This lecture will provide an update on the ever-changing field of supplements and alternative products aimed at alleviating behavior problems.

This lecture will cover common psychoactive prescription therapies, both rapid and slow-acting, and discuss medication selection.

This two-part lecture will cover medication management for behavior patients, with a focus on managing multiple medications for anxious patients that need handling, sedation, or anesthesia.

This two-part lecture will cover medication management for behavior patients, with a focus on managing multiple medications for anxious patients that need handling, sedation, or anesthesia.

Noise phobias plague up to 50 percent of companion animals. This lecture will cover how to recognize and help those patients that exhibit fear of or sensitivity to loud noises.

Although we know that clients shouldn’t believe everything they read on the internet in regards to dog breed temperaments and behaviors, this doesn’t stop them from consulting Dr. Google. This lecture will review current scientific evidence for breeds predisposed to specific behavior problems.

This session will provide updates on the pathophysiology of equine laminitis associated with obesity and insulin dysregulation, particularly how it relates to the management of clinical patients. Nutritional, exercise, and pharmacological treatment strategies will be discussed.

This session will cover the latest recommendations and best practices for using clinicopathologic testing in the diagnosis and management of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses and ponies.

This session will cover practical ways to utilize stall-side serum amyloid A (SAA) testing in equine practice, including how to interpret test results in common clinical situations and using SAA results to guide case management.

This lecture will describe various techniques to evaluate reproductive potential of mares and to detect reproductive problems.

This lecture will describe diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for ovarian and oviductal abnormalities in the mare.

The objective of this lecture will be to describe diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for uterine abnormalities in the mare.

This session will review the chain of events leading to a weak or acidotic calf and address why modified Apgar scores have failed to consistently identify them. The need for outcome-based assessments and review research used to develop the Beef Calf Vigor Assessment will also be covered. Attendees will learn how to use this tool to increase the percentage of calves acquiring optimal levels of passive immunity.

This session will discuss risk factors associated with scours in cow-calf herds. The presenter will review practical strategies producers can implement before, during, and after calving to prevent individual cases and outbreaks. Prevention tactics will focus largely on strategic calving pasture management, including the Sandhills Calving System, and practical, effective modifications thereof.

This session will discuss history, clinical signs, differential diagnoses, and lessons learned from several disease outbreaks related to mineral deficiencies and toxicities. Disease outbreak investigations to be reviewed include a curious case of crooked-legged calves; sudden death in range beef cows; chronic ill thrift in cows and seizures amongst their calves; and congenital goiter and dwarfism in spring-born calves.

This session will start with a basic review of the different hormones and technologies utilized in growth-promoting implants, including delayed and extended release. Attendees will learn rules of thumb and strategies to remember when developing implant protocols for the cow-calf, backgrounder and stocker, and feedlot producer at various stages of production.

This two-part session will discuss key welfare issues in the dairy industry. The presenter will review best practices for neonate care, calf nutrition and housing, heifer management, lameness, and downer cows. Precision technology, animal-people interactions, and public perception will also be covered.

This two-part session will discuss key welfare issues in the dairy industry. The presenter will review best practices for neonate care, calf nutrition and housing, heifer management, lameness, and downer cows. Precision technology, animal-people interactions, and public perception will also be covered.

This presentation will cover principles of preventing drug residues in food animals. It will touch on drug-residue basics and highlight the areas in which veterinarians can reduce the risks. The presentation will provide best practices that veterinarians can recommend to their producer clients, as well as resources for both veterinarians and producers.

This session will help veterinarians to recognize neurological changes happening in their patients. It will review definitions of key parts of the nervous system and bring them to life in animal patients that visit the clinic.

This session will review the central integrative state of the normal and adversely affected patient. Participants will learn when to use—and when not to use—GABA and glycine, as well as novel approaches to affecting the function of these elements in the patient.

The skin is affected locally by neural deficits that may be resolved by resetting the animal’s environmental stimuli—but when it comes to the nervous system, the effects of skin dysfunction are more global. This lecture will discuss the four-way intersection of dermatology, neurology, internal medicine, and nutrition. Participants will discover novel means to treat age-old issues found in animal patients, such as hot spots, flea allergy dermatitis, and hyperesthesia.

This lecture will explain the results of a nine-year study that used repeatable protocols to adjust the atlanto-occipital (AO) joints in paralyzed or paraplegic canines previously diagnosed with suspected disc herniation. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that over a multi-doctor cohort, protocols could be set to allow for resolution of paraplegia or paralysis in canine patients without the expense of the MRI or surgery.

This session will review a case-controlled study of brachycephalic hydrocephaly in four dogs, the findings of which included environmental response to barometric pressure and a predictive value based on sacral development. It will also address the importance of the cerebrospinal fluid pump system within the spinal column.

This session will review a double-blind study focused on the benefits of chiropractic adjustment in day-old chicks. Attendees will learn how the evaluation of controls versus adjusted as performed by third-party individuals revealed significant vigor, quality of product, and economic benefits.

This session will discuss in depth the disease process of tooth resorption, including correct nomenclature, radiographic appearance of tooth resorption, and proper treatment. Tooth resorption in both dogs and cats, including species differences in naming and treatment, will also be covered. The presenter will review case examples with radiographs and clinical images to clearly explain the diagnosis and treatment of tooth resorption.

The most common disease affecting adult dogs and cats is periodontal disease. This lecture will explain the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, including what veterinarians need to know and what to do about it. The presenter will describe the diagnosis of periodontal disease via staging and explain a simplified approach to treatment. Case examples with photos and radiographs will be used to further clarify the stages of periodontal disease and suggested treatment plans.

This lecture will discuss unique canine oral disease in both common and uncommon presentations. The conditions of canine ulcerative stomatitis, pyogenic granulomas, autoimmune disease, unusual tumors, and others will be discussed. Each disease diagnosis and treatment will be explained alongside case clinical images and radiographs.

This session will discuss in depth the most common feline oral pathology, including periodontal disease, tooth resorption, stomatitis, squamous cell carcinoma, eosinophilic granuloma, trauma, and others. The presenter will provide thorough disease descriptions, offer diagnostic tips, and explain treatment and prevention, as well as new research in each topic.

This lecture will discuss oral disease processes particular to the pediatric patient. The presenter will review persistent deciduous teeth, malocclusion, fractured teeth, cleft lip and palate, hypodontia and oligodontia, impacted teeth, neoplasia, enamel dysplasia, and juvenile gingivitis and periodontitis. A discussion of diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention will include representative clinical images. The lecture will emphasize normal versus abnormal oral findings of the pediatric patient.

Cats are unique creatures, and their oral pathology can be just as unique! This lecture will discuss the interesting presentation of feline oral diseases, including those affecting occlusion, neoplastic diseases, and pathology of canine teeth. Images and radiographs will be used to demonstrate and support each case example.

Like dogs, cats develop itchy skin for a variety of reasons: Ectoparasites, infections, food allergies, and atopy, to name a few. Owners have several misconceptions about the role of ectoparasites as a cause of itch in cats, particularly with regard to fleas and indoor cats. Furthermore, D. gatoi as a cause of itch may be more common than we think. With regard to infections, we are learning that allergic cats do develop pyoderma and yeast infections, and that some cats may, in fact, develop yeast hypersensitivity. This lecture will review how to work up the itchy cat, discuss itch-associated skin syndromes and considerations., and cover diagnosis and treatment of flare factors in cats.

Do cats get atopy? Yes, they do! Cats with atopy have clinical syndromes very different from dogs with atopic dermatitis, including miliary dermatitis, overgrooming, eosinophilic granuloma complex, and head and neck pruritus. This session will explore current knowledge about atopic cats and how to diagnose and treat them. Food allergy as it relates to the workup will also be discussed.

Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin disease in many breeds of dogs that is frustrating for owners because it is not curable. The first hour of this two-part lecture will review what is known about pathogenesis and how to diagnose the disease.

Part two of this lecture will discuss effective treatment of canine atopic dermatitis and what information to provide clients to reduce their frustration while strengthening the bond with their dogs.

The skin barrier is the first defense against microbes, allergens, and irritants, and a defective skin barrier is an important component of atopic dermatitis in many breeds of dogs. It can be a primary problem, but it is often exacerbated by the cytokines produced during the allergic response. This session will discuss the evidence available for what causes barrier defects in dogs, clinical signs that suggest its presence, and possible strategies to repair it.

We live in the age of methicillin resistance, and management of canine pyoderma has changed. This session will discuss how to diagnose and treat pyoderma in the 21st century, emphasizing the guidelines published by the International Society of Companion Animal Infectious Diseases and the World Association of Veterinary Dermatology. The presenter will also discuss the importance of topical therapy, including some new products that are showing good efficacy.

This lecture will discuss the etiology of disc disease in dogs, including clinical presentations and diagnostic considerations. The lecturer will also review considerations for medical versus surgical management of these patients.

Using video case examples, this session will discuss neurologic causes of paresis in older dogs and how to differentiate them. The presenter will also discuss diagnostic considerations, treatment options, and prognosis.

This session will provide case and video examples of systemic illnesses that may present with neurological signs. Etiology, how to diagnose these cases, treatment options, and prognosis will also be covered.

Assessment of gait and posture are two of the most essential parts of the neurological examination—and they can be done without ever touching the patient. This session will review common gait and postural abnormalities, as well as the types of neurologic problems associated with them.

This session will review interesting neurologic presentations that can be diagnosed simply by pattern recognition.

This session will focus on treating the veterinary patient with difficult-to-control seizures, including management options for cluster seizures and novel anticonvulsant therapies.

This lecture will use recent literature and case examples to provide an update on ultrasonography of hepatobiliary diseases in dogs and cats. The sonographic features of hepatic parenchymal diseases (such as cholangitis, neoplastic, vacuolar hepatopathy, storage diseases, and degenerative abnormalities) and hepatic and biliary emphysema will be addressed. Gall bladder mucoceles will be demonstrated and the recent literature on diagnosing rupture will be presented with case examples. The use of contrast enhanced ultrasound will also be explained, as well as differences between cats and dogs with biliary disease.

This lecture will provide an overview of the sonographic features of the normal jejunum and extensive comparisons with histology in dogs and cats. Sonographic features of inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, and idiopathic diseases of the jejunum will be demonstrated through case examples with correlation to histological images and a discussion on pathophysiology. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the disease that affects each of the different wall layers of the jejunum and become more familiar with important sonographic features of each. The most up-to-date evidence-based literature for a number of small intestinal diseases will also be reviewed, alongside case examples.

This session will review how to diagnose heart disease radiographically and how to differentiate between compensated and decompensated congestive heart failure. Considerations for breed differences—such as difficult-to-assess breeds like the English bulldog and specific signs of heart failure in the Doberman versus other breeds—will be covered. Cases will be used to demonstrate examples of both acquired and congenital disease.

This session will review radiographic interpretive principles of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats. Key take-home points will include the importance of the left versus right lateral radiograph, the use of abdominal spoon compression studies, the use of pneumocolon, and advice on when to wait and when to repeat radiographs to diagnose mechanical ileus. The session will include case examples of radiographic features of gastric outflow obstructions, including examples of intestinal patterns of partially impacted foreign material with advice on working with spoon compression. Challenging cases will be presented with radiographic outcomes based on different clinical approaches.

This session will review the normal radiographic airway of the dog as well as tracheal and bronchial collapse patients. Numerous case examples will show the importance of dynamic radiographic studies using standard x-ray equipment. Participants will learn how to diagnose bronchomalacia and bronchial collapse in dogs without tracheal collapse. Many case examples will compare normal radiographic airway features with those of chronic and end-stage disease.

Interpreting radiographic pulmonary patterns in dogs and cats is difficult. This case-based lecture will demonstrate important principles of assessing the lung radiographically and how to break down the features into airspace, airway, or interstitial. Challenging airspace and alveolar diseases will be demonstrated, with discussion about categorizing them into edema, hemorrhage, infection, or neoplasia. This session will focus on pattern diagnosis and action plans rather than lists of differential diagnoses.

How do clients of all ages want to communicate in 2020? From updates to Facebook to new app options, this session will break down what veterinary professionals need to know about marketing today. Key trends will be discussed, as well as practical tips to integrate marketing into daily protocols. Attendees will leave feeling ready to rock their marketing in the most modern way possible.

Stock photos? Bad emails? Newspaper ads? A lot of things can go wrong when it comes to marketing, but this session will tell you the biggest mistake you can make with your marketing strategy. Hint: It’s not posting on Facebook at the wrong time. It’s about how you involve your team!

