(4 CE credits per session)
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Brachycephalics: More Than a Short Nose, The Acute Abdomen, Feline Respiratory Distress
Geriatrics in the ER
Elizabeth A. Rozanski, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
Brachycephalics: This session will focus on management of brachycephalic patients as well as common comorbidities seen in brachycephalics. Additional topics that will be covered are how and when to intubate, surgical procedures that can performed, risks of anesthetic recovery andother diseases that develop in association with hypoxemia
The Acute Abdomen: This session will focus on a practical approach to the dog or cat presenting with signs of urgent abdominal disease, including the role of diagnostic testing and surgical exploration. Dr. Rozanski also will cover what tests are available to evaluate a pet with abdominal signs, what is new with dogs with GDV and what is new with fluid resuscitation for hypovolemic dogs
Feline Respiratory Distress: The breathing-hard kitty is stressful for everyone! The goal of this presentation is to review the approach to stabilization, diagnostics and therapeutics. Learn how to use biomarkers to improve urgent diagnostics, which clues on thoracic radiographs point you toward the underlying disease and which treatments are reasonable to try when you are working toward a diagnosis
Geriatrics in the ER: The last session will focus on common presenting complaints in an ER of older patients and provide recommendations for urgent and emergent therapy. Dr. Rozanski will review what are common causes of collapse and what you can add in when chronic disease progresses along with what are common presentations for older dogs and cats
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
A Video Tour Through the Neurological Examination and Lesion Localization, Head Tilts in Dogs and Cats, My Brain Is on Fire! CNS Inflammation in the Dog and Cat, The Seizures Won’t Stop
Simon Platt, BVM&S, FRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN
During the first session, Dr. Platt will use video clips to demonstrate normal vs. abnormal dogs and cats being evaluated for neurological conditions. We will look at the practical way in which to evaluate all patients and determine where their lesions are localized. The learning objectives include how to perform a neurologic exam in a succinct manner, how to use the neurologic exam to localize a lesion and how to develop a differential diagnosis list.
In this session, attendees will review the clinical signs of vestibular disease in dogs and cats and how they help us localize the lesion to a peripheral or central vestibular disease. We will review the most common peripheral and central vestibular diseases of both species and how we can diagnose them as practically as possible. The learning objectives include the most common signs of peripheral vs. central vestibular disease, what is idiopathic vestibular disease, how to diagnose otitis interna as a cause of peripheral vestibular disease and what are the most common causes of central vestibular disease in dogs and cats.
For the next hour, Dr. Platt will use a case-based approach to describe the clinical signs, work-up and potential causes of inflammation affecting the CNS in cats and dogs. The treatment of unknown and suspected cases will be dealt with during this session. The learning objectives include the clinical characteristics of CNS inflammation in dogs and cats, the ways to diagnose inflammation of the CNS, the common causes of inflammation of the CNS in dogs and cats and how to treat for the treatable causes if expensive testing is not available.
Dr. Platt will conclude with a lecture on how to approach refractory epilepsy in dogs. The drugs available, the side effects and how to use them will be discussed for the management of dogs with difficult to control seizures. Adjunctive alternative approaches also will be discussed. The learning objectives include what might we confuse with seizures, what is idiopathic epilepsy, when to start medication, what are the pros and cons of the medications available and what alternative or adjunctive approaches should we consider.
(4 CE credits per session)
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hoofstock Surgery Tips for Soon-To-Be and New Practitioners, Bandaging, Casting, and Splinting and When To Refer to Hoofstock Trauma, Dealing with Horn Issues in Hoofstock
Shannon Reed, DVM
The primary focus of the first of Dr. Reed’s presentations will be how to generally be successful doing surgery in practice, including field surgery. This session will focus on surgeries that are commonly performed in general practice and the field on hoofstock with emphasis on preparing for surgery, common approaches and watch-outs and work-arounds. Learning objectives include keeping good surgical principles and practicality in equal stead, making surgery easier with preparation and available tools and differentiating when to refer.
Dr. Reed will follow with the principles of bandaging, casting and splinting in hoofstock with an emphasis on being effective, enhancing stabilization and enhancing healing. Learning objectives include choosing the correct coaptation for the situation, avoiding common issues with coaptation, differentiating when to refer and enhancing successful outcomes in referral by proper stabilization in the field.
