any,” says Dr. Myrna. “By teaching veterinarians and veterinary technicians the basics of ophthalmology along with advanced skills, they will be able to provide an animal with the veterinary care it needs.”
The course will include:
- A hands-on examination workshop with pet dogs
- Eyelid surgery for veterinarians which she describes as “a little nip and tuck” for pets with excess eyelids like Shar Peis, Bulldogs or Persian cats
- Restoring vision to animals with cataracts, glaucoma or diabetes-related vision loss
Further, NAVC Institute will also offer education tracks on orthopedic surgery, small animal ultrasound, soft tissue surgery and strategic leadership for veterinary practice managers.
For more information, check out the NAVC Institute Program Guide.