Opening your email to find an alert about a one-star review is a bad feeling. Why do we really get bad reviews? This session will reveal the true source of negative feedback, share the secret recipe behind a good response to a bad review, and give attendees practical tips to stop bad reviews from happening. Participants will leave knowing how to disarm angry clients before they get to the keyboard!

Ever post something on social media and get crickets, while pet content on other channels goes viral every single day? This session will focus on the psychology behind what people actually want to see, ways to engage with them when it comes to marketing messaging (both on and offline), and how to make a post go viral. Attendees will even discover how to educate online in a way pet owners care about. No more wasting staff time creating posts people don’t want to see!

Instagram is growing fast, but are you really using the platform effectively as a business? In this session, the presenter will explain the four steps practices need to take to ensure they’re leveraging Instagram to its full potential, including what to post and how to hashtag. Important security settings and professionalism will also be discussed. Attendees will walk out knowing how to rock stories, posts, and more!

Are you scared of being on video? It’s not uncommon! Being on camera, however, is part of any modern social media presence. During this session, attendees will get comfortable with being themselves in quick videos for use on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. The presenter will share tips on using video to educate and engage, so that participants can return to work and connect with pet owners online immediately.

This session will update attendees on current licensing-related issues, including telemedicine and CBD oil, and review disciplinary cases as they impact veterinary medicine.

This session will cover the latest Ohio Board of Pharmacy laws and regulations impacting the practice of veterinary medicine.

This session will cover the latest Ohio Board of Pharmacy laws and regulations impacting the practice of veterinary medicine.

This session will cover recent changes to laws impacting the disposal of infectious waste and pharmaceuticals.

This session will update attendees on Ohio laws impacting the use of radiology equipment in veterinary medicine.

Every day, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association office fields questions from veterinary practices on a range of regulatory topics, from sales tax to CBD oil to sharps disposal. This presentation will answer the most frequently asked questions, with a focus on Ohio-specific regulations.

In the fall of 2018, state public health officials in Virginia and Georgia detected an outbreak of severe respiratory illness in poultry slaughter plant workers. The ensuing investigation discovered a surprising source, the likes of which hadn’t been seen in 30 years: Psittacosis! This session will discuss the resulting One Health response involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies.

This two-part session will discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program. Attendees will get a brief history of the program; learn about veterinary contributions to the EIS program at the local, state, national, and international levels; and find out how the fellowship prepares EIS officers for careers in public health. The presenter will share examples of past investigations in which veterinarians played crucial roles, including tuberculosis and elephants; zoonotic disease seroprevalence in marine mammal workers; and ergonomic, infectious, and chemical risks to poultry processing employees. The session will close with a discussion of career paths and accomplishments of veterinarians after EIS.

This two-part session will discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program. Attendees will get a brief history of the program; learn about veterinary contributions to the EIS program at the local, state, national, and international levels; and find out how the fellowship prepares EIS officers for careers in public health. The presenter will share examples of past investigations in which veterinarians played crucial roles, including tuberculosis and elephants; zoonotic disease seroprevalence in marine mammal workers; and ergonomic, infectious, and chemical risks to poultry processing employees. The session will close with a discussion of career paths and accomplishments of veterinarians after EIS.

The first half of this session will discuss hot topics that face veterinarians who serve in the uniformed services (specifically, the Army, Air Force, and United States Public Health Service). The session will include a brief history of each service, as well as explanation of the many roles these veterinarians play and the challenges they face today and in the future. In the second half, attendees will hear updates on USDA APHIS Veterinary Services programs, projects, and policies. Disease outbreaks, One Health activities, and other timely issues will be discussed as well.

The first half of this lecture will discuss human cases of reportable zoonotic and vector-borne diseases that occurred in 2019, as well as surveillance of mosquitoes and animal rabies in Ohio. The second part will provide an update on activities and trends monitored by the Ohio Department of Health’s Zoonotic Disease Program.

This presentation will provide updates from the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the past year.

Law enforcement, veterinarians, and animal advocates will all benefit from a clear understanding of animal cruelty and neglect criminal law. This two-part session will discuss how to collect evidence, report findings, and testify in court. Audience participation will be welcome.

Law enforcement, veterinarians, and animal advocates will all benefit from a clear understanding of animal cruelty and neglect criminal law. This two-part session will discuss how to collect evidence, report findings, and testify in court. Audience participation will be welcome.

This two-hour lecture will cover key steps for humane agents and investigators responding to an animal cruelty case. Topics will include crime scene analysis, evidence recognition, forensic testing, blood stain pattern analysis, and the use of thermal imaging. Findings and available supportive diagnostic testing in the most common types of cruelty cases will be presented, along with critical documentation and actions by first responders. Attendees will be given resources for forensic testing and further training. Cases highlighting the use of forensics and working with veterinarians will be presented throughout session.

This two-hour lecture will cover key steps for humane agents and investigators responding to an animal cruelty case. Topics will include crime scene analysis, evidence recognition, forensic testing, blood stain pattern analysis, and the use of thermal imaging. Findings and available supportive diagnostic testing in the most common types of cruelty cases will be presented, along with critical documentation and actions by first responders. Attendees will be given resources for forensic testing and further training. Cases highlighting the use of forensics and working with veterinarians will be presented throughout session.

This session will discuss what an agent should assess when animals with medical concerns are encountered in the field. Topics to be covered include the differences between urgent versus exigent concerns, reasonable timeframes for seeking veterinary treatment, and communicating medical information from the field to veterinarians or to the shelter. The lecture will also include an introduction to triage in large-scale seizures.

Not every investigation ends in court. This session will discuss common scenarios humane agents encounter in the field and ways an agent may be able to resolve an issue by screening for hidden barriers to improved animal welfare. The session will include tips to improve working across languages, cultures, socioeconomic conditions, and identifying links to other community resources.

This session will explore the maintenance of health and welfare of reptiles and amphibians commonly housed in and adopted from shelters. Housing, enrichment, handling, preventive medicine, and common illnesses will be discussed.

This two-part session will explore the maintenance of avian health and welfare for species commonly housed in and adopted from shelters. Housing, enrichment, handling, preventive medicine, and common illnesses will be discussed.

This two-part session will explore the maintenance of avian health and welfare for species commonly housed in and adopted from shelters. Housing, enrichment, handling, preventive medicine, and common illnesses will be discussed.

Even shelters that do not typically house birds, snakes, or small mammals may be called upon to euthanize an animal in distress. This session will discuss species-appropriate methods of restraint, euthanasia, and verification of death.

This two-part session will explore the maintenance of health and welfare for small mammals commonly housed in and adopted from shelters. Housing, enrichment, handling, preventive medicine, and common illnesses will be discussed.

This two-part session will explore the maintenance of health and welfare for small mammals commonly housed in and adopted from shelters. Housing, enrichment, handling, preventive medicine, and common illnesses will be discussed.

Technicians are vital to the veterinary team as they work to investigate and analyze the cause for the equine patient’s colic. For technicians to fully participate, they need a basic understanding of the equine abdominal anatomy, physiology, and causes of colic. They must be able to recognize signs through observation of behaviors and put together information from the history, physical examination, and diagnostic test results. Technicians utilize a variety of skills and knowledge to contribute to a positive outcome of these cases. This session will explore the anatomy and physiology of the equine abdomen, the classifications of colic with a brief review of pathophysiology, and the correct approach to colic cases.

The rate of successful outcomes in equine patients recovering from an exploratory laparotomy is due in part to the advancement of post-operative nursing care. Technicians can apply their knowledge of the acute equine abdomen and implement basic to advanced technical skills in the treatment of these post-operative cases. This presentation will review a variety of surgical lesions in the equine abdomen, including strangulating and non-strangulating lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. The presenter will also discuss common treatment plans used in these critical care situations as well as the basic and advanced technical skills required of technicians who care for these patients.

As a continuation of the previous lectures, this session will review three in-depth case reports involving a horse presenting to a referral hospital with acute abdominal pain arising from different causes. Participants will receive the history and physical examination results of the patients and work through the subsequent information and treatment plan with the presenter. Using information from the previous lectures and their own experiences, attendees will explore technical skills, drug uses, biosecurity protocols, and clinical pathology to reach the conclusion of the case.

The equine neonate should never be considered a small horse. Due to variances in their physiology, the technician must have a comprehensive understanding of the neonatal patient’s structure. The first hour of this lecture will review the characteristic physiology in the equine neonate and discuss the ways in which this affects handling, restraint, and the physical examination. The second half of this session will introduce attendees to the critical equine neonate. Discussion will focus on the management of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (or dummy foal syndrome), failure of passive transfer, and sepsis. The speaker will also cover diagnostic procedures, basic to advanced technical skills, and working within the neonatal intensive care unit.

The equine neonate should never be considered a small horse. Due to variances in their physiology, the technician must have a comprehensive understanding of the neonatal patient’s structure. The first hour of this lecture will review the characteristic physiology in the equine neonate and discuss the ways in which this affects handling, restraint, and the physical examination. The second half of this session will introduce attendees to the critical equine neonate. Discussion will focus on the management of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (or dummy foal syndrome), failure of passive transfer, and sepsis. The speaker will also cover diagnostic procedures, basic to advanced technical skills, and working within the neonatal intensive care unit.

This session will review techniques for managing acute and chronic wound healing—including bandaging, surgical grafting, and newer therapies—and apply the information to two cases of young foals. The first case involves a neonatal foal’s wound management in addition to several problems that developed unrelated to her 40-plus days in the hospital. The second case involves a 3-month-old colt presenting with congenital melanoma extending from his withers to right carpus and the surgical techniques and complications management related to treatment.

Imaging plays an integral role in the staging of the oncology patient. This session will review the principles of staging a patient with cancer and how to utilize all imaging modalities in this process.

Radiation therapy is an integral part in the management of patients with cancer. This session will review the principles of radiation therapy, describe the different techniques of radiation delivery, and discuss radiation protocols and the rationale for their use.

When radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, side effects to normal tissues are a common occurrence in patients. This session will review both acute and chronic side effects of radiation therapy, discuss how and why they occur, and describe the principles of their management.

This session will explore what questions to ask a panicked owner in person or over the phone to get the best history. Attendees will learn which patients should come to the clinic immediately and which can be monitored at home.

The internet is an amazing place to get both good and bad information. This session will discuss common myths in veterinary toxicology and explain why cats and dogs are not just small fuzzy people.

This session will discuss clinical signs associated with THC, CBD, synthetic cannabinoids, and other street drugs. Which ones can be deadly? Attend this session to find out.

There is a direct correlation between violence toward animals and violence toward humans—most often in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. The public is increasingly aware of crimes against animals that have brought the veterinary professional’s role into the spotlight. This two-part lecture will review animal cruelty and veterinary reporting laws, trends in legislation, and pitfalls to avoid when making a report. The speaker will dispel common myths about reporting, provide guidelines indicating when and how to report, and explain what should be included to supplement medical findings and evidence collection.

There is a direct correlation between violence toward animals and violence toward humans—most often in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. The public is increasingly aware of crimes against animals that have brought the veterinary professional’s role into the spotlight. This two-part lecture will review animal cruelty and veterinary reporting laws, trends in legislation, and pitfalls to avoid when making a report. The speaker will dispel common myths about reporting, provide guidelines indicating when and how to report, and explain what should be included to supplement medical findings and evidence collection.

This two-part lecture will discuss suspicious indicators of animal cruelty and key steps for the veterinary team. Clues to help determine whether an injury is accidental versus non-accidental (i.e., cruelty) will be presented, along with considerations and actions to take when reporting suspected abuse. Development of a standard operating procedure to guide how staff members handle potential cases of abuse, including managing risk within the hospital setting, will also be explained. Video examples will be shown to demonstrate how to communicate and interact with clients in commonly encountered scenarios. Evidence collection and forensic testing will also be presented to illustrate the importance of proper documentation in legal cases.

This two-part lecture will discuss suspicious indicators of animal cruelty and key steps for the veterinary team. Clues to help determine whether an injury is accidental versus non-accidental (i.e., cruelty) will be presented, along with considerations and actions to take when reporting suspected abuse. Development of a standard operating procedure to guide how staff members handle potential cases of abuse, including managing risk within the hospital setting, will also be explained. Video examples will be shown to demonstrate how to communicate and interact with clients in commonly encountered scenarios. Evidence collection and forensic testing will also be presented to illustrate the importance of proper documentation in legal cases.

What happens after a veterinarian reports abuse or neglect? This session will discuss the stakeholders who review and investigate reports of animal cruelty, including how these individuals follow up on an animal cruelty report and potential outcomes of the investigation. Examples of investigative tools and legal statutes used in determining animal welfare will also be provided.

