SMALL ANIMAL FRACTURE REPAIR COURSE

SMALL ANIMAL FRACTURE REPAIR COURSE

Jul 10, 2025

Target Audience: General Practitioners
Focus: Internal Fixation with Plates
Duration: 2 Days
Supported by: Arthrex Vet Systems

🎯 Aims & Goals

This two-day course is designed to provide general practitioners with the foundational skills and confidence needed to manage common fractures in small animals using internal fixation methods. Participants will:

  • Understand the principles of fracture biomechanics and healing
  • Learn proper implant selection and fixation strategies using DCP, LC-DCP, and locking plates
  • Gain hands-on experience in screw placement, plate contouring, and fracture repair
  • Improve decision-making for fracture stabilization based on fracture type and location
  • Explore techniques to prevent and manage complications such as implant failure or infection
  • Strengthen clinical confidence through case discussions and instructor-guided labs

Whether you’re looking to build surgical competency or refine your plating techniques, this course emphasizes practical application in everyday practice—with equipment, cases, and complications tailored to general practice realities.

Georg Haimel DVM DipECVS

Georg Haimel DVM DipECVS

EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Dr. Georg Haimel graduated from the Veterinary University of Vienna, where he also completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and a residency training for small animal surgery. Dr. Haimel is an ECVS boarded diplomate for Small Animal Surgery and worked as a specialist in international renowned referral centers across Europe (Animal Health Trust, Dick White Referrals). Since 2018 Dr Haimel is managing director and head of the surgical department at the “Tierarztpraxis am Stadtpark”, a referral center in Vienna. Dr. Haimel has lectured and been invited as a speaker at numerous conferences and CPD courses at national and international level. His main interest is orthopaedic surgery including management of complex limb deformities and joint replacement.

Viktoria Brandstetter DVM Resident ECVS

Viktoria Brandstetter DVM Resident ECVS

Dr. Viktoria Brandstetter graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in 2020. She then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine at the Veterinary Hospital Hofheim, followed by a surgical internship at Tierarztpraxis am Stadtpark. She is currently enrolled in a residency program in Small Animal Surgery at Tierarztpraxis am Stadtpark, working towards board certification as a diplomate in this specialty.

Her main clinical interest is orthopaedic surgery, and her current research focuses on total hip replacement and patellar luxation. She has presented her work at both national and international conferences.

Particular interest: 3D printing, correction of angular limb deformities, total joint replacements.

DAY 1 – Foundations of Fracture Plating

Time Topic
08:30 – 09:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 – 09:30 Fracture Biomechanics & Bone Healing
09:30 – 10:15 Imaging & Planning: Choosing the Right Plate for the Right Fracture
10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15 Techniques Overview: Pinning, Cerclage and Tension Band Wiring
11:15 – 12:00 Plate Fixation Systems: DCP, LC-DCP, and Locking Plates
12:00 – 13:00 Management of diaphyseal long bone fractures
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Hands-On Lab: Pinning and Tension Band Wiring
15:30 – 17:30 Hands-On Lab: Simple Diaphyseal Fracture Repair with Compression Plating
DAY 2 – Clinical Cases & Advanced Plating Techniques

Time Topic
08:30 – 09:00 Morning Recap & Troubleshooting Common Plating Mistakes
09:00 – 10:15 Techniques for Comminuted & Metaphyseal Fractures
10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15 Joint fractures
11:15 – 12:00 Managing Complications: Nonunion, Implant Failure & Infection
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 Hands-On Lab: Comminuted Bone Fractures
15:00 – 16:30 Hands-On Lab: Joint fractures
16:30 – 17:00 Wrap-Up
Head and Neck – Practical Surgery

Head and Neck – Practical Surgery

Jun 22, 2025

This course combines practical and theoretical parts of head and neck soft tissue surgery. Most of the time will be spent in the wet lab performing surgeries but enough theory will be given so the candidate is able to make good decisions on when and how to do the surgeries but also how to manage complications. The course is suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced as there will be something to be gained by everyone. It is also designed to be flexible so people can practice at their own pace and concentrate on techniques that they would like to perfect. The tutors will be available to observe, and have direct involvement in teaching the procedures.

Learning objectives

  1. To have an understanding of anatomy of the head and neck and related surgeries
  2. To understand the application and when to select different surgical procedures of the head and neck
  3. To learn enough of the theory to enable decision making when deciding which surgeries to perform
  4. To have knowledge of the risks and complications of each procedure and how to reduce these.

Jackie Demetriou will be one of the course tutors. She is a European Boarded Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, who has practiced specialist level soft tissue surgery for the past 20 years. She has worked in both academia (University of Edinburgh, University of Cambridge and University of Nottingham) and private referral practice. She has extensive experience teaching general practitioners the theory and practice of surgery and really enjoys seeing how surgeons gain confidence in managing cases and performing surgeries after these CPD events.

Day 1

  • Ear surgery
    • Pinnectomy, biopsy
    • Total ear canal ablation / bulla osteotomy
    • Ventral bulla osteotomy (cat)
  • Mandibulectomy – rostral and central
  • Maxillectomy – rostral and central
  • Soft and hard palate surgery
  • BOAS surgery

Day 2

  • Nasal surgery
    • Planectomy
    • Dorsal rhinotomy
  • Neck exploration
    • Thyroidectomy
    • Sialoadenectomy (mandibular)
    • Laryngeal tie back
    • Tracheostomy
Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Jun 17, 2025

Ventral Slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries to treat cervical and throacolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform those two surgeries step by step, both as theoretical lectures as well as wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgeries are only the last step in the work up of clinical patients. Therefore, clinical reasoning and spinal neurolocalisaton will be discussed as well.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
since 2012 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 09:45 Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09:45 – 10:45 Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11:45 – 13:00 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by particpants)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:45 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00 Talk: Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 – 10:30 Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45 Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11:45 – 12:15 Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 – 15:30 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
Radiography of Hip and Elbow dysplasia

Radiography of Hip and Elbow dysplasia

Mar 27, 2025

This course is approved by GRSK and will cover the following subjects:

  • Introduction to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
  • Possibilities to reduce dysplasia: how can breeding influence the prevalence of HD and ED.
  • Radiographic technique – practical on how to take a proper radiographs for the assessment of the hip and elbow dysplasia. Quality evaluation of the radiographs for the HD and ED.
  • Explanation of different scoring systems.
  • Film reading session – scoring of the HD ED radiographs.

DAY1

Time Title
09.00 – 10.30 Welcome and Introduction
Introduction to hip dysplasia
Radiographic technique
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 13.00 Case discussion – positioning
Positioning – demonstration
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 16.00 Official HD scoring
Scoring criteria and grading
FCI, Swiss system
Transitional vertebrae
Spondylosis
16.30 – 17.00 Coffee break
17.00 – 18.30 Film reading session

DAY2

Time Title
09.00 – 10.30 Welcome and Introduction
Introduction to elbow dysplasia
Radiographic technique
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 13.00 Case discussion – positioning
Positioning – demonstration
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 16.00 Official ED scoring
Scoring criteria and grading
IEWG system
16.30 – 17.00 Coffee break
17.00 – 18.30 Film reading session
CT small animal course –fundamental principles, overview of indications with focus on CT in orthopaedics

CT small animal course –fundamental principles, overview of indications with focus on CT in orthopaedics

Mar 15, 2025

This course is intended for those who wish to prescribe; obtain, perform, and interpret standard computed tomography (CT) scans.
First, focus will be on principles and basic understanding of CT technology, CT acquisition techniques and knowledge of viewing and manipulating the images.
DICOM imaging software will be shown and practiced. Positioning, patient handling and a logical approach to the interpretation of the CT images, including detection of relevant signs and generation of preferred differential diagnosis will be covered.
An overview of the indications and uses of CT in neurology, thorax, abdominal and head patients will be addressed.
The main subject and focus of the course will be CT in the field of joints and orthopaedic disorders including intra-articular contrast studies.
The program consists of a mix of lectures, case studies, and hands-on learning experiences.

Dr. Ingrid Gielen

Dr. Ingrid Gielen

Dr. Ingrid Gielen graduated from Ghent University in Belgium in July 1995 and joined the staff as assistant at the Department of Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
Her PhD thesis was completed with the title “Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Canine Tarsocrural Osteochondrosis” in 2003.
She was President of the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (EAVDI) 2004-2006. Since 2004, Dr. I. Gielen is Division Head of CT and MRI at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
Since 2015, she is visiting professor at the Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Currently, she is president of the International Elbow Working Group. She was invited speaker at many international conferences on medical imaging and orthopaedics and neurology and is author of more than 185 peer reviewed publications in national and international journals on medical imaging and orthopaedics. She has a particular interest in imaging techniques in joint diseases and neurologic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Henri van Bree

Prof. Dr. Henri van Bree

Graduated in 1974 at the Ghent University in Belgium.
Since 1991 full professor in medical imaging and orthopaedic surgery at the Department of Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Belgium.
PhD at the University of Utrecht, Holland, Department of Radiology on the “comparative imaging in the canine shoulder”.
From 2001 till 2015 head of the Department of Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics.
Is a Diplomate of both the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI) and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).
He received in 2014 the Richard-Völker-Medaille from the DGK-DVG – Kleintiere.
Author of about 250 publications on medical imaging and orthopaedics.
Invited speaker at about 150 international conferences on medical imaging and small animal arthroscopy.
Research topics: comparative imaging in small animal joint disease.

DAY 1

Time Title
09.00 – 9.45 General principles of CT and development
9.45 – 10.15 Technical aspects of CT
10.15 – 10.45 Patient preparation and positioning
10.45 – 11.15 Different CT protocols: contrast media and procedures
11.15 – 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 – 12.00 Different CT protocols
12.00 – 12.30 Image manipulation and quality
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch break
13.30 – 13.50 Dicom viewers
13.50 – 14.30 General indications, an overview: CT in neurology, head, thorax, abdomen
14.30 – 14.45 Introduction of CT is orthopedics
14.45 – 15.00 CT in long bones
15.00 – 15.45 The use of CT in elbow diseases
15.45 – 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 – 16.30 CT of the carpus and toes
16.30 – 17.30 Case reading and discussion

DAY 2

Time Title
09.15 – 9.45 Radiation safety and maintenance
9.45 – 10.30 Applications of CT in the shoulder joint
10.30 – 10.50 CT of the hip
10.50 – 11.30 Stifle CT
11.30 – 11.45 Coffee break
11.45 – 12.45 Case reading and discussion
12.45 – 13.45 Lunch break
13.45 – 14.15 The use of CT in the tarsal joint
14.15 – 14.45 CT investigation of muscles, infection, tracts, foreign bodies ea.
14.45 – 15.00 Coffee break
15.00 – 16.30 Case reading and discussion