Managing common abdominal problems
October 9–11, 2026
Tim Hackett D.V.M.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary
Emergency & Critical Care
Professor of Emergency & Critical Care
Chair, Dept. of Clinical Sciences
Cornell University
Howard Seim III D.V.M.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Professor of Surgery
Colorado State University
Speakers & Topics
Dr. Hackett
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Triage of the acute abdomen: When is it a surgical emergency and when is outpatient?
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Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome, Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis or just bloody diarrhea.
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Metabolic and obstructive shock: Managing the unique challenges of abdominal disease.
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Outpatient Parvo FAQs.
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GI Foreign bodies: Tips, tricks and examples.
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Anesthesia in the Critical Patient.
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General principles of post-operative critical care: Nutrition, analgesia, GI motility and common complications of GI surgery.
Dr. Seim
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What’s in my OR?
During the course of our lectures, I will suggest a number of affordable surgical instruments you should consider adding to your practice and how to acquire them!
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Performing GI surgery in your OR ‘by yourself’…….what can I do to help make that experience better?
During this lecture we will perform an intestinal anastomosis on two patients. I have several tips that may make the procedure easier for you. I will suggest several alternative techniques that you can consider incorporating that will likely make this common procedure easier and more predictably successful. Video of clinical cases will be used to illustrate these techniques
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Nothing like operating a metabolically deranged GDVat 3am by yourself!! I think I can help develop a game plan that will take away ‘some’ of the inherent anxiety!
During this lecture we will operate 4 clinical GDV’s together, develop a fool proof technique of derotating the stomach of each case, evaluate the patients stomach viability, evaluate splenic health, and perform a 15-minute gastropexy! All by yourself…….at 3am!
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You diagnosed and stabilized a trauma patient with uroabdomen. You identified the source of urine is from a ruptured urinary bladder. What can you expect?
Returning the patients metabolic derangement to normal prior to surgical intervention is a ‘must’. If you sustain enough trauma to rupture a urinary bladder you must expect other possible abdominal organ trauma. A complete abdominal exploratory is required to identify and repair all trauma related defects. Video of 4 clinical cases will be used to illustrate surgical management techniques.
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You just diagnosed a case of gall bladder mucocele. What can you expect if you decide to take the patient to surgery?
During this lecture I will discuss typical surgical findings when GB mucocele patients are operated early, late and after GB rupture. In addition we will look at appropriate techniques for handling the gall bladder and liver during GB resection.
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What happens when a Great Dane decides to take a bite out of his feline housemate (BDLC)?
We will follow this case from its critical care evaluation to the eventual exploratory laparotomy. Generous abdominal exposure is critical to find all canine tooth related pathology. Video of this case will be used to illustrate the surgeon’s technique for complete abdominal exploratory.
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Have you ever had a canine male present to your hospital with a urethral calculusyou were unable to retropulse into the urinary bladder? Have you ever left a bladder stone behind after cystotomy?
We will discuss a ‘secret weapon’ that will guarantee 97% success in retropulsing ‘difficult’ calculi. In addition we will present a ‘protocol’ for cystotomy that will guarantee ‘no stone left behind’.
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Got a bleeding hemangiosarcomathat cannot be adequately ‘stabilized’ prior to surgery due to continued hemorrhage? Need to get that spleen out fast? I may have the answer for you!
During this lecture we will take a closer look at the splenic anatomy and discuss why this knowledge will allow us to do a ‘rapid splenectomy’ with only 4 to 5 ligations needed.
Schedule
| Registration | Friday October 9, 2026 | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Breakfast | Daily | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Lectures | Friday October 9, 2026 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm |
| Saturday October 10 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm | |
| Sunday October 11 | 8:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Accommodations
The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is a perfect tropical paradise located just of the coast of South Carolina on world-renowned Hilton Head Island. Situated within the private community of Palmetto Dunes our exceptional service and 4-Diamond facilities are among the finest. Come experience the luxury of the Hilton name. The beach is only the beginning.
The Omni has recently undergone a complete renovation: including the front entrance, lobby, meeting facilities, fitness center and Ocean Tides Spa. Outdoor areas are revitalized including beach access and pool access, updates to both the upper and lower courtyards and the addition of another great fire pit near the HH Prime deck. The whole family will enjoy the new kid’s splash zone along side our amazing new 3,600 square feet, zero entry Family Pool.