Often the only voice for animals, veterinary professionals play an essential role in animal cruelty investigations, starting with reporting abuse cases to authorities. But what happens after a report is investigated? Are charges always filed? This presentation will explain what happens leading up to, during, and after a criminal animal cruelty trial. Topics to be covered include preparing for courtroom testimony, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a case, how to anticipate what the opposition will present, common case resolutions, and sentencing.

Elimination problems pose a serious risk to the human-animal bond. This case-based session will discuss the process of correcting these problems from start to finish.

Practitioners can prevent abdominal and psychological distress from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through diligent antibiotic stewardship, including (but not limited to) the use of metronidazole.This lecture will discuss the diagnosis of and acute and chronic management options for IBS in dogs.

Some chewing and licking is normal, but a lot is not! Is it behavioral? Is it the GI? This lecture will discuss the causes and management of excessive oral behaviors in cats and dogs.

Behavior problems are still a top cause of euthanasia in pets, especially for those under age 3. This lecture will discuss how to determine when euthanasia is an appropriate option and when to broach the subject with clients. The presenter will review the mechanics involved in making a challenging situation as safe and smooth as possible once the decision to euthanize has been made.

Crate rest? Reactive dog? This session will discuss enrichment basics, science, and ways to meet physical and mental exercise needs when a dog can’t or shouldn’t go for a walk.

This session will discuss solutions to common treatment protocols that many pets find stressful, such as taking pills, spraying for dermatitis, and cleaning ears, among others.

This session will review the most common causes of aggression in dogs, with a focus on prevention. The presenter will cover how to help clients minimize the risk of aggression in their dogs, the importance of accurately reading body language, and how clients can minimize risk of harm to all members of the household if their dogs show signs of aggression.

This session will discuss proper handling of problem aggression in dogs, emphasizing safety as the top priority. The presenter will share practical suggestions for staying safe, along with typical treatment protocols for canine aggression, the importance (and limitations) of management, and the effectiveness of medications. The session will also touch briefly on how to proceed in cases of serious high-risk aggression.

Not sure how to proceed when faced with companion animal behavior issues? This session will provide attendees with tips for initiating conversations with clients about pet behavior issues, recommendations for how pet owners can avoid future behavior problems, a flexible behavioral treatment plan template, and suggestions on when to refer a client to a behavior specialist.

This session will focus on helping clients who are facing severe behavior problems in their pets while considering the welfare of the patient. Issues to be covered will include risks, stress levels, quality of life for both client and patient, social attitudes, potential consequences, empathy, worst-case scenarios, and when to discuss euthanasia.

As veterinary professionals, how can we be sure that the dogs we work with are living the best life possible? Recent advances in our understanding of canine cognition, health, and behavior provide us with a wealth of new information to use in achieving this goal. In this session, we will review some of this new material and discuss practical tips to share with your clients or apply to your own work with dogs.

This session will summarize practical recommendations for monitoring and maintaining quality of life for aging pets, including assessing cognitive function as pets age, hospice, and end-of-life care. The speaker will also touch on how to help clients make difficult decisions and answering the question every pet owner faces: “How do I know when it’s time?”

This lecture will describe diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical, vaginal, and perineal abnormalities in the mare.

This lecture will review various issues of early pregnancy in the mare and describe diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for managing problems of early pregnancy.

This lecture will present challenging clinical cases in pregnant, non-pregnant, and post-partum mares and stallions.

This session will provide a comprehensive review of important considerations when assessing neonatal foals in the field.

Assessment, diagnosis, and management of colic in foals is fraught with limitations and challenges. This session will review important aspects of evaluation and management of colicky foals from birth to six months.

Management of foals with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia has evolved over the past several years as a result of new screening practices, increased antimicrobial resistance, and limited antimicrobial options. This session will discuss current recommendations with regard to these challenges and obstacles.

Have you been asked to see or are you already seeing poultry clients in your practice? Regardless of experience level, this session will inform the practicing veterinarian and support staff on the most common and impactful diseases in backyard and small poultry flocks. The presenter will discuss clinical signs, gross necropsy lesions, and the most up-to-date diagnostics for Marek’s disease, coccidiosis, external parasites, histomoniasis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, bumble foot, and more. This session is perfect for those interested in expanding their clientele and providing valuable services to a traditionally underserved population of animals and pet owners.

The session will cover common infectious causes of diarrhea in swine. The lecture will help participants to diagnose the most likely cause of gastrointestinal disease based on gross lesions and clinical signs. The session will also cover treatment options and summarize the common prevention and control strategies for each pathogen.

The session will cover common infectious causes of respiratory disease in swine. Participants will learn how to diagnose the most likely cause of respiratory disease based on gross lesions and clinical signs. Treatment options, prevention, and control strategies for each pathogen will also be summarized.

The introduction of a foreign animal disease (FAD)—or what the rest of the world calls a transboundary animal disease—into our country would devastate our animal industries and create havoc and much pain for the veterinary profession. An old saying states that there are two ways to become famous when a FAD enters your area: Recognize and sound the alert to become famous, or ignore it so that it spreads far and wide and become infamous. Because FADs can mimic more familiar diseases, this session will discuss the nuances of presentation you need to understand if you want to be famous, not infamous! The presenter will review some of the nastier FADs, including the ever-present gorilla in the room: Foot-and-mouth disease.

This session will focus on two FADs of special concern in recent times: Newcastle disease and African swine fever. Newcastle disease surfaced in California in 2018 and defied control for many months. The original suspicion arose when a small animal practitioner examining a suburban backyard bird sounded the alarm. Thank goodness for awareness! African swine fever surfaced in China in 2018 and has all but destroyed the swine industry there. Prior to this outbreak, China hosted half the world’s pigs and was the world’s largest consumer of pork products. Loss of this industry has reverberating global economic and trade implications.

When discussing FADs, our equine friends are often overlooked. However, several diseases of great concern could be introduced. The presenter will review the clinicopathologic presentation, risk of introduction, and potential consequences of African horse sickness, glanders, epizootic lymphangitis, surra, Hendra, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis.

African swine fever (ASF) represents a serious concern to our nation’s veterinarians and pork producers. A viral disease with a high mortality rate coupled with biosecurity challenges makes ASF a serious concern. Knowledge of presenting signs and protocols for containment are essential for veterinarians in food animal production and mixed animal practice to be aware of. This session will discuss what practitioners need to know should ASF ever appear in the U.S.

This session will provide an introduction to basic Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) concepts and history, as well as how to integrate this modality into your practice.

This session will review the basic steps of a TCVM examination, diagnosis, and treatment options.

This session will provide a basic overview of dermatological patterns, including how to diagnose and treat using the four pillars of TCVM.

This session will review hepatic TCVM patterns, including which acupuncture points and herbals are successful in reversing liver issues.

This lecture will explore treating cancer using a TCVM approach. The speaker will discuss the patterns associated with cancer, the best acupoints to use, and basic herbal formulas used to treat cancer patients. Examples of clinical cases will enrich the presentation.

This session will discuss incorporating acupuncture treatment into Western veterinary practice. The presenter will provide a common-sense overview of requirements for running a successful integrative practice and how to earn the return on investment for learning acupuncture.

This session will define foreign animal diseases (FADs), USDA program diseases, and reportable diseases. Information about safeguarding against foreign diseases from entering the U.S., reporting diseases, and steps to take in a FAD investigation will be discussed. Attendees will be provided with a list of diseases that are applicable to both Category I and Category II accredited veterinarians, as well as other training and educational resources to stay informed about these diseases.

This session will review disease prevention practices to limit exposure in animals and people, including how to select appropriate personal protective equipment. Proper implementation of cleaning protocols and selection of effective disinfectants to prevent disease spread will also be discussed. Finally, biosecurity practices for both veterinary clinics and livestock facilities will be covered.

This session will highlight the importance of health certificates for traveling pets and discuss the potential for disease spread associated with travel. The planning steps and regulatory resources for properly completing a companion animal health certificate will be presented through a variety of interactive animations and a scenario. Because errors can lead to travel delays or entry refusals, the presenter will highlight mistakes commonly made when completing health certificates to help minimize these problems in real-life situations.

This session will review the USDA Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Program regulations, including official identification devices and methods, required documentation for interstate movement of livestock, and relevant responsibilities of accredited veterinarians. The lecture will conclude with a scenario involving cattle movement to emphasize the most important aspects of ADT. Several handouts will be provided for future reference.

In this session, veterinarians will learn how they can play a role in an animal health emergency response. Various response teams—including the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC), Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT), National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT), and state response—will be compared and contrasted. Understanding the structure of a response and how it is coordinated is key to its success; thus the various components related to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), National Response Framework (NRF), and the Emergency Support Function (ESF) will be reviewed. Finally, the components of Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan/National Animal Health Emergency Management System (FAD PReP/NAHEMS) Guidelines will be described so veterinarians can comprehend what types of duties they will perform in an actual event.

This session will provide information on collection techniques for diagnostic samples and the necessary steps for labeling, packaging, and shipping diagnostic samples from any animal species. It will also emphasize occasions when collecting samples is not appropriate, as in the case of suspected FADs. Lastly, this module will address regulations related to shipping samples to veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

This session will review practical tips on providing analgesia to minimize the need for opioids in the perianesthetic period.

This session will review how to perform some of the most common blocks, what drugs to use, and what to expect when using them.

Will isoflurane go away? This session will review other available inhalants and possible uses for them.

This session will discuss customizing the anesthesia protocol for problematic patients without completely changing them.

This session will discuss physiological differences in geriatric patients and how to alter drugs, dosages, and support measures to compensate for them.

This lecture will review the risk factors for anesthetic mortality and how recognizing those factors can help minimize mortality.

This session will review when and what types of toxicants to use emesis, activated charcoal, intralipids, and cholestyramine.

Many toxins affect the kidneys. This session will discuss the most common ones, from cholecalciferol to grapes and raisins to ethylene glycol and NSAIDs.

The liver is commonly affected in poisoning situations. This session will review the effects of common hepatotoxins, including xylitol, blue-green algae, and acetaminophen.

Central nervous system (CNS) intoxication is not uncommon in veterinary medicine. This session will review the effects of amphetamines, marijuana, bromethalin, and ethanol.

In the second hour of this review of CNS toxicants, attendees will learn about the effects of pyrethrins, avermectins, opioids, tremorgenic mycotoxins, and chocolate.

What should be done when a pet bites into an albuterol inhaler, or eats the entire bottle of phenylpropanolamine? This session will discuss these and other toxicants affecting the cardiac and respiratory systems.

This session will provide an overview of mechanisms involved in the development of shock and the impact shock has on the patient. Recognition, staging, and categorization of shock will be emphasized, as well as how to attempt shock reversal in various circumstances. Clinical scenarios will also be presented.

This session will provide an overview of how to approach fluid therapy, considering the different fluid types, their potential applications, and adverse effects. Routes of administration and building a basic fluid therapy plan will also be covered, with select clinical scenarios.

This session will build upon the concepts presented in the previous session, emphasizing a revised approach to shock fluid resuscitation, both in general and in specific clinical conditions. Other applications of fluid therapy, including providing oncotic support and correcting sodium abnormalities, will also be discussed. Please note, attending Session 256 is strongly encouraged.

This session will provide an overview of the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care (ACVECC) RECOVER guidelines for applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients experiencing cardiac arrest. The presenter will review specific aspects of both basic and advanced CPR (such as compressions, ventilation, drug administration, monitoring, etc.), emphasizing practical application in a variety of clinic settings.

This session will provide an overview of common clinical practices to manage feline urethral obstruction, emphasizing available evidence supporting or refuting their use. Aspects related to initial stabilization, de-obstruction, post-obstructive care, and at-home management will be considered.

This session will include an overview and practical approach to providing nutritional support to sick and/or hospitalized patients. The presentation will emphasize the negative impacts of decreased nutritional intake and the importance of early intervention. Various routes for providing nutritional support will also be discussed, along with recommendations for developing a feeding plan.

This interactive presentation is designed to challenge participating veterinarians on appropriate (legal) actions when dealing with rabies and rabies immunization issues in companion animals. Utilizing case scenarios, the audience will be challenged to respond to a variety of scenarios encountered in practice. For example, what does “currently vaccinated” mean in a legal sense? What are the implications of being overdue for rabies vaccination? What’s your responsibility when a human is bitten? What are the consequences of rabies exposure in vaccinates versus non-vaccinates? Do you have rabies vaccination exemption authority? What do you need to know about vaccination of hybrid species? These and other scenarios will be explored.

The interest in performing vaccine titers (serology for vaccine-preventable diseases) is increasing significantly within the profession…and for interesting reasons! This presentation will address the two most fundamental issues facing veterinarians regarding the use of antibody testing to assess the individual patient response to vaccination: First, what are the indications for antibody testing in individual patients? And second, what do the test results say about patient management?

