VMX lectures to watch: Part 2

Now that we have a few days of VMX behind us, there is still plenty of learning to do! To help navigate the over 1000 continuing education hours available to attendees, dvm360 has pulled some lectures we think are good ones to attend, with topics ranging from small ruminant emergencies to French bulldog neurological conditions, there are topics here for everyone!

Monday, January 19

What’s That Smell? Otitis Externa of Course!

• Speaker: Darin Dell, DVM, DACVD
• Topic: Dermatology
• Time: 6:30 AM-7:30 AM
• Why we are excited: Ear infections are one of the most common reasons canine patients are brought into the clinic. Because of that, having a deeper understanding of otitis externa can help make talking to clients about this frustrating problem easier for everyone, and potentially even improve the outcomes for these patients in your clinic. This lecture is sponsored by Dechra.

Back to the Basics: Spinal Trauma Management

• Speaker: Melissa Lewis, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)
• Topic: Neurology
• Time: 8:00 AM-8:50 AM
• Why we are excited: It never hurts to go back to the basics! Lewis will take attendees back to the beginning by covering the principles of fluid therapy as well as fluid prescription for the sick and critically ill patients in your veterinary clinic.

Full-Service, High-Quality, Low-Cost Clinics: Expanding Access To Care

• Speaker: Stephanie Sabshin, DVM
• Topic: Business
• Time: 8:00 AM-8:50 AM
• Why we are excited: In the veterinary industry, what of the hottest topics and one with a lot of concern surrounding it is access to care and it becoming increasingly more expensive and inaccessible.Sabshin will help attendees learn strategies manage and run high quality and low cost clinics successfully.

Caregiver Burden in Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: Identifying How We Can Help

• Speaker: Jessica Quimby, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
• Topic: Feline medicine
• Time: 9:05 AM-9:55 AM
• Why we are excited: When you have a feline patient with chronic kidney disease, along with the treatment plan for the patient, are you also taking into consideration the care giver burden for whomever is caring for the cat? This lecture will help veterinary professionals learn how to communicate with clients effectively as well as practice intervention recommendations to help improve the caregiver’s wellbeing. This lecture is sponsored by Dechra.

911! Emergencies in Small Ruminant Practice

• Speaker: Michael Pesato, DVM, DABVP
• Topic: Farm animal
• Time: 10:50 AM-11:40 AM
• Why we are excited:, When it comes to any animal, emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, and this is true for backyard farm animals as well Peasto in this lecture will help prepare attendees for small ruminant emergencies to help better equipped them to help. Not to mention, Pesato was named a VMX 2025 Speaker of the Year so this will be a lecture to attendee for sure!

Vaccine Hesitancy in Vet Med: How To Move the Needle in Client Conversations

• Speaker: Jessica Pritchard, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
• Topic: Infectious disease
• Time: 10:50 AM-11:40 AM
• Why we are excited: Recently in human medicine, there has been an uptick in vaccine hesitancy that is now spilling over into veterinary medicine, so it is important to understand the landscape and the impact it has on the choices clients are making. Because of this, having practical and evidence-based strategies to use with clients is a way to build trust and improve communications to help patients get the protection they need and deserve.

What Clients Need To Know About Cataracts and Surgery

• Speaker: Kate Myrna, DVM, MS, DACVO

• Topic: Ophthalmology
• Time: 1:40 PM- 2:30 PM
• Why we are excited: This lecture could address a major pain point for some general practitioners, managing client expectations, especially when it comes to a patients eyes. The information provided in this lecture to attendees will also help them advise and guide clients with realistic expectations before they are referred to a ophthalmologist.

What Graduating Vet Students Really Want

• Speaker: Henry Green, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
• Topic: Career development
• Time: 1:40 PM- 2:30 PM
• Why we are excited: As students graduate veterinary school, pass the NAVLE, and enter the market, have hiring practices considered what they really want? Green, who is the Associate Dean for Organizational Health and Mentorship and an Associate Professor of Veterinary Cardiology at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, will offer attendees his insights from being around students to help practices create environments that students want to work in as they begin their career.

Diagnostics in Action: Top Tips for Integrating Imaging and Laboratory Insights in Clinical Practice

• Speaker: Holly Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP; and Diane Wilson, DVM, DACVR
• Topic: Diagnostics
• Time: 4:05 PM- 4:55 PM
• Why we are excited: This lecture, presented by a credentialed radiologist and credentialed clinical pathologist, will take attendees on a journey to showcase the power of diagnostics in clinical decision making, practical guidance for good sample collection and interpretation, and strategies to optimize diagnostic imaging.

Digit Amputations

• Speaker:Janet Grimes, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA; PhD, and Camille Torres-Henderson, DVM, DABVP, DACVIM (Nutrition)
• Topic: Surgery
• Time: 4:45 PM- 5:10 PM
• Why we are excited: Are you up to date on the current literature regarding digit amputations? If not, this lecture is for you! Attendees will also get an overview of digit tumors as well as other reasons a digit amputation might be needed. Plus, attendees will walk through with the speaker’s preoperative management and surgical management for these surgeries.

