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5 EPIC Fails We Didn’t Expect as New Vets (And How to Avoid Them)

A Practice Owner’s Blueprint to Building Personal Wealth & Financial Security

This presentation exposes the obstacles that stand in the way of practice expansion and personal financial success for the practice owner and presents a game plan on what can be done to create an owner-independent practice and translate the practice profits into the owner’s household seamlessly and efficiently. Program Agenda: • What are the biggest barriers in the way of your financial success and HOW do you overcome them? • What are the key metrics and characteristics that define financial success for a practice owner and where do you stand in relation to where you want to achieve? • What is the best formula to use to calculate the exact amount needed in retirement reserves BEFORE you retire and sell your practice? • How do you BUILD multiple streams of income outside of the business for the future using practice profits? • What investment categories should you include in your asset portfolio to build LASTING financial security for your family?

Tick Tidbits: Novel Insights & Protection Updates on These Tiny Troublemakers

Ticks pose a health risk to companion animals as nuisance blood-feeding pests and through the numerous pathogens they can vector. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is a common tick found on canines and humans in the U.S. and can serve as a vector of several significant tick-borne pathogens, including agents of ehrlichiosis and spotted fever rickettsiosis. Lone star ticks also prove a robust challenge for canine tick control products and are considered a rate-limiting tick species. This presentation will review: geographic regions where lone star ticks are found; risk of encountering lone star ticks; lone star tick associated pathogens and what’s known about their transmission timing; and, control and prevention of ticks to reduce risk tick-borne diseases in canines and humans. Finally, this presentation will describe and compare the speed of lone star tick kill on dogs administered one of three, monthly-dosed, tick control products to control existing and new lone star tick infestations over each product’s label-approved dosing period.

Intentional Discounting in the ER - WTH?!

Discounting has become a hot topic in Veterinary Medicine. With the discussion involving the value of services, helping pets, and access to care. This session will dive right into this topic to discuss the importance of INTENTIONAL discounting. The speaker will explain the culture you need to make it work, and the business side of discounting. A case based component will help show how and when discounting can work for you and your practice.

Palatability in Pet Food: A Blend of Science and Practice

Dogs and cats have an intense ability to smell and their preferences are used to develop tasty pet foods. This is important because you can have the best nutrition in the world, but if dogs and cats don’t want to eat it, you won’t be effectively delivering that nutrition. Additionally, we all know that it’s important for pet parents to give their pets foods that are not just good for them, but that they will enjoy eating. When we talk about taste, we’re really talking about aspects of the food that contribute to overall liking. What we have found is there are really 5 key taste drivers that draw pets to the bowl: flavor, shape, aroma, texture and size. However, since our pets cannot verbalize their preferences, we rely on research tools like preference tests and ethograms to understand what they desire in their food. Preference tests, which are essentially taste tests for pets, allow dogs and cats to decide which foods they like, while ethograms observe their behaviors exhibited during mealtime, providing further insights. When transitioning to a new food, there are tips to facilitate the process, ensuring effective communication between the veterinary healthcare team and pet parents to support their understanding of proper feeding practices.

Fear Free & The Rehab Patient

Fear Free is the way and during this case-based chat, we will explore specific Fear Free techniques used in a rehab setting, along with an overview of all the benefits of becoming a Fear Free practice.

Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs: Supporting the Journey

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Building a Successful Practice Around a Clear Vision

Possessing a clear purpose and core values is a requirement for running a successful veterinary practice. Having a clear vision makes recruiting, hiring, firing, and rewarding, both your team and your clients infinitely easier.

Stem Cell Therapy: A Vital Component of Contemporary Veterinary Medicine

This lecture will focus on adipose derive stem cell therapy for small animals. It will start with a brief stem cell history. There will be a differentiation embryonic and adult mesenchymal stem cells. The process for acquiring, storing and injecting stem cells will be described. The physiologic rationale for using adult mesenchymal stem cells for the alleviation of osteoarthritis pain will detailed.

Why is My Patient Anemic? Unlocking Clues in the CBC and Blood Smear

Making sense of the CBC and blood smear findings relies heavily on the recognition of patterns and how they develop in response to pathology in your patient. In this session, we will explore the algorithmic approach to anemia and how clues in the CBC and blood smear can help explain what is causing the patient’s illness.

Logical Approaches to Chronic Arthritis Pain Control

Attendees will gain an understanding of adaptive versus maladaptive pain, including pain wind-up and the importance of pre-emptive analgesia. A multi-modal drug approach will be discussed. Treatment of osteoarthritis pain must include drugs to address pain at multiple levels, including the central nervous system, anti-inflammatory components, and inhibiting perception. Physical modalities and future therapies will be discussed.

Don’t Dread the Diet Trial! Demystifying Food Allergies and How to Accurately Diagnose Them

Determining if a pet has a food allergy, atopy, or both can be tricky business! This session will cover how to use history-taking and your dermatologic work-up to point you in the right direction. We will also demystify diet selection, diet trial instructions, and how to evaluate the pet’s response.

Emotional Intelligence at Work

By now we have all heard of emotional intelligence (EQ), but how does that knowledge translate to good EQ at work? In this session, you’ll learn about how the four quadrants of EQ frame our actions and how they can be individually communicated. Take real-life practice situations and "treat" them with EQ.

