The World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) intermediate conference - Bangkok Thailand
C.J. (Kate) Savage BVSc(Hons), MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM
The World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) is a non-profit organisation, promoting continuing education (CE) for veterinary practitioners all over the world in equine medicine, surgery and reproduction. WEVA, in association with the Veterinary Practitioners' Association of Thailand (VPAT), had arranged an equine conference in Bangkok, Thailand from 7th to 9th August, 2009 for approximately 24 Thai (and one Argentinean) equine practitioners. WEVA provided the three speakers, all of whom are specialists in equine internal medicine: Drs. Kate Savage, Des Leadon and Warwick Bayly. We gave both lectures and laboratory practicals for the WEVA intermediate conference. Many thanks must go to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) for supporting WEVA in providing funds for Dr. Savage's airfare - it is the support of the various equine veterinary groups in many countries that allows for the existence of WEVA and reinforces its relevance.
Lectures ranged from physical examination and urological evaluation to echocardiography and performance determination. Practical laboratories were especially enjoyed by particpants, as we covered the physical examination, including rebreathing bag techniques and sinus percussion, and neurological evaluation to ultrasonography of the chest (lungs and heart) and electrocardiography (ecg).
Figure 1: Warwick and Kate getting ready for lectures
Figure 2: Attendees - they wrote so fast that the picture is out of focus!
Figure 3: Our group with Warwick Bayly and Des Leadon flanking our equine friend and Kate Savage and Siraya Chunekamrai in pink!
Dr Siraya Chunekamrai, the president of VPAT, was an efficient organizer of facilities (lecture room and a private equestrian facility at which the labs were run) and equipment [ultrasonographic machines and electrocardiographic (ecg) machines]. She was also a marvelous host and, along with the attendees, made us feel very welcome in Thailand.
Figure 4: Drs. Prawit Butudom, Siraya Chunekamrai, Warwick Bayly and Kate Savage on the verandah of the equestrian facility. To our left was the arena and stable block, at which we conducted the practical component of the meeting.
Figure 5: Kate "mid-sentence" during the ultrasonography laboratory.
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