Description

Dr. Christopher Byers – Emergency Critical Care

About Christopher Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ

Dr. Christopher G. Byers is a board-certified veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Dr. Byers works as a teleconsultant in emergency/critical care and small animal internal medicine for VetCT. He is the Co-Editor of the textbook, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and has published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Byers also publishes a blog called CriticalCareDVM.com with goals to educate pet owners and promote the triad of care.

Presentation Synopsis

1. Chronic Coughing in Dogs

2. Chronic Diarrhea in Cats

3. Chronic Nasal Discharge in Cats & Dogs

4. Chronic Kidney Disease – Practical Diagnosis & Management

5. Understanding Copper Storage Hepatopathy

6. Hyperadrenocorticism – Practical Diagnosis & Management

7. Common Upper Airway Disorders in Dogs

8. A Logical Approach to Shock

9. Urethral Obstruction in Male Cats

10.Practical Approach to the Acute Abdomen

11. Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs – Logical Diagnosis & Management

12. Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia – Practical Diagnosis & Management

13. Localizing Dyspnea – A Pattern-Based Approach

14. Hypoadrenocorticism – The Great Pretender

 

About the Safari

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Africa Tour depart and where does it go?

The Africa Tour is an 8-night trip to South Africa and Zambia (Victoria Falls). The dates of the Tour are from June 27th 2024 till July 5th 2024.

Day	Date	Location	Daily program	Lodging	Meals Included
Thu	06/27/24	Cape Town, South Africa	Arrive in Cape Town by 05:00pm Transfer airport to the hotel Dinner Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area	Commodore Hotel	D
Fri	06/28/24	Cape Town, South Africa	Morning CE meeting 7-7:50am Chronic Coughing in Dogs 8-8:50am Chronic Diarrhea in Cats 9-9:50am Chronic Nasal Discharge in Cats & Dogs 10 am Cape Point Tour to the Penguin Colony and lunch. Dinner Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area	Commodore Hotel	B, L, D
Sat	06/29/24	Cape Town, South Africa	Morning meeting 7-7:50am Chronic Kidney Disease – Practical Diagnosis & Management 8-8:50am Understanding Copper Storage Hepatopathy 9-9:50am Hyperadrenocorticism – Practical Diagnosis & Management 10 am Winelands Tour and lunch 14- Course dinner African Feast with entertainment	Commodore Hotel	B, L, D
Sun	06/30/24	Game Reserve- Kapama	Airport transfer Flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Transfer to Game Lodge Lunch on arrival at the Lodge Afternoon game drive Dinner at the Lodge	Kapama Southern Camp	B, L, D
Mon	07/01/24	Game Reserve- Kapama	Morning game drive Breakfast at the Lodge CE meeting 11-11:50am Common Upper Airway Disorders in Dogs 12-12:50pm A Logical Approach to Shock Lunch at the Lodge 1-2pm 2-2:50pm Urethral Obstruction in Male Cats Afternoon game drive Dinner at the Lodge	Kapama Southern Camp	B, L, D
Tue	07/02/24	Game Reserve- Kapama	Private elephant interaction Breakfast at the Lodge CE meeting 11-11:50am Practical Approach to the Acute Abdomen 12-12:50pm Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs – Logical Diagnosis & Management Lunch at the Lodge 1-2pm 2-2:50pm Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia – Practical Diagnosis & Management Afternoon game drive Dinner at the Lodge	Kapama Southern Camp	B, L, D
Wed	07/03/24	Victoria Falls, Zambia	Early departure from the Lodge Transfer to International Airport Schedule flight to Livingstone Road transfer to The Royal Livingstone Hotel Dinner -Avani Victoria Falls	Royal Livingstone	B, D
Thu	07/04/24	Victoria Falls, Zambia	Breakfast at the hotel Morning CE meeting 8-8:50am Localizing Dyspnea – A Pattern-Based Approach 9-9:50am Hypoadrenocorticism – The Great Pretender Guided walk of the Victoria Falls Cruise on the Zambezi River Farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River	Royal Livingstone	B, D
Fri	07/05/24	Depart Johannesburg	Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to Livingstone Airport Flight to Johannesburg. Arrival in Johannesburg at 3:00pm. International homebound flights depart after 5:00pm		B

What is included / What is not included?