Vaccine adverse reactions (also known as adverse events) among dogs and cats have only recently become the target of limited scientific study. Considering the large number of vaccine choices available today and the relative underreporting of reactions, this presentation has been developed as a graphic review of the types of reactions (acute and delayed) currently recognized. This session will increase awareness of the types and frequency of reactions seen and address recommendations for mitigating known or suspected reactions.

This presentation will center on one of the most common—yet under-diagnosed—respiratory conditions in adult dogs: Chronic lower airway disease. When the cough is determined not to be associated with pneumonia, neoplasia, or cardiac disease, chronic airway disease is a key consideration. This session will focus on practical diagnostic strategies and long-term management options designed to prevent potentially serious complications associated with lower airway disease in dogs.

Despite the routine use of vaccines against feline herpesvirus-1 and calicivirus, these two diseases are still recognized as the cause of more than 90 percent of respiratory disease affecting cats. Why are so many cats infected, yet so many cats are vaccinated? Are vaccines still effective against current strains? While acute-onset feline viral upper respiratory disease is commonly seen among kittens housed in multiple-cat households and shelters, it is the adult chronic carrier cat that poses the greatest threat to the population of susceptible cats and kittens. This presentation will address the clinical identification of chronic carrier cats regularly seen in practice, long-term management options, and the role of vaccination in preventing—or not preventing—infection.

Feline coronavirus (FeCoV) infections, although common, can and do lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). A highly fatal infection associated with a uniquely virulent form of FeCoV called the “FIP virus” (FIPV), it is clearly among the most biologically complex viral infections to infect domestic cats. This session will address the spectrum of clinical signs associated with “wet” and “dry” forms of FIP; challenges associated with establishing a diagnosis; population management; treatment options; and prevention, including the challenges associated with immunizing cats against FIPV.

This presentation will discuss classic and new ways to assess renal injury, including evaluating biomarkers, staging chronic kidney disease, and setting parameters to determine prognosis.

This presentation will discuss diagnosis and management of nutritional, secondary mineral, and gastrointestinal disorders of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The speaker will provide evidence-based information along with practical applications.

This session will discuss diagnosis and management of proteinuria, hypertension, and anemia of CKD. The presenter will provide evidence-based information along with practical applications.

Knowing the true cost of a product or service helps veterinary practices make pricing decisions, as do published resources like the Well-Managed Practice Benchmarks Study and the AAHA Fee Reference. Analyzing the most frequently used fee codes in your practice also tells a story. But is it a happy story or a horror story? This session will provide insights into the latest pricing trends and how the top 50 fee codes impact a practice.

Declines in profitability impact the ability to pay the bills, to offer competitive wages and benefits, to buy new equipment, and to protect the investment value of a veterinary practice. This two-hour session will provide guidance to improve profit.

Declines in profitability impact the ability to pay the bills, to offer competitive wages and benefits, to buy new equipment, and to protect the investment value of a veterinary practice. This two-hour session will provide guidance to improve profit.

Practices need to rethink their compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain first-rate employees. Pay scales must reflect the level of education, experience, skill, and personal attributes employees bring to the table. But salary isn’t the only factor involved in keeping employees happy, satisfied in their positions, and with the practice. This session will shed light on what’s most important to team members now and explore the latest compensation and benefit trends.

When do you hope to retire, and how many years are between now and then? What do you want your retirement to look like? Do you have a post-retirement plan for the rest of your life? While most people dream of the day they will no longer have to work, many haven’t taken the time to develop a retirement plan. In this session, attendees will learn how to set goals now, even if retirement is decades away, so they are able to enjoy the retirement they want—and deserve.

Do you have a NoLoSM practice – in other words, one that has no or low profit and thus little or no practice value? You may be surprised to learn that you control the value of your practice and that management decisions you make today will ultimately determine its value when it comes time to sell. Don’t be caught by surprise! This session will guide practice owners in taking steps now to improve their practice’s value later.

Communicating with employees is essential to the success of your safety program. Included in that communication is mandatory forms, signage, and strategic plans. This session will explore the best ways to accomplish this sometimes-tedious task.

This session will cover the basic hazards found in the veterinary workplace—such as fire prevention and response; hazardous chemicals; dress codes; meals, snacks, and breaks; and electricity. Attendees will learn the most practical ways to be OSHA compliant.

Veterinary professionals sometimes place their patients’ needs above all else, including their own safety. This session will discuss practical ways to stay safe and be compliant when performing tasks such as inhalation anesthesia, radiology, animal handling, and dangerous drug administration.

Veterinarians must use controlled drugs to care for patients, but they must also comply with federal and state regulations. In this session, attendees will learn the requirements for registration, who can and cannot have access to the drug supply, and the security protocols that must be followed for these drugs.

Keeping track of controlled drugs requires precise recordkeeping. This session will explain the rules governing controlled drug logs, the most practical way of logging data, and how to find and fix mistakes on drug logs.

In order to ensure control over a practice’s inventory, it is essential to keep an accurate and up-to-date count of the items it contains. In this session, attendees will learn the methods and times when they should be counting controlled drugs, as well as the proper ways to dispose of unwanted, expired, or adulterated controlled drugs.

Food fads come and go, and many have strong intersections with veterinary medicine. This session will summarize the arguments for and against these food fads and apply the hierarchy of evidence to enable attendees to discuss these topics with clients.

For decades, both human and veterinary medical practitioners have treated their patients using pharmaceuticals, which inevitably end up in our waterways through disposal and excretion. As an increasing amount of these drugs have been identified in bodies of water worldwide over the past 20 years, real and potential health effects for the environment, animals, and humans have become alarmingly apparent. This presentation will address these issues and discuss how veterinary medicine can play a key role in mitigating this growing problem.

Zoonotic diseases are a common topic for veterinarians, but literature consistently shows that clients and the general public often fail to understand their significance. More importantly, many veterinary practices do not have a disease prevention strategy or biosecurity policy in place. This lecture will explore the most common zoonotic infections stemming from both small and large animals and discuss how to better control their transmission through educational messaging and biosecurity measures.

Emerging infectious diseases occur both internationally and domestically. This session will examine the most pressing of these threats, current trends, how to set practice protocols for dealing with emerging infectious diseases (zoonotic or otherwise), and other entities that should be involved in the process.

Antimicrobials are a century-old tool; however, the effectiveness of that tool continues to shrink as bacterial resistance grows. A stronger evidence-based approach to clinical medicine can decrease reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics, but antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will continue to be a problem throughout our lives and beyond. This lecture will discuss the status of AMR, factors in human and veterinary medicine that are making it worse, and what’s being done to address the problem.

While dogs and cats play an integral role in many Americans’ lives, policies and regulations that deal with pet-related issues in this country are few and far between. Understanding the policy landscape and current concerns will be increasingly important for veterinarians as this evolves. In this session, attendees will hear a brief history of U.S. oversight of companion animals before diving into current issues, such as emotional support animals, telehealth, cannabis, opioids, and general health benefits of pet ownership.

This three-part lecture will examine the use of proBNP as an effective tool for screening shelter pets for underlying cardiac disease and the literature that supports it, with a focus on feline and canine patients.

This three-part lecture will examine the use of proBNP as an effective tool for screening shelter pets for underlying cardiac disease and the literature that supports it, with a focus on feline and canine patients.

This three-part lecture will examine the use of proBNP as an effective tool for screening shelter pets for underlying cardiac disease and the literature that supports it, with a focus on feline and canine patients.

Preventive lifesaving initiatives—such as spay/neuter, shelter medicine, animal transfer, and safety net programs—have decreased animal intake and euthanasia in shelters across the U.S. With this success has come the need for shelters to think differently about their missions and decision-making strategies. This session will explore the evolution of animal sheltering and community expectations and the resulting impact on shelter operations, resources, decision making, and future needs.

Over the years, animal shelters have faced mounting pressure, both internally and externally, to reduce euthanasia. The good news: Success is being celebrated across the country. The bad news: There have been unintended consequences. Socially conscious sheltering is a national initiative that promotes a shared set of values, with the goal of creating a new culture in animal welfare and sheltering. In this session, attendees will learn about this growing movement and how it complements existing philosophies.

Animal shelters can’t do it alone. It takes a collaborative, socially conscious animal community to achieve the best outcomes for shelter animals and community pets. In this session, attendees will learn what key constituencies—including shelters, veterinarians, rescue groups, law enforcement, policy makers, media, and animal lovers—must do to create a socially conscious animal community that promotes saving lives, humane care, safety, and the human-animal bond.

This interactive training session will provide valuable tools to help manage compassion fatigue, prevent burnout, improve self-care, and reignite your passion.

In March 2019, APHIS updated its scrapie regulations and program standards through the publication of a final rule in the Federal Register and the Scrapie Program Standards, which included modifying identification requirements for goats and certain recordkeeping requirements for sheep and goats. This session will review these changes and discuss the status of scrapie eradication efforts in the U.S.

This session will review confirmed diagnoses of health problems in sheep and goats seen at the Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) over the past few years, including enteric, respiratory, neurologic, and abortion cases, as well as other causes of illness. The session will also review laboratory diagnostic services available at the ADDL, the only Ohio laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

This session will provide guidance to practitioners who currently have or are interested in having a student shadow. The presenter will discuss ways to involve the student, what they can and cannot do, and legal considerations.

This session will discuss ethical issues of concern when working with competitors, managers, and the public at fairs, shows, and sales. The speaker will offer clinical examples involving competition livestock, residue sampling, medication use, certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs), breed sales, petting zoos, and livestock nursery displays.

The impacts of clinical and subclinical mastitis are well known for dairy does, but are often overlooked in the meat goat herd. This session will share clinical examples of contagious and environmental mastitis in dairy and meat goat herds that illustrate mastitis prevention, control, and surveillance strategies.

This two-part session will discuss sustainable approaches to herd health management and how to help clients prioritize health management strategies. Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE), and mycoplasma will be emphasized.

This two-part session will discuss sustainable approaches to herd health management and how to help clients prioritize health management strategies. Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE), and mycoplasma will be emphasized.

Everyone has a different behavioral style. For instance, one person may be dominant and fast-paced, while another is detail oriented and deliberate. Rather than recognizing and valuing those differences, some people tend to judge others who aren’t like them. Using the DiSC behavioral analysis, session participants will learn about their own style, discover how to recognize other styles, and explore how to communicate in ways that help them better manage conflict.

Do you know how to work effectively with people of all ages? Four generations are currently in the workforce, and each has a different set of values, causing communication challenges and conflicts. This session will explore fun and productive ways to better understand other generations. Attendees will leave with new ideas and strategies to make them successful at work.

Communication begins before a person even opens their mouth! In fact, 93 percent of communication is non-verbal. This session will help attendees learn in a fun way how to build rapport with their teams and clients, gain confidence, determine when someone is being dishonest, gain power in a situation, improve their own body language, and better interpret other people’s body language.

In this fast-paced world, and especially in veterinary medicine, many people face depression, are overwhelmed, lack work/life integration, struggle financially, and are overloaded on information. This session will discuss ways to be happier, think more positively, prioritize self-care, live in the moment, learn to forgive, and stress less. Life doesn’t have to be so hard! Attendees will leave with strategies they can use immediately to improve their lives.

Studies show that expressing a positive attitude improves engagement, intelligence, energy, and profitability. In this enlightening session, attendees will learn ways to handle negative people, create a more positive work culture, and increase happiness for themselves and their teams.

Every business outcome shows improvement when the brain is positive, but sometimes it’s hard to be positive! Many people overthink things or, conversely, make knee-jerk decisions. This session will explore ways to escape the reptilian brain; determine individual triggers; and ultimately become happier, healthier, and more productive. Attendees will also learn how to tame the procrastination monster and reduce stress to boost positive thinking and improve productivity.

Many behavior concerns have roots in a medical problem that, if not for the behavioral issues, would otherwise go unnoticed. Cats are unique in that they are both predator and prey animals. Because of this, assessing their pain is challenging—not only for pet owners, but also for veterinary professionals. It is crucial that veterinary technicians are able to identify pain in cats and communicate its significance to their clients. Through lecture and video demonstration, this session will hone attendees’ pain assessment skills and provide resources to administer effective client and in-clinic questionnaires.

Veterinary team members often express doubt about handling cats. The best way to know a cat’s emotional state and whether is is relaxed enough to cope with the stress of veterinary procedures is to watch their body language. This session will discuss how cats communicate with people and describe how cats communicate fear, stress, anxiety, and happiness. Understanding this is the first step to fear-free and feline-friendly handling.

