Expert to shed light on the approach to reptile emergencies in practice
Vets are invited to learn more about handling reptile emergencies at a special session at BVA Live 2023 next month.
The session, Handling reptile emergencies in practice, will be run by Tom Dutton, Clinical Lead Exotics at Great Western Exotics in Clinical Theatre One at 10.15am on day one of BVA Live, which takes place on 11 – 12 May in Birmingham. He will shed light on common reptile emergency presentations to boost the confidence of delegates in treating these patients.
The lecture will touch on the best ways to handle emergency situations involving reptiles, including providing emergency care, fluid therapy, nutritional support and analgesia.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) recently launched a new policy position on non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs), which include reptiles like snakes and lizards. One of BVA’s key recommendations is that vet schools continue to embed the teaching of basic care for NTCAs most commonly seen in practice so that at the time of graduation vets are able to confidently handle animals such as reptiles and provide emergency first aid and pain relief.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton said: “This is a really important session for every member of Team Vet. All vets will have been through training at vet school so they are able to confidently handle common species of reptiles and provide the emergency care and first aid they may need. But, with some vets seeing increasing numbers of non-traditional companion animals like reptiles in practice, this session is a good reminder of the best ways to do so in an emergency.”
This year’s BVA Live includes a jam-packed programme offering 17 hours of high-quality CPD plus small animal clinical sessions and wet labs, business development advice and career progression sessions, as well as debates on the ’hot topic’ issues that matter most to the veterinary professions.
The full BVA Live programme is available online. BVA members get a 15% discount.
