Alpaca Matters Midwest Annual Conference

March 1-2, 2008
Hosted by the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Hospital
St. Paul, MN

Alpaca Basics
Saturday, March 1, 2008
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.

Location: University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Science Veterinary Medicine Building

This all day session will include:

• Introduction to alpaca care, vaccinations/worming, and the importance of pre-purchase exams.  Presented by Dr. Bruce Oscarson of Osceola Veterinary Services in Wisconsin.
• Hands on session with alpacas, led by vets and owners.  This session will provide information on alpaca handling, injection sites, teeth and toenail trimming, body condition and scoring, and microchip insertion.
• Alpaca fiber and its many uses, as well as an overview of histograms.
• A panel discussion with the sponsors and veterinarians provides an opportunity for sharing information and thoughts on information learned throughout the day.
• Hay and forage session. 

Fees for this all day session, including lunch (please indicate on the online registration form if you have any special dietary needs), and the special Hay and Forage session:

Early Bird Rate (before February 22, 2008) : $80
Regular Rate (after February 22, 2008) : $95
Veterinary Student Rate : $40
secure online registration

SPECIAL SESSION

Hay and Forage
Saturday, March 1, 2008
3:15-4:30 p.m.
(Registration for those attending only the Hay and Forage Session is 3 p.m.)

Location: University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Science Veterinary Medicine Building

If you’ve already got the basics but want to learn more about feeding your alpacas, this special break out session is designed for you.  Learn from the experts what types of forage should be offered to your alpacas and how to interpret forage analysis.

Fee for this special session only:
Early Bird Rate (before February 22, 2008) : $20
Regular Rate (after February 22, 2008) : $35
secure online registration

Vets-Only Session (2 CE credits)

March 1, 2008
5:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Located at the Hampton Inn North; Board Room C
Shoreview, MN

Licensed veterinarians attending this portion of the conference have the unique opportunity to bring their challenging cases and questions for an evening discussion with Dr. Purdy and their peers.  Last year’s Vets-Only Session was deeply appreciated by those who attended the event, and they requested that it be included in the 2008 Conference.  If you are an alpaca owner, consider sending your vet to this session.  Included in this session is dinner; attendees may order from the Green Mill menu.

Registration is limited to 12.  Sign up early to reserve your space!

Fees:
Early Bird Rate (before February 22, 2008) : $125
Regular Rate (after February 22, 2008) : $150
secure online registration

Beyond the Basics with Stephen R. Purdy, DVM (8 CE credits)

Sunday, March 2, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

Location: University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Science Veterinary Medicine Building 

Would you like to deepen your knowledge of alpaca care?  This all day session with Dr. Purdy will include the following topics:

• Reproductive behavior testing and breeding plans
• Diagnosis and treatment of female alpaca infertility
• Meningeal worm disease in camelids
• Bio-security for alpaca farms
• Common medical problems esophageal choke, gastric ulcers and polioencephalomalcia

We are delighted to have Dr. Purdy as our 2008 conference presenter.  Dr. Steve Purdy received his DVM degree in 1981 from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.  He is Associate Professor of Veterinary Education, Director of Camelid Studies; the Director of the Fund for Education and Research in Large Animal Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst; and director of the Camelid Reproduction Center at UMass Amherst.  Dr. Purdy is very interested in the preventive medicine aspect of the management of camelids. His special interests include reproduction, neonatal care, nutrition, and infectious diseases. He emphasizes a hands on practical approach to caring for livestock, while keeping their environment as stress free and natural as possible.  Dr. Purdy is committed to teaching practical large animal subjects to undergraduate and graduate students, and to helping undergraduate students gain admittance to veterinary school for a career as a large animal vet.  He is involved in practical research and educational projects, which promote improvement of camelid health.

Lunch is included.  Please indicate on the online registration form if you have any special dietary needs.

Early Bird Rate (before February 22, 2008) : $195
Regular Rate (after February 22, 2008) : $235
Veterinary Student Rate : $80
secure online registration

Lodging Information
A block of rooms is held at the Hampton Inn North; indicate you are with the Alpaca Matters Conference to receive a special $99 room rate.
Hampton Inn North
1000 Gramsie Road
Shoreview, Minnesota
651-482-0402  or toll free 877-233-3194