Spray, Slather, Dab, or Dip? Topical Management Tips to Improve Your Skin Successes

In a world full of topical options, what should you keep on your clinic shelf to maximize success in your derm cases? We will discuss topical products for allergy management, treating and preventing pyoderma, correcting autoimmune diseases, and, as a special derm and surgery crossover, improving wound healing.

Key Concepts in Veterinary Hospital Design

Off-site Sip-and-Learn Presentation, Sponsored CE . Join us for a unique TROLLEY RIDE through Nashville as part of our session on veterinary hospital design and management. This special tour will take you through a state-of-the-art veterinary facility, showcasing practical applications of design principles that boost functionality and improve client and staff satisfaction. Experience the charm of Nashville firsthand, and gain insights into how aesthetics can be integrated into your practice's design to enhance curb appeal and client engagement. Don't miss this opportunity to combine learning with the scenic beauty of Music City! ** This will be an off-site Sip-and-Learn Presentation which will include a Happy Hour Bar with the presentation. · The presentation is only open to veterinarians./ · Seating is limited to 45. / · Separate registration fee required $10.00 · Participants must be registered for the conference. / · If you have already registered for the conference, you may add this to your existing registration by modifying your registration or send an email to [email protected]

Are They Safe? Risk Assessment of Dogs with a History of Aggressive Behavior

Veterinarians and behavior professionals are frequently faced with questions about aggressive behaviors, including biting, lunging, or threatening postures. As with other behavioral questions, it is rare for there to be a single “right” answer to a question or a “one size fits all” solution to the problem that is occurring. This presentation will discuss risk factors that affect the likelihood of achieving a safe and successful outcome for these patients. Strategies for approaching topics such as rehoming or humane euthanasia will also be covered.

Vaccine & Vaccination: Protocols, Products, and Controversies

This program will examine current recommendations for canine and feline vaccination, focusing on recent changes to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines. It will review intervals for the initial feline vaccination series and boosters in adults, the rationale behind updates to the initial canine vaccination series, and revised guidance on the administration of leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines. It will also explore the indications and interpretation of antibody testing, including patient management recommendations based on test results. You’ll leave with a thorough understanding of current vaccine and vaccination recommendations.

Fractious, Fearful, or Frustrated? Uncover Causes of Human Directed Feline Aggression

Cat behaviors are commonly misunderstood, and their patterns of human-directed aggression are no exception to that rule. This presentation will take a deep dive into the "why" behind these aggression patterns and what you can do about them. Video examples will illustrate the various types of aggression and the intervention options you can share with your clients.

Resilience through Conflict: Techniques to Carry On

One of the many reasons that people fail to show up for conflict is that hey lack the capacity to build resilience to difficult conversations. In this session we will look at ways to build your resilience when engaged in conflict and de escalation techniques that will allow for a re-group after a conflict.

Belonging & Veterinary Medicine

This presentation will offer an overview of belonging. Particular attention will be given to defining what belonging is and what it is not, the current research on belonging, and translating the research into actionable skills for veterinary professionals. Information regarding belonging vs. fitting in will be discussed along with insights into how to apply this information both personally and professionally.

Oral Hypoglycemics: An Overview

Many cats with diabetes mellitus fit the profile for human type 2 DM, in which chronic insulin resistance results in inadequate insulin secretion. However, oral hypoglycemic agents have traditionally performed very poorly in feline diabetics. In this lecture, we will review the history of oral hypoglycemics in cats and introduce the SGLT-2 inhibitor drug class. This option represents a true paradigm shift in the management of feline diabetes.

Pain, Pain Go AWAY! These NEW Modalities Are Here to Stay!

It's 2024! And with the onset of new technology comes incredibly innovative modalities for us to manage and support our patients for both acute and chronic pain. This fun interactive session will showcase diagnostic tools, modalities and methods that your team easily can implement into practice right away! Join in on the conversation!

Navigating the Complexity of Lymphoma: Unraveling Types, Tests, Treatments in Veterinary Medicine

Educate veterinarians on lymphoma by reviewing the disease, discussing different types of lymphoma, and learning new testing and treatment modalities.

Bridging the Gap: How to Effectively Communicate with Senior Dog Pet Parents

Senior dogs are unique patients, often with progressive medical conditions and evolving physical needs. With an ever-growing sea of misinformation, how can we become a trusted advocate for the senior dogs of our clients? This talk will discuss the places most vulnerable to miscommunication with senior dog pet parents, common misconceptions senior pet parents have that can make communicating with them a challenge, and how to overcome and become a favorite vet or vet tech for senior pets in your area!

Laser Clarity: Decoding the Physics and Classification System in Veterinary Therapy

This seminar will be an explanation of the physics behind laser therapy and how that applies to the laser classification system and indications for laser therapy. It is an extensive overview of the electromagnetic spectrum and quantum and molecular physics as it applies to laser therapy, including dosage, frequencies, and electron volt potential. This seminar will include how lasers work in the body, differentiating photochemical effects on the electron transport chain of the mitochondria vs photothermal effects causing vasodilation. The purpose and parameters of the Laser Classification System will be explained. Practical information on safety as it relates to the laser classes with be covered, including OSHA regulation 1910.133(a) (1) and ANSI 136.3-2018-American Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care. Attendees will be shown the specific applications of the different classes of lasers, including indications and contraindications, and the different wavelengths of light within Class 2 lasers (Violet, Green, and Red). Finally, ample time for questions and answers will be provided to ensure a complete understanding.