The wrap-up session will cover common sinus and horn issues in hoofstock and best practices for diagnosis and treatment. Learning objectives include understanding anatomy as it relates to diagnosing and effectively treating hoot and sinus issues and managing client expectations as well as differentiating when to refer.
(4 CE credits per session)
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Normal Cat Vomiting: There’s No Such Thing, Diarrhea Large Bowel or Small Bowel: The Scoop on Understanding the No. 2, Continuous Glucose Monitors: How to Use Them in Your Practice, Upping Your Tech Game: Being a Rock Star Tech
Yvonne Brandenburg, RVT, VTS (SAIM)
Yvonne will kick-off her presentation with the always-popular course covering the issue of feline patient vomiting and how to educate pet owners on when to seek medical attention. The course will discuss diet trials, medical management and diagnostics commonly used in these patients. Many clients feel cats “normally” vomit and tend to not seek medical attention for a potentially life-threatening symptom. This course will help attendees navigate client conversations to help alleviate vomiting in feline patients. Attendees will learn how to properly identify vomiting, regurgitation and coughing in feline patients., understand diagnostics and treatment options for GI patients and learn tips to educate feline owners seeking medical help for this issue.
Following feline vomiting, it’s time to cover diarrhea in our canine and feline patients. This course will help attendees understand the difference between large bowel and small bowel diarrhea, diagnostics commonly used for these patients and how to treat diarrhea. This course will help attendees navigate client conversations to help the quality of life for both patients and clients. Attendees will gain an understanding of how to properly identify diarrhea types, diagnostic and treatment options and the importance of good client education for managing diarrhea.
Yvonne’s next course will cover how a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) works, application techniques and client communication on using a CGM. Yvonne will be using a FreeStyle Libre 14-Day System from Abbott for this demonstration. Attendees will gain an understanding of the basics of how a CGM works, application techniques to help ensure the long wear and reliability of the CGM and the goals of good client communication when using a CGM.
Have you ever thought about furthering your career beyond being a credentialed veterinary technician? Yvonne will provide information on earning a specialty designation, working for non-clinical companies, going into management or entrepreneurship. You can create increased career satisfaction by looking beyond your current position. Let Yvonne tell you how!
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Technicians and the Management of Degenerative Myelopathy: An Underutilized Resource, Pain: The Fourth Vital Sign, More Than Just Laser: The Many Modalities, Managing Anesthetic Emergencies
Ashleigh Fairfield, LVT, CCRP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
Management of degenerative myelopathy can be daunting to owners. A technician is an invaluable resource to both the client and patient during the hospice period. This lecture discusses the pathophysiology of degenerative myelopathy and proposes opportunities for technician utilization when managing these cases.
Ashleigh’s second session will provide valuable information on the importance of having the ability to quickly assess and communicate your patient’s level of discomfort. Adding a hospital-wide pain assessment scale as part of your vital sign assessment is a quick and simple way to improve your patient’s hospital experience. This lecture will discuss the merits of adding pain scale protocols as well as different options for assessment.
The discipline of physical rehabilitation is not limited to a single modality. In this lecture, a variety of modalities, their indications and their limitations will be discussed. Additionally, we will examine the importance of a proactive practitioner as a modality themselves.
Anticipating and preparing for anesthetic complications or emergencies can decrease anesthetic anxiety. When anxiety is reduced, we are better equipped to combat stressful situations and think clearly in a crisis. This lecture outlines preparation strategies to help successfully navigate a variety of anesthetic events.
(4 CE credits)
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: How to Use Non-Veterinarian Professionals Correctly, What Are a Veterinarian’s Supervisory Responsibilities, How To Report People Practicing Illegally
Trent Hightower, JD (Additional Panelist TBD)
(2 CE credits)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Opioid Abuse and Controlled Substance Diversion Training
Provided by representatives of the DEA and the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
This course meets the CE requirements set forth by the Texas Legislature in 2019. Veterinarians must have two hours of opioid abuse and diversion training by their birth month in 2022. This training is required every two years for license renewal.