Schedule
March 19-22, 2026
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Kaua'i, HI
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18 CE Hours
These lectures will be a deep dive into complex clinical cases and will include interpretation of the erythrogram, leukogram and thrombogram, encompassing numerical data, dot-plot interpretation and blood smear review. Discussion on reference intervals; pre-analytical and analytical errors and chemistry results will be incorporated when appropriate.
These lectures will be a deep dive into complex clinical cases and will include interpretation of the erythrogram, leukogram and thrombogram, encompassing numerical data, dot-plot interpretation and blood smear review. Discussion on reference intervals; pre-analytical and analytical errors and chemistry results will be incorporated when appropriate.
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The inflammatory and coagulation systems do not exist in isolation. Rather there is a dynamic relationship between the two systems whereby proinflammatory mediators activate and propagate the coagulation system. Conversely, anti-inflammatory signals also impact the coagulation system, modulating thrombus formation and/or fibrinolysis. A wide variety of signaling proteins within the body have significant effects on both the inflammatory and coagulation systems to include activated protein C, thrombin, complement and tissue factor. Furthermore, platelet activation and the fibrinolytic system are not just controlled by traditional coagulation signals but are also influenced by the degree of inflammation in the body. The interplay between these two systems will be covered in depth during this lecture. This knowledge is essential for the advanced clinicians when trying to maximize outcomes in complex patients with SIRS, sepsis or coagulopathies.
This course will provide an in-depth exploration of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) in feline patients, with a focus on both fundamental principles and emerging clinical considerations. The session will begin with a review of glucose physiology and the mechanisms of glycemic control, establishing the foundation for understanding the pathophysiology of DKA. Evidence-based treatment strategies, including fluid therapy, insulin protocols, electrolyte management, and monitoring, will be discussed in detail, with attention to practical challenges in feline patients and considerations for prognosis. The course will also introduce the role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a novel class of antidiabetic drugs increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine. While effective in lowering glucose, these drugs can precipitate euglycemic DKA, a condition characterized by ketosis and metabolic acidosis without marked hyperglycemia. Participants will learn to recognize the subtle clinical signs of EDKA, understand diagnostic pitfalls, and apply appropriate therapeutic approaches. By integrating physiology, clinical management, and new drug safety, this course equips practitioners to improve outcomes in cats with DKA and EDKA.
This presentation will focus on new and novel areas in transfusion medicine. The lecture will review the most recent trends in human transfusion medicine to include the use of fresh and chilled whole blood, thawed liquid plasma, chilled platelets, and the use of freeze-dried plasma. The presentation will then discuss the use of many of these products in veterinary medicine including the hemostatic capacity of chilled canine whole blood, canine freeze-dried plasma to include hyperoncotic plasma and lyophilized and frozen canine platelets. The author will present new data on synthetic platelet products in dogs. The author will point out the advantages and disadvantages of all of these products and outline the future potential application for these products.
This course will focus on practical strategies to optimize sample collection and handling in order to maximize diagnostic yield and accuracy in veterinary practice. The session will begin with a discussion on how proper technique and preparation can significantly influence the quality and interpretability of laboratory results. Participants will review the role of blood smears, including when they should be performed, how to prepare them effectively, and key features to recognize during interpretation. The session will also cover fluid analysis and in-house cytology, emphasizing best practices for collection, slide preparation, and preliminary evaluation to guide clinical decision-making. Microbiological samples will be addressed in detail, with guidance on how to collect them aseptically, select the most appropriate collection site or method, and avoid contamination. Practical considerations such as which tubes to use, when to refrigerate versus maintain samples at room temperature, and how storage and transport conditions may alter results will be explored, highlighting common pitfalls that can compromise diagnostic accuracy. By integrating these principles, veterinarians will gain confidence in collecting and handling samples efficiently, ensuring they provide the most reliable information to guide diagnosis and treatment. This session aims to enhance everyday clinical practice through improved diagnostic success.
Urine is a highly labile sample, and accurate assessment often relies on in-house procedures and interpretation. This lecture will begin by providing an efficient yet comprehensive routine for urinalysis that can be easily integrated into the emergency room workflow. This will be followed by interpretation of findings, including USG, dipstick results and microscopy including identification of common findings such as cells, crystals and casts.
This lecture will review the pathogenesis of fluid formation, and skills in processing body cavity fluids (pleural, pericardial and abdominal) for analysis and interpretation. Approach to cytology will be discussed in depth, with ancillary testing including biochemical tests.
Military Working Dogs (MWDs) serve a critical role in the War on Terror – detecting explosives meant to destroy coalition forces and neutralizing enemy combatants. However, due to the nature of the work these MWDs perform, they are exposed to the same dangers as their human counterparts. Using information gathered from the recently published, large study on MWDs injured in the line of duty, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Tom Edwards will walk the audience through some examples of MWD traumas sustained on the battlefield and examine the care that handlers, medics, human health care providers and veterinary personnel rendered to these extraordinary animals. Case reports from MWDs who were injured by Improvised Explosive Devices and high velocity gunshot wounds will be the focus of the lecture. Each case will take participants from the point of injury where immediate care was provided by combat medics and handlers, to both human and veterinary deployed hospitals and through evacuation from theater for definitive care. Participants will gain a better understanding of the treatment these dogs receive and the efforts that the US Department of Defense go through to care for these amazing dogs.
This course will focus on the art and science of clinical reasoning in veterinary practice, exploring how veterinarians think through cases and make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The session will highlight the contrast between situations where decisions arise from a “gut feeling,” built from pattern recognition and prior experience, versus cases that leave us “scratching our heads,” requiring a more deliberate, analytical approach. By examining these two styles of reasoning, participants will gain insight into how their own thought processes influence case management and outcomes. The concept of type 1 versus type 2 clinical reasoning will be introduced, where type 1 represents intuitive, fast, experience-driven thinking, and type 2 involves slower, systematic, and logical analysis. Through discussion and case examples, participants will see how both modes play critical roles in daily practice, how cognitive biases can influence decisions, and how awareness of these processes can strengthen clinical judgment. This framework not only supports younger veterinarians in recognizing how they acquire and refine their decision-making skills, but also provides experienced practitioners with tools to better mentor and guide the next generation. Ultimately, the course aims to foster reflective practice, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and improve collaborative learning in
veterinary medicine.
This course will explore the current controversies in the treatment of aspiration pneumonia in veterinary patients, with a focus on evidence-based decision-making and practical clinical application. The session will begin by addressing the long-standing question of whether all cases of aspiration pneumonia require antibiotics, recognizing that while antimicrobial therapy has historically been the mainstay of treatment, emerging evidence suggests that a more nuanced approach may be appropriate in selected cases. We will examine strategies for choosing the most appropriate antimicrobial agents when treatment is indicated, including considerations of spectrum of activity, resistance concerns, and patient-specific factors. The optimal duration of therapy, another area of debate, will be discussed in light of recent studies challenging traditional prolonged courses. Participants will also learn about the potential role of acute phase proteins, such as C-reactive protein, as biomarkers to guide treatment monitoring and antibiotic discontinuation. In addition, the use of imaging modalities, including thoracic radiographs and POCUS, will be reviewed to assess their utility in determining resolution of disease and informing treatment decisions. By combining clinical experience with evolving research, this course aims to equip veterinarians with the knowledge to make more individualized, judicious, and effective treatment choices for aspiration pneumonia.