Cats defecating and urinating outside the box is one of the most common behavioral issues among cats. Unfortunately, this is also a leading cause of relinquishment. In this session, the speaker will discuss litter box lessons, including common causes of house soiling, how to prevent it, and special litter box needs for senior and handicapped cats. Attendees will learn how to respond efficiently and successively to client concerns about feline house soiling. Helping owners understand and deal with this common problem can help keep cats in their homes.

Cats are amazing creatures. They are intelligent, curious, and active. Their lifestyle reflects the predatory skills and behaviors needed to hunt in the wild. For a cat, a fulfilling day includes resting, stalking, chasing, pouncing, playing, eating, and grooming, among other activities. When they can’t fulfill these needs, they get bored—which can lead to destructive behaviors, aggression, anxiety, and other problems. We all want our cats to live their best lives! This session will define enrichment, explain why it is needed, and describe its benefits. Attendees will also learn practical applications of enrichment that meet all five basic welfare needs of cats.

Many animals feel fear, anxiety, and stress during veterinary visits. Fear Free techniques are designed to limit those negative responses. When patients are more relaxed, veterinary staff are able to handle them more easily and obtain more accurate readings of vital signs, while the animals themselves recover more quickly and their owners are happier. Fear Free techniques—such as considerate approach, gentle control, and a touch gradient—can be used to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in patients. This session will introduce attendees to Fear Free methods; help them better understand fear, anxiety, and stress in cat and dog patients; and offer proven tools to reduce their negative responses. Note: This session is a recommended pre-requisite for Workshop C.

The sensory perception of dogs and cats is different than that of humans, because they can be more sensitive to environmental stimuli than we are. Veterinary professionals must take this into consideration when developing their hospital atmosphere and culture. In this session, the speaker will discuss practical tips and items that can be used immediately to create a calm, inviting environment for each individual client and patient. Note: This session is a recommended pre-requisite for Workshop C.

Working with animals can be a dangerous job. A better understanding of how to read both dogs and cats will help veterinary staff determine when and how to restrain them. This presentation will explore restraint techniques through demonstration and video examples.

This lecture will discuss how oxygen is used in the body; how it is measured; various ways to administer it, from flow by to nasotracheal catheters; PiO2/FiO2; and A-a gradients This lecture will focus on how to identify a dyspneic animal and the physiology and treatment of respiratory distress.

Veterinary technicians and assistants are often taught what to do—rather than how to determine what to do. Many merely complete the treatments that veterinarians prescribe and are not required to think ahead for their patients. This needs to change. Technicians and assistants are just as responsible for patient care as veterinarians are. They must be able to identify problems early, understand changes in their patients, and take proactive steps to avoid a decline in their conditions. In this lecture, attendees will learn forward-thinking skills that are essential to providing the best care possible.

Even if you do not work in an emergency hospital, the chances are good that you will encounter an animal that has been hit by a car (HBC). The first 15 minutes are crucial. In this session, attendees will learn exactly what to do and in what order when an HBC is presented for treatment. Topics to be discussed include triage, catheter selection, fluid therapy, and more.

Technicians are taught how to take radiographs, not how to interpret them. This lecture will explain how to view and interpret a radiograph and discuss common abdominal disease processes that may show up on a radiograph. Attendees will leave with an ability to identify emergent issues so that their patients can receive faster treatment.

Technicians are taught how to take radiographs, but not how to interpret them. This lecture will explain how to view and interpret a radiograph, with an emphasis on common disease processes that may be seen in the thoracic cavity. Attendees will leave with an ability to identify issues so that their patients can receive faster treatment.

This two-part session will review the different developmental stages of dogs and cats, justifying the importance of socialization, its implementation, and integration into routine veterinary care of puppies and kittens. The presenter will recommend methods that clients can use to meet their pets’ needs for exercise, play, and social interactions. Attendees will learn to recognize the various behavior patterns of social interaction among dogs and cats.

This two-part session will review the different developmental stages of dogs and cats, justifying the importance of socialization, its implementation, and integration into routine veterinary care of puppies and kittens. The presenter will recommend methods that clients can use to meet their pets’ needs for exercise, play, and social interactions. Attendees will learn to recognize the various behavior patterns of social interaction among dogs and cats.

In this session, attendees will learn how to identify dog and cat body language in different contexts in order to interpret an animal’s emotional state (e.g., attentive, fearful, appeasing, aggressive) and to predict future behavior. The lecture will also describe specific behavioral signs that can help veterinary companion animal practitioners reduce their patients’ fear response and accurately assess interactions.

This session will discuss sources of patient fear in a routine veterinary appointment and identify patients at the highest risk for fear. The presenter will explain different handling methods and how they either increase or decrease fear, as well as describe ways to minimize fear, both in the moment and at future visits. Attendees will learn how to apply behavior modification techniques to veterinary approaches and procedures in order to attenuate fear.

This session will explore various types of learning and behavior modification techniques, the rationale behind each method, and how they affect an animal’s emotions and behavior. The presenter will also review specific types of learning to solve common dog and cat behavior problems.

This session will identify important patient history details and risk factors that indicate behavior problems in dogs and cats. The presenter will review a variety of behavior resources and tools and describe different levels of referrals, ranging from trainers to veterinary behaviorists. Attendees will learn to construct a management plan for common canine behavior problems.

Despite increasing amounts of information available on enhancing client communication in general, there is limited literature focusing specifically on additional considerations for working with individuals with special needs and assistance animals. This session will summarize current recommendations for building successful relationships with special needs clients and assistance animals.

We’ve all heard the expression, “It’s all about how you raise them!” At the same time, we live in a society where many people believe certain breeds are more dangerous than others, and some cities have even passed breed-specific legislation. How important is a dog’s breed? Can training, environment, and other factors overcome genetics? What evidence can we offer clients to answer these questions? This session will analyze the forces that shape domestic dog behavior and summarize research findings about these issues.

Animal shelters and rescues carry the difficult responsibility of protecting both the animals in their care and the humans that adopt them. To that end, they use a variety of techniques to assess animal behavior. However, there is limited research on the accuracy or true predictive ability of these tests. This session will summarize recent research on the efficacy of such behavioral assessments, with applications for shelter use.

Enrichment is an essential consideration for cats living in shelters and other cattery situations. This session will review the theory of enrichment; the relationship between stress, handling, housing, and health; and the proven beneficial impacts of enrichment. Attendees will learn a variety of enrichment applications, including strategies for addressing the Five Freedoms in the shelter environment, current Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines, and tips for do-it-yourself enrichment.

Enrichment is an essential component of quality of life for dogs living in shelters and other kenneling situations. This session will explore the relationship between housing, stress, and mental and behavioral health, as well as the proven benefits of enrichment. Participants will learn strategies for providing the Five Freedoms, current Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines, and tips for DIY enrichment.

This presentation will provide an overview of essential water quality parameters and how they play a critical role in the health of aquatic animals. The speaker will discuss common diagnostic techniques used in fish medicine, including sedation and anesthesia; skin, fin, and gill biopsies; blood and fluid sampling; viral, bacterial, and parasite sampling; histopathology; and necropsy.

This two-part session will explore the most common viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases of tropical, ornamental, and food fish. The etiology, predisposing factors, common clinical signs, and pathology in the fish will be presented, as well as the proper diagnostic tools required to correctly identify the problem.

This two-part session will explore the most common viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases of tropical, ornamental, and food fish. The etiology, predisposing factors, common clinical signs, and pathology in the fish will be presented, as well as the proper diagnostic tools required to correctly identify the problem.

This presentation will help the veterinary practitioner work up a clinical fish case; establish presumptive versus definitive diagnoses; develop a management and therapeutic plan; and design and implement a biosecurity plan for tropical, ornamental, and food fish.

This session will provide updates in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

This lecture will be an interactive, case-based discussion aimed at identifying challenges practitioners face when managing cases of equine endocrinologic disease, including PPID and EMS.

This session will discuss benefits and techniques of the FLASH method of equine abdominal ultrasound. Images of normal and abnormal findings will be discussed in detail.

Documenting that a wound involves a synovial cavity is one of the most important aspects of wound management in horses. The absence of synovial involvement greatly simplifies the treatment regimen, while not recognizing synovial sepsis can be catastrophic for the horse. This session will review the anatomy of the synovial cavities of the distal limb, how to perform a thorough examination of the wound and limb, and use of ancillary diagnostic imaging techniques—all of which can aid in identifying synovial sepsis.

Treating synovial wounds before an infection has been established is simple and, in many cases, improves prognosis. Treating the infection is often straightforward, but whether to close infected synovial cavities can sometimes be a difficult decision. Despite this challenge, proper wound management can greatly minimize the morbidity associated with many of these injuries. In general, clinicians should attempt to close as many of these synovial wounds as possible to help minimize the comorbidities that may arise. This session will discuss proper management of synovial wounds, including how to determine if an infected synovial cavity should be closed.

Injuries to bone and soft tissue structures within the medial femoral tibial (MFT) joint can result in lameness in the performance horse. Being able to palpate the MFT joint, perform intrasynovial anesthesia, and adequately image the stifle are often critical to a definitive assessment of the problem. This session will discuss the wide range of clinical conditions that can occur and how to sort them all out in order to develop both treatment strategies and an accurate prognosis.

In recent years, zoonotic diseases in humans have emerged from various quarters, causing serious consternation and triggering considerable efforts to control them. A better understanding of the “headliners”—those diseases that are most often discussed in the media—can help veterinary professionals translate these threats to concerned clients and others in their communities. The session will review some of the current diseases that have made headlines (such as ebola, MERS-CoV, and Rift Valley fever), with a focus on pathogenesis and mechanisms of transmission.

The veterinary community and animal owners tend to have a good awareness of the most common pathogens transmitted from animals to humans: Mange, ringworm, and canine visceral larva migrans, for example. This session will focus on some of the more unusual zoonotic pathogens, many of which can be fatal. The presenter will discuss, among other diseases, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, plague, leptospirosis, raccoon visceral larva migrans, leishmaniasis, MRSA, and alveolar hydatid disease. Come prepared to be surprised (maybe) and entertained (definitely!).

One billion people around the world lack reliable access to safe, affordable food. One major consequence of food insecurity is cognitive stunting, a permanent condition that occurs when children in their first 1,000 days of life do not get essential micronutrients found in animal-based foods such as eggs, dairy, meat, and fish. This session will discuss the problem of food insecurity in a digestible manner (pun intended!) and explain how promoting animal health and productivity has a major impact on mitigating its cognitively debilitating side effects.

Selecting an appropriate intervention after intramammary infection depends on an accurate diagnosis, but a bewildering number of tests are available to determine etiology. This presentation will discuss the clinical implications of using traditional microbiology and farm-based or molecular methods to diagnose mastitis, with an emphasis on practical decision making.

Treatment of mastitis accounts for a large portion of antibiotic use on farms, but not all cows with mastitis will benefit from antibiotic therapy. This two-part presentation will review research that has studied outcomes of antibiotic treatment of non-severe mastitis. Attendees will learn how to identify cows that may benefit from antibiotics and options for those that do not. The presentation will emphasize implementation of defined protocols that ensure appropriate and economically sound decisions about using antibiotics to treat mastitis.

Treatment of mastitis accounts for a large portion of antibiotic use on farms, but not all cows with mastitis will benefit from antibiotic therapy. This two-part presentation will review research that has studied outcomes of antibiotic treatment of non-severe mastitis. Attendees will learn how to identify cows that may benefit from antibiotics and options for those that do not. The presentation will emphasize implementation of defined protocols that ensure appropriate and economically sound decisions about using antibiotics to treat mastitis.

Providing care for and honoring the end-of-life process has become as critical as any medical and preventative service we can offer throughout the lives of our patients. This lecture will introduce attendees to concepts of end-of-life care, including ethical concerns to consider while supporting animal patients and their human families.

In addition to conventional therapies, clients often request complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), which includes a wide range of treatment modalities that may be useful in providing palliative treatment for animals. This session will discuss how integrative and conventional veterinary practitioners can work together in an animal hospice care team by enhancing understanding and improving communication.

Herbal medicine can offer gentle, supportive treatment and alleviate or even prevent discomfort in geriatric patients and those nearing the end of life. This session will introduce participants to Western herbal medicine, which involves the study of detailed materia medica to create individualized formulas that help ensure quality and avoid interactions with pharmaceutical medications.

In the first hour of this two-part session, the presenter will discuss a selection of specific herbs for practical use in palliative medicine, including their properties, phytochemicals, mechanisms of action, traditional uses, and current scientific evidence. Attendees will also learn to recognize pain and how to incorporate herbal therapies into an integrative approach that includes pharmaceutical treatments as needed to maximize patient comfort. The second half of the session will explore herbal treatments that support the body’s general well-being; protect against cancer and infection; and treat symptoms of discomfort in neurologic, gastro-intestinal, dermatologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems, which can cause distress at the end of life.