What is included:

• 3 Nights’ accommodation at 4* Commodore hotel in standard rooms.
• 3 Nights’ accommodation at 5* Kapama Southern Camp in a Suite.
• 2 Nights’ accommodation at 5* The Royal Livingstone Hotel.
• Breakfast included daily.
• All meals included except 2 lunches. Dinners include 1 alcoholic beverage. More available for purchase.
• Bottled water on airport transfers in Cape Town.
• Return transfer from the airport in Cape Town/ Kapama and Livingstone.
• Welcome drink on arrival at the hotels.
• Welcome dinner in Cape Town – 3 course dinner.
• Full day Cape Point Tour including a visit to Cape Point Nature Reserve and the Boulders Beach penguin colony – including lunch.
• Dinner on day two with 1 drink included.
• Full day Winelands Tour including 2 wine tastings at Wine Estate and lunch.
• 14 Course Dinner at a local African Restaurant with African entertainment.
• Scheduled flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit (Economy class).
• Welcome drinks on arrival at Kapama Southern Camp.
• Full board including local beverages at Kapama Southern Camp.
• 2 game drives per day at Kapama Southern Camp.
• Daily bush walks.
• Private Elephant interaction activity.
• Scheduled flight to Livingstone Airport in Zambia (Economy class).
• Dinner at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort.
• Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls.
• Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi River – includes local spirits, house wine and snacks.
• Farewell dinner including drinks.
• Scheduled flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg (Economy class).
• Porterages at airports and hotels.
• Driver and guide gratuities for group activities.
• Hotel staff gratuities.
• Ranger and tracker gratuities at Kapama Southern Camp.
• Lodge staff gratuities at Kapama Southern Camp.

What is not included:

• International flights to South Africa.
• Any items of a personal nature including but not limited to laundry, room service, telephone calls etc.
• Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicles, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
• Travel insurance.

What are the costs and payment options for the Africa Tour?

A. There are 2 payment options available for this event.

• Pay in Full– Attendees pay in full at time of booking. Total trip cost is $8,500 per person.
• Three Payment Plan– Attendees who choose this payment option will be required to pay $2,670 per person initial deposit at the time of booking; a second deposit (35%) of $3,115 is due by December 15, 2023; and a final deposit (35%) of $3,115 is due by February 15, 2024. Note: deposits are retroactive, bookings made on or after deposit due dates, will be required to pay all the previous deposits combined, etc. Bookings after February 15, 2024, require payment in full.

The price of the conference is $895.00 per person and is not included in the prices listed in the above description, but it is included when you select your options on the trip above. All prices shown are for double occupancy/two persons on the Safari and include the conference costs. This trip does not offer single occupancy.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the event?

For questions about the Vet Vacation CE Africa Tour inclusions and events, email us at jack@vetvacationce.com or joel@vetvacationce.com.

May I bring other family members and/or friends? Can our rooms be near each other at the hotels?

Yes, we welcome family and friends! There is plenty of fun to be had in Africa! We have planned many activities for guests not attending the Vet Vacation CE sessions. We are only offering double occupancy rooms. We cannot put more than 2 people in each room as the Kapama Game reserve has limited space.

If you would like to request rooms close to each other please mention this in the Notes field on your reservation registration. We will do our very best to accommodate the request.

What if I have to cancel after registering?

Due to the unique nature of this event, all reservations will be subject to the following cancellation policy related to your booking:

• • If cancellation is received after registration until 12/31/23, 20% cancellation fee will be required.
  • If cancellation is received between 1/1/24 to 2/15/24, 50% cancellation fee will be required.
  • There are no cancellation refunds after 2/15/24.

Notice of cancellations must be submitted via email to jack@vetvacationce.com or joel@vetvacationce.com.

What are the recommended airports for arrival into South Africa and departure from South Africa?

We suggest you arrive at Cape Town International Airport before 5:00pm on June 27, 2024, and depart from Johannesburg International Airport after 4:00pm on July 5, 2024. We arrive from Zambia in Johannesburg at 3:00pm.  There are daily flights arriving and departing from these airports to the USA and Europe.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes. Airport transfers from Cape Town International Airport on arrival are included if you arrive on the 27^{th of} June 2024 in Cape Town.

What is the luggage allowance?

Due to the internal flights within South Africa that you will be flying, the luggage allowance per person is 1 checked piece of luggage not weighing more than 20kgs – 44 pounds. The maximum dimensions of any one piece of checked baggage permitted (H) 35 Inches x (W)28 inches x (L)17 inches.

1 piece of hand luggage is allowed per person not exceeding 8 kgs – 17 pounds.

