Korea-India Collaboration Advances Veterinary Hemodialysis Training

A recent hands-on workshop held at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in India has strengthened international collaboration in veterinary medicine, specifically in the field of hemodialysis for companion animals. The workshop, organized by the Korean Veterinary Circulatory Society (KVCC) and led by Professor Hee-Myeong Park of Konkuk University College of Veterinary Medicine, brought together veterinarians from both Korea and India for intensive training.

Workshop Details and Objectives

The ‘Korea-India Advanced Hands-on Workshop on Intermittent Hemodialysis in Dogs’ took place from February 23rd to 27th. The workshop focused on both the theoretical foundations and practical application of hemodialysis treatment for companion animals, providing participants with valuable hands-on experience. Veterinarians Ik-hyeon Moon, Soo-bin Park, Dong-min Choi, Beom-soo Kim, Seung-hyuk Lee and Gwang-seop Lee from Korea attended the event.

GADVASU’s Role and Facilities

GADVASU, a multi-specialty veterinary hospital, is uniquely positioned as the only animal hospital in North India equipped with hemodialysis facilities. Professor Hee-Myeong Park previously visited GADVASU in 2024 to provide training in local dialysis and cardiac intervention techniques, establishing a foundation for this collaborative workshop. GADVASU News

Curriculum and Training Highlights

The workshop curriculum covered a range of critical topics in hemodialysis. The first day included lectures on the pathophysiology and diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Participants were introduced to both traditional creatinine-based diagnostic methods and newer biomarkers like NGAL, Cystatin C, and Clusterin, with an emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis.

Subsequent days focused on practical training, including:

• Dialysis circuit configuration and dialyzer priming
• Blood flow rate setting and anticoagulant use
• Understanding acid-base balance and utilizing the Stewart approach for analysis
• Identifying and managing potential complications of hemodialysis, such as intradialytic hypotension
• Evaluating dialysis treatment effectiveness using Urea Reduction Ratio (URR) and Kt/V concepts

Expert Insights and Perspectives

Professor Randhir Singh of GADVASU College of Veterinary Medicine contributed to the educational sessions. The workshop emphasized the importance of tailoring dialysis prescriptions and continuous monitoring to each patient’s specific condition.

Participant Feedback and Future Collaboration

Participants expressed strong satisfaction with the workshop’s blend of academic content and hands-on training. One veterinarian noted the value of sharing experiences between Korean and Indian colleagues and highlighted the rapid development occurring in the field of small animal hemodialysis globally. Participants likewise praised Professor Hee-Myeong Park and the Korean Society of Cardiology for their leadership in organizing and delivering the training, and expressed enthusiasm for future international academic exchanges.

Professor Hee-Myeong Park, D.V.M., Ph.D., from Konkuk University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Republic of Korea, is a specialist trained in nephrology and hemodialysis from the University of California (UC Davis) and possesses extensive experience in interventional veterinary medicine techniques. ResearchGate Profile, Punjab News Express