In the first hour of this two-part session, the presenter will discuss a selection of specific herbs for practical use in palliative medicine, including their properties, phytochemicals, mechanisms of action, traditional uses, and current scientific evidence. Attendees will also learn to recognize pain and how to incorporate herbal therapies into an integrative approach that includes pharmaceutical treatments as needed to maximize patient comfort. The second half of the session will explore herbal treatments that support the body’s general well-being; protect against cancer and infection; and treat symptoms of discomfort in neurologic, gastro-intestinal, dermatologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems, which can cause distress at the end of life.

Compassion fatigue and burnout are very real concerns for veterinarians, staff, and all caregivers. Self-care is a vital part of our continued functioning in life and in work, but it does not have to be complicated. Going beyond the usual suggestions of eating right and exercising, this lecture will provide ideas to improve mindfulness, promote a connection with nature, boost gratitude, and find joy.

This presentation will review causes and clinical outcomes of feline myocardial diseases, as well as diagnostic tests used to identify and stage the severity of cardiomyopathies. Relevant pathology, clinical examination findings, approach to feline heart murmurs, use of cardiac biomarkers, radiographic evaluation, and basic echocardiographic imaging will also be described.

Building on the information presented in Session 433, the speaker will discuss approaches used to treat asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, acute and chronic congestive heart failure, and arterial thromboembolism in feline patients with cardiomyopathies.

Mitral regurgitation is the most common cause of heart disease in dogs. This presentation will provide an overview of myxomatous valvular heart disease in dogs, including diagnostic testing, the use of cardiac biomarkers, radiographic differential diagnosis, and (ACVIM) staging of disease.

This session will build on the information presented in Session 435 in considering possible management approaches for dogs with chronic valvular heart disease. Topics of discussion will include the treatment of preclinical myxomatous valve disease, stabilization of acute congestive heart failure, and long-term therapy of heart failure in dogs. The speaker will also offer a brief review of commonly used cardiac drugs.

This interactive session will focus on the radiographic differential diagnosis of cough and respiratory distress in dogs and cats due to cardiac and noncardiac disorders. Case vignettes will be used to emphasize key points of radiographic interpretation and potential diagnoses. Audience participation will be encouraged!

Echocardiography is increasingly used in general small animal practice. This session will focus on the interpretation of two-dimensional (B-Mode) images for diagnosis of acquired canine and feline cardiac diseases in both primary care and emergency room settings. Case vignettes will be used to emphasize key points of echocardiographic interpretation. Audience participation will be encouraged!

The amount of information available to practitioners regarding the hematological evaluation of a patient has never been so comprehensive. This in-depth presentation will detail how to interpret findings on the hemogram and how to recognize clinically significant changes on the histogram (dot plots).

Although benchtop instruments can provide a great deal of information, other important abnormalities cannot be detected in the same manner. These include consistent recognition of immature leukocytes from marked inflammation, circulating neoplastic cells, abnormal red blood cell shapes and inclusions, and hemotropic parasites. This presentation will use case examples to illustrate how evaluation of a blood smear can be critical in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan to optimize patient care.

This session will present cases in which the hematology and other laboratory diagnostics were important in diagnosing and monitoring patient diseases. Examples that include frequent abnormalities will be highlighted to emphasize important aspects of laboratory diagnostics.

Cytology is typically less expensive and less invasive than histopathology, and results are available sooner than those from a biopsy. Cytology of skin lesions can aid practitioners in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan to optimize patient care. For many cutaneous neoplasms, cytology can provide a definitive diagnosis with high diagnostic accuracy, and for some inflammatory lesions, etiologic agents can also be identified. In this session, attendees will hear about dermatological cases in which cytology was particularly helpful.

Cytology is typically less expensive and less invasive than histopathology, and results are available sooner than those from a biopsy. Cytology of enlarged lymph nodes can aid practitioners in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan to optimize patient care. For dogs with lymphoma, cytology can often provide a definitive diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasia with high diagnostic accuracy, and for some inflammatory lesions, etiologic agents can also be identified. In this session, attendees will hear about cases in which cytology was particularly helpful in cases involving the lymph nodes.

Practitioners have widely accepted the belief that urinalysis is best performed within two hours of collection to avoid complications stemming from in-vitro formation of elements and degeneration of cells. This session will explore an easy, reliable, in-house method of manual urine sediment evaluation using images generated by an automated urinalysis analyzer. Accurate recognition and interpretation of clinically relevant formed elements in urine will also be covered.

This interactive session will cover a variety of useful friction knots that help provide consistently secure ligation, as well as other practical knots. Attendees will be able to practice the techniques they learn.

In this session, attendees will learn how to create a beautiful skin closure. The lecture will discuss the role of the hypodermal closure line, explain how to perform a continuous hypodermal suture line, and offer a variety of tips for cosmetic skin closure.

This session will cover the rules of safe ligation and demonstrate practical knot-tying techniques to eliminate the worry during ligation of large pedicles.

In this session, the speaker will share his top tips for surgery—dubbed “Smeakisms.” Attendees will learn a variety of practical surgical techniques to safely stop bleeding in soft parencymal organs, remove foreign bodies, complete intestinal biopsies, and perform serosal patches to reduce the risk of anastomosis dehiscence in at-risk patients.

This session will discuss current principles and recommendations for abdominal closure, leak-proof organ closure, suture choice in a variety of surgical procedures, and abdominal lavage.

In this lecture, attendees will learn the best imaging methods to detect migrating organic foreign bodies and understand the steps to developing the most appropriate treatment plan.

While corneal ulcers are a common problem in veterinary medicine, many practitioners feel ill-prepared to treat them and consequently adopt a trial-and-error approach to therapy. In this session, the speaker will discuss ways to accurately assess the status of corneal ulcers and to determine the optimal approach to treatment in both large and small animals—from starting initial therapy, accurately assessing stages of healing, and knowing what to do when ulcers progress or simply won’t heal. The lecture will serve as a prologue to Session 452, which will cover surgical options in the management of corneal diseases.

Building on the discussion of corneal ulcers presented in Session 451, this session will explore new surgical options for managing corneal disease. Topics will include options for dealing with corneal endothelial decompensation (Gunderson flaps and the status of endothelial transplantation), treatment of recurrent erosions, lamellar keratectomy for corneal dermoids and corneal sequestrum, management of corneoconjunctival neoplasia, and surgery for deep corneal ulceration.

Many have received an overly simplistic education about uveitis and how it must be treated. This session will address what is happening at the cellular level and explore a good method for approaching and treating this disorder.

Despite the many years we have been dealing with this problem, glaucoma is still the leading cause of blindness in veterinary and human ophthalmology. We will discuss the anatomy with attention to species differences, diagnostic modalities, and options for rational medical management as well as old and new surgical options for our patients.

Cataracts are, quite simply, any opacity of the lens, but the approach to managing cataracts in animals is anything but simple. This session will explore what options are available for the medical and surgical management of cataracts and discuss new advances for dealing with diabetic cataracts. Attendees will also learn how to make sense of the many products on the market that are presented as non-surgical cures for cataracts.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is much more complex than just a deficiency of tears. In this session, the speaker will explore insights into the disorder’s pathophysiology and discuss sensible approaches to treatment, including new products and methods.

This presentation will provide a practical overview of the diagnosis and management of glomerular diseases using current evidence.

Although micturition disorders in male dogs seem to be on the rise, there is very little information to guide practitioners in their treatment. During this presentation, the speaker will discuss what factors appear to be the leading causes of incontinence in male dogs, as well as the diagnosis and management of these disorders.

The recent introduction of novel tests for urothelial and transitional cell carcinoma have changed the landscape for the diagnostic approach to this disorder. During this presentation, attendees will learn how to use these new tests and interpret the results, as well as the implications an early diagnosis has for changing therapeutic approaches.

Unfortunately, some veterinary practice owners repeatedly make decisions that can land them in a legal dispute. This session will focus on the five most common legal mistakes veterinary practices make and how to avoid them.

This session will inform veterinarians, practice owners, managers, and staff members involved in the hiring process about the legalities of interviewing, hiring, and firing employees. Attendees will learn how to conduct interviews that protect the practice from claims of discrimination, why employee manuals are so important, what to consider when writing job descriptions, and how to fire an employee without being sued.

This session is designed to prepare attendees to successfully purchase or sell a practice. The speaker will cover topics pertinent to both buying and selling property, including corporate sales, succession planning, sale structure options, tax considerations, and associated risks.

Practice owners do not know how strong their ownership agreements are until they are tested. This session will detail the importance of having an agreement between co-owners to govern the breakup of their practice, with a focus on options to ease the transition in the event a breakup occurs. Attendees will learn ways to avoid a dispute between co-owners; how to resolve disagreements when they occur; and how to handle the improper conduct, disability, or death of a co-owner. Options for funding an owner buyout without harming the practice will also be covered.

Before signing on the dotted line, how thoroughly should potential buyers investigate a practice in order to get an accurate view of its value and potential? This session will focus on the process of due diligence, including when it should be conducted, reasonable levels of investigation, and how it is tied to the purchase contract.

Landlords are frequently aggressive in seeking one-sided leases that benefit their interests over their tenants’—which can lead to legal battles over fair terms. This session will explore common contract issues that veterinary practice owners need to understand prior to leasing a space for a new business, relocating an established practice, or taking over an existing lease as part of a practice purchase. The presenter will identify a variety of terms that landlords attempt to impose upon their tenants and discuss options for resolving disputes to obtain a fair lease agreement.

Your team is the engine of your practice—and like any engine, it needs regular attention. Learn how to create more value for them, which in turn brings more value to your practice as well.

Everyone today expects more value for less. Attend this session to find out what clients today expect and how to deliver more value for your clients and, ultimately, your practice.

Emphasizing preventive medicine can increase the quality and frequency of patient care, decrease client costs over the lives of their pets, and boost practice revenue. In this session, attendees will learn ways to expand their practices’ preventive care services.

Many clients are not bringing their pets in often enough to benefit from all your services. This session will teach attendees how to use forward booking and new technology to increase visits, thereby also increasing practice revenue.

Your clients today are price shopping everything they buy—including veterinary services and products. This session will explore ways to increase profits with slimmer margins.

The value of your practice is inextricably linked to the value of your property. Attend this session to learn what you can do to maximize the value of both.

This session will discuss the primary tick species that infest domestic animals in the U.S. and describe how to identify them. The speaker will explain the historical range of each species and track their current movement throughout North America. The benefits and drawbacks of the major tick preventives available for dogs and cats will be explored, along with some tips to encourage client compliance.

This session will focus on the diagnostic challenges that tick-borne diseases pose and how to approach them in a systematic way. Attendees will be given a framework to aid them in developing a protocol that fits their clinic’s specific needs.

This session will cover the key principles of flea control and the variety of flea control products currently on the market. Topics of discussion will include managing recurring flea infestations, home infestations, flea allergy dermatitis, and other flea-borne diseases. The speaker will also offer suggestions for persuading skeptical clients to use year-round flea control and to comply with your other flea prevention recommendations.

This session will cover the major intestinal parasites of dogs and cats that also pose a threat to humans, including the most appropriate diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies for their control and prevention. A portion of the lecture will be devoted to discussing the emergence of multidrug-resistant hookworms and what practitioners can do if a case pops up in their clinic.

This session will cover the basic components of diagnosing and treating Giardia infections in dogs and cats and discuss the zoonotic potential of Giardia strains, including how to talk to clients about these infections. Because many practitioners across the country are struggling with Giardia cases that are unresponsive to treatment, the speaker will share ways to improve the success of Giardia treatment protocols. (Spoiler: Sometimes it’s still a struggle.)

Elephants in human care have been diagnosed with tuberculosis on several occasions. Zoo veterinarians, in conjunction with regulatory officials, have designed testing and treatment protocols for managing infected elephants, as well as occupational health programs for monitoring staff. These programs will be the subject of this presentation.

This session will introduce the cornerstones of Fear Free and discuss the emotional health of shelter animals. Attendees will learn about the stress response and its effect on animal behavior and health. Considering how cats and dogs perceive the shelter environment will enhance their understanding of how to reduce stress for both animals and people.

This session will explore common emotional states of shelter animals and analyze their typical behavioral responses. Attendees will learn how to recognize when animals are feeling good emotionally, as well as how to identify when they are experiencing various forms of emotional distress.

Animals are always learning, regardless of whether we intend for them to do so. This session will explore how animals learn and the ways learning affects their behavior in the shelter. Simple techniques for training and enrichment to improve emotional health will be introduced.

