Lecture Descriptions

Dr. Henry E. Childers, Jr. Memorial

Veterinarian Scientific Program

Canine Geroscience and Geriatric Medicine  

Principles of Canine Geroscience and Geriatric Medicine

This lecture will serve as an introduction to canine geroscience and exciting research in this new and emerging field. The underlying mechanisms of aging that have been presented in recent papers to help guide our clinical assessments and treatments in older dogs will also be reviewed. Participants will explore the fundamental concepts in the field of canine geroscience and aging in dogs, review the underlying mechanisms of aging that can help inform clinical assessment and treatment of senior canine patients and learn the differences between senior and geriatric dogs and the concept of frailty

Managing the Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Patient 

This talk is aimed at arming participants with the best tools to identify and differentiate CDS, effectively communicate expectations, and tackle treatment options like a senior dog expert. Discussion topics will include common misconceptions around CDS, updates in diagnosing the disease and treatment options to help patients and reduce impact on caretakers. The session will discuss underlying disease process of cognitive decline in elderly dogs and relation to other comorbidities, explore common misconceptions and overlooked steps in diagnosis, and review key aspects of managing the disease to include dietary management, supplements and medication.

Practical Tips for Common Old Dog Diseases: Eyes, Teeth and Endocrine

This lecture will cover common elderly dog issues in dermatology, ophthalmology, internal medicine and dentistry and share tips from boarded specialists with a special geriatric medicine interest for managing these complicated diseases. A review of common disease processes in geriatric patients across several areas of medicine will be provided. Participants will learn practical tips for treating these patients in light of their age and special needs.

Healthy Senior Dog Nutrition and Diet Comparisons

As our canine companions age, their nutritional requirements evolve, presenting unique challenges and considerations. Attendees will delve into the physiological changes that occur in aging dogs and explore how these changes impact their dietary needs. They will be given the tools to evaluate and compare diets and perform basic nutritional calculations to determine if a diet is appropriate for their patient. Furthermore, practical guidance will be provided on tailoring diet plans to address common age-related conditions such as arthritis, dental issues, and cognitive decline.  

Updates on End of Life Decisions and Protocols

This session provides veterinarians with the latest updates in end-of-life care for companion animals. Best practices and protocols will be reviewed and communication strategies to reduce stigma and support compassionate will be discussed.  

The Silent Sufferers: Practical Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain in Geriatric Dogs

This lecture will help general practitioners identify subtle signs of chronic pain, build confidence in diagnosis, and implement practical, multimodal treatment strategies that fit into everyday practice. Through real cases, tools, and client communication tips, attendees will walk away ready to improve comfort and quality of life for their senior patients, and be prepared to approach end-of-life discussions with compassion.

Small Animal Respiratory Topics 

Carol Reinero, DVM, DACVIM, PhD 

Canine Bacterial Pneumonia: Rethinking an Old Disease

This lecture will cover bacterial pneumonia etiology, focusing on the two most common causes  (community-acquired infections and aspiration pneumonia. Preventative strategies, diagnostics and treatment will be discussed. Strategies for dogs with and without clear evidence of a bacterial infection will be described, including controversies surrounding length of antimicrobial administration and metrics to monitor response to therapy and guide length of treatment. 

Pharmacologic Management of Respiratory Disease 

Respiratory diseases make up a large proportion of veterinary visits in both dogs and cats, with clinical signs including nasal discharge, sneezing, stertor, stridor, wheeze, cough, tachypnea, labored respiration, exercise intolerance and cyanosis. Medical management can at times be challenging and strategies are diverse depending on the underlying condition. In this lecture, pharmacologic management of several broad categories of disorders will be discussed, with the emphasis on therapeutic goals. 

Respiratory Diseases You May Not Have Learned in Veterinary School 

Advances are being made in all fields of veterinary medicine, with respiratory medicine being no exception. This lecture will focus on updates on relatively "new" respiratory disorders, inclusive of diagnostic modalities that have allowed for identification and characterization of these discoveries. Five major groups of disease will be covered: dynamic upper airway disorders, aspiration-related respiratory syndromes, bronchiolar (small airway) disease, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vascular disorders. 

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs Caused by Non-Cardiac Disease

Pulmonary hypertension, defined as abnormal increases in pulmonary vascular pressures, causes morbidity and mortality in dogs. It is not a disease per se, but rather a hemodynamic and pathologic state that occurs secondary to a wide variety of cardiac, vascular, respiratory and even systemic disorders. Recently, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine put forth consensus statement guidelines for diagnosis, classification, treatment and monitoring of pulmonary hypertension in dogs, and material from those guidelines will be presented. This lecture will focus on causes of pulmonary hypertension that are unrelated to left ventricular dysfunction or valvular disease. 

Aerodigestive Disorders in Dogs: A Link Between Cough and Swallow

Aerodigestive disorders (AeroD) are hybrid disorders caused by a pathologic link between the respiratory and digestive tracts. Many dogs lack obvious gastrointestinal signs (so called "occult" disease), but repetitive micro- or macroaspiration can be very damaging to the respiratory tract and needs to be addressed directly. This talk will cover types of AeroD and discuss diagnosis and treatment strategies. 

Approach to Respiratory Distress in the Cat

Cats with respiratory tract disorders can present to veterinarians for a variety of clinical signs including nasal discharge, sneeze, reverse sneeze, noisy breathing (snoring/stertor, stridor, wheeze), cough, alterations in respiratory rate or effort, and respiratory distress.  The most urgent of these clinical signs is respiratory distress. Because of their often-fragile state at the time of presentation, rapid assessment to streamline the diagnostic and therapeutic approach is needed and will be covered in this lecture. 

Equine Program 

Clinical Pathology

Danielle Gordon, DVM, MS, DACVP with Kate Echeverria, DVM, MS, DACVIM-LAIM

Decoding the Diagnostic Duo: Hematology and Chemistry Profiles 

This lecture will cover principals of hematology and clinical chemistry profiles in equine patients. Topics will include: discussion and interpretation of hematology and biochemistry profiles with common diseases; pattern recognition; reference intervals and their determination; and the importance of blood smear evaluations. 

Equine Acute Phase Proteins: Diagnostic Tools for Inflammatory Disease 

This lecture will provide a general overview of acute phase proteins in horses, including their usefulness and limitations, and a discussion about the effects of intramuscular injections on acute phase protein measurement in horses. 

Beneath the Microscope: Cytology of Effusions and Fluid Analysis

This lecture will include a discussion of body cavity effusions and fluid analysis, including bronchoalveolar lavage, transtracheal wash, and synovial fluid. Information will include: mechanisms effusion formation; techniques for sample preparation and storage; when to perform in clinic evaluation versus submission to a reference laboratory; interpretation of results; and ancillary testing for fluid samples. 

Slide into Success: Best Practices for Sample Preparation and Microscopy 

This lecture will explore several topics related to sample preparation and microscopy techniques.  Subject matter will include: proper technique for collecting cytology samples; slide preparation methods (cytology and blood smear); best practices for staining samples; principles of microscopy including focus and slide evaluation techniques; basic cytology interpretation; and determination of sample quality prior to submission. 

Less Common but Useful Diagnostic Tests in Equine Practice  

This lecture will provide information on less routine diagnostic tests that can be performed in equine practice. Topics will include: a discussion on liver function testing, including measurement of bile acids and ammonia; evaluation of protein electrophoresis in various diseases including inflammation, neoplasia, and immunodeficiency; and a discussion on acid base analysis and disturbances. 

Equine Endocrine Testing: Diagnostic Tests and Practical Insights

This lecture will cover metabolic and endocrine testing in equine practice. There will be discussion on diagnosis and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), and thyroid function. 

Small Animal Wet Lab Program

Feline and Canine Soft Tissue Surgical Lab

Raymond Kudej, DVM, PhD, DACVS 

Common Techniques in Soft Tissue Surgery Part I: Feline

The first half of the course will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and experience to confidently perform a variety of soft tissue surgery procedures in cats. Emphasis will be placed on the technical aspects used to perform each procedure and maximizing “hands-on” time in the workshop, with two participants per station. Teaching will be similar to resident training. For the first hour, Dr. Kudej will perform each surgical procedure on a cadaver while discussing important considerations and common errors. “Hands on” training will follow, with supervision to individually tailor learning and surgical proficiency for each participant.

The feline workshop includes: perineal urethrostomy using a dorsal recumbency approach; forelimb amputation; hindlimb amputation; E-tube placement; and chest drain placement. Common Techniques in Soft Tissue Surgery Part II: Canine

The second half of the session will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and experience to confidently perform a variety of common surgical procedures in dogs. Emphasis will be placed on the technical aspects used to perform each procedure and maximizing “hands-on” time in the workshop, with two participants per station. Teaching will be similar to resident training. For the first hour, Dr. Kudej will perform each surgical procedure on a cadaver while discussing important considerations and common errors.  “Hands-on” training will follow, with supervision to individually tailor learning and surgical proficiency for each participant.

The canine workshop includes: forelimb amputation; hindlimb amputation; laryngeal tie-back; anal sacculectomy; and incisional gastropexy.

Contemporary Topics for Veterinary Technicians

Molly Ellis, RVT, VTES, FFCP, CFVP, PVFR Instructor, CVHDP

Triage Like a Pro

Learn to rapidly complete primary and secondary surveys, assign color-coded acuity levels, and streamline patient flow in busy ER settings. This session provides practical tools and tips to help veterinary nurses improve speed, accuracy, and confidence during triage.

Respiratory Distress Playbook

This lecture covers pattern recognition and quick diagnostic approaches for patients in respiratory crisis. Attendees will learn the first 15 minutes of stabilization, including oxygen delivery, monitoring, and decision-making strategies to reduce stress and improve outcomes when managing dyspneic patients.

Math Without Meltdowns

CRI, drip rate, and dosage calculations often cause stress in fast-paced environments. This interactive workshop breaks down the math into simple, repeatable steps using real clinical examples, giving veterinary nurses the confidence and accuracy needed for safe patient care.

Quality Documentation for Patient Safety

Accurate medical records are essential for communication and legal protection. This session highlights best practices for ICU flowsheets, deferment trackers, and daily documentation. Learn how precise charting improves patient safety, continuity of care, and the overall effectiveness of the veterinary healthcare team.

ECG Interpretation for Techs

Master rhythm recognition with real case strips in this interactive workshop. Veterinary nurses will build confidence identifying common arrhythmias, understand when intervention is required, and improve their ability to communicate findings effectively with veterinarians during emergency and critical care cases.

Blood Pressure Myths & Mastery

Blood pressure monitoring can be confusing and inconsistent. This workshop clears up misconceptions about Doppler versus oscillometric methods, teaches proper cuff selection and placement, and provides practical guidance to improve accuracy and confidence in measuring and interpreting blood pressure in critical patients.

Canine Topics in Geriatric Medicine for Technicians

Monica Tarantino, DVM, MBA

Understanding Canine Aging: What Every Technician Should Know About Geroscience

This session introduces technicians to the emerging science of canine aging—called geroscience—and the exciting research shaping how we care for senior dogs. Participants will learn about the biology behind aging, how it affects patients in their care, and how to spot key signs of frailty or age-related decline early. Participants will learn how aging impacts dogs on a cellular and physical level, how to recognize the stages of senior vs. geriatric and what “frailty” means in practice, and use this knowledge to better anticipate and support age-related changes in patients

Your Role in Building a Senior Dog Care Program: Technician-Led Support for Aging Patients

Technicians are key players in building and maintaining senior care protocols. This session outlines how to help launch or elevate a senior dog care program in the technicians' practice—while also equipping them to support common age-related conditions and the emotional journey faced by many pet parents.  

Communicating with Senior Dog Parents: Technician Tools for Building Trust and Reducing Stress

Working with families of senior pets often means navigating grief, confusion, and emotional overwhelm. Participants will learn how to build rapport, reduce client stress, and correct common misconceptions—all while becoming a trusted voice for senior pet care in their practice.  

Senior Dog Nutrition 101: Helping Pet Parents Make Better Food Choices

Nutrition needs change as dogs age, and you can help guide pet parents through the confusion. This session covers how to evaluate diets, compare options for common senior conditions like arthritis or cognitive decline, and discuss diet adjustments confidently with clients.

End-of-Life Care for Technicians: Updates, Protocols, and Compassionate Support

Technicians play a crucial role in preparing families and supporting peaceful goodbyes. This session explores current protocols, communication tips, and how to provide compassionate end-of-life care that honors both pet and family.

Spotting Silent Pain: Technician Strategies for Helping Senior Dogs Live More Comfortably

Chronic pain in senior dogs often goes unnoticed. Participants will learn to recognize subtle signs of discomfort, use assessment tools, and assist with multimodal pain management plans. Attendees will come away with communication scripts and real-life strategies to improve quality of life for the senior patients.