Shining a Light on Healing: The Essentials of Integrating Laser Therapy into Veterinary Practice

This seminar will be a brief explanation of the physics behind laser therapy and how that applies to the laser classification system and indications for laser therapy. Frequency and duration as it relates to creating a laser protocol will be covered. This seminar will include how lasers work in the body, differentiating photochemical effects on the electron transport chain of the mitochondria vs photothermal effects causing vasodilation. The different wavelengths of lasers - Violet, Green, Red, and Infrared - will be covered. Instruction on specific musculoskeletal and dermal conditions will be shared. Attendees will be shown case studies to illustrate responses to laser therapy in practice situations. Finally, ample time for questions and answers will be provided to ensure a complete understanding.

No Butts About It! Anal Sacs, Tail Glands, and Fistulas Oh My!

This lecture will cover the most common diseases of the perianal area of the dog including perianal fistulas, anal sacculitis, perianal adenomas and more. We will discuss tricks for how to narrow your differential list and how to treat these difficult rear ends.

Clinic Communications to Curtail Client Complaints

How to utilize your website, emails, text messages, fillable web forms, appointment reminders, appointment report cards, text-to-pay, videos and more to cut down on client complaints.

Converging on Consensus: New Recommendations for Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Leptospirosis

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

From Doubt to Data: Commercial Raw Diets

0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Commercial to Home-Prepared: The Art and Science of Fresh- Food Diets

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

A Surgeon's Perspective on Current Trends for the Management of Osteoarthritis, Part 2

0.25 Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Spotlight on Feline Parasites

0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Protecting our dogs from infectious diseases – how can we do better?

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

The Journey From Price to Value - Putting Diagnostic Fees Under the Microscope

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Efficiency Unleashed: Maximizing Team Performance in Dental Health and Ear Infection Management

0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Spray, Slather, Dab or Dip? Topical Management Tips to Improve Your Skin Successes

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Tremors and Twitches in Cats and Dogs: Causation is Key

1.0 CE Credit Hours | Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Ten Years of Science in Canine Allergic Dermatitis: Knowledge You Need to Help Your Patients Now

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

What's in a Number? How a Clinical Pathologist Approaches Results

0.25 Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Food for thought: demystifying the diet trial

0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Compassionate Conversations: Navigating Financial Discussions in Veterinary Care

0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Using Technology to Maximize Efficiency & Engagement

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

How To Use Your Internal Experts When Training

Developing a training program for your veterinary hospital can be difficult – content development, scheduling the time, conducting the training and assessments, and determining who can conduct the training sessions. Give your training program a boost by letting the experts be involved in the process – your own in-house experts that is. Learning Objectives: • Identify the most effective people to conduct training sessions • Effectively utilize subject matter experts in the training program • Cultivate a culture of sharing knowledge for future training sessions

The Canine GI Microbiome in 2024: Translations of Science to Practice

This course covers recent advances in microbiome research in context of gastrointestinal (GI) disease. The GI microbiome is an important factor in the health and nutrition of pets. Within the gut microbiome, the various members establish relationship networks, which play a vital role in supporting the immune and digestion needs of their host. Current microbiome-based treatment strategies will be discussed. The development of the next generation of canine probiotics, as well as a focus on secondary bile acids and their role dysbiosis and the immune system will also be covered.This course covers recent advances in microbiome research in context of gastrointestinal (GI) disease. The GI microbiome is an important factor in the health and nutrition of pets. Within the gut microbiome, the various members establish relationship networks, which play a vital role in supporting the immune and digestion needs of their host. Current microbiome-based treatment strategies will be discussed. The development of the next generation of canine probiotics, as well as a focus on secondary bile acids and their role dysbiosis and the immune system will also be covered.

The New Face of Our Profession, Clients and Team

The pandemic year had veterinary hospitals making changes almost daily – from patient care to client service to team and business operations. Some of these changes are no longer necessary, but others were so well-liked, even transformative, that they are now standard operating procedures for most practices. Did these changes alter the veterinary business model? Or are they simply a passing fad? How has the face of clients, team members, and the profession changed?

Proper Use of Legal Entities for Lawsuit Protection and Tax Reduction

Legally Mine will show you how to stop the threat of lawsuits before they ever get started by protecting your assets in time tested and proven legal structures. These same structures allow us to help our tax attorneys save what you would normally pay in income taxes. These are little known tax helps that have significant case history and have stood the test of time.

Surgical Emergencies

This lecture is structured by body system (thorax, peritoneum, GI, etc) and then by specific presentations of surgical emergencies within those categories. This will be from the perspective of the first-line practitioner at the time of triage an initial evaluation (tailored to a relief vet in general practice or urgent care). The goal is to ensure that an attendee is more able to work up a case and perform quick clinical decision-making about the next steps: when to cut immediately, when you can wait, and when you should refer or call in an experienced surgeon. As always, client, intra- and inter-team communication will be covered as an essential part of any emergency case.

Be Our Guest! Implementing the Magic of Customer Service into Practice

It’s no secret the magic behind Disney’s exceptional customer service is the people. Be my guest and experience immersive learning. Implementing actionable takeaways . Learn how to keep your internal customer service just as strong as your external customer service. And in the words of Walt Disney himself, “If you can dream it you can build it.” Learn how to turn your visions into reality!

