Educational Program
Friday, March 13
Morning Lectures
8:00 - 8:15 a.m.
Introduction
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.
Neurolocalization – hints and differentials
8:45 - 9:15 a.m.
Problem: Ataxia – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Problem: Cranial nerve deficits (dysphagia, vestibular) – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
9:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Problem: Brain dysfunction (encephalopathies) – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Panel/group discussion: Interpreting lab results (instructors lead discussion/provide examples – focus on EPM, Lyme, equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), other infectious diseases). Attendees are invited to submit laboratory results for discussion if desired.
11:15 a.m. - Noon
Neck concerns (cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM), osteoarthritis (OA), foraminal stenosis, equine caudal cervical vertebral malformation (ECVM)) – clinical presentations, diagnosis/imaging, treatment options
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Afternoon Hands-On Sessions
1:00-5:30 p.m. with a break from 3:00-3:30 p.m.
Groups will rotate hourly through all 4 labs
Lab 1
Neurological examination (live horses)
Lab 2
Imaging – ultrasound
a. Live horses: articular process joints (APJs), atlanto-axial (C1-C2) spinal tap approach, APJ ultrasound (US)-guided injection approach, cervical spinal nerve (CSN) US-guided injection approach
b. Models: C1-C2 spinal tap, APJ injection, CSN perineural injection
Lab 3
Imaging – obtaining useful neck radiographs
a. Live horses: taking rads – lateral and oblique
b. Assessing diagnostic quality
Lab 4
Rehabilitation techniques for the neurologic horse
a. Techniques practiced on live horses
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Day One recap
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Social Event
Saturday, March 14
Morning Lectures
8:00 - 8:15 a.m.
Brief recap, residual questions
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.
Problem: Poor performance and bad behavior (myopathies, neuromuscular disease – lame vs. neurologic) – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
8:45 - 9:15 a.m.
Problem: Down horse – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Problem: Hind end and peripheral woes – cauda equina syndrome and neuropathies – differentials, diagnostic plan, treatment
9:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Syndromes: Sidewinders, stringhalt, sleep deprivation, headshaking – what to do, where to learn more
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Panel/group discussion: Case medley – instructors provide cases, attendees are invited to submit videos/case information (in advance)
11:15 a.m. - Noon
Panel/group discussion: Ask the experts – attendees to bring cases/questions for discussion (instructors will fill in cases as needed)
a. Equine insurance and neuro cases – how to talk to adjusters, criteria for euthanasia
b. What should I say to a client about riding the neurologic horse? – liability/safety concerns
c. Neuro necropsies – field vs. diagnostic lab approaches: what the practitioner can do
d. ECVM – congenital variation or harbinger of problems
e. Lyme disease – what does it really do?
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Afternoon Hands-On Sessions
1:00-5:30 p.m. with a break from 3:00-3:30 p.m.
Groups will rotate hourly through all 4 labs
Lab 1
Imaging – interpreting neck radiographs
a. Radiographic case studies – attendees can supply their own in advance if desired
b. Anatomical correlations (have bones/models for comparison to rads), include prosections/dissections
Lab 2
Muscle biopsies [combined with spinal tap lab] – cadaver specimens
a. Bergstrom technique
b. Incisional technique
c. Interpreting results (handouts)
Lab 3
Spinal taps [combined with muscle biopsy lab] – cadaver specimens
a. 3 approaches – atlanto-occipital (AO), C1-C2, lumbosacral (LS)
b. Interpreting results (handouts)
Lab 4
Case studies
a. Video examples of neurologic cases – abnormal horses will be discussed using a step by step approach discussing exam findings, imaging, lab results, interpretation, localization, differentials, diagnostic plan, interpretation, treatment/rehab plan.
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Recap and course tie-up
Upcoming Events
27th Annual Resort Symposium
Saddle up for midwinter science and sun in the tropical oasis of…
NeuroXP
Diagnosis and treatment of equine neurologic conditions is challenging, with often subtle…
DentistryXP
Part of the wet labs-focused learning series AAEP Experiential—or XP—DentistryXP is designed…