In this session, the fundamentals of Fear Free handling techniques will be discussed, including using a “considerate approach,” “touch gradient,” and “gentle control” when interacting with animals and performing necessary animal care procedures.

In this session, the use of medications and other products to reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration will be discussed. The speaker will also share case examples and protocols designed to help shelter animals adjust to and cope with shelter life and handling.

In this session, a series of case examples will illustrate daily observation of shelter animals and response to their needs. Fear Free concepts will be applied in order to provide care that reduces fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration while simultaneously improving welfare, safety, and adoptability.

This session will explore approaches to diagnosis and management of common causes of abortion; herd strategies to decrease risk of contagious abortion; and minimizing zoonotic potential. The speaker will also discuss emerging causes of abortion, monitoring abnormal pregnancies, and approaches to causes of undiagnosed abortion.

This session will cover how to develop long-term, herd-based preventive practices with goat and sheep clients in a variety of herd and flock settings. The speaker will discuss transitioning from individual emergencies to preventive health programs, core preventive health management programs, and using standard operating protocol (SOP) approaches to medication use.

Milking goats and sheep are not small cows, and the presentation and behavior of bacteria vary in these species as compared to mastitis in dairy cows. Management of mastitis is also more complex in these species, because few drugs are approved for use in small ruminants, and little research exists to validate treatment protocols. This overview of mastitis in small ruminants will discuss definitions, common pathogens, preventive strategies, milk quality goals, and use of antibiotics in small ruminants, with emphasis on milking goats.

Necropsies need not be complicated. By following a systematic procedure and using the “six steps” approach, practitioners can effectively examine all tissues, collect appropriate samples, and submit them to a laboratory for optimal processing and diagnosis. A field necropsy of small ruminants is easily accomplished and saves the owner the problem of transporting the carcass to the laboratory. This session will review the procedure and highlight some of the most common diseases that can be diagnosed through gross necropsy.

Goats and sheep are becoming increasingly popular—not just for exhibition, but as pets as well—which means practitioners could be seeing more of these patients. This session will summarize obstructive urolithiasis in small ruminants, including etiologies and risk factors, as well as emergency, medical, and surgical therapies. The speaker will also discuss novel surgical techniques that may provide longer-term success in refractory cases.

This session will begin with a discussion of disbudding and surgical dehorning of goats, followed by teaser ram preparation.

Change is constant, yet it can be quite challenging—even when well intentioned. In this interactive, two-part session, attendees will explore change adaptation on both a personal and professional level. This workshop is for anyone who wants to grow as a change agent, as well as those who wish to be a force for positive change but at times feel constrained by colleagues or their environment.

Change is constant, yet it can be quite challenging—even when well intentioned. In this interactive, two-part session, attendees will explore change adaptation on both a personal and professional level. This workshop is for anyone who wants to grow as a change agent, as well as those who wish to be a force for positive change but at times feel constrained by colleagues or their environment.

Whether you are an individual contributor, manage a team, or run a practice, a critical element of successful leadership is effective prioritization. Why is this so difficult, and why do so many suffer from initiative overload? This interactive, two-hour session will discuss why effective prioritization is so critical, why it is often a challenge, and how and when to say no.

Whether you are an individual contributor, manage a team, or run a practice, a critical element of successful leadership is effective prioritization. Why is this so difficult, and why do so many suffer from initiative overload? This interactive, two-hour session will discuss why effective prioritization is so critical, why it is often a challenge, and how and when to say no.

Most of us do not have the luxury of choosing the individuals we work with. We can, however, choose an approach of working together that maximizes impact and increases the quality and speed of our decision making. Join this interactive, two-part session to discuss the characteristics of an effective team and how you can build your own personal roadmap for collaboration effectiveness.

Most of us do not have the luxury of choosing the individuals we work with. We can, however, choose an approach of working together that maximizes impact and increases the quality and speed of our decision making. Join this interactive, two-part session to discuss the characteristics of an effective team and how you can build your own personal roadmap for collaboration effectiveness.

This in-depth presentation will cover numerous inhalant anesthetics and discuss the potential risks associated with direct exposure to waste anesthetic gases. Attendees will also learn a variety of safety measures to protect themselves from unnecessary exposure.

Technicians interpret data from anesthetic monitors on a routine basis. This session will cover various monitoring modalities used in assessing the anesthetized patient, including esophageal stethoscope, ECG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, capnography, and temperature. The speaker will also detail common pitfalls and precautions that should be taken while interpreting the data these tools provide.

This presentation will cover a number of locoregional anesthetic techniques, as well as detailed instructions and video demonstrations on how to perform each. The speaker will explain nerve block techniques including brachial plexus, Bier, RUM (ring), intercostal, intra-articular and intratesticular blocks, epidural analgesia, and much more!

The responsibility of surgical instrument care is often thrust upon veterinary technicians, so it is important they understand industry standards of proper sterilization practices. During this presentation, attendees will learn the science behind and importance of proper surgical instrument processing, including the role of ultrasonic cleaning devices and appropriate use of steam sterilization. Various methods to assure quality control during the sterilization process will be discussed in detail. The information presented will be especially beneficial to technicians interested in pursuing a surgical specialty through the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians.

Canine elbow dysplasia (CED) is a common cause of forelimb lameness in young large breed dogs. During this presentation, attendees will learn the clinical signs, best diagnostic tests, current surgical treatments, and prognosis for the various causes of CED. Other potential causes of forelimb lameness in dogs will also be discussed.

Often described as the surgeon’s primary assistant, the veterinary surgical technician (VST) plays an important role on the surgical team. This session will discuss the notable features of a great scrub nurse, which include knowledge of the surgical procedure, familiarity with the surgeon’s preferences and needs, and the ability to anticipate what’s next—both in normal circumstances and even when things go wrong. Attendees will learn how VSTs can augment the veterinarian’s recommendations to the client regarding their pets’ surgical procedures and assist with client education during the pre-, intra- and post-operative phases of care.

Companion animals did not evolve to eat their meals out of a convenient bowl—that has only been an option during the last century of their development. This session will explore the use of feeding puzzles to help prolong the meal, increase interactivity, and provide mental stimulation. With all these benefits, what’s not to love?

There is ongoing research into the increase in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in non-traditional breeds. A large number of the affected dogs have been fed BEG diets—that is, foods from boutique companies containing exotic and/or grain-free ingredients. This session will review what these investigations have so far revealed and what recommendations to make to clients regarding their dogs’ diet plans.

This session will address five common nutrition myths and the truth (or lack thereof) behind them—in a format much less messy than the myth busters you see on TV. These five myths include: Meat by-products are inferior to whole meat in a diet; feeding trials are not necessary; pet food preservatives are bad; all foods are created equal; and corn is bad.

Various additives and nutritional supplements have long been used in the management of disease, but what exactly are prebiotics and probiotics doing in the intestines? This session will discuss how pre- and probiotics are used to help manage a variety of disease processes and discuss whether they are effective and beneficial to patients.

Vomiting and diarrhea are two of the problems most commonly seen in veterinary practice. Despite their effects, patients must continue to eat while suffering through these symptoms. This session will cover what nutrients have been found to be most effective in managing these problems and how to effect a positive outcome for patients.

Veterinary medicine is becoming more and more specialized, and as a consequence, it is no longer unusual to see emergency hospitals, specialty clinics, and referral practices popping up with increasing frequency. How can veterinary technicians demonstrate that they, too, have attained a higher level of skills and learning? By pursuing a veterinary technician specialty, that’s how! In this session, attendees will find out how to obtain VTS status.

This presentation will review current research about the levels of stress, mental illness, and wellbeing among veterinary practitioners, as well as the sources of challenge and support.

This presentation will review the evidence-based reasons and tools for managing stress from a brain-based perspective.

This session will discuss conflict on the veterinary team and how stress management can alleviate the effects of conflict.

This presentation will guide attendees through a process of clarifying values and wellbeing needs and discuss methods for moving toward strong life values.

This session will provide experiential techniques for effectively managing emotional labor and moral stress in the veterinary environment.

This session will guide participants through a self-assessment and goal-setting process to establish and cultivate individual self-care practices.

In this session, attendees will learn how to identify the signs of cognitive dysfunction and differentiate it from other medical and behavior problems. The presenter will describe how to distinguish factors that might be associated with cognitive dysfunction and how they contribute to this disease’s prognosis. By the end of the hour, participants will be able to create a comprehensive treatment plan for a cognitive dysfunction case that includes environmental management, behavior modification, pharmacology, and diet.

This session will explain what a compulsive disorder is, provide examples, and differentiate between normal and abnormal expressions of repetitive behavior. Attendees will learn how to distinguish factors that might be associated with compulsive disorders, as well as create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes environmental management, behavior modification, and pharmacology.

This session will identify the various types of feline aggression and describe specific prevention recommendations. Assessing risk in aggression cases will also be covered, as well as recommended methods to decrease risk. Participants will learn how to create a comprehensive aggression treatment plan that considers environmental management, behavior modification, and, if indicated, pharmacology.

In this two-part session, the speaker will discuss a variety of motivations behind feline house soiling and describe the main considerations in the work-up and diagnosis of a cat presenting with this problem. Attendees will learn the similarities and differences in the treatment of feline toileting and feline marking, and by the end of the session, be able to design a comprehensive treatment plan that includes environmental management, behavior modification, and medication.

In this two-part session, the speaker will discuss a variety of motivations behind feline house soiling and describe the main considerations in the work-up and diagnosis of a cat presenting with this problem. Attendees will learn the similarities and differences in the treatment of feline toileting and feline marking, and by the end of the session, be able to design a comprehensive treatment plan that includes environmental management, behavior modification, and medication.

In this two-part session, the speaker will discuss a variety of motivations behind feline house soiling and describe the main considerations in the work-up and diagnosis of a cat presenting with this problem. Attendees will learn the similarities and differences in the treatment of feline toileting and feline marking, and by the end of the session, be able to design a comprehensive treatment plan that includes environmental management, behavior modification, and medication.

Perineural anesthesia has been a mainstay of equine lameness diagnoses for decades. However, the more we learn about these techniques, the more we may need to temper the interpretation of these blocks. This session will discuss the potential risks that have been found to occur with use of perineural anesthesia, including diffusion of anesthetic, depositing anesthetic into synovial structures, and varied regions of desensitization. Being aware of these risks is necessary to accurately interpret the results of perineural anesthesia!

Being able to perform intrasynovial anesthesia is a very useful skill when evaluating lameness in horses, as it is considered to be more specific in localizing the cause of lameness than perineural anesthesia. However, not all intrasynovial cavities are easy to inject, and some are more specific than others. In this session, attendees will learn the challenges these injections present to enhance their ability to both perform the procedure and to accurately interpret the results.

Clinicians learn something from each horse they treat, which greatly impacts the way they practice veterinary medicine. This session will present a variety of lameness cases to illustrate this point.

Dairy farmers are under tremendous economic stress, which has led some to consider cutting commonly recommended management practices—including mastitis prevention. Consequently, many veterinarians are now fielding questions on whether it is cost effective—or whether it can be cut. This session will provide data about the costs of mastitis relative to the benefits of common management practices under several herd scenarios.

Antibiotic use in food animals is a hot topic that many people talk about but don’t fully understand—which has created many misconceptions. This session will use standardized metrics to review comprehensive data on antibiotic use in adult cows and pre-weaned calves from 40 large, conventional dairy farms in Wisconsin. The presenter will also compare antibiotic use among farms and discuss risk factors associated with greater usage.

For decades, most dairy farmers have used dry cow antibiotic therapy in all quarters of all cows at the end of every lactation. This recommendation originated during a time when many cows were chronically infected and antibiotic use was not questioned. As milk quality has improved and the use of antibiotics has come under greater scrutiny, the implementation of selective dry cow programs has accelerated. In this presentation, the speaker will share research-based guidelines that can be used to identify situations in which targeted use of dry cow therapy may be appropriate.

This lecture will introduce attendees to the chemical composition of various essential oils and describe how this relates to whether they can safely be used in animals. The issue of evaluating essential oils’ quality and purity will also be discussed.

After a brief review of the history of essential oil use, this lecture will describe scientific studies indicating their effectiveness in many clinical applications.

This lecture will explore the most common veterinary issues that can be addressed with essential oils. Appropriate use of essential oils will also be covered, including dosing, route of administration, frequency, and safety.

In this session, attendees will learn about the most common issues in horses that can be addressed with essential oils. The discussion will cover the appropriate use of essential oils, including dosing, route of administration, frequency, and safety.

This lecture will discuss the synergism of using essential oils in conjunction with other modalities, including chiropractic, acupuncture, and homotoxicology.

