By: Stacy Montgomerie, DVM, CHPV

Description: A case-based discussion of assisted natural death in ICU patients as a treatment option when euthanasia is declined. The majority of families choose direct euthanasia for their animal companions, however, there is a subset of animal caregivers that gravitate toward options other than euthanasia.  How can veterinary clinicians honor animal caregiver wishes for the death of their animal companion without performing direct euthanasia while avoiding animal suffering and upholding the veterinary oath?  We will explore direct euthanasia alternatives using a case-based discussion of assisted natural death in the hospital/ICU setting.  The clinical management of assisted natural death, guiding the family through the process of dying, and supporting the veterinary team during and after the dying process will be addressed.

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. Discuss overview of assisted natural death as an alternative to euthanasia.
2. Discuss clinician communication and medical responsibilities.
3. Use case-based discussion as a model.

Speaker Info: Stacy Ann Montgomerie is a hospice/ER/ICU staff veterinarian at DoveLewis Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Montgomerie joined DoveLewis in 2016 and has been an ER and ICU DVM since graduating in 2012.  Dr. Montgomerie also earned her hospice/palliative care certification via the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care  (IAAHPC) in 2022. Outside of work, Dr. Montgomerie enjoys mushroom foraging, hiking, pickling/fermentation, crocheting/ knitting, travel, and skeleton preparation/articulation. She also enjoys spending time with her partner and pets.

By: Angela M Lennox, DVM, DABVP-Avian, ECM; DECZM-Small Mammal

Description: Rabbits commonly present with signs consistent with GI dysfunction; distinguishing these from actual obstruction, which may require surgical management, requires a thorough approach. This presentation helps practitioners identify this group of rabbits, and presents current thoughts on medical management of those not requiring surgery.

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. Understanding of the typical presentation of rabbits with GI dysfunction
2. Tools for helping to distinguish which are more likely to have GI obstructive disease
3. Protocols for both medical and surgical management

Speaker Info: Angela M. Lennox is a graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, and has practiced exclusively exotic animal medicine since 1991. She is the owner of the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis. She is a diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner (ABVP) in both Avian and Exotic Companion Mammal Medicine, and a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine, Small Mammal Medicine. Dr. Lennox is an adjunct professor at Purdue University Department of Clinical Sciences.

By: Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ

Description: In recent months, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have become available for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in feline patients. One of the rare potential side effects of this class of medication is euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (eDKA). Learners will review relevant pathophysiology of, as well as diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions for cats suspected or confirmed to be living with eDKA.

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. To understand the mechanism of action of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors
2. To recognize clinical manifestations of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in cats
3. To understand appropriate diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose patients living with eDKA
4. To having working knowledge of appropriate therapeutic interventions for eDKA

Speaker Info: Dr. Christopher G. Byers is a board-certified veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his DDVM from Cornell University. Dr. Byers works as a teleconsultant in for VetCT, and he is the Co-Editor of the textbooks, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and Canine Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. He has also published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals.