Veterinary Continuing Education

Spring Conference

March 21-23, 2025 | CE credit offered

College of Veterinary Medicine > Outreach > Veterinary Continuing Education > Spring Conference

Spring Conference

March 21-23, 2025

Join us in person for our annual weekend Veterinary Spring Conference. There will be a large and small animal track and a track for technicians & assistants.

This conference begins with the Bustad Lecture, an annual honor of late veterinarian and longtime WSU College of Veterinary Medicine dean Dr. Leo K. Bustad, known for his research on the human-animal bond. See past Bustad lectures.

This program offers continuing education credit.

We encourage veterinarians, technicians, and assistants to attend.

Spring 2024 prices

Veterinarian: Early registration base price $325.00
Technician: Early registration base price $200.00
Additional cost per lab attended.

2024 schedule

Friday

4 – 5 PM – Registration
5 pm – Annual Bustad Distinguished Lecture
6 – 7:30 PM – Reception

Saturday

Small animal track:

Location: Bustad Hall 145

7 AM – Registration in the ADBF lobby

8-10 AM – The Veterinary Practice of Excellence: Doing the Common Things, Uncommonly Well! by Richard M. DeBowes, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS
Over the course of two presentations, we will look at the key learnings from the evaluation of nearly 100 veterinary practices. We will look at why so many practices underperform and where owners and engaged team members should focus their time, talent and treasure in order to create the practice of their dreams.

10 AM – Break, Bustad 134

10:30 AM – Triage and Initial Approach to the Emergency Patient by Beth Davidow, DVM, DACVECC (guest speaker)
Handling emergency patients is easier when your facility is prepared, and you have a step wise approach. In this case-based presentation, we will discuss the components of practice readiness, the physiology of oxygen delivery, and the process of both primary and secondary assessment. At the end of the presentation, you will have practical ideas and steps to make the next emergency case less scary.

11:30 AM – What is New in Emergency Medicine? by Beth Davidow, DVM, DACVECC (guest speaker)
Medicine is an ever-changing field. In this lecture, we will discuss 4 common emergencies (allergic reactions, gastroenteritis, traumatic bleeding, and urethral obstructions) and what I do differently now than I did 5 years ago.

12:30 PM – Lunch, Bustad 134

1:30-3:30 PM – Small Animal Wound Management by Bonnie Campbell, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
During these two presentations, we will discuss best practices in small animal wound management from start to finish. Topics will include proper debridement and lavage techniques, selection and application of moisture retentive dressings that speed healing, use of active suction drains and stents, and a variety of options for achieving tension-free wound closure. Clinical cases will be used throughout to show these techniques in action.

3:30 PM – Break, Bustad 134

4-6 PM – Antibiotic Stewardship by Claire Burbick, DVM, PhD, DACVM
The two hours will be devoted to topics in antimicrobial use including a review of how to use AST data and changes in antimicrobial prescribing for UTIs and respiratory disease and trends in resistance bacteria and ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Large animal track:

Location: Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) 1410/1408

8 AM – Burns Practical Assessment and Treatment by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)
In 2015 225 thousand acres burned in 5 hours. At the time it was considered the fastest moving fire in recorded history. When the fire ended Elizabeth Woolsey Herbert was allowed entrance into the fire ravaged area to begin dealing with her client’s horses. She had no idea if many would survive due to the extreme injuries including coronary band oozing. Was it worth even trying to save these horses?And many of the owners lost all their infrastructure so how would they pay for the treatment and how could this be done on a budget?

9 AM – Colic Practical Treatment When Referral Isn’t An Option (1.5 hrs) by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)
It was not unusual to see large numbers of colic in the Adelaide Plains, The majority were impaction colics. How do you treat these horses on a budget when referral isn’t an option?

10 AM – Break, Bustad 134

10:30 AM – Standing Flank Laparotomy (30 MIN) by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)
This lecture will discuss: 1. How to decide to do it and what you need (not much), 2. Preop prep and sedation/ local anesthesia, 3. The procedure and recovery, 4. A new way to relieve impactions without surgery!