You Want Me To See What? Backyard Poultry for the Not-So-Poultry Veterinarian

• Speaker: Michael Pesato, DVM, DABVP
• Topic: Farm animal
• Time: 5:45 PM- 6:45 PM
• Why we are excited: Veterinary professionals could never predict what is going to walk through the doors of their clinic, and some of these surprises could include backyard poultry. Pesato will use this hour to teach veterinary professionals exactly what they can do for these animals as a “not-so-poultry veterinarian”

Tuesday, January 20

Episode 5: The View on Procedural Sedation From A to Zenalpha

• Speaker: Tannetje Crocker, DVM; Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia); Jane Quandt, MS, DACVAA, DACVECC
• Topic: Anesthesiology
• Time: 6:30 AM- 7:30 AM
• Why we are excited: Kick off your morning with a talk-show styled panel discussion to learn more about what industry leaders think about procedural sedation. The trio will talk about the goals of procedural sedation, and what it means in veterinary medicine, plus what veterinary teams should consider in drug sedating for health dogs and dogs aging with cardiovascular issue. This panel is sponsored by Dechra.

Do the WSAVA Guidelines for Reproduction Control Reflect Realities in the Real World?

• Speaker: Rachel Powell, DVM
• Topic: Anesthesiology
• Time: 8:00 AM- 8:50 AM
• Why we are excited: In 2024, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association published a first-of-its-kind Guidelines for the Control of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats, but what is the purpose of these documents? Explore the guidelines with Powell to determine if they represent the current body or research or ‘realities in the real world.’

Helping Pet Parents Through Heartfelt Endings and Honored Memories

• Speaker: Mary Gardner, DVM
• Topic: Geriatric Medicine
• Time: 8:00 AM- 8:50 AM
• Why we are excited: Euthanasia are one of the most emotional experiences a veterinary team and client can be involved in at the veterinary clinic. With all of the uncertainty, fear, and grief from clients, it is important veterinary teams can guide them through the emotions in a compassionate and confident way, which is why Gardner’s lecture is one to attend.

Vaster Than Yoga and Suicide: The Hardest Parts of the Mental Health Spectrum

• Speaker: Josh Tanguay, LCP
• Topic: Professional development
• Time: 9:15 AM- 10:05 AM
• Why we are excited: When it comes to mental health needs and interventions, there is a wide spectrum. Throughout this lecture, Tanguay will help attendees by encouraging them to consider the entire spectrum of mental health, and how it applies to the veterinary industry, to help those who fall on all ends of it.

Community Cats: Evolving Understanding of Management and the Role of Veterinarians and Shelters

• Speaker: Powel
• Topic: Shelter Medicine
• Time: 11:00 AM- 11:50 AM
• Why we are excited: Most, if not all neighborhoods, in the US have what is known now as community cats. They are seen walking around neighborhoods, climbing on fences, scavenging through the garbage, or just an overall presence in the community. Some have homes, and some don’t, but are veterinarians responsible for their welfare? Are they pests or pets? Is there a right way to help them? Explore all of these questions and more with Powell.

Extending Healthy Lifespan for Dogs: The Ultimate, Scientific Deep Dive

• Speaker: Brennen Mckenzie, MA, MSc, VMD
• Topic: Preventive Medicine
• Time: 12:30 AM- 1:20 PM
• Why we are excited: Loyal has been all over the news both in the veterinary world and national news for their work on longevity drug trials. Within this lecture, McKenzie will take a deep diver with attendees on major drivers of age-related declines in canine health and quality of life.

Muscles, Motion, Mechanics: The Core Science Behind Canine Exercise

• Speaker: Bess Pierce, DVM, DABVP, DACVIM, DACVSMR
• Topic: Rehabilitation
• Time: 2:00 PM- 2:50 PM
• Why we are excited: This lecture will bridge the cap between theoretical science and clinical application, and attendees will walk out of the lecture with a plethora of tools to create life-stage-appropriate exercise plans that can not only maximize performance, but minimize injury risk as well.

What the Frenchie: Common Neurologic Diseases

• Speaker: Brittany Laflen, RVT, VTS (Neurology)
• Topic: Neurology
• Time: 2:45 PM-3:35 PM
• Why we are excited: French Bulldogs are the top dog in America, but they also come with some potential neurologic conditions. Throughout this lecture, Laflen will explain the neurologic conditions these dogs can be born with or develop in their lifetime, plus treatment options and nursing concerns.

Functional Mushrooms for Longevity and Cognitive Health

• Speaker: Robert Silver, MS, DVM
• Topic: Alternative Medicine
• Time: 4:05 PM-4:55 PM
• Why we are excited: Have you considered using alternative medicine, such as mushrooms, in your practice to address longevity cognition and adrenal dysfunction in your patients, or have you never heard of it and want to learn more? If so, this lecture is for you! Silver will be reviewing recent studies and publications as well as a basic overall review of mushrooms and their use in veterinary medicine.

Pelvic Fractures: Do We Need To Fix It?

• Speaker: Kate Barnes, DVM, DACVS-SA
• Topic: Orthopedics
• Time: 4:45 PM-5:10 PM
• Why we are excited: DO all pelvic fractures need to be fixed? Barnes will use real life cases, evolving evidence, and surgical insights to uncover with attendees when intervention is needed for these fractures, and when it is not.