The Key to a Successful Chronic Kidney Disease Cat: Managing the Two A’s

This presentation will discuss tests most critical to diagnosing and monitoring chronic kidney disease of cats. Additional focus will be placed on maintaining quality of life for feline patients by addressing appetite to maintain body weight, as well as the need for addressing anemia of CKD.

The ABCDs of Chronic Mitral Valve Disease, Part 2

Approximately 10% of dogs have heart disease, and of those, approximately 30% will develop congestive heart failure (CHF). Of dogs with heart disease, the number 1 cause is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This case-based 3-hour session will review canine MMVD, including its pathophysiology and updated treatment recommendations, along with the rationale for staging heart disease according to the current ACVIM guidelines. The importance of calculating sleeping/resting respiratory rate and vertebral heart score (VHS), as well as supporting diagnostic tests, will be discussed. The EPIC study will be explored in detail, including specific findings and recommendations from the Cardiac Education Group (CEG) that may help clinicians improve patients’ quality of life and delay onset of CHF or cardiac death. Emphasis will be on when to initiate treatment in stage B, optimum therapy for stage C, and a practical approach to the coughing dog with MMVD.

Creating A Sustainable Veterinary Wellness Routine That Wins Over Clients

Educating Veterinary Practices on offerings for current client base. How to keep businesses in the clinic while still being affordable to the client and profitable to the practice.

Partnering in Pet Emergencies: Best Practices for Referring Veterinarians

The relationship between referring Veterinarians and their local ER is important and relies on good communication and practices to be successful. Participants will get an overview of common pet emergencies, and basic stabilization tips to utilize prior to referral. We will discuss client communication, setting appropriate expectations, and what information needs to be relayed to the ER Veterinarian during a referral.

Dermatologic Conundrums: The Cases that Make You Scratch Your Head - “Fungal” Diseases

Delve deeper into unusual and complicated fungal dermatologic cases that represent a diagnostic challenge. Learn tips to aid in achieving an accurate diagnosis quickly and how to narrow down the differentials. We will also explore treatment options for these unusual cases and discuss how to choose the best multimodal therapy for each case.

The Orthopedic Exam

In this lecture, we will take a very stressful (and often dry) topic and turn it into useful, real world examples. Instead of confusing diagrams, we will use cases and videos of real patients to discuss tips and tricks for successful orthopedic evaluations; this includes the exam itself as well as how to describe your findings in a medical record or over the phone. In particular, attendees will leave feeling much more comfortable about evaluating lameness, patellar luxation, and cruciate ligament rupture.

Beyond the Cephalic: It's not the Final Frontier

Commonly used blood collection sites, less commonly used blood collection sites, sample handling, tips and tricks for difficult veins and patients, including some fear free handling techniques. Blood collection in exotic species can be especially challenging, so that is covered briefly as well.

Wound Management

In this lecture, we will cover basic pathophysiology and anatomy of the skin in companion animals (dogs and cats), a brief introduction to wound healing, and a survey of common types of wounds. The majority of our time will be spent in a case-based approach to wound therapy, including active and passive drains. An attendee should leave this lecture with a greater understanding of how to treat wounds in general practice and urgent care settings, how to best communicate with a specialist or colleague if help is needed. We will also review common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Finally, client communication and setting expectations for care will be discussed.

Unbreak the Broken Tooth

Veterinarians on the cutting edge of excellence need to know what best to do to handle the patient that presents with a fractured tooth. Fractured teeth in dogs and cats often create a conundrum for the practitioner. Learn how the age of the patient, age of the fracture and type of fracture enter in the decision-making process. Treatment options range from periodic follow-up, vital pulp therapy, root canal therapy, or extraction. In this interactive seminar those participating will gain appreciation how to choose treatment options

Case-Based Review of Canine OA Pain Management: Focus - Anti-NGF Monoclonal Antibodies

Using a Case-Based approach, review how anit-NGF mAbs can be used in to control canine OA Pain. Tips increasing the efficiency of veterinary healthcare team in the screening, diagnosis and treatment (short- and long-term) will also be discussed.

The Promise of SGLT2 Inhibitors for Treatment of Feline Diabetes Mellitus

In healthy cats, sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) proteins reabsorb large amounts of glucose from the urine and prevent glucosuria. SGLT2, a specific SGLT subtype present in the renal proximal tubules, has a vital role in normal glucose homeostasis but contributes to the development of persistent hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. Drugs that target SGLT2 proteins, specifically a class of drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors, have emerged as important tools for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). SGLT2 inhibitors act selectively in the renal proximal tubules to inhibit glucose uptake from urine and promote renal excretion of excess glucose. Velagliflozin, a novel SGLT2 inhibitor, was recently approved for treatment of feline DM. This talk will review the background and pharmacology of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of DM and present guidelines for the clinical use of velagliflozin in diabetic cats, including patient selection, expectations, and patient monitoring.

Unlocking the Clinic Door: Exploring the Advantages of Veterinary Shadowing, Part 2

The veterinary profession, faces a critical need for inspiring and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians. This session delves into understanding who aspiring veterinarians are, the pivotal moments when they decide to pursue this path, and the barriers they encounter, with a special focus on age restrictions for volunteering and shadowing. It highlights the mutual benefits of mentoring, including positive impacts on current veterinarians, their teams, and community standing, while fundamentally altering the lives of future veterinarians. Practical advice on initiating mentorship opportunities, leveraging resources, and the significance of early veterinary experiences underscored by new market research, provides attendees with actionable strategies to engage and support aspiring veterinarians effectively. Part 2 will include an interactive game and networking reception.

Giddy Up! The Top 5 Things You Need to Know About AI in Vet Med

Join us for a comprehensive exploration into the transformative impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Transformer technology in the veterinary field. This course offers an in-depth understanding of how these advanced AI tools can revolutionize veterinary practice by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving medical record summarization, and refining patient care strategies. Participants will learn about the core functionalities of Transformers and LLMs, including sequence-to-sequence processing and semantic similarity evaluations, which are pivotal in handling complex veterinary cases and medical documentation. The program also delves into the potential pitfalls of using these technologies, such as duplication errors, hallucinations in data generation, and categorization issues, with practical solutions presented through augmented AI techniques like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and fine-tuning models. Success stories will highlight the effective application of chain-of-thought reasoning for differential diagnosis and semantic similarity for parsing dense medical transcriptions. Designed for veterinary professionals seeking to leverage AI for enhanced clinical outcomes, this course ensures attendees understand both the strengths and limitations of modern LLMs, preparing them for informed and safe usage in veterinary practices. Whether you're looking to refine diagnostic techniques or streamline administrative tasks, this program provides essential knowledge for integrating AI into veterinary care effectively and ethically.

Bringing Sanity to Senior Dog Senility: An Update on Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Don't let senior dogs with age-related cognitive changes cause confusion in your clinic! This talk is aimed at arming you with the best tools to identify and differentiate CCD, effectively communicate expectations, and tackle treatment options like a senior dog expert.

The Night show with the Neurologist-An interactive Case Based Workshop

Books and Journal Articles are great, but when it comes to neurology, seeing is believing....and understanding. So grab a drink and movie night begins as we become comfortable with neurology by watching animals do their thing on the big-screen. Dr. Wininger will present a pragmatic and systematic way of identifying the cause of those unusual gaits and movements. In the end you'll leave feeling more comfortable tackling these challenging cases!

Integral and Integrated: How Today's Veterinary Software Seamlessly Interfaces to Make Your Business Great

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Treating Feline Diabetes Mellitus in 2024

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Lessening the Phosphate Burden

1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

A Non-Binary Approach to Healthcare Delivery: A Continuum of Acceptable Options

1.0 CE Credit Hours | Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians

Are They Nutty? Are They Neuro? Are They Both?

Ticks, Twitches, changes in mood and compulsive behaviors, they all emanate from the brain; But are they because of a structural problem, a chemical imbalance or environment variables? In this session, We identify findings, both historic and on examination, that differentiate neurologic from behavioral conditions. Drs. Wininger and Pachel will present a series of these challenging cases and best practices to tackle them in your practice.

The ABCDs of Chronic Mitral Valve Disease, Part 1

Approximately 10% of dogs have heart disease, and of those, approximately 30% will develop congestive heart failure (CHF). Of dogs with heart disease, the number 1 cause is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This case-based 3-hour session will review canine MMVD, including its pathophysiology and updated treatment recommendations, along with the rationale for staging heart disease according to the current ACVIM guidelines. The importance of calculating sleeping/resting respiratory rate and vertebral heart score (VHS), as well as supporting diagnostic tests, will be discussed. The EPIC study will be explored in detail, including specific findings and recommendations from the Cardiac Education Group (CEG) that may help clinicians improve patients’ quality of life and delay onset of CHF or cardiac death. Emphasis will be on when to initiate treatment in stage B, optimum therapy for stage C, and a practical approach to the coughing dog with MMVD.

The ABCDs of Chronic Mitral Valve Disease, Part 3

Approximately 10% of dogs have heart disease, and of those, approximately 30% will develop congestive heart failure (CHF). Of dogs with heart disease, the number 1 cause is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This case-based 3-hour session will review canine MMVD, including its pathophysiology and updated treatment recommendations, along with the rationale for staging heart disease according to the current ACVIM guidelines. The importance of calculating sleeping/resting respiratory rate and vertebral heart score (VHS), as well as supporting diagnostic tests, will be discussed. The EPIC study will be explored in detail, including specific findings and recommendations from the Cardiac Education Group (CEG) that may help clinicians improve patients’ quality of life and delay onset of CHF or cardiac death. Emphasis will be on when to initiate treatment in stage B, optimum therapy for stage C, and a practical approach to the coughing dog with MMVD.

Weeding out the Evidence

These days it's hard to prescribe a medication without clients asking, "But do you think CBD could help"? Traditional western training has most of us rolling our eyes at the new craze, but this new-old therapy actually holds some sway in the evidence as an effective therapy for seizures and anxiety. In this talk we will discern fact from fiction in an investigation of what is definitively known about cannabinoids for this utility. A particular focus will be placed on traditional medications and their interactions with cannabinoids.