This session will explore benefits of using essential oils in conjunction with supplements and/or using supplements that contain active essential oils. Attendees will also learn how oils may increase absorption and intracellular nutrition.

The primary goals of treating hyperadrenocorticism in dogs are to improve clinical signs and to avoid oversuppression. Historically, practitioners have used clinical signs in combination with an ACTH stimulation test to monitor these patients. In this lecture, we will discuss a newer monitoring method and discuss when it is appropriate.

This session will use case examples to illustrate how to treat Addisonian dogs with steroids, as well as different presentations of Addison’s disease.

This session will discuss the current recommendations for treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus.

This lecture will explore different modalities of monitoring patients with diabetes mellitus.

This session will introduce attendees to feline hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly, and hyperaldosteronism.

In this lecture, the speaker will discuss the various causes of polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) and how to approach a patient with PU/PD.

This lecture will review dental anatomy, physiology, and pathology of rabbits and guinea pigs. Assessment and treatment of common dental disease will be covered, along with a brief overview of dental equipment useful for treating these species.

This lecture will provide an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of common infectious diseases in ferrets, rabbits, and rodents.

Ferrets are a popular small mammal pet that may present to your practice for care. This lecture will discuss unique anatomic and physiologic traits of ferrets, along with an overview of the management of common medical problems.

Backyard poultry represent a growing segment of the companion animal veterinary market. This lecture will cover the basics of backyard poultry husbandry and medicine.

Because birds are prey species, they hide signs of illness to avoid predation. As such, most birds presenting in an emergency situation have significant underlying disease. The average bird owner is not aware of subtle signs of illness and may give a history of acute onset of illness, but physical examination of the bird reveals changes more consistent with chronic disease. This presentation will review the approach and decision-making process for critical avian patients. Essentials of initial history taking, physical examination, and stabilization will be discussed, along with common emergency presentations.

Do you know that GI stasis is not a diagnosis in small mammal patients? Do you know that rabbits in a critical state are often hypothermic, hyperglycemic, azotemic, and can also appear to have an obstruction pattern on abdominal films—and that all these conditions can resolve with aggressive supportive care measures? If you answered no to any of these questions, attend this session to learn about 10 common mistakes made when treating exotic companion mammal species in the emergency room.

This lecture will focus on the diagnostic approach to the dog with persistently elevated serum liver enzyme activities. Common diagnostic tests used to evaluate the canine liver will be reviewed, as well as a staged approach to evaluating these patients.

This lecture will highlight strategies to extract as much information as possible from the liver biopsy. The risks associated with and contraindication for this procedure will also be discussed.

This lecture will focus on canine copper-associated and idiopathic chronic hepatitis. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of these diseases will be discussed.

This lecture will discuss the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of feline hepatic lipidosis. Practical strategies for therapy will be emphasized.

This lecture will discuss current theories as to why cats develop cholangitis and triaditis. In addition, the clinical features, laboratory findings and definitive diagnosis of these diseases will be outlined, as well as practical strategies for their treatment.

In this session, several cases of dogs and cats with liver disease will be presented. Each will highlight important learning issues for frequently diagnosed diseases and some important but less-common diseases. Audience participation will be encouraged.

This two-part session will break down major trends in pet care and veterinary medicine and discuss how they are converging to create new opportunities for veterinarians and their practices. The speaker will incorporate opportunities for participants to see how they compare to their peers, using both industry data and live, in-session feedback.

This two-part session will break down major trends in pet care and veterinary medicine and discuss how they are converging to create new opportunities for veterinarians and their practices. The speaker will incorporate opportunities for participants to see how they compare to their peers, using both industry data and live, in-session feedback.

As clients seek a more immediate, personalized, always-on relationship with their veterinarians, how can practices meet these needs? Is telehealth a way for practices to provide the experience their clients desire, or is it a distraction from the core services and business that the clinic already provides? This session will explore the options available to veterinary practices that are considering taking the plunge into virtual care.

What are the most common types of cases veterinarians see virtually? This session will share data from 1,500 virtual care cases.

Virtual care uses technology to enable detailed communication between clients and veterinarians via text message, video, or phone calls. Sounds simple, but how do you get started? This lecture will explore practical steps to introduce virtual care into a veterinary practice.

With a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), veterinarians can diagnose problems and prescribe medication remotely—but what situations are best suited for virtual care? This session will explore what cases can be diagnosed remotely versus what cases need to be seen in person.

This session will cover requirements, advantages, and disadvantages of leadership roles, how to advance into these positions, and strategies to work with difficult personalities and influence team culture. The speaker will explain the creation and implementation of a leadership job description, in particular that of the lead technician. Attendees will be encouraged to share and discuss their own experiences in leadership.

This session will explore the typical duties of the lead technician, including scheduling, training, personal relations, interviewing, discipline, and team building. Attendees will learn what items they need to have in their toolbox, including standard forms, a strong disciplinary policy, training presentations, and more. The speaker will also offer suggestions on a variety of computer and web-based tools—such as Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, etc.—lead technicians can use to streamline day-to-day activities.

This session will cover various aspects of establishing a training program in the veterinary clinic, including how to create a training plan, motivate employees, avoid setbacks in training, and develop quizzes to assess employee knowledge. Basic training templates that can be customized to each individual clinic will be provided. Attendees will be invited to share and discuss both positive and negative experiences with training in their own hospitals.

This session will explore human relations-related topics and considerations for the veterinary clinic. Attendees will learn what questions can and cannot be asked during job interviews and legal ways to get pertinent information on a candidate’s performance and attendance history. The speaker will also discuss ways to source new employees, retention methods, disciplinary policy, proper documentation, and termination procedures.

This session will explore a wide variety of marketing methods, from traditional means (direct mail, newspaper ads, radio, TV, etc.) to modern approaches (Google Adwords, social media, search engine optimization, etc.). The speaker will explain how to create newsworthy events and how to write and distribute press releases about them. Attendees will also learn how to use their practice software to market to current clients.

In today’s technology-based culture, it seems like almost everyone is on social media—including pet owners. This session will introduce attendees to the wide range of social media platforms that are popular today and provide them with a solid understanding of how to use social media to reach both current and potential clients. The presenter will discuss the rules of engagement, tips for timing posts, how to personalize content, and the importance of storytelling.

How do community networks impact antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Ohio cattle? Current research makes use of computer simulations, remote sensors, and census data to answer this question. This 30-minute session will discuss the current consensus of AMR, preliminary trends in antimicrobial-use decision making on farms, and antimicrobial stewardship resources for veterinary healthcare workers.

A survey of homeless individuals in Columbus, Ohio, aimed to determine the relationship between homelessness and relinquishment of animal companions, the roles of pets in the lives of homeless pet owners, and the differences in utilization of public services between homeless pet owners and non-pet owners. This half-hour session will discuss what the survey found and what it means for the veterinary community.

This session will review veterinary parasitology-related cases that have appeared in the news over the past year, including those with a potential or recognized zoonotic risk. The speaker will discuss at least one public health reason why routine fecal examinations are still needed.

Colonization resistance is the ability of a native microbial community to resist invasion and expansion of microbial pathogens, and it occurs both directly and indirectly within a healthy microbial community. The gut microbiome—i.e., a collection of organisms living within the gut—has been increasingly tied to health and wellness. This session will highlight the role of the gut microbiome in colonization resistance against common enteritis-causing pathogens.

Every clinician awaits the day when he or she can pass on their own clinical pearls to the next generation. As for this presenter, that delay took close to 25 years; finally after so many mistakes, the “eureka!” moment arrived. This two-part presentation will be chock full of information that attendees can put to use at the clinic the very next day.

Every clinician awaits the day when he or she can pass on their own clinical pearls to the next generation. As for this presenter, that delay took close to 25 years; finally after so many mistakes, the “eureka!” moment arrived. This two-part presentation will be chock full of information that attendees can put to use at the clinic the very next day.

This purely visual presentation is designed for the last day of a meeting when most of the attendees’ neurons are already saturated with heavy-duty knowledge. In this two-part session, attendees will view a plethora of images, each of which aims to leave a lasting impression. The goal is to plant a seed of knowledge, so that when you happen to confront the real-life picture, you will be all over it!

This purely visual presentation is designed for the last day of a meeting when most of the attendees’ neurons are already saturated with heavy-duty knowledge. In this two-part session, attendees will view a plethora of images, each of which aims to leave a lasting impression. The goal is to plant a seed of knowledge, so that when you happen to confront the real-life picture, you will be all over it!

The above statement constitutes one of the speaker’s philosophical maxims that will be offered in this session. This two-part presentation will not only pertain to emergency medicine, but also to practice in general. These guiding statements are meant to help practitioners avoid the same mistakes the presenter has accumulated in his “bone pile” over the years, thus making the day-to-day practice of veterinary medicine more rewarding!

The above statement constitutes one of the speaker’s philosophical maxims that will be offered in this session. This two-part presentation will not only pertain to emergency medicine, but also to practice in general. These guiding statements are meant to help practitioners avoid the same mistakes the presenter has accumulated in his “bone pile” over the years, thus making the day-to-day practice of veterinary medicine more rewarding!

Analysis of injuries on animals can be difficult for veterinarians and investigators. The analysis must include consideration of the crime scene, the alleged or known events surrounding the injuries, all statements provided, and the animal’s environment. This lecture will present case examples of unusual and unique patterned injuries, highlighting the importance of considering investigation information when analyzing injuries, applying veterinary knowledge, and determining accidental versus non-accidental causes. Attendees will also learn how to determine the weapon used, based on the injury pattern.

The veterinarian plays an important role in the analysis of evidence related to animal cruelty investigations. Such cases may be pursued based on electronic evidence, including videos and photographs found on a computer, security camera footage, recorded interviews with defendants and witnesses, and social media posts. This lecture will present legal cases in which a veterinary perspective on video evidence of animal cruelty was critical.

This session will be an interactive presentation of animal cruelty cases highlighting the role of the veterinarian as part of the investigation team. The focus will include recognition of evidence, interpretation of the scene and investigation findings, forensic testing, analysis of findings from animal examinations, and test results.

Where is your team now, and where do you want it to be? This session will offer a structured approach to building a vibrant and highly engaged team and culture, one strategic step at a time. Attendees will leave knowing exactly how to get where they want to go!

Internal chatter about clients, coworkers, and our team directly impacts our ability to connect with clients and advocate for pets. In this session, attendees will meet the memorable characters who occupy our thoughts each day and learn how they either support or sabotage our goals of providing our patients with the best care and maximizing our own fulfillment.

What’s the secret to managing our expectations, attitudes, and stress (not to mention the voices in our heads)? This session will explore ways to maximize our impact on client experiences, pet outcomes, and personal fulfillment.

Do you want to build client trust, improve compliance, and increase your influence over patient care? Would you like to be able to tackle market challenges like online pharmacies? Accomplishing these goals requires a commitment from each staff member to build strong connections at every touchpoint. This session will delve into how you can build trust and increase your influence by fostering positive work relationships.

Empathy drives connection, which fosters trust and influence. Sometimes, however, conveying empathy to clients and team members can be challenging. This session will discuss how to dig deep for empathy in the most difficult situations, and how to manage that empathy to avert the onset of compassion fatigue.

In a rowboat, each rower’s performance directly impacts the direction the boat takes and how smooth the ride is. Even one person not paddling can take the boat off course, forcing others to paddle harder to compensate. The same is true of your practice. In this session, the presenter will discuss actionable management strategies and how to execute them to increase employee engagement and teamwork.

This lecture will cover the immunological foundation of vaccination and how it relates to small animal medicine. Current evidence-based recommendations will be discussed, followed by a vaccine myth-busting session.

This session will discuss the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). The speaker will focus on the veterinary technician’s role in these cases and the importance of owner education in successful treatment.

This session will provide an overview of the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation—including qualifications, the application process, and exam preparation—as well as the benefits of obtaining one.

This session will discuss hyperadrenocorticism and hypoadrenocorticism, including a breakdown of diagnostic testing and how it relates to patient diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Diabetes mellitus is a relatively common endocrinopathy that occurs in both dogs and cats. The management of the diabetic patient is individualized and requires an understanding of the pathophysiology itself, as well as the necessity of frequent reassessment, open client communication and education, and clearly defined goals for the pet’s treatment plan. This session will discuss the veterinary technician’s integral role in successful diabetic patient management.

The prognosis in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) patients is often guarded and usually includes a relatively long inpatient treatment protocol followed by periodic evaluations after discharge. Under these circumstances, client education is extremely important. Good quality of life is possible, but it requires extra effort from all parties. This session will discuss the important role of the veterinary technician, with emphasis on inpatient nursing care and guiding the diabetic pet owner through these uncharted waters.