This page will be continuously updated with descriptions of each session during the Annual Meeting

SMALL ANIMAL I

8:00am | Principles of Wound Healing and Wound Management in Small Animals (Session 1)
                 with Dr. Sarah Castaldo | Sponsored by Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This session will provide an overview of the stages of wound healing, and important principles of wound management that will help the practitioner make appropriate decisions for their patients. Case discussions will be used to help highlight the management of specific wounds and techniques utilized in individual patients.

9:00am | Principles of Wound Healing and Wound Management in Small Animals (Session 2)
                 with Dr. Sarah Castaldo | Sponsored by Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This session will provide an overview of the stages of wound healing, and important principles of wound management that will help the practitioner make appropriate decisions for their patients. Case discussions will be used to help highlight the management of specific wounds and techniques utilized in individual patients.

10:00am | The Bleeding Patient: Is it Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia?
                 with Dr. John Thomason | Sponsored by Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Utilizing clinical cases and scenarios, this session will provide an overview of the diagnostic approach for dogs and cats with a thrombocytopenia. An emphasis will be placed on differentiating primary immune-mediates thrombocytopenia from infectious or non-immune-mediates causes of thrombocytopenia.

11:00am | Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia: Therapeutic Advancements
                 with Dr. John Thomason | Sponsored by Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This session will provide an overview of recent research advances and strategies for using immunosuppressive and other supportive therapies for dogs with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Case discussions will be used to help highlight immunosupressive therapy in individual patients.

1:40pm | Occupational Hazards in Veterinary Practice
                 with Dr. Suzanne Tomasi

This presentation will provide an overview of the typical occupational hazards in veterinary practices and provide recommendations on how to reduce employee's risk using the hierarchy of controls.

2:40pm | Waste Anesthesia Gases in Veterinary Practice
                 with Dr. Suzanne Tomasi

What we know and don't know. Anesthesia gases and vapors that leak into the surrounding environment are called waste anesthetic gases (WAG). Previous epidemiology studies have indicated acute WAG exposure is associated with nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, irritability, drowsiness, and difficulties with judgement. Chronic exposure may be linked to miscarriages, genetic damage, birth defects, and cancer. In human hospitals, the use of scavenging systems to collect exhaled gases from patients is almost universal, reducing WAG exposures. However, in veterinary practices, scavenging systems are not as widely used. Furthermore, veterinary practices use a variety of equipment such as anesthetic masks or chamber boxes, which can make control of WAG more challenging. This presentation will discuss what NIOSH learned from recent veterinary hospital WAG investigations and ongoing work to help improve controls in veterinary practices.

4:00pm | Top Questions in Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
                 with Dr. India Lane | Sponsored by University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

This session will use clinical and teaching experience, common consult questions and recent literature to discuss contemporary dilemmas in the management of nonobstructive feline interstitial cystitis and feline urinary obstruction.

5:00pm | Teaching in Your Practice: Tips for Externs, Students & More
                 with Dr. India Lane | Sponsored by University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary colleges and veterinary practices recognize the value of externship/preceptor experience outside the teaching hospital in general and private specialty practices. This session will share major tips and habits that can enhance the learning experience for anyone, including basic models of clinical instruction, thinking out loud, asking better questions and practicing continual feedback.

SMALL ANIMAL II

10:00am | Making the Most of Your Technical Staff: Some Tips from the AVMA (Part I)
                 with Dr. Elizabeth Thompson

Session description coming soon!

11:00am | Making the Most of Your Technical Staff: Some Tips from the AVMA (Part II)
                 with Dr. Elizabeth Thompson

Session description coming soon!

Large animal

1:40pm | Value-added BQA Resources for your Practice
                 with Dr. Julia Herman | Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim & the West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Learn about the Beef Quality Assurance program and how it has evolved to provide producers and veterinarians practical and impactful resources to improving cattle health and welfare. Veterinarians can sue these resources to build on new or existing producer relationships to enhance the care and productivity of the operation.

2:40pm | Animal Welfare for the Beef Practitioner
                 with Dr. Julia Herman | Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim & the West Virginia Department of Agriculture

The BQA program upholds internationally recognized animal welfare standards for all sectors of the beef industry, from cow-calf operations to the feedyard. Considerations for animal welfare at the cow/calf practice level will be emphasized.

4:00pm | Biosecurity Planning
                 with Dr. Julia Herman | Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim & the West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Biosecurity is the one aspect of a cattle operation that the producer has the most control over. Biosecurity planning is an important piece to herd health planning that can benefit the producer and the veterinarian. Several resources developed by the Producer Education team at NCBA, and the separately managed Secure Beef Supply, are available for producers, veterinarians, and transporters to review for more information on biosecurity to improve cattle welfare before and during potential disease outbreaks.

5:40pm | Beef Quality Assurance Program
                 with Dr. Julia Herman | Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim & the West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Session description coming soon!

SMALL ANIMAL

8:00am | Demystifying the Surgical Acute Abdomen
                 with Dr. Ally Sterman | Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This talk will be on the key points to help differentiate between a medical acute abdomen and a surgical. Including tips and tricks for abdominocentesis, identifying uroabdomen VS septic abdomen VS hemoabdomen.

9:00am | Gastric Dilation Volvulus: From a Surgeon's Point of View
                 with Dr. Ally Sterman | Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This talk will be a guide on all things GDV. From diagnosis and stabilization to surgery and post operative care. We will also discuss tips and tricks for and incisional gastropexy.

10:30am | Indications and Guide to the Removal of Anal Glands
                 with Dr. Ally Sterman | Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

This presentation will be a review on the most common diseases of the anal gland. We will also discuss the basics of surgery including prognostic factors and challenges that can be encountered.

11:30am | Feline Ophthalmology
                 with Dr. Kara Gornik | Sponsored by PVSEC, BluePearl

We will discuss some of the more common aspects of feline ophthalmology, including feline herpes virus, several variations of corneal disease, feline glaucoma.

2:40pm | Ocular Emergencies
                 with Dr. Kara Gornik | Sponsored by PVSEC, BluePearl

We will go through the most common ocular emergencies to present to the general practitioner. The goal is to provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations for all types of emergencies that can be performed in office.

3:40pm | Ocular Emergencies
                 with Dr. Kara Gornik | Sponsored by PVSEC, BluePearl

We will go through the most common ocular emergencies to present to the general practitioner. The goal is to provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations for all types of emergencies that can be performed in office.

4:45pm | When the Straight Forward Throws a Curveball
                 with Dr. Kara Gornik | Sponsored by PVSEC, BluePearl

This will go through common diseases (KCS, corneal indolent ulcers, corneal degeneration, pannus, and pigmentary uveitis) with basic treatments as well as treatments when patients don't respond as expected.

Technician

8:00am | Finding Positivity during Challenging Times
                 with Melissa Supernor, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM), CCFP, CVBP, CFVP

In this interactive lecture we will discuss how to stay positive during times of challenges. Finding positivity during challenging times is about cultivating a mindset that allows you to focus on silver lining and opportunities for growth when faced with adversity. It involves seeking moments of gratitude, maintaining a hopeful, positive outlook, connecting with supportive people, and discovering inner strength to navigate difficulties with resilience and optimism. Embracing positivity during tough times can lead to personal growth, improved mental well-being, and a brighter perspective on life’s challenges.

9:00am | Work-life Integration VS Work-life Balance
                 with Melissa Supernor, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM), CCFP, CVBP, CFVP

In this interactive lecture, we will discuss the similarities and differences of Work-life integration and Work-life balance and how they impact ourselves, others, and organizations. Work-life integration and work-life balance are two distinct approaches to managing the relationship between one’s professional and personal life. Work-life integration approach emphasizes blending work and personal life in a flexible manner and is about finding ways to seamlessly incorporate work and personal responsibilities by leveraging technology and adapting one’s schedule to suit your individual’s needs and wants. The focus is on achieving harmony by integrating work into daily life. Work-life balance is the approach that emphasizes creating clear boundaries between profession life and personal life and it involves allocating specific time for work and personal activities, ensuring that work doesn’t encroach on personal time and vice versa and the goal is to maintain equilibrium and prevent stress and burnout. Both of these approaches have their merits and challenges and the choice between them depends on personal preferences and the demands of one’s profession and lifestyle. Work-life integration may be good for those who value flexibility and work-life balance may be more suitable for those who prefer clear separations between their work life and personal life.

10:30am | Working with Difficult People and Management of Conflict
                 with Melissa Supernor, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM), CCFP, CVBP, CFVP

In this interactive lecture, we will discuss the challenges around working and dealing with difficult people and conflict management tools and techniques. Working with difficult people involves strategies for effectively interacting with individuals who may exhibit challenging behavior and it requires patience, active listening, empathy, and assertiveness to navigate these interactions while maintaining professionalism and achieving common goals. Conflict management is the process of addressing and resolving disagreements or disputes within a team or organization. It involves constructive communication, negotiation, and problem solving to find mutually beneficial solutions. Effective conflict management fosters teamwork, enhances relationships, and can lead to innovative solutions when handled appropriately.

11:30am | Feline Rehab
                 with Kirsty Oliver, VN, DipAVN, CVT, CCRP, CVPP, VTS (PR) | Sponsored by Veterinary Surgical Centers, Rehabilitation

An overview of rehab for our feline friends. From land exercises to aquatics, how do we determine when a cat needs rehab & how do we make them think it's their idea.

2:40pm | “Don’t Pull the Trigger”: Treating & Understanding Soft Tissue Points
                 with Kirsty Oliver, VN, DipAVN, CVT, CCRP, CVPP, VTS (PR) | Sponsored by Veterinary Surgical Centers, Rehabilitation

Just like little soft tissue "bombs", knowing what a trigger point is & how to treat it is key to resolving chronic postural changes in our rehab patients.

3:40pm | Anesthesia & Analgesia Drugs
                 with Connie Warren, LVT, VTS| Sponsored by Veterinary Surgical Centers

Session description coming soon!

4:45pm | Understanding Anesthesia: Interpreting the Numbers
                 with Connie Warren, LVT, VTS| Sponsored by Veterinary Surgical Centers

Session description coming soon!