Fetch National Harbor: What to expect

For the first time ever, dvm360 is heading to National Harbor! For those attending the conference, or those on the cusp of coming, we have complied a list of some of our most compelling lectures each hour to give you a sneak peek into what you can see at the show.

Keynotes

Day 1: Motion is the Lotion: How Movement Extends Life Quality and Quantity

To kick off dvm360’s very first day in our newest Fetch location, Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, takes the keynote stage to talk about the benefits of joint health. Throughout the keynote, Alvarez will discuss the need for regular exercise and how it reduces pain, elevates mood, promotes cardiovascular fitness, extends quality of life for patients, and can even reduce the risks of chronic illness.

Alvarez's keynote address will kick off at 9:15 AM EDT on Friday, September 12, 2025, in the Potomac Ballroom C,D. This lecture is also sponsored by Zomedica.

Day 2: The Hormone Playbook - Top Tips for Managing Common Endocrinopathies

Endocrine diseases in pets can be tough to pinpoint and treat, but they don't have to be. On our final day of Fetch National Harbor, Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, takes our keynote stage to tell attendees about real-life cases to give attendees practical insights into managing common hormal diseases in feline and canine patients, like adreneal and thyroid conditions.

Byers' keynote will take place on Saturday, September 13^th, 2025, at 9:15 EDT in the Potomac Ballroom C,D. This keynote address is sponsored by Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diets.

Lectures

Friday, September 12

I Was Just Trying to Help! When the Best Intentions Turn Toxic

This lecture will take place at 7:00 AM EDT.

This lecture presented by Melissa Evans, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), will review the most common medications given to pet owners, with the best intentions, when their pet is sick or in pain. Although done with best intentions, these common medications that are being given to pets can be toxic to them. Throughout the lecture, Evans will touch on NSAIDs, acetaminophen, cold medications, and medical marijuana, plus the mechanism of action of these drugs and the effects on patients.

Managing Common Emergencies on a Budget

This lecture will take place at 10:45 EDT.

When it comes to the veterinary practice, emergencies are inevitable, and they can create significant financial stress on clients. Kate Boatright, VMD, will give attendees a practical approach to common emergencies, such as parvovirus, blocked cats, and GI obstructions along with a review of current evidence for a spectrum of care approach for each condition. Attendees will leave the lecture with the tools they need to create game plans they can implement in their practice, despite finances being tough.

Selling Your Practice: Maximizing the Value in a Sale

This lecture will take place at 12:00 PM EDT.

Are you ready to sell your practice? And if so, what is it worth? In this first-come-first-serve lunch and learn, Christopher Rocchio, DVM, will be explaining to attendees the considerations and steps they should be taking when it is time for an exit strategy, whether that be through selling the practice or a partnership. Attendees will also learn key items for maximizing the value of their hospitals, plus the steps to follow for a successful transition.

Recommended Approach to Older Dogs with Heart Murmurs When Echocardiography is Not an Option

This lecture will take place at 1:15 PM EDT.

In his first lecture at a Fetch conference, Lance Visser, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology), will educate attendees on how primary care veterinarians can determine the clinical relevance of a heart murmur in older canine patients with presumed myxomatous (degenerative) mitral valve disease. Along with this, Visser will discuss treatment recommendations for asymptomatic dogs, when starting furosemide is the most appropriate for dogs with clinical signs, and the anesthetic risk in these patients from the point of view of a cardiologist.

AI 101: Unlocking the Power and Playing by the Digital Rules

This lecture will take place at 2:30

Now that artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay and already reshaping how veterinary teams work, this session by Jennifer Guli will give attendees a clear and practical understanding of what it is, how it functions, and why it matters in the veterinary industry. Guli and attendees will explore the current options available to help teams automate everything from SOAP notes to social media posts.

Chill Out: Incorporating Conditioned Relaxation Techniques Into Behavioral Therapy

This lecture will take place at 4:00 PM EDT.

This presentation will introduce a variety of ways to condition a reliable relaxation response using techniques that can be applied to different dog temperaments and learning styles. Throughout the lecture, presenter Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, will use video examples to demonstrate key points that can help maximize the success of these techniques as well as practical applications to incorporate into treatment plans for a variety of behavioral diagnosis.

Building an Advanced Career Path for Veterinary CSRs, A Panel Discussion by the Founders of NAAVR

This panel will take place at 6:00 PM EDT.

Veterinary client service representatives are a crucial part of the veterinary clinic and its success, but there are often limited opportunities for them to advance in their careers unless they move into a management role. In this panel discussion, Rhonda Bell, CVPM, PCM, CDMP, and Kristi Fisher, CVT, VRCE, founders of NAAVR, share their plans to advance, support, and empower the CSRs in your veterinary clinic.

Saturday, September 13

Pulmonary Hypertension: A Cardiopulmonary Clinical Enigma

This lecture will take place at 7:00 AM EDT

As a first time Fetch Faculty member, Rebecca Saunders, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) will be one of our first sessions of Day 2 and will tell attendees more on cardiopulmonary symptoms in dogs, especially since this is a common yet difficult disease to diagnose and medically manage. Saunders will help attendees get clarification on the details of this “clinical enigma” and more.

Breathing Life Into BOAS Dogs: Surgical & Laser Mastery

This lecture will take place at 10:45 AM EDT.

For certain breeds, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) significantly impacts their quality of life as well as their longevity. During his lecture, Justin Ganjei, DVM, DACVS-SA, will review with attendees the pathophysiology of BOAS as well as provide a step-by-step approach to surgical correction, such as advance laser techniques to minimize morbidity and optimize outcomes. Ganjei will also provide practical guidance on case selection, considerations to improve patient breathing, and more.

RECENTLY ADDED: Minimally Invasive Laser Removal of Eyelid Tumors in Non-Anesthetized Dogs

This lecture will take place at 1:30 PM EDT.

Learn how to safely and effectively treat common canine eyelid tumors. This presentation, presented by Joshua J. Broadwater, DVM, DACVO, focuses on the challenges of managing these tumors, which often affects older dogs with other health issues. Broadwater will demonstrate the use of CO2 laser technology as a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia, showing attendees how to properly remove tumors and prevent complications like irritation and corneal ulcers.

Nutraceuticals for Joint Health: What’s the Latest Evidence? 2025 Edition

This lecture will take place at 2:45 PM EDT

During Matthew Brunke's, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT, Fellow, IA, lecture, he will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of currently available supplements for joints and muscles. Attendees and Brunke will examine together each supplement by system, discussing the pros, cons, and available evidence. Finally, the lecture will end with how to apply this knowledge to the attendees' own practice.

My Patient Has a Front Limb Lameness, Now What: Orthopedic Soft Tissue Injuries

This lecture will take place at 4:00 PM EDT

David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, will educate attendees about the pathophysiology, orthopedic exam findings, and diagnostic modalities for these conditions in this presentation. Dycus will also cover various treatment options, including surgical and regenerative medicine.

SDMA Interpretation and Usage

This lecture will take 5:15 PM EDT

The talk will begin by reviewing SDMA's role as an early indicator of reduced glomerular filtration rate and its advantages over creatinine in detecting kidney disease. JD Foster, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP, will then discuss how to interpret SDMA levels in various clinical scenarios, including early chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury (AKI), and cases where non-renal factors might influence the results.