Of course, our guests traveling without kids, may want to choose our newly renovated Adult Pool for some peaceful rest and relaxation. Nestled in the middle of our new pool complex is the beautiful new Buoy Bar. Order your favorite beverage and something from our extensive menu while taking in magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. With all the beautiful renovations, we have maintained the lavish, sub tropical landscaping and exotic garden atmosphere that has long been the signature of the resort.
Price:
Group Room Rate: $270.00 dbl/night plus taxes & resort fee.
Additional fees & taxes (subject to change without notice):
- State & local taxes are currently 10%
- $3.00 Chamber of Commerce fee
RESORT SERVICES CHARGE
Resort Services Charge is charged in the reduced amount of $35.00 per night plus sales tax (currently 11%). The Resort Services Charge provides all group attendees the following amenities.
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WiFi in the guest rooms and throughout the hotel-excludes meeting space.
• Courtesy guest shuttle covering a 3-mile radius which covers all of Palmetto Dunes Beach, Golf and Tennis facilities and Shelter Cove Towne Center & Marina for additional shopping, water sports, dining, and entertainment options.
• Access to a 24-hour state-of-the-art Fitness center
• Fitness Kit available upon request
• Self-parking
• Access to 3 oceanfront pools including our zero-entry resort pool, family pool with splash zone and our adults only tranquility pool (seasonal)
• In-room Keurig with coffee and tea
• Sleep Kits available upon request
• Local and toll-free calls
• Courtesy Bottled water at bell stand
• Omni Kids Crew Amenity – Includes milk & cookies arrival amenity.
• Access to family friendly courtyard games including ping pong, cornhole, beach volleyball and life size chess / checkers.
• Access to seasonal resort activities-dive in movies, pool fitness classes, beach yoga, etc.
• Access to seasonal kids’ activities
• Poolside live entertainment-seasonal
Terms
Check-In: 4:00pm | Check-Out: 11:00am
Cancellations: You can cancel up to 14 days prior to scheduled arrival without penalty. You will be charged for your complete stay if you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled arrival or if you are a no-show or depart early.
Room Description
Our spacious rooms are the largest standard rooms on the island. Every detail in these luxurious rooms is designed to maximize the resort’s unique oceanfront character. Each room features a fully equipped kitchenette with microwave, fridge, toaster, and coffee maker, ceiling fan, two telephones, hairdryer, iron and board, in-room safe and private balcony.
Things To Do
Hilton Head Island is located just off the coast of South Carolina, approximately 45 minutes from Savannah Georgia. The Island is 12 miles long and 5 miles wide and is widely acclaimed as one of the great sports and recreational destinations. The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort (formerly the HiltonOceanfront Resort) is located oceanside next to 12 miles of sandy beaches. Inland you will find creeks, lagoons and forests and an abundance of wildlife. October is a wonderful time to be in the low country of South Carolina. The crowds have gone and the weather is wonderful!
Outdoor Activities
Golf – 15 Championship courses by:
- Robert Trent Jones
- George Fazio
- Arthur Hills
- Robert Cupp etc…
Tee times can be arranged upon arrival or by calling the golf center at 800-827-3006.
Tennis:
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The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center is rated among “The 50 greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts” by TENNIS MAGAZINE.
Other Activities:
- Biking or Jogging
- Canoe along the inland waterways
- Kayaking
- Scenic boat tours
- Kayak or boat tours to see the Dolphins
- Sailing
- Over 100 restaurants
- Fresh seafood
- Miles of pristine beach
- Sunset catamaran cruises
- Just relax by the pool
Need To Know
Registration
Online registration is easy and fast. But please confirm your hotel reservations prior to completing your registration or booking flights. Many Hotels are selling out many months ahead of our seminars. If you need to book a hotel room, click the link to the online hotel registration page. If none is available for your selected seminar, please fill out our hotel request form or contact our office at 800-487-5650. Please note that hotel rooms are not confirmed until you receive confirmation from the hotel (if you booked online thru our group link) or from our office for hotels that do not offer the online link.
IVS is now required by AAVSB RACE to upload your completed attendance into their “RACEtrack” system. Your state of license and your license number are required for all seminars starting in January 2022. More information is available at https://www.aavsb.org/ce-
Early Bird: $1215.00
Advanced: $1235.00
Regular: $1255.00
Special Pricing:
Veterinary technicians are welcome- there is an $80 seminar registration discount. Enter “techsaver” as the promotion code.
For International Travel
Passport requirements for international travel
Please note that all passengers traveling by air to or from the United States will be required to hold a valid passport. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
When planning international travel, please be sure that you are in possession of all required documents for both outbound and return flights. Remember to allow ample time for acquiring official travel documents.
For complete information on the U.S. Department of State’s New Travel Initiative Requirements, please visit travel.state.gov.
Pricing
You can cancel up to 14 days prior to scheduled arrival without penalty. You will be charged for your complete stay if you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled arrival or if you are a no-show or depart early.
Global Vet Community Meets CE Experiences
IVS trips are designed to meet your CE requirements while offering a break from traditional, conference-style learning. With focused half-day sessions, small-group learning, and destinations worth the journey, IVS creates close-knit communities where education feels both engaging and rewarding.
Earn Your CE Credits
IVS makes it easy — and worth the trip — to keep your CE hours current. Each trip includes 12–18 CE credit hours, along with access to a dedicated portal where certificates and trip details are easy to find when you need them.
Explore the World
Choose from 50+ destinations worldwide, including classic travel locations and Bio Bio adventure trips. No matter the setting, IVS seminars are structured to support focused learning in an environment that feels immersive — not overwhelming.
Connect With Your Community
IVS brings together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and leading specialists in intentionally small groups. Designed for shared experience and meaningful discussion, these seminars foster professional connections that last well beyond your trip.
Get More from Every Trip
With points earned for every trip you attend, bonuses for referring friends, and a convenient user portal for tracking and seminar details, IVS makes earning your CE credits even more rewarding.
Postcards from Our Trips
From close to home to destinations abroad, hear what veterinary professionals are saying about their IVS experience.
The speakers were excellent, as were the accommodations. I love coming to IVS Seminars.”
I enjoyed this conference VERY much! The speakers were engaging and superb. I had a surgery day this past Tuesday and have implemented several of their pearls of knowledge!”
The trip was just perfect! My husband and I loved every minute.”
Thank you for a great conference! This was my first IVS experience, and it was great. … I’m hoping to arrange a trip for my vet school friends (11 of us total) in the future.”
I enjoyed the seminar. IVS [is] still the best CE in my opinion. Great venue also.”
Thank you for putting on a fantastic program in Cabo!”
Thank you. I always enjoy the CE experience IVS provides.”
Good to Know Before You Go
Registration is simple. Browse upcoming seminars using the search on our homepage, then click through to the seminar page and complete registration online. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete, and a separate email confirming your payment. Please keep both for your records. You can also call our office at 1-800-487-5650 to register by phone.
IVS holds group space at each seminar venue and handles hotel bookings on your behalf. You can book accommodations at the same time as your seminar registration or separately — whichever you prefer.
On your selected seminar’s page, click the Accommodations tab and scroll down to the Book Accommodations button. Please note: if you need a room outside the standard seminar dates, availability will need to be confirmed with the hotel. Hotel bookings made through our site are not automatic and require some processing time. Once confirmed, you will receive a hotel confirmation letter from IVS by email. All hotels require a credit card to guarantee your booking, and cut-off dates apply — early registration is always advised. Our team is available at 1-800-487-5650, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm PST.
10% of the registration fee is non-refundable. If you cancel more than 30 days before the seminar start date, you may choose a refund of the remaining 90% or a Future Transfer Credit (FTC). If you cancel within 30 days, only a Future Transfer Credit is issued. The FTC can be applied to any future IVS seminar within 2 years of your cancellation date; it is forfeited if not used within that window. To cancel, you must contact our office and receive email confirmation of your cancellation before the seminar begins. Cancellations requested after the seminar has started, or without email confirmation on file, will forfeit the full registration fee. Please also note that cancellations will remove any Loyalty Program points earned from that registration.
IVS specializes in small group seminars — usually fewer than 80 people per seminar. Most veterinarians appreciate the smaller setting, as it allows for more interaction with speakers and other participants and gives everyone a chance to get their questions answered.
International Veterinary Seminars is an AAVSB RACE-approved provider of CE, which is accepted by all state boards throughout the US and Canada. We are provider #13 and are also an approved provider in New York State. Please contact your state board or our office with any questions. For more information, visit the AAVSB RACE program website.
Where will your learning take you?
Discover a different way to earn your veterinary CE. Explore upcoming trips to find an IVS seminar set in a destination you’ll want to stay awhile.