5 clinical sessions we’re excited to attend at the Fetch dvm360 Veterinary Conference in Long Beach, California

The Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California, is filled to the brim with practical, evidence-driven sessions designed to sharpen your clinical decision-making. Here are 5 sessions we're excited to attend ourselves this weekend. These talks deliver concrete exam techniques, diagnostic checklists, and client-communication strategies you can use Monday morning.

1. Updates on what we now know about dietary-associated dilated cardiomyopathy

Speaker: William Rausch, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

What it’s about: Dr. Rausch distills recent studies linking certain grain-free or pulse-heavy diets to cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, including new data on subclinical disease and who seems most at risk. He’ll explain how to interpret the evidence, what signs to watch for in everyday practice, and which diagnostic and follow-up steps make the most sense. Expect practical guidance on diet change, monitoring trajectories, and communicating uncertainty to owners.
Why we’re excited: This session gives clinicians the tools to spot early, diet-associated cardiac changes and to give owners clear, evidence-based advice to help prevent progression and avoid unnecessary panic.

2. Leptospirosis: From the ivory tower to the urine-stained trenches of the hospital

Speaker: Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM (Parasitology)

What it’s about: A hands-on, case-driven update that moves from the ACVIM consensus into real-life hospital workflows, including diagnostic testing choices as well as isolation and antimicrobial decisions. Interactive polling and case scenarios will show how to balance rapid patient care with antimicrobial stewardship and staff/patient safety. The talk emphasizes communication strategies for owner education and practical infection control steps.
Why we’re excited: Lepto is messy and zoonotic. This session promises to arm clinicians with protocols to diagnose faster, reduce transmission risk, and make stewardship-friendly treatment decisions under pressure.

3. Cracking the code: Mastering radiographic interpretation in birds

Speaker: Laila Proença, MV, DVM, MS, PhD, DACZM

What it’s about: Proença walks through a structured approach to avian radiographs, including recognizing normal anatomy, avoiding common interpretive traps, and spotting subtle disease signs across systems. Through example cases she will teach a stepwise checklist for reading images more reliably and making practical treatment decisions. Tips for improving image quality and choosing complementary diagnostics round out the session.
Why we’re excited: Improved radiograph reading means fewer guesswork referrals, faster diagnoses, and better outcomes for avian patients. This is great information for clinics expanding exotic services or wanting to up their avian game.

4. Street medicine: Providing high-quality care in low-resource settings

Speaker: Jon Geller, DVM, MPH, DABVP emeritus

What it’s about: This session covers delivering pragmatic, ethical veterinary care outside the clinic. Topics include how to triage, prioritize diagnostics and treatments, and set realistic standards of care when resources are limited. Geller will discuss planning for mobile or pop-up clinics, problem-solving with minimal equipment, and building community partnerships that amplify impact. Real examples show how to handle unexpected challenges and maintain quality and safety.
Why we’re excited: If you’re interested in outreach or mobile medicine, Geller shares replicable workflows, risk-management strategies, and ideas for running sustainable, community-focused clinics that actually improve access to care.

5. Feline neurology: Letting the cat out of the bag

Speaker: Karen Kline, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

What it’s about: Kline focuses on the practical evaluation of neurologic cats: how to take a focused history, perform a cat-friendly neuro exam, and use a stepwise diagnostic plan to narrow differentials. She’ll cover common feline neurologic syndromes, sensible testing strategies, and realistic treatment and prognostication approaches for both clinicians and technicians. The session goes over workflows and checklists that make neurologic cases less intimidating.
Why we’re excited: Neurology in cats can be subtle and stressful. This talk provides practical exam techniques and decision trees that speed diagnosis and improve team confidence with the goal of reducing unnecessary testing or referrals.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit dvm360’s dedicated site for conference coverage at https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach