Spring Conference

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• Registration Desk in ADBF lobby

5:00 p.m.

• Annual Bustad Distinguished Lecture, ADBF 1002
  • Dr. Meg Daley Olmert
  • Just Realizing: The Vital Role for Animal in the 21st Century

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

• Bustad Lecture Reception, Mickelsen Lounge, Bustad 134

Location

•  Bustad Hall 145

8:00 a.m.

• Cushing’s Conundrums: Working Through the Challenges of Diagnosing and Treating Cushing’s Disease in Dogs and Cats
  • Dr. Jillian M. Haines, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) is seen commonly in our canine patients.  This presentation will guide practitioners through the process of diagnosis and treating Cushing’s disease and includes answers to commonly asked questions, step by step guidance on interpreting diagnostics, and help troubleshooting unexpected findings.

9:00 a.m.

• Diabetic Dilemmas: Considerations and Updates on Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
  • Dr. Jillian M. Haines, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
  • Diabetes Mellitus is a common endocrinopathy seen in our canine and feline patients.  Most cases can and will be managed by a general practitioner.  This presentation will focus on considerations during diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and overall management of canine and feline diabetes mellitus, discuss complications that may arise, and highlight newly available treatment options.

10:30 a.m.

• Protein-losing Nephropathy: Updates and Novel Therapies
  • Dr. Sarah Guess, DVM, MS
  • Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) is seen commonly in clinical practice.  This presentation will guide practitioners through the process of diagnosis and novel therapies for PLN and includes answers to commonly asked questions, diagnostic and treatment algorithms, indications for biopsy, and help with long-term management.

11:30 a.m.

• Updates on Chronic Enteropathies in Dogs and Cats
  • Dr. Yoko M. Ambrosini, DVM, MPVM, PhD
  • This course covers what is new on Chronic Enteropathies in Dogs and Cats. We will discuss updates on diagnostic approach and treatment trials in Chronic Enteropathies.

1:30 p.m.

• The Nine Dimensions of Wellness
  • Rocky Lucas, MSW, QCSQ, WV LICSW, WA LICSW
  • While “Wellness” might be a trendy buzzword to some, maintaining our health and wellbeing remain essential components to our professional practice. This presentation aims to break this concept down into more manageable components, which is especially important in a profession where career identity might be the primary focus. 

2:30 p.m.

• Veterinary Chaplaincy: It’s Probably NOT What You’re Thinking
  • Scott S. Campbell, MHt, MDiv (Veterinary Chaplain)
  • In an era of high levels of distress coming from all directions in life, we need help. Today, we experience pain and secondary trauma that is continually heaped upon us from the media, social challenges, and the daily challenges and concerns in today’s veterinary practice. The veterinary chaplain is a new profession dedicated to supporting the veterinary healthcare team, its clients, and its patients. The old images of proselytizing missionary chaplains is a thing of the past. We come to you on your terms and seek to support you within the context of your faith tradition (including atheism).
    
    The heart-centered focus on clients, patients, and the whole veterinary healthcare team provided by the veterinary chaplain is based on a grounding presence in an environment that can be turbulent, stressful, and sometimes heart-breaking. Our exploration will shed light on this new (and needed) role of the Veterinary Chaplain in today’s practice.

4:00 p.m.

• Psychological Safety: Benefits That May Surprise You
  • Jane Jenkins, PhD
  • Develop an understanding of what psychological safety really is.  Increase appreciation for the benefits of creating it and the risks when we don’t.  Learn to be uncomfortable in order to foster creativity and trust in the workplace. Learn about the financial advantages associated with high psychological safety.  Attendees will be able to share strategies that increase psychological safety, productivity, and creativity with others.

5:00 p.m.

• Work-Life Balance: The Ideal Pursuit or the Unattainable Myth?
  • Jeremiah Grissett, PhD, MS
  • This course will be a discussion of the history and implementation of work-life balance models and an exploration of ways to re-think work-life balance to better implement its concepts throughout one’s life.

6:00 p.m.

• Spring Conference Social, Mickelsen Lounge, Bustad 134

Location

• VTH 1410/1408

8:00 a.m.

• Utilization and Optimization of the Small Ruminant Biosecurity Panel
  • Dr. Jeffrey Olivarez, DVM, MS
  • This course covers the three diseases (caseous lymphadenitis, Johne’s disease, and small ruminant lentiviruses) tested for with the Small Ruminant Biosecurity Panel offered through WADDL. We will discuss the disease processes, test interpretations, and best practices for panel use in small ruminant herds.

9:00 a.m.