Is travel insurance required?

A. We recommend you buy travel insurance for reimbursements on any travel interruptions and emergency medical expenses. We do not advocate, recommend, or underwrite travel insurance. Clients are directly responsible for all insurance administration. Popular travel insurance options: HTH, Travel Guard Insurance, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex.

Do I need any additional vaccinations/medications for South Africa and Zambia?

Travelers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate; otherwise, no vaccination is required. There is a malaria risk in the Kruger National Park, Kapama Game Lodge and Zambia.

Malaria prophylactics are strongly recommended at all times of the year, but most notably from November through to May. June to August are low risk months. We recommend you consult your local GP on suitable Malaria prophylactics.Travellers should carry an adequate supply of their prescribed medicines with them.

When registering, do I need to use my legal name and gender?

Yes, your legal name as shown in your passport and gender as shown on your identification is required.

What documentation is required for the Africa Tour?

A valid passport is required by all guests. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the tour date – 05^th July 2024. ALL PASSPORTS require at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages in their passport on arrival in south africa. Please carry a photocopy of the photo page as an additional piece of identification. Your photocopies should be stored in a different place to your travel documents.

Will a visa be required for holders of a valid USA passport South Africa and Zambia?

United States nationals need a valid passport. Visas are not required as long as your stay is less than 90 days.

Can children travel on the Africa Tour?

Yes. Children may travel on the Africa Tour if accompanied by at least 1 adult.

Children will still need a valid passport and visa (if necessary) to travel. Passports must have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

What currency is used in South Africa and Zambia?

South Africa Rand (R) is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

Zambia Kwacha (ZMW) is divided into K1, 50 ngwee, 10 ngwee and 5 ngwee. The denominations are K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2. Some Zambia prices are quoted in US$. Certain places accept US$. We suggest that you bring lower denomination bills.

What to expect of the weather?

South Africa

June is the end of Autumn going into Winter. Although early mornings and evenings are cool/cold, days are still warm. Temperatures will vary between 52°F to 73°F.

Kapama

For the Safari area, Winter days are mild with evenings and early mornings being chilly. Temperatures will vary between 42°F to 78°F.

Zambia/Victoria Falls

Zambia is warm all year round. June is a little cooler and drier. Temperatures will vary between 46°F to 79°F.

What to wear?

Cape Town

You will need to pack long trousers, sweaters, scarf, hat and a rain/wind-proof jacket. During the day, casual attire is always appropriate day wear, such as jeans, shorts, tees, polos, sweater, jackets etc.

Safari

Casual, comfortable clothes are the key when travelling. During the day it can get quite warm, so our advice is to pack lightweight loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics. Please wear neutral colours – e.g., khaki, green and brown, but not white as it will get dirty and dusty very quickly. It is important to note that camouflage or military clothing is not permitted in Zambia.

What to pack?

• Three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances – such adapters are also available on Amazon. A quick note about hairdryers and adapters – an adapter is not a power converter. An Adapter will work fine for your phone, laptop and camera batteries. However, if you are using a hairdryer from the US (120V) it will most likely burn out and due plugged into a 220v outlet. The hotel provides hairdryers, so play it safe and use theirs.
• A portable charger
• Binoculars
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Insulated water bottle
• Bug spray with DEET
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat.
• Photography gear
• Personal first aid kit – plasters (Moisturizer lip balm, Aspirin or Tylenol etc)

Q. Special dietary requirements?

We can accommodate special dietary requirements. Please indicate any special dietary needs on your registration page. If you require Kosher or Halal meals, these will be a supplemental charge.

Is there WIFI connectivity at the hotels?

The accommodations offer Wi-Fi in their rooms and/or restaurants.

Do the hotels have safes in the rooms?

Yes

Is it customary to tip for good service?

It is customary in South Africa and Zambia to offer a tip for exceptional service. Please remember that tipping is at your own discretion and should be based on the service you receive. Please note many tips are included in your safari fee.

What time zone is South Africa and Zambia?

South Africa and Zambia is on GMT +2. (Greenwich Mean Time). South Africa is 6 hours ahead of New York time in June and July.

Can I book a pre/post travel itinerary?

Dragonfly Africa, our travel partner, has a dedicated and highly specialized team. They can help with all your pre and post extension travel requirements. These itineraries range anywhere from Southern to East Africa including the Seychelles and Zanzibar. Please email us if you are interested.

About the Safari

What to Pack

Photo Gallery