11 AM – Poisonous Plants That Are New And May Not Be Known To Your Area (30 MIN) by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)

11:30 AM – WNV And Other Flaviviruses FUOs Our Experiences (30 MIN) by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)
In 2017 two horses traveled ~4 hours to Adelaide Plains Equine Clinic with unusual neurological symptoms. This was the start of an outbreak of what the Australian government called a Kunjin virus. It was a variant of WNV. Elizabeth Woolsey saw ~50 cases with 5 deaths. How do you deal with the symptoms, diagnosis and aftermath?

12 PM – Paying It Forward (30 MIN) by Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (guest speaker)
Elizabeth and several other practitioners contributed to a PowerPoint presentation for recent grads where ~ 250 practice tips are presented ranging from “how to’s” to “what to avoid”. She also started castration clinics for her clients and allowing vet students to perform part of the castrations. This was a popular activity with both clients and vet students.

12:30 PM – Lunch, Bustad 134

1:30 PM – Small Ruminant Parasite Management by Roselle Busch, DVM (guest speaker)
Multiple approaches to management and control of parasites for sheep and goats.

2:30 PM – Small Ruminant Herd Health & Abortions by Roselle Busch, DVM (guest speaker)
A herd health program is the foundation to a healthy and productive flock. With practices in place it becomes more attainable to prevent and control abortions within various types of sheep and goat operations.

3:30 PM – Break, Bustad 134

4 PM – Small Ruminant Mastitis by Roselle Busch, DVM (guest speaker)
Udder health and milk production is essential for all productive small ruminant operations. It is important to understand the common pathogens, transmission, and opportunities for control within dairy and range operations.

5 PM – Small Ruminant Neonatal Care by Roselle Busch, DVM (guest speaker)
Common presentations for sick kids and lambs within the first week of life. We will discuss practical methods for triage that we can teach our clients to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Technician track:

Location: Animal Disease Biotechnology Facility (ADBF) 1002

8 AM – Being Prepared For The Unexpected: Triage and Readiness by Beth Davidow, DVM, DACVECC (guest speaker)

9 AM – Seizure in the Emergency Room by Amanda Larmarca, DVM
10 AM – Break, Bustad 134

10:30 AM – CPR for Small Animal Rescuers by Maria P. Vasquez, DVM
11:30 AM – Too Much Pawsecco: Intoxications in Dogs and Cats by Maria P. Vasquez, DVM
12:30 PM – Lunch, Bustad 134

1:30 PM – “Comfortably Numb” Epidurals and Brachial Plexus Blocks by Shona Meyer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia)
Practical techniques for epidural and brachial plexus blocks in small animal patients, using materials any practice could affordably have on hand.

2:30 PM – What Next? How to Treat Pain when NSAIDs are not the Solution? by Lori Lutskas, LVT, CCRP
We will be exploring the pain pathway and looking at alternative to non-steroidal (Rimadyl) to manage chronic pain such as osteoarthritis. We will look at the Assisi Loop, Pulse Electromagnetic Field therapy, pharmaceutical such as low dose Ketamine, Solensia, and Librela.

3:30 PM – Break, Bustad 134

4-6 PM – LAB: “Comfortably Numb” Wet Lab (Technician only) by Shona Meyer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia)
You MUST register for this lab! Practical techniques for epidural and brachial plexus blocks in small animal patients, using materials any practice could affordably have on hand. This lab session will be hands on learning of these techniques.

4 PM – Equine Dental Case Studies by Teri R. Olson, LVT
This lecture will discuss: 1. Learn more about EOTRH, 2. Learn when to get help with tough cases, 3. Know what normal dentition is to recognize abnormal.

5 PM – The Key to Living HOPPILY Ever After. Basic Facts and Care of Exotic Mammals. by Alexis Adams, LVT
This lecture will be an overview of the most common exotic mammals that can Hopp through your clinic doors, reasons they come into the clinic and husbandry considerations.

Sunday