Thursday, June 11
6:30 AM - 7:45 AM
SIG: How to achieve your VTS
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Complications of Cardiac Pacing in the Canine Patient: A Case Based Discussion
Speaker
• Jena West, LVMT (VTS-cardiology), MPH (Veterinary Medicine)
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will be able to identify complications associated with cardiac pacemaker implantation in canine patients, including lead dislodgment, pacing, and capture failure.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the clinical signs associated with pacemaker-related complications that veterinary nurses/technicians are most likely to observe.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to effectively communicate with pet owners home care instructions regarding the pacemaker, clinical signs of pacing failure, and the importance of follow-up visits.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to collaborate confidently and effectively with the veterinary team in both emergency and routine situations involving pacemaker patients.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
When Oncology Patients Become Internal Medicine Patients
Speakers
• Martha J. Byard, RVT, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
• Danielle D. DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize the most common chronic diseases that complicate oncology patient care.
• Identify technician-driven strategies for monitoring and managing concurrent cancer and chronic disease treatments.
• Apply collaborative approaches to improve communication and continuity of care across services.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
A Guide to the Management of Gastro-Intestinal Impactions
Speaker
• Jessica Lee, RVN, VTS(IM-E)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the GI tract, how impactions occur in the stomach, large colon, small colon and rectum, and how to identify them
• Understand management options, in particular fluid delivery devices and selection of fluid type for each impaction site
• Appreciate the technician's role in management of these cases, for instance placement and maintenance of fluid delivery systems, gastroscopy and targeted gastric lavage, rectal lavage and manual evacuation
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Recommendations for Nutritional Management of Dogs and Cats with Pancreatitis
Speaker
• Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc BSc(Hons) RVN VTS(Nutrition)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the role that fat levels and types play in the management of pancreatitis.
• Recommended fat levels for feline and canine diets for pancreatitis.
• Give guidance to owners of pets with pancreatitis and how to determine which diets would be suitable.
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Technician Luncheon: What Your Pet Food Label Is Telling You
Speaker
• Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the new pet food label modernization regulations in a clear and comprehensive manner.
• Compare the existing regulatory framework with the new requirements, highlighting key changes and their practical impact on labeling, communication, and compliance.
• Explain the implications of the updated regulations from a nutritional perspective.
• Build trust in pet nutrition by confidently translating complex regulatory language into simple, accurate, and actionable guidance that supports informed decision-making by pet owners.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Paroxysmal Dyskinesia
Speaker
• Corinne Flynn, VTS (Neurology)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand what movement disorders are, with a focus on paroxysmal dyskinesia.
• Recognize the hallmark features of paroxysmal dyskinesia and distinguish from mimics.
• Identify the reported breed-specific paroxysmal dyskinesia syndromes.
• Recognize the therapeutic options available for certain breed-specific paroxysmal dyskinesia syndromes.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
A Review of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Speaker
• Jessica Bautista, RVT, VTS-Neurology
Learning Objectives:
• understand MRI safety
• understand various sequences used for neuroimaging and what their differences and benefits are
• identify and describe various MRI artifacts
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Fresh Foods: A Feeding Fad or an Important Alternative
Speaker
• Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc BSc(Hons) RVN VTS(Nutrition)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand what is meant by 'fresh' feeding.
• Understand the positives and negatives of feeding fresh over other diets.
• Discuss with owners wanting to feed 'fresh', and be able to supply the most relevant evidence surrounding this feeding method.
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Understanding Refeeding Syndrome
Speaker
• Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc BSc(Hons) RVN VTS(Nutrition)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand what refeeding syndrome is and the pathophysiology.
• Identify the predisposing factors can cause or exacerbate refeeding syndrome.
• Aid in the treatment and monitoring of animals with changes that indicate refeeding syndrome.
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Feeding Management for Pets with Kidney Disease
Speaker
• Cassie Panning, BS, CVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will be able to explain the nutrient modifications in a renal diet to clients. This will help ensure client compliance with the diet.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to understand why specific ingredients are used in renal diets, what nutrients they provide, and why pets need these specific nutrients.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to talk client through feeding management for pets with kidney disease. This includes tips, tricks, and additional strategies to help keep pets eating.
• Upon completion, participants will be comfortable discussing transition plans and routine follow up for pets on a therapeutic renal diet.
Friday, June 12
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Exploring Bladder and Urinary Tract Tumors in Dogs and Cats
Speaker
• Lindsay Carroll, BS, CVT, VTS(O)
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will be able to conduct thorough and complete histories from clients based on clinical signs and presentation of a dog or cat with a suspected urothelial tumor.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to describe all the possible diagnostic and screening tests for suspected urothelial tumors.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to demonstrate their knowledge on available treatment options and prognosis for urothelial tumors.
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
A UK Perspective on SGLT2 Inhibitors in Feline Diabetes
Speaker
• Laura M. Jones, BSc(Hons) DipAVN(SA) ISFMDipFN VTS(IM-SA) RVN
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the mechanism of action, indications, and limitations of SGLT2 inhibitors in feline diabetes and compare their use with traditional insulin therapy.
• Recognise and manage key nursing considerations associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy, including monitoring requirements and potential adverse effects.
