Principles of Fracture Stabilization

December 8 - 9, 2025

Are you interested in learning or improving your approach and reduction of long bone fractures? Are you interested in learning simple techniques designed for the general practitioner to stabilize the most commonly seen fractures in dogs and cats? This laboratory is the one for you!

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The participant will learn reliable techniques and valuable practical tips helpful in repairing simple and more challenging comminuted fractures of the long bones. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified, and complications are rare if the principles of fracture repair are followed. This course will familiarize participants with fracture repair techniques, including IM pin/cerclage, tension band, bone plating, and External Skeletal Fixation (ESF), through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following the lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants' repair technique.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, participants will

• Diagnose, classify, and make treatment plans for fractures of the long bones of the dog and cat

• To be able to manage long bone fractures with intramedullary pin (IM)/cerclage wire, bone plates, and linear External Skeletal Fixator (ESF)

• To be able to repair avulsion fractures with pin and tension band stabilization

• To be accomplished at the surgical approaches to the long bones, assess post-operative repairs of the laboratory exercises

• To be able to assess follow-up clinical and radiograph evaluations for healing on clinical cases

Questions? We're here to help

Course Instructors

Hotel and Accomodations

Transportation

Kenneth Bruecker, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR

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Donald Hulse, DVM, DACVS, DECVS

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Steven Petersen, DVM, MS, MD, DACVS

Hotel Accommodations and Travel

You asked, we listened. Viticus Group has added NEW partner hotels for 2025, Hampton Inn - Las Vegas Strip South and Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South. Special lodging discounts are available to participants attending courses at the Viticus Center. Please make these arrangements and add promo codes below to book your stay.

BOOKING YOUR HOTEL STAY

Hampton Inn - Las Vegas Strip South: To book with promotional rate, go to main hotel website, go to the page to book a room, click on "Special Rates" then enter 3458691 into the field titled "Corporate Account."
Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South: To book with promotional rate, go to main hotel website, go to the page to book a room, click on "Special Rates" then enter 3458691 into the field titled "Corporate Account."

DINING

Our preferred partner hotels have a hot breakfast buffet starting at 6a.
Hot and cold beverages + snacks are available in the lobby during the course.
Lunch will be provided during full lab days (8-hours).
If you have any dietary restrictions, please email Academy@viticusgroup.org so we can inform our catering team.

PACKING TIPS

Scrubs are available upon your arrival if needed.
Closed-toe shoes are required during labs.
A light sweater for indoor areas.
Plenty of sunscreen.
Electronic charging device to power up.
Valid ID - We highly recommend you carry your ID at all times in Las Vegas.

TRANSPORTATION DETAILS

Airport Pick up: Available on request, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please contact the hotel at once you've retrieved your luggage, and your hotel will let you know where to wait for the shuttle.
Transportation from your hotel to the Harry Reid Airport: You will need to sign up at the front desk. These shuttles run once an hour. They will ask you to sign up no less than 2 hours before expected departure.

TRANSPORTATION

Viticus Group transportation includes shuttle pick-up prior to the start of your course start time and a short ride to the Viticus Center. At the close of each day, our shuttle will take you back to the Hotel.

Last Day Transportation: Shuttle provided both to the airport, and back to the Hotel. (Luggage storage available on campus)

If you are a Las Vegas local, or are driving yourself to the course, please arrive to the Oquendo Campus 30 minutes before the start time.

** Please refer to the agenda and email updates for transportation times.**

Public transportation in Las Vegas is limited.

If you are staying somewhere other than our preferred partner, you will need to arrange for your transportation to and from the Viticus Center. If you are renting a car, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and several other hotels on the strip may charge for parking. Other transportation options for getting around are taxi service, Uber and Lyft.

Principles of Fracture Stabilization

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Learning Objectives

Questions? We're here to help

LAB INSTRUCTORS

Hotel Accommodations and Travel

TRANSPORTATION

Principles of Fracture Stabilization

Animal Health

Human Health

Event Management

General