This or That – Deciding Which Ophthalmic Medications to Use With Common Ophthalmic Diseases

This course covers the most appropriate medical therapies for some of the most common ophthalmic diseases. We will discuss scenarios such as when to use topical antibiotics and which antibiotics to use, which medications will penetrate an intact cornea to reach the inside of the eye, latanoprost or no latanoprost, and when to reach past commercially available medications for compounded medical therapies. The discussion will be a broad overview of common diseases and ophthalmic therapies but attendees should leave feeling more confident managing the most commonly seen ophthalmic diseases.

Ship it or Save It? The GP & Neurologist’s Tips On Handling Those Pesky 4 PM Cases!

In this case-based lecture we will discuss a variety of neurology and internal medicine cases and encourage interactive discussion on whether the case should be referred to the specialist or kept in the generalist’s care. Factors will include case stability, options to offer spectrum of care and tips/tricks for successful communication.

Unlocking the Clinic Door: Exploring the Advantages of Veterinary Shadowing, Part 1

The veterinary profession faces a critical need for inspiring and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians. This session delves into understanding who aspiring veterinarians are, the pivotal moments when they decide to pursue this path, and the barriers they encounter, with a special focus on age restrictions for volunteering and shadowing. It highlights the mutual benefits of mentoring, including positive impacts on current veterinarians, their teams, and community standing, while fundamentally altering the lives of future veterinarians. Practical advice on initiating mentorship opportunities, leveraging resources, and the significance of early veterinary experiences underscored by new market research, provides attendees with actionable strategies to engage and support aspiring veterinarians effectively. Don't Miss the Extended Mixer Session from 4:30-5:30! Stay with us after our enlightening discussion on mentoring future veterinarians to enjoy a unique social bingo game! This is a perfect opportunity to connect with peers, discuss actionable strategies, and share experiences—all while earning continuing education (CE) credits. Our mixer provides a relaxed atmosphere for strengthening professional relationships and discussing ways to support and inspire the next generation in veterinary medicine. Extend your learning and networking into a fun and engaging evening. Don't leave early—great opportunities and connections await!

Frugal Fracture Fixation

This lecture will focus on how to manage fractures as a GP when owners cannot afford board certified surgeons. This lecture will go over when to recheck, how to place splints, casts, and when to change splints/casts. This lecture will also discuss amputation as a financially conservative alternative.

Let's Face It: How to Diagnose & Treat Derm Diseases of the Face

This lecture will cover the most common derm diseases of the dog and cat face including facial discoid lupus erythematosus, pemphigus erythematosus, mucocutaneous pyoderma, proliferative arteritis of the nasal philtrum, dermatophytosis, eosinophilic folliculitis/furunculosis and more. We will discuss tricks for how to narrow your differential list and how to implement successful treatments for your derm patients.

“Wound” of Fortune! Play the Game to “Salve” and Win!

In this 1-hour RACE-approved lecture delivered in a game show format, attendees will start with a refresher on the pathophysiology around wound healing in dogs and cats. This will include both gross and microscopic descriptions. Attendees will then discuss different pain points around treating wounds. This moves into physical factors that impede wound healing (immune suppression, inflammation, etc.) and emotional components like stress and anxiety. Understanding what creates an ideal healing environment takes attendees towards an introduction to a new standard of wound care that considers our patients' physical and emotional health. The final section of the lecture will include case-based discussions with strategies for general and emergency practices around workflow implementation and client communication.

Are YOU Keeping Score? The Importance of Pain Scoring Systems

Let’s talk about pain score scales and systems that are available, which ones are easiest to use, which are the most useful for dogs and cats. We will also discuss why pain scoring and treating pain is vital, and the importance of choosing and implementing a pain scoring system for the patients in your hospital.

Prescribing For Separation Anxiety

You won't want to miss this! We will walk you through the process of deciding whether medication use is appropriate for separation anxiety cases, and how to make educated decisions between options. In addition to use of single pharmaceuticals such as fluoxetine and alprazolam, other treatments such as nutritional therapy, supplement use, herbal therapies, and combination therapies will be discussed. Join us!

Top Ten Mistakes Veterinarians Make When Selling or Buying a Practice

Selling or buying a veterinary practice is a once in a lifetime event for a veterinarian. It is unfamiliar territory for most and there is a lot that can go wrong. We will explore the most common errors that veterinarians make in this process and how they can avoid them. When should you start the process of selling and what should you avoid doing in the years before a sale? Who should you hire to help you? What are the different types of structures for selling or buying a hospital? What should be your major focus during the selling or buying process? Selling or buying a veterinary practice is a marathon and we will help you avoid the costly missteps along the way. Lunch is provided with limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis.

Purring & Pruritic: How to Avoid a “Catopy” Catastrophe

This lecture will highlight the differences between feline and canine allergic disease, what we know and what we don’t, and the challenges in diagnosis and treatment. We will focus on a systematic work up to narrow down differentials and choose the best multimodal treatment plan for your pruritic felines.

Who’s Your Type? Transfusion Medicine

Canine and feline blood types, donor requirements & collection process, blood components, who needs what and why? Blood typing and cross matching, transfusion process and monitoring, transfusion reactions, other possibilities in extreme circumstances.

The Perfect Pump : Wearable Pumps for Pain Control

This session will describe some of the techniques for providing continuous infusion of analgesic drugs. It will then focus on a cost effective way to provide analgesia via wearable pumps. The mechanism of drug delivery will be described followed by data to support its use. Multiple case examples will be provided.

