Schedule
March 20-23, 2025
|
Hilton Head, SC
|
18 CE Hours
Stay at the forefront of canine transfusion medicine by joining us for a groundbreaking session on the discovery and clinical significance of the Dal blood type. While most dogs are Dal-positive, the identification and management of Dal-negative patients present a new challenge for veterinarians. These dogs are at increased risk of transfusion reactions, making the need for compatible donors critical.
In this session, you will:
• Uncover the latest updates on canine blood types and how the discovery of Dal has changed transfusion protocols
• Learn strategies for diagnosing Dal-negative anemic patients and identifying compatible blood donors
• Explore case studies that highlight the complexities and challenges in managing Dal-negative transfusions
• Gain practical insights into improving patient outcomes by refining your transfusion practices with the latest evidence
Whether you’re a general practitioner or an emergency specialist, this lecture offers actionable takeaways to ensure safer and more effective transfusions for your canine patients.
Join us for an exciting and informative session that explores the evolution of feline transfusion medicine with the discovery of new blood types. While AB compatibility has long been a cornerstone of feline transfusions, the identification of feline erythrocyte antigen (FEA 1-5) and Mik blood types is transforming how we approach blood typing and transfusion safety.
In this lecture, attendees will:
• Understand the critical role of pre-existing alloantibodies in feline blood transfusions and how these impact clinical outcomes
• Learn the latest protocols for accurate blood typing and the importance of crossmatching in light of these newly discovered antigens
• Explore real-world case studies and gain actionable strategies for reducing transfusion reactions and ensuring safer outcomes for feline patients
As crossmatching becomes indispensable for transfusion safety, this session will provide practical, evidence-based insights to help you refine your transfusion protocols and improve patient outcomes in your practice.
Plasma is much more than just a transfusion product—it’s a vital resuscitation fluid that plays a key role in stabilizing critical patients in emergency and critical care settings. In this engaging session, you’ll explore the versatile uses of plasma in veterinary medicine, from treating trauma-induced bleeding to managing coagulopathies and restoring the glycocalyx.
Key takeaways include:
• How to effectively utilize plasma to stabilize bleeding trauma patients and restore essential proteins and clotting factors
• The indications for plasma transfusion in various clinical scenarios, including its role in optimizing outcomes for critical patients
• Practical guidelines on storing plasma (frozen or liquid), safe administration, and avoiding common complications
Through real-world case discussions and evidence-based insights, attendees will gain actionable knowledge that can be immediately applied in practice. Whether you are managing a complex coagulopathy or resuscitating a bleeding patient, this session will provide you with the tools and confidence to use plasma transfusion effectively.
While left sided congestive heart failure is a common respiratory emergency, many animals are misdiagnosed with this condition due to the overlapping radiographic appearance of other respiratory emergencies. This session will use a case series to review the radiographic diagnosis of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, chronic lower airway disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, atypical appearing metastatic neoplasia, and pulmonary hemorrhage.
Feline urethral obstruction is a common reason cats present on emergency. This session will review performing and interpreting contrast radiography and genitourinary ultrasound in feline patients with urethral obstruction. Ultrasound guided agitated saline cystography as a simple and inexpensive tool to diagnose urinary bladder rupture will also be discussed. Fundamentals and clinically relevant literature will be reviewed.
Exsanguinating hemorrhage triggers systemic damage that extends beyond hypovolemia, leading to what is now recognized as “blood failure.” In this session, attendees will explore the concept of blood failure, characterized by endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, and platelet dysfunction, as a direct consequence of severe hemorrhagic shock. Participants will gain insight into the pathophysiology that unfolds following trauma and how this understanding shapes effective resuscitation strategies. By the end of the lecture, learners will be equipped with knowledge to better manage trauma patients and mitigate the broader effects of exsanguinating hemorrhage.
In this session, we will delve into the essential steps of hemostatic resuscitation for dogs and cats experiencing severe hemorrhagic shock. Blood products play a critical role in both restoring circulating volume and achieving normal hemostasis. Attendees will learn why early administration of blood products is key and explore a holistic approach that includes controlling external hemorrhage, managing hypothermia, and the potential use of antifibrinolytic drugs.
By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of how to implement these strategies to improve outcomes in bleeding trauma patients.
Mechanical gastrointestinal obstructions are an important differential in dogs and cats with an acute history of vomiting. In this session, a case-based review will be used to illustrate the key radiographic findings of pyloric outflow, small intestinal, and linear foreign body obstructions.
Tips and tricks for maximizing radiographic yield before moving on to ultrasound will also be reviewed, such as the importance of a left lateral projection, pneumogastrogram, pneumocolonogram, and compression radiography.
Mechanical gastrointestinal obstructions are an important differential in dogs and cats with an acute history of vomiting. In this session, numerous cases will be used to illustrate the key ultrasonographic findings of pyloric outflow, small intestinal, and linear foreign body obstructions.
