8 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
Eli Cohen, DVM DACVR
TBD
1:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Kelly Ballantyne, DVM DACVB
Medications for Behavioral Therapy: When To Start, What To Choose and When To Augment; Pre-Visit and In-Clinic Pharmaceuticals To Reduce Fear, Anxiety and Stress; Separation-Related disorders: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment; It’s Not All in Their Heads: Identifying Red Flags for Medical Issues in the Behavior History
1:30 p.m. 5:40 p.m.
Ashley Saunders, DVM
Sarah Hamer, DVM
One Health/Infectious Disease
Myocarditis
Myocarditis, characterized as inflammation of the heart muscle, results in arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction in dogs and cats. This session will review potential causes, when to consider myocarditis and the clinical effects.
Cardiac Manifestations of Chagas Disease in Dogs
This session will describe the characteristics of heart disease associated with Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs including the who, what, when and where.
8 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Randall Raymond, DVM
Bovine Congestive Heart Failure
This presentation discusses various aspects related to cardiac mortality in feed yards. It includes recent trends in feed yards regarding cardiac mortality, descriptive case studies of affected populations, genomic characterization of bovine congestive heart failure as well as population and breed trends. Additionally, it delves into the heritability of cardiac issues and their associations with other production traits, which can be crucial for breeding and management decisions.
8 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Theresa Cosper-Roberts, RVT, CVPM, CVBI, ACE (DE)
Oops, Whoops and Oh No: Medical Errors at Veterinary Facilities
Medical errors and mistakes account for 10 percent of all deaths within human populations in the United States. In veterinary settings, errors are rarely addressed or properly discussed. Utilizing recent events and an anonymized case study, this presentation examines medical errors in a clinical setting, with emphasis placed on how errors occur and reactions of veterinary personnel.
There Is No Secret Ingredient: Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Support Staff
Nearly 10,000 openings for veterinary technicians and other support staff members are posted on career websites at any given time. This presentation explores traditional and unique full-cycle recruitment methods to maximize opportunities to gain employees. It also discusses proper onboarding and training of staff members to ensure employees are equipped with tools for success to increase engagement and retention of quality employees.
There Are No Stupid Questions: Increasing Psychological Safety
The ability to show oneself without fear of negative consequences is critical to psychological safety within the workplace. Unfortunately, group dynamics within a veterinary hospital can often be tense, creating a lack of psychological safety within the workplace. This presentation explores the importance of psychological safety and impact of freedom to ask questions, make mistakes and share concerns without fear of reprisal or shame.
So What If We’ve Always Done It That Way?: Effectively Implementing Change
One of the best things about attending a conference is gathering ideas to implement changes in practice. Unfortunately, veterinary personnel are oftentimes resistant to changes, particularly those that are not in line with current practices within a facility. This presentation explores the best ways to effect change within a practice, with significant emphasis placed on the gathering of information in order to present a compelling argument for the temporary implementation of a given change.
8 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
Heidi Reuss-Lamky, LVT, VTS
Upper Airway Disease: More Than Just a Squished Face!
Managing the care of patients with upper airway disease can be challenging for the veterinary technician. Some of the most common manifestations of upper airway disease include brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and laryngeal paralysis.
The Fine Art of Art(erial) Lines
This presentation provides all the necessary information for technicians to become proficient using arterial catheters. Discussion includes step-by-step instructions on how to place, maintain and use arterial catheters for blood gas draws and direct blood pressure monitoring as well as precautions and potential complications associated with their use.
Perioperative Surgical Patient Care: Honoring the Bond
A veterinary patient’s perioperative experience is based on so much more than the surgeon’s skill. Veterinary technicians play a vital role in the care of perioperative patients and educating pet owners. Strategies for supporting patient comfort and emotional wellbeing while assuring successful surgical outcomes will be discussed, such as the importance of fear-free handling techniques, perioperative analgesia and nutrition tactics for the veterinary team. Join this lecture for practical ideas that elevate the perioperative experience by nurturing the human-animal bond and exceeding client expectations.
It’s Catchy!: Infection Control Strategies for the Veterinary Practice
In recent times, the importance of an infection control program has stomped its way onto the forefront. Based largely on the expert opinions responsible for the 2018 AAHA ICPB Guidelines, recommendations for best practices surrounding everything from what constitutes an infectious agent to “How do I kill it?” and how to prevent the spread of diseases. Are you ready to implement an infection control program?
1:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Mariel Henricks, BS, RVT
TBD
8 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Karen Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, CVA
Increasing Efficiency and Productivity in Your Practice
Productivity declined in many practices during the pandemic. Because the hiring market is so difficult right now, just adding more people isn’t an option. Instead, doing more with what you have is becoming an ever more important focus in driving profitability and satisfying client needs. After determining what changes in your practice would be most beneficial, the next step is to use these results to identify strategies and create goals for improvement in areas such as doctor productivity, team usage, technology, workflow and others.
Staff and Doctor Compensation: Meeting the Market and Making It Work for Your Practice
In today's difficult hiring market, the most important aspect of compensation is that it meets job applicants' expectations and compares well to what other competing practices are paying. However, compensation isn't just about the money that shows up on a paycheck; it's also about whether the benefits package appears fair and the practice culture. As practice owners, it doesn't matter anymore what we think is fair and appropriate. It matters what employees want and what gets them to stay with your practice.
What Is Your Practice Worth?
Practice value is driven by profitability, but value (or really price) is also dependent on who you are selling to. There are many factors practice owners should be aware of that contribute to the amount an individual veterinarian or a corporate group will be willing to pay for your practice. Understanding these factors will help the management team determine where to focus their efforts to increase value.
Profitability Is NOT the Same as Net Income: What You Need to Know
The gold standard measure of a practice’s financial success is the operating profit margin. Practice profits are not the same as the net income figure on the bottom of the P&L, and unfortunately, most practices don’t really know how profitable they are.
1:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Monica Dixon Perry, CVPM
Develop a Rockstar CSR/Receptionist Team
Learn how to enhance your CSR teams’ value, improve personal communication skills, maintain a positive work environment, dramatically increase your front office efficiency and better deal with troublesome clients.
Fast and Furious: The Nuts and Bolts of Practice Management
Learn how to be a dynamic practice manager identifying primary roles, hierarchy of management, creating an organizational chart, conducting team meetings and scheduling tips.
Top Tips for Personnel Management
Attention will be given to the top areas that all members of management should have a pulse on when overseeing personal management. This is a critical time in veterinary medicine and making sure you cross your T’s and dot your I’s is essential during such a competitive market.
1:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
Ashley Morgan, DVM
Stacy Pritt, DVM, MBA, CPIA, CHRC, ECoP (EAR), EXCS, DACAW
Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB
Trent Hightower
Implications of Animal Welfare Legislation; Animal Welfare: Hot Topics in Texas; The Role of the Veterinarian in Animal Welfare; Exotic Pet Welfare: What Practitioners Need To Know