Recent Advances in Veterinary Oncology: Updates Every General Practitioner Should Know

Veterinary oncology has been advancing at a rapid pace. Learn about new diagnostic tests for cancer screening, monitoring, genetic mutations, and new therapies to use in practice.

Winning The Battle With Your Competition

Veterinary practices can no longer assume the old adage, ‘build it and they will come.’ Today’s economy requires a practice to adapt and address consumer behaviors because competition is coming from all directions – another veterinary practice, retail clinics, and virtual care models. Know your competition and take the steps to head off an attack on your practice success. Learning Objectives: • Recognize your competition • Assess your options • Create an action plan to strengthen quality, efficiency, and convenience

Incorporating Laser into General Practice: Integration and ROI

The evidence has shown Laser photobiomodulation (PBM, previously referred to as laser therapy) is effective. However, effective integration, marketing, and pricing for this therapy is needed in veterinary practices. The participants will be instructed on how to identify and market to clients who will utilize PBM. We will discuss using team members to promote and educate clients on the value of PBM. They will also get a foundation for pricing models used across other veterinary hospitals. The participant will leave with a better understanding of the ways to integrate PBM into daily practice by considering time, space, and staffing when implementing the technology.

Dental Hacks From A to Zebra

Come and learn 26 plus ways to make your dental practice a pleasure. Learn about new equipment, materials and techniques. The Dental Hack Alphabet will leave you empowered.

Manual Therapy For Everyday Practice

Troubleshooting & Complications With SGLT2 Inhibitors

SGLT-2 inhibitors are an exciting new class of drugs for management of feline diabetes mellitus. This session will address potential adverse effects associated with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in cats. The speakers will discuss how to prevent, identify, and treat possible adverse effects.

Lunging, Barking, and Out of Control! Sounds Like Leash Reactivity to Me

"He really is friendly!!!" (the owner says as their dog is lunging and frothing at the mouth toward the other dogs in your lobby). They may actually be right, but how do you know for sure? And, is that always the case? Leash reactivity is one of the more common presenting concerns of dog owners, and many different patterns get conveniently lumped into this diagnosis, without understanding the reasons why this behavior occurs and what it looks like to successfully intervene and treat the problem. This presentation will cover the most common reasons for "leash reactivity", and provide practical strategies that you can give to your clients.

There's Something Afoot: how to diagnose and treat derm diseases of the paw

This lecture will cover the most common derm diseases of the dog and cat paw including interdigital furunculosis, demodicosis, symmetrical lupoid onychitis, vasculitis, superficial necrolytic dermatitis, corns, Malassezia paronychia and more. We will discuss tricks for how to narrow your differential list and how to use diagnostics and treatments to your advantage!

When Good Days Go Bad: Adverse Events in Veterinary Practice

In this session we will discuss how to respond in the event of an adverse event related to patient care. These situations are difficult for everyone involved, and communication with upset clients can be a challenge. Dr Ellis will cover common questions and claims related to adverse events, including disclosing a medical error and responding to client demands for reimbursement of fees and payment of subsequent veterinary costs. She will also highlight some tips on how to help protect against claims and when you should report a potential or actual claim.

Building Front Desk SUPER HEROES!

Team Meetings That Don’t Waste Time or Money

This session will discuss how to run team meetings that positively affect your veterinary practice and work culture

The No Kill Controversy: Is It Time for a New "Standard"

This session will chat about the background of the “No Kill Movement” and its effects on animal welfare will be discussed as well as ways the sheltering community can move forward.

Managing Misunderstandings: Navigating Tricky Nutrition Conversations

Every pet deserves and should receive a nutritional recommendation on every visit. Nutrition is one area of veterinary medicine that affects every pet that comes into the hospital. When a pet receives a therapeutic pet food recommendation navigating the conversation will help with compliance. It will help the pet parent accept the recommendation and does not change the food recommendation to something that may not be appropriate. You can be instrumental in guiding a pet parent, answering questions and determining feeding amounts. Follow up is imperative for success of a new food. The veterinary health care team can pay an integral role in helping pet owners successfully switch to a new therapeutic food.

Emergency Care Redefined: Essential Elements for GP's Providing Emergency Services

Veterinary teams can better help pet patients by becoming familiar with the most common emergencies that present to GP Vet Hospitals. What basic stabilization equipment should you have on hand? What medications should be available? How do you communicate to clients your emergency care ability? Will it always be a GDV? Come and find out if you are right, and learn how to best prepare and train as a team to address pet emergencies.

Cytology of Twelve Common Skin Neoplasms

Skin tumors are commonly seen in practice, and cytology is a valuable tool in their diagnosis. In this session, we will discuss twelve of the most common skin neoplasms and their cytologic features.

How to Build a Veterinary Experience Your Clients Will Actually Like

In an era where technology and client expectations constantly evolve, veterinary practices face the challenge of adapting to remain competitive and effective. This session, designed for veterinary practice managers and staff, offers a deep dive into the strategies and insights that are essential for crafting a modern veterinary practice that excels in efficiency, client communication, and patient care. Walking through the pet parent journey, practices will learn how to reduce workload, improve client communication and relationships, and effectively modernize their practices in the competitive market. ** This will be a Sip-and-Learn Presentation which will include a Happy Hour Bar with the session.