Gastrointestinal rupture causing pneumoperitoneum and septic peritonitis will also be discussed. Finally, the accuracy of ultrasound will be compared to that of radiography and computed tomography.
This session will cover the evidence behind controversial topics in blood banking/transfusion medicine including xenotransfusions, leukoreduction and blood product administration.
Hemangiosarcoma is a common neoplasm that causes dogs to be presented on emergency. In addition to hemoabdomen and pericardial effusion, hemangiosarcoma can cause hemoretroperitoneum and respiratory distress via pulmonary hemorrhage.
This session will review the common and less common imaging features of hemangiosarcoma as diagnosed with radiographs, ultrasound, and computed tomography.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of platelet transfusion in veterinary medicine, focusing on trauma, hemorrhage, and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia as common causes of platelet depletion and life-threatening bleeding. This session will review the latest veterinary guidelines on platelet transfusions for various forms of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopathia, while also comparing veterinary practices to human literature.
Attendees will gain insights into the different platelet products available in the veterinary market and leave with a clear understanding of the risks, benefits, and clinical applications of platelet transfusions in emergency and critical care.
In trauma patients, fibrinogen is rapidly consumed, leaving them unable to form strong clots to control hemorrhage. Cryoprecipitate, a concentrated and low-volume source of fibrinogen, plays a critical role in restoring clotting capacity. This session will delve into the latest research on the use of cryoprecipitate in both human and veterinary trauma cases.
Learners will discover how to prepare cryoprecipitate from frozen plasma, store it safely, and understand its clinical application. Attendees will also gain insights into relevant findings from both veterinary and human literature to enhance their understanding of this essential resuscitation product.
Cryopoor plasma, a byproduct of cryoprecipitate production, serves as a vital source of natural colloids, particularly beneficial for patients with hypercoagulable conditions. It provides a safe alternative for volume replacement, especially in cases like hepatic failure or protein-losing nephropathy, where the need for colloidal support is critical but must avoid exacerbating clot formation. Cryopoor plasma effectively restores natural colloids in hypoalbuminemic patients while supplying essential factors like antithrombin, which is frequently depleted and contributes to a hypercoagulable state.
This session will equip learners with practical knowledge on how to safely produce, store, and administer cryopoor plasma, optimizing its use in clinical practice for improving patient outcomes.
Hypoalbuminemia is a common and life-threatening condition in critically ill patients, but when should we intervene with albumin transfusions, and what are the risks and benefits? This dynamic session will cover the latest evidence on canine albumin use, discuss the pros and cons of human serum albumin (HSA), and address the controversies surrounding synthetic colloids.
Through real-world case studies, you’ll gain practical insights into:
• When albumin transfusions are clinically justified—and when they aren’t
• Key administration protocols to optimize safety and effectiveness
• Managing the risks: hypersensitivity reactions, fluid overload, and immunologic concerns
Whether you’re a seasoned emergency veterinarian or a new practitioner, this lecture will provide you with actionable takeaways to apply directly in your ICU. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your knowledge on albumin therapy and improve outcomes for your most vulnerable patients.
Hypoalbuminemic, hypovolemic dogs present a unique challenge in emergency care due to their intolerance to crystalloids, making fluid resuscitation complex. In this lecture, participants will delve into the underlying pathophysiology of hypoalbuminemia, explore the common diseases that contribute to this condition, and analyze the clinical consequences of protein loss.
Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of plasma and albumin-based products, discussing the benefits, risks, and clinical applications of each option.
This session will equip clinicians with practical strategies to navigate these critical cases and optimize patient outcomes, ensuring a safer and more effective approach to resuscitation.
This lecture will review the pathophysiology of DKA and HHS and discuss the diagnostic workup and treatment options for these patients as well as the prognosis for each disease process.
By exploring the underlying disease processes that predispose to the development of each of these syndromes, attendees will have a better understanding of management strategies.
Ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates are a common means of obtaining cytologic samples when screening for neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory disease. Remember all those things they told you not to aspirate in vet school? Well, there is a lot of evidence now that it is safe and valuable to do so.
This session will cover the pros and cons of aspirating mass lesion sin the liver, spleen, kidneys, urinary bladder, pancreas, and adrenals glands. Cholecystocentesis to obtain bile samples will also be discussed.
Computed tomography (CT) is an essential diagnostic tool at large tertiary care facilities and becoming more readily available at smaller emergency and referral hospitals. Unfortunately, many emergency clinicians lack sufficient time or resources to learn the basics of CT interpretation. While radiologists should always be relied on for a complete evaluation of the study, the ordering clinician should be familiar with the basics of interpretation to better understand the CT report and to act on any immediately significant or life-threatening conditions.
This session will take a case-based approach to introduce basic interpretation principles of CT of the head, thorax,
and abdomen.
During this panel discussion, 3 criticalists and a radiologist will discuss challenging diagnostic and therapeutic cases. Audience participation is encouraged, including questions and sharing of their own experiences.