• Tooth Root Abscesses in Camelids
  • Dr. Jeffrey Olivarez, DVM, MS
  • This course covers the management of the most commonly reported dental disease in new world camelids. We will discuss normal anatomy, disease pathogenesis, diagnoses, and medical/surgical options.

10:30 a.m.

• Management of Uterine Diseases in Transition Dairy Cows and Antimicrobial Use
  • Caio Figueiredo, DVM, MS, PhD
  • This seminar covers fundamental topics related to uterine diseases, particularly in the postpartum transition period of dairy cows, such as current definition of metritis, economic impact, management and treatment strategies, judicious use of antimicrobials and selective therapy strategy, and the impact of cure.

11:30 a.m.

• Small Ruminant Anesthesia
  • Dr. Martin Suarez, DVM, MS
  • This course will cover general guidelines and specific concerns in small ruminant anesthesia. Anesthesia associated risk, analgesia, and commonly used drug protocols.

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

• Getting the Most Out of Your Bloodwork
  • Dr. Sanz, DVM, MS, PhD and Dr. Sellon, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
  • This 2-hour section will review basic hematology and serum chemistry of horses using a case-based approach. Drs Sellon and Sanz will present a variety of cases with interesting bloodwork abnormalities. The overall idea is to use clinical cases to showcase the utility of bloodwork in clinical practice and to explain how these abnormalities may relate to the clinical signs observed.

4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

• Toxicology-based cases for Livestock & Equine Practitioners
  • Dr. Patricia A. Talcott, DVM, MS, PhD
  • This 2-hour course covers common toxicologic problems seen by equine and production animal veterinarians in the PNW. Topics will be covered in a case-based format, emphasizing diagnostic and treatment options.

6:00 p.m.

• Spring Conference Social, Mickelsen Lounge, Bustad 134

Location

•   Animal Disease Biotechnology Facility (ADBF) 1002

8:00 a.m.

• Safe Restraint and Blood Collection Techniques of Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Dr. Marcie Logsdon, DVM

8:00 a.m. – noon

• LAB: The ABC’s of Veterinary Dental Radiology-Positioning Simplified Workshop (Technician Only,
  Limit 20 Total) You MUST register for this lab!
  • Guest Speaker: Benita Altier, LVT, VTS Dentistry
  • This four-hour workshop will cover how to simplify the process of obtaining full-mouth, diagnostic quality intra-oral radiographs on both the canine and feline patient. An emphasis will be placed on an objective, repeatable and consistent technique to maximize success and minimize frustration and numerous re-takes. Strategies will be employed to teach the ideas of complimentary images and tips and tricks on difficult areas to image.

9:00 a.m.

• From Sampling to Submission: Best Practices from the Diagnostic Lab
  • Megan Dietz, DVM, MPH 
  • This course covers collection, handling, and submission of samples to diagnostic labs. We will discuss sampling related to necropsy, biopsy, microbial, viral, toxicology, and molecular diagnostics with a focus on the best practices to maximize a diagnostic result.

10:30 a.m.

• There’s Something I Need to Get Off My Chest – A Guide to Better Thoracic Radiographs
  • Holly Cummings, LVT
  • If you’ve ever taken a chest rad and said, “that’s good enough”, it probably wasn’t. In order to take better quality radiographs, it is important to learn the basics of interpreting an x-ray. This presentation focuses on why positioning is so important, how to evaluate your images, and looking beyond the heart and lungs in a thoracic radiograph.

11:30 a.m.

• Nothing is Black and White – Examining Radiographic Shades of Grey
  • Holly Cummings, LVT
  • Everyone loves case studies! This presentation uses case studies to teach the evaluation of both thoracic and abdominal radiographs.

1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Check out Small Animal Wellness Track or Large Animal Track

6:00 p.m.

• Spring Conference Social, Mickelsen Lounge, Bustad 134

Location

•  Bustad Hall 145

8:00 a.m.

• Small Animal Musculoskeletal Trauma External Coaptation: Indications and Application Principles
  • Dr. Steve Martinez, DVM
  • This case-based presentation will include small animal patients who have been diagnosed with musculoskeletal trauma (examples of bone, joint, and muscle injury) as a result of various mechanisms of injury and how and when external coaptation may be indicated as part of the treatment protocol.  The fundamental principles of correct external coaptation application will be reviewed for each external coaptation type. May be incorporated into patient treatment protocols.  Complication examples of external coaptation will also be presented. The session will also involve active attendee participation in the form of live questions asked of the audience with live responses from the attendees.

8:00 a.m. – noon

• LAB: What Lies Beneath the Gingiva:  Dental Extractions (DVM ONLY) (Limit 12 Total)
  • Tammy L. (White) Renteria, DVM
  • Set yourself up for success.  Learn the steps as well as tips and tricks on how to extract teeth in the feline and canine patient.   1- hour lecture covering the steps to successfully extract multi rooted teeth.  Tips and tricks on extracting broken roots.  Discussing, avoiding, and treating complications.  2-hour lab for participants to practice improving their oral surgery skills when extracting teeth in the canine. 1- hour lab for participants to practice improving their oral surgery skills when extracting teeth in the feline.

9:00 a.m.

• Patellar Luxation, a Practical Guide to Patient Assessment and Improving Your Patient Outcomes
  • Peter Gilbert, BVSc(hons), MVetSc, Diplomate ACVS – Small Animal
  • Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs and there is an “art” to surgical correction. This seminar will cover patient assessment, technique selection (what to do and when to do it), along with surgical tips to help you maximize your patient outcomes and minimize your frustrations. Specific topics will include the importance of tibial tuberosity transposition for clinical success, the pros, and cons of commonly performed sulcoplasty techniques and how to address tibial rotation.

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

• Reproductive Emergencies in Small Animals
  • Dr. Michela Ciccarelli, DVM, MS, PhD
  • This presentation will focus on identifying and treating common small animal reproductive emergencies. The conditions that will be discussed include pyometra, dystocia, eclampsia, prostatitis, priapism, paraphimosis, and epididymal sperm preservation. A brief review of reproductive physiology will be the basis for discussing the pathophysiology of these diseases. Information on diagnosis and treatment will be provided in detail, including discussing the proper cesarian section and neonatal resuscitation techniques

Location

• VTH 1410/1408

8:00 a.m.

• Emergency Triage and Transportation of Equine Fracture
  •  Dr. Nicholas Hall

9:00 a.m.

• Medical Management of Osteoarthritis in the Equine Athlete
  •  Dr. Nicholas Hall 

10:15 a.m.

• Evaluation and Treatment of Equine Limb Deformities
  •  Dr. Nicholas Hall 

11:15 a.m.

• Pastern Joint Arthrodesis – What We Have Learned Since 2019
  •  Dr. Nicholas Hall

Location

•   Animal Disease Biotechnology Facility (ADBF) 1002

8:00 a.m.

• When Expertise in Pain Management & Advocates Combine
  • Guest Speaker: April Bays, CVT, VTS (ECC)
  • This presentation is ideal for any veterinary professional interested in beefing up their analgesic arsenal. I will discuss the physiology of the pain process, from the pain pathway, the physiological response and maladaptation, to drug/receptor interaction. This lecture will emphasize the utilization of multimodal therapies designed to lower risk while improving pain relief. I will discuss the mechanisms of action of the main drug types: Opioids, NSAIDS, Alpha2-agonists and the underutilized blocks/epidurals. Attendees will be presented examples to aid in pain recognition/assessment, and tools to bring back to their practice.

9:00 a.m.

• Anesthesia in the Critical Patient
  • Guest Speaker: April Bays, CVT, VTS (ECC)
  • The best anesthetic monitor has always been the veterinary technician. When critically ill or injured patients require anesthesia and a delay is not possible, the technician will need to bring their best skills. I will cover all the basic to advanced monitoring techniques and their applications including pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure monitoring (invasive and non), electrocardiogram, and oxygenation/ventilation options. These skills will carry technicians through critical care monitoring and prepare them to utilize our commonly used analgesics and anesthetics as safely as possible.

10:15 a.m.

• Crazy Cation Lady
  • Guest Speaker: April Bays, CVT, VTS (ECC)
  • Cations may be the cutest of the ions, but they are only part of the equation. This lecture will cover all things homeostasis, electrolyte balance, fluid shifts, ions, buffers, and more. The many systems involved, as well as their derangements in our patients will be the focus of this presentation for veterinary technicians and assistants.

11:15 a.m.

• RAAS Badass
  • Guest Speaker: April Bays, CVT, VTS (ECC)
  • The complex, intricate mechanisms involved in the RAAS demands a particular understanding, and its importance cannot be understated. Attendees can expect an intensive review of the numerous physiological steps involved in the cascade with each of the hormonal catalysts and their manifestations in hemodynamic balance, as well as the effects of its dysregulation. Included will be the implications of inhibiting this system with special considerations for the cardiovascular system, renal function, and fluid/electrolyte stability. Drugs used to suppress the system will be reviewed.