Boundaries at Work—Setting Healthy Limits

Boundaries are not learned...they are taught. We are not given boundaries but, rather, we adopt the boundaries of our role models, parents and peers. Boundaries (or lack there of) are a behavior and therefore they must be practiced. This session examines what boundaries are at a veterinary hospital and how to navigate and implement professional and personal boundaries.

Cytologic Curiosities of the Cat

In this session, we will review a series of four cases that highlight different pathologic processes that most often (or strictly) occur in the feline patient and have unique cytologic and hematologic features.

UrINe or UrOUT–Common Cases Involving Micturition Management

The goal of this presentation is for attendees to learn and perfect diagnostics and case management involving abnormalities in micturition in an interactive format with two presenters. After a short introduction, we will start with a review of micturition, normal pathophysiology and different places disease can interrupt and cause dysfunction. Following that, we will do a quick review of the differences between overflow and neurogenic incontinence. This will lead into six common cases of abnormal micturition – three surrounding general practice and three from a neurologist’s perspective. These will be presented with attendee involvement, polling and trivia questions.

The Invisible Affliction of Vet Med: Chronic Pain

So many of our patients, especially our older ones, suffer silently with pain from conditions like osteoarthritis. It is up to us, as veterinary professionals, to educate our clients to recognize the signs of pain in their pets and treat these animals appropriately so they can enjoy a good quality of life. There are quite a few medications and different therapies that can greatly improve the comfort of these older pets, and perhaps even help them to live a longer and more comfortable life.

Cytology of Neoplasia: When Cells Go Rogue

From benign fatty tumors to life-threatening malignant cancers, neoplasia can bear a wide breadth of implications for our patients. In many cases, diagnosis of various neoplasms can be made cytologically. This session will cover the basics of cytologic investigation of neoplastic processes.

Managing Common Medical Concerns in the Recent Adoptee

Shelter veterinarians often treat medical concerns differently than private practitioners not only because of resources available, but also because of the unique concerns living in a shelter environment creates for the patient. We will discuss some of these medical conditions and ways that practitioners can work with shelter veterinarians to provide the best care for recent adoptees.

Uncomfortable Financial Conversations: Is it REALLY About the Money?

As veterinary professionals, we feel quite comfortable discussing a pet’s complicated medical needs all day long. However, very few of us have been trained on how to discuss finances. Attendees learn why it is important to offer payment plans proactively vs. reactively, when and how to present these options to clients (3 times/3 ways) and will leave with a plan to improve cost conversations with their clients.

Managing Mast Cell Tumors: Practical Insights and Therapy in Primary Practice

Mast cell tumors are one of the most common skin tumors in our pets. The wide range of behavior can make it difficult to know what to do next. This session will cover how to approach mast cell tumors in the clinic with guidance on additional testing that can be done in your clinic, how to interpret pathology reports, and treatment options such as injectables like Stelfonta, surgery, and medical therapy.

Top Tips To Talk To Your Clients About Money

We have all been there - that uncomfortable conversation with a client about the cost of their pet's medical care. Sometimes the conversation goes ok; other times, well, we have all been accused of being in it for the money by an upset client. Is there any way to prevent "the money talk" from spiraling into nasty accusations that leave you feeling frustrated and upset, and do nothing to help the client-vet relationship? Give your team the tools to talk to your clients about money that gets a five-star satisfaction rating by clients. Learning Objectives: • Explore the implication of pricing decisions • Strengthen your understanding of client perceptions of pricing • Create a strategic pricing action plan to be proactive instead of reactive • Empower the client during the money talk • Help your team understand the value (and cost) of what they do

Platelet Rich Plasma: What Is it and What Is it Good For?

This session will start with a description of the science and mechanism of action of platelet rich plasma (PRP). This will be followed a detailed description of many of the multiple uses for PRP. Multiple cases will be presented. The discussion will end with a detail of the most contemporary allogenic PRP.

Practical Canine Cardiology: Let's Get to the Heart of the Matter

In this presentation, attendees will be provided with an overall understanding of the types of cardiac workups that can be performed on canine patients by a general practitioner and team. We will start with a physical exam assessment, then move to diagnostics (lab work options, blood pressure, thoracic radiographs, EKG telemetry through telehealth, etc.), and finally, treatment plans for common canine cardiac diseases that can initially be managed if a specialist is not available or an option for the client.

Don’t Be a Pain: Analgesia for the Emergency and Critical Care Patient

All professionals are welcome! Definitions related to pain and pain control, commonly used analgesia drugs in emergency and critical care settings, a little bit on using pain scoring systems. Also, the consequences of untreated pain, how patient comfort and stress levels affect pain perception, how to manage stress and anxiety along with pain. We will also talk about some non-pharmacologic measures to help with pain control.

Communication Culture

It's not enough for veterinary team members to know how to communicate, they must know how and why they should be a part of a culture of communication. This session examines the three types of conversations that must be mastered to be considered an effective communicator; feedback, coaching, and confrontation.

Get Out of the Middle—The Toxicity of Triangulated Conversations

The single biggest pitfall to a 'Bad" culture is ineffective and destructive communication. One of the most destructive types of these toxic tactics is the triangulated conversation. We will learn how to redirect when trapped in a triangulated conversation and how to roll out a culture of no gossip.