• Develop effective communication strategies to support clients in decision-making, treatment adherence, and long-term monitoring of diabetic cats receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.
• Apply knowledge from real-world case examples to confidently identify nursing roles and interventions that optimise outcomes for cats treated with SGLT2 inhibitors.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
A Case-Based Approach to Urolithiasis in Goats
Speakers
• Kait McEnaney, DVM
• Hilary Baskin, CVT, RVT, VTS-LAIM
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize the common clinical signs of urolithiasis in small ruminants and apply principles of triage and stabilization.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to integrate appropriate post-operative nursing care, including catheter maintenance, urine output monitoring, pain control, and complication detection.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to communicate effective prevention strategies to clients, focusing on diet, water management, and monitoring to reduce recurrence risk.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Bridging the Gap: Technician & Internist Co-Management of Chronic Disease
Speakers
• Martha J. Byard, RVT, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
• Christian L. Eriksson de Rezende, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Learning Objectives:
• Identify the shared roles of the internist and technician in managing chronic internal medicine disease.
• Implement advanced technician-led strategies for monitoring, client communication, and treatment compliance.
• Recognize red flags for decompensation in chronic cases and communicate them effectively within the team.
• Improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with long-term diseases through collaborative care.
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Panel: Nursing the Complicated Case: A Multi-Specialty Discussion
Speakers
• Martha J. Byard, RVT, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
• Kristie Garcia, LVT, VTS (Cardiology)
• Beka Major, RVT, VTS (Neurology)
• Jenny Cassibry-Fisher, RVT, VTS (Oncology)
Learning Objectives:
• Prioritize nursing interventions for multi-specialty patients.
• Identify technician-driven decisions across specialties.
• Develop collaborative care plans for complex clinical cases.
• Advocate for patients through clinical reasoning and specialty team coordination.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Molecular Diagnostics in Veterinary Oncology
Speaker
• Evan Sones, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will have an understanding of the difference between flow cytometry and PARR, and know when to use each diagnostic test.
• Upon completion, participants will have a basic understanding of liquid biopsy techniques, including the tests available and when to use this diagnostic modality.
• Upon completion, participants will have an understanding of genomic profiling and the pros and cons of this diagnostic modality.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
The Use of Lactate in Equine Medicine: More Than Just Colic
Speaker
• Tine (Eva Christina) Schliewert, DVM, PhD, MSc, DACVIM-LA, DECEIM, CVA
Learning Objectives:
• Upon completion, participants will understand lactate metabolism under normal conditions and under anaerobic or pathological conditions.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to evaluate results of lactate measurements in the context of different pathologies.
• Upon completion, participants will bd able to differentiate pathologies in which lactate measurement is a valuable diagnostic tool.
• Upon completion, participants will have gained insight into the use of lactate as a tool for exercise evaluation and training management in the athlete.
Saturday, June 13
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Bridging Imaging and Biomarkers: Tracking Stage B2 MMVD Progression and Pimobendan Response in Dogs
Speaker
• Geri A. Lake-Bakaar, DACVIM
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the pathophysiology and clinical staging of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), with emphasis on ACVIM Stage B2 criteria.
• Explain the pharmacologic effects and clinical benefits of pimobendan in delaying the onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 MMVD.
• Identify key echocardiographic parameters used to monitor MMVD progression, including LA:Ao ratio, LVIDDn, and fractional shortening.
• Interpret changes in NT-proBNP levels as indicators of cardiac wall stress and correlate these findings with echocardiographic trends.
9:10 AM - 10:10 AM
Joint Complex Case Reviews with Transatlantic Insights
Speakers
• Yvonne R. Brandenburg, CVT, RVT, VTS (IM-SA)
• Laura M. Jones, BSc(Hons) DipAVN(SA) ISFMDipFN VTS(IM-SA) RVN
Learning Objectives:
• Compare and contrast diagnostic and treatment protocols for complex internal medicine cases between US and UK veterinary practices, identifying best practices from both systems.
• Identify collaborative problem-solving strategies that can be applied when managing challenging cases regardless of geographic location.
• Develop critical thinking skills for case evaluation by viewing familiar conditions through different clinical perspectives and approaches.
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Pet Obesity: The Veterinary Technician's Role in Tackling a Growing Epidemic
Speaker
• Laura Warcholek, CVT VTS (Nutrition)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Applied Chemotherapy Math: Precision Dose Calculations, Dilutions, and Compatibility
Speaker
• Danielle D. DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
Learning Objectives:
• Apply correct body surface area (BSA) calculations to determine chemotherapy doses in dogs and cats.
• Accurately calculate and prepare dilutions for common veterinary chemotherapy drugs using appropriate diluents.
• Identify errors in sample chemo calculations that could lead to patient harm or handling risks.
• Demonstrate rapid-fire calculation and compatibility decision-making under timed conditions.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Degenerative Neurological Diseases
Speaker
• Beka Major, RVT, VTS (Neurology)
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the onset of various degenerative neurological diseases.
• Understand the pathophysiology behind degenerative diseases discussed.
• Create nursing plans for patients experiencing degenerative disease processes.