Shock, defined as the decreased delivery of oxygen to tissues, can be terminal in animals if not mitigated. Evolutionary mechanisms have developed which allow animals to compensate when oxygen delivery to tissues falls below critical levels. Adaptive responses to shock in mammals include altering their heart rate, vasomotor tone and stroke volume. These are mediated by the neuroendocrine, sympathetic and baroreceptor/chemoreceptor systems. More recently the understanding of compensation in shock states has expanded to include cellular adaptations such as offload/on-loaded
of oxygen and the oxygen extraction reserve as well as the conditioning effects within cell to include the mitochondria itself. New technology has been developed to detect impending shock even before the body begins to compensate. The compensatory reserve index has been developed in people, non-human primates and now dogs to help providers detect shock in order to intervene before the animal even begins to compensate. The authors will present data on the use of the compensatory reserve in dogs and compare this data to what is known in humans and other species. The presenters will describe how this technology stands to improve care of small animal patients including those with sepsis, trauma and under anesthesia.
This lecture will offer a comprehensive review of approaching blood smears in the emergency room. A clinically useful routine for smear review will be demonstrated with real cases via digital hematology. Numerous relevant conditions for the emergency clinician will be reviewed, including IMHA, thrombocytopenia and left shifts, with discussion of ancillary hematology testing when appropriate.
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the management of sepsis in veterinary patients, emphasizing both foundational principles and advanced therapeutic strategies. The session will begin with a discussion of antimicrobial therapy, including the importance of timely initiation, appropriate drug selection, and considerations for antimicrobial stewardship in critically ill patients. Fluid resuscitation, a cornerstone of initial therapy, will be reviewed with attention to current best practices and the challenges of balancing adequate perfusion with the risks of fluid overload. The role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) will be highlighted as a valuable tool to assess vascular volume status and guide individualized fluid therapy in real time. When fluids alone are insufficient, the use of vasopressors and positive inotropes will be explored, with practical insights into indications, monitoring, and therapeutic goals. The session will also cover critical illness–related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI), including recognition of this condition and evidence surrounding the use of glucocorticoids in septic patients. By integrating pharmacologic interventions, advanced monitoring techniques, and emerging concepts in sepsis care, this course aims to provide veterinarians with a clear, practical framework to optimize outcomes for patients facing this life-threatening syndrome.
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.
Have you ever wondered why your 40x objective is always blurry? How can you increase the diagnostic yield of cytology samples? Does stain type and staining technique really matter? What pre-analytical errors can affect samples and what can you do to reduce them?
Here’s your chance to ask! As a pathologist with a keen interest in the bond between the worlds of practice and pathology, this interactive session is a panel-style discussion that will be built around submitted questions from clinicians and attendees, with an open-mic opportunity to ask questions and spark conversation between the worlds of ECC and pathology. Submit yours (and your colleagues!) questions prior to the event, bring them along, and ask them as they arise during this discussion session.
This course will offer an interactive and practical introduction to electrocardiography (ECG) in veterinary emergency medicine, designed to build confidence and competence in interpreting and managing cardiac rhythms. Participants will engage in case-based discussions and hands-on interpretation of ECG tracings, focusing on the arrhythmias most commonly encountered in the emergency setting. The session will emphasize not only the identification of key ECG abnormalities, such as tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, and conduction disturbances, but also their clinical relevance and associated patient presentations. Treatment strategies for these arrhythmias will be reviewed in detail, including pharmacologic options, electrical interventions, and supportive care measures, with attention to tailoring therapy to the individual patient’s hemodynamic status and underlying condition. By blending interactive learning with real-world emergency scenarios, this course aims to equip veterinarians with the knowledge and practical skills to recognize, treat, and monitor arrhythmias effectively, ultimately improving outcomes in critically ill patients.
This session will take a case-based approach to introduce basic interpretation principles of CT of the head, thorax,
and abdomen.
This talk will bring together the experts in ECC and clinical pathology in a series of cases. Cases will be derived from the ER or ICU. The diagnostics will be highlighted in these cases and expertise from our clinical pathologist will be woven into the presentation. The goal is to show the impact that clinical pathology can have on case management in the
ER and ICU.