ACVC 2019: What are some backyard chicken housing requirements?

Valli Parthasarathy, DVM, PhD, DACVB, discusses how veterinarians can evaluate feather loss, self-mutilation, and vocalization in pet parrots and identify when medical and behavioral factors may overlap.

A plethora of continuing-education sessions run across 3 days, September 17–19, at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD. Here are the ones to circle first, sorted by practice area, plus a handful that are easy to scroll past and worth catching.

Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM (Parasitology), discusses the clinical significance of Toxoplasma gondii, when veterinary professionals should consider testing, and how to communicate the risks of exposure to clients.

Valli Parthasarathy, DVM, PhD, DACVB, breaks down the "3 Ms"—management, modification, and medication—for treating behavior problems in parrots, and explains why sparse species-level drug research makes the first 2 her starting point for these birds.

Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), explains how synergistic prebiotic fiber blends outperform single supplements in supporting fermentation, postbiotics, and gut health.

Anthony Coronado, DVM, breaks down how new veterinarians can build clinical confidence, communicate with clients, and avoid burnout in their first years.

Valli Parthasarathy, DVM, PhD, DACVB, discusses how veterinarians can recognize and manage common behavior problems in pet parrots, from excessive vocalization to feather-destructive behavior. She also offers guidance on treatment, behavior modification, referral, and meeting the behavioral needs of these intelligent birds.

Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), explains the use of nutrition first to manage GI cases, tailoring highly digestible, high-fiber, or low‑fat diets to patient needs.