Thursday Sessions

Regular sessions will begin at 8:30am.
Click on the sessions below for detailed times, topic titles and descriptions.

Companion Animal - Morning Sessions Sponsored by Vetoquinol
Room 167-179
Dr. Jason Pieper
8:30-9:30am - Updates in the Diagnosis and Management of Pyoderma
We will review some of the different ways to diagnosis pyoderma including newer diagnostics. Additionally, we will have in depth discussions about how to treat and manage cases of pyoderma based on new research and guidelines.

9:30-10:30am - The Wild World of Ear Cleaners!
There are so many ear cleaners out there and deciding which ear cleaner to use in specific clinical situations can be difficult. We will discuss the different properties and actions of ear cleaners to help clear up the muddiness of the vast array of options. This will include ingredients with specific actions and then cover some of the ear cleaners within those categories.

BREAK 10:30-11:00am

11:00-Noon Tips and Tricks for Managing Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is a common problem and most cases are managed relatively easily with proper medications. Granted there are a large number of medications available and some are better choices depending on the clinical situation. We will discuss some helpful tips and tricks for managing and preventing these cases of otitis externa from returning.

LUNCH Noon – 1:30pm

Companion Animal - Afternoon Sessions Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

1:30-2:30pm - Juvenile Orthopedic Diseases - Dr. Stephanie Telek
A brief diagnostic and therapeutic overview of the most prevalent developmental orthopedic diseases in small animal medicine.

BREAK 2:30-3:00pm

3:00-4:00pm - Patella Luxations - The Not So Cookbook Version - Dr. Andy Law
We all learned about the “standard” procedures for correcting medial patella luxations. However, there may be more to consider now! Are the standard procedures enough? What are some new considerations? Do we really have to wait until the patient is skeletally mature? Ultimately, can we do any better?

4:00-5:00pm - I Have a Fracture. What Now? - Dr. Andy Law
What goes through a surgeon’s mind? The decision making tree for how to fix and expectations of a variety of fractures. A brief overview of common fractures and management strategies including surgical and non- surgical options, as well as options you might consider for your clinic.
 

Hot Topics - Morning Sessions Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Room 275
8:30-9:00am - H5N1 Influenza Virus Infection in Cats - Dr. Marta Mainenti
Since its emergence and detection in multiple avian and mammal species in the US, cats have also shown to be susceptible to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus infection, with development of a severe neurologic and systemic disease. This presentation will cover the reported clinical signs, post-mortem lesions, and laboratory results on both post-mortem and ante-mortem samples from naturally infected cats that were analyzed at the ISU VDL, with the aim to help guide sampling and diagnosis in domestic cats suspected to be infected with H5N1 influenza virus.

9:00-10:00am – Why You Need to Be AI (Artificial Intelligence) Literate to Stay Relevant in a Changing World - Mr. Jon Mangum
Discover why artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a critical skill for professionals in all fields. This high-level session will explore the latest AI trends, highlighting how AI is reshaping industries and the workforce. Learn why developing AI literacy is essential to staying competitive and adaptable in your career. We'll discuss the broader implications of AI and provide a roadmap for how you can start integrating AI knowledge into your professional development. Don't miss this chance to future-proof your skills and harness the power of AI in your career.

BREAK 10:00-10:30am

10:30-11:30am – AI for the Veterinary Industry: Practical Insights and Applications – Mr. Jon Mangum
Dive into the practical world of AI and discover how veterinarians and staff can leverage this technology to enhance their daily operations. This session will provide a framework for thinking through AI use cases and applications that can improve performance and efficiency in the practice.

11:30- Noon – AI Panel Discussion – Drs. Bill Williams, Lisa Thilges, Aubrey Cordray

LUNCH Noon-1:30pm

1:30-2:30pm - The Training of a Technician – Dr. Amy Fertig
What do they do at school that is so special?

2:30-3:30pm - The Utilization of a Technician - Dr. Amy Fertig
Ways to optimize technician skills

BREAK 3:30-4:00pm

4:00-5:00pm - Optimizing Auxiliary Personnel Duties to Maximize Quality of Life – for everyone! - Dr. Amy Fertig

Bovine - Sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal HealthRoom 250-252
8:30-10:30am - Cattle Production Trends: Histophilus, Antibiotic Use, and Feedyard Dynamics - Dr. Nathan Meyer
In this session we will discuss changing disease dynamics with a focus on Histophilus somni.  Prevalence, geographic distribution, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of Histophilus will be covered.  Additionally, we will discuss trends in antibiotic use and potential impacts of these changes.  Finally, a discussion around feedyard trends including increasing finishing weights, use of beta agonists, and beef on dairy genetics will be covered. 

BREAK 10:30-11:00am

11:00-Noon - Regulation of Growth Implants for Beef Cattle - Dr. Grant Dewell
Session will review the FDA regulations on implanting beef cattle and the potential impacts for veterinarians and the Green and Yellow Tag pre-conditioning program.

LUNCH Noon – 1:30pm

1:30-2:30pm - Animal Disease Traceability in Cattle and Bison & IDALS Regulatory Update - Dr. Kevin Petersburg and Dr. Jeff Kaisand
The animal disease traceability in cattle and bison portion of this session will cover the new federal rule, “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison” and general animal disease traceability requirements that pertain to cattle and bison. The IDALS regulatory update portion of the session will provide attendees with a regulatory update from the State Veterinarian as well as the disease prevention efforts and response plans currently being exercised in Iowa.

2:30-3:30pm - Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle - Dr. Phillip Jardon
Description:  At the completion of this program, the participant should be able to:   Describe HPAI in dairy cattle, including clinical signs, epidemiology, regulatory rules, and biosecurity measures. 

BREAK 3:30-4:00pm

4:00-5:00pm - Update: Long Horned Tick and Other Vectors of Bovine Disease - Dr. Matt Brewer
Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, has been found in at least 17 states. However, only 21 have been recovered from cattle. Females can reproduce by parthenogenesis so no males are needed for reproduction. Notably, H. longicornis is a vector for Theileria orientalis which has now been found in the United States. We will review morphological differences between Haemaphysalis and other ticks found in Iowa, with particular reference to the flared palpal segments of Haemaphysalis. Veterinarians will continue to monitor animals vigilantly in Iowa for H. longicornis. Bovine anaplasmosis is a arthropod-vectored disease which can be transmitted by flies under ideal circumstances. In addition, Dermacentor ticks are capable of transmission. We will provide an analysis of Anaplasma cases in Iowa over the last decade, along with other parasitology trends observed in our diagnostic lab.

Practice Management – Morning Sessions Sponsored by R2 Financial Strategies
Room 260-262
Mr. Tom O’Shaughnessy
8:30-10:00am - Is there are Veterinary Retirement Savings Crisis?  How are Iowa Veterinarians doing when compared to their peers?
The AVMA Trust conducted a national review of public tax filings related to 401k and other retirement programs comparing veterinarians to similar professions:  attorney’s, CPAs, physicians, and dentists.  Veterinarians and their employees have not done well in terms of retirement savings program creation or savings rates.  Changes in retirement and tax system, specifically the (US Secure Retirement Act. 2.0, December 2022, have provided an unprecedented opportunity for practice owners and practice managers to address the retirement issue and steer the veterinarian profession and veterinary employees toward a much better financial future. 

BREAK 10:00-10:30am

10:30-Noon - Money Scripts and Money Types - A Financial Wellness Presentation - Mr. Tom O'Shaughnessy

LUNCH Noon-1:30pm

Afternoon Sessions - Dr. Leon Freeland and Mr. Tom Wheeler
1:30-2:30pm - The Consolidation Market
This session provides participants with a historical perspective of the veterinary consolidation market and will also foster an understanding of the financial vocabulary encountered when selling. Included are an update on current market dynamics, transaction structures and seller options.  Finally, we will explore the evolution of the marketplace that is now underway.  

2:30-3:30pm -  Preparing for Your Transition
In this session, participants will learn about the veterinary market as seen through the eyes of the Consolidators.  We will explore how veterinarians can best orient themselves and their practices to optimize the image and sell price of their hospitals. This session will conclude with a look at the psychological subtleties of selling.

BREAK 3:30-4:00pm

4:00-5:00pm -  How to Interpret and Improve Your Profit and Loss Statement
This session takes the form of a workshop regarding the basics of managing a hospital Profit and Loss Statement.  The session is designed to help participants understand the components of a P & L statement, how the various elements are derived from daily hospital operations and the differences regarding a tax based P & L versus a P & L prepared for the purpose of selling.

Federal Accreditation
Room 299
8:30 - 9:30am - Module 31: High-Impact Equine Diseases in the U.S. – Dr. Jessica Young
The purpose of this module is to provide accredited veterinarians with information on high- impact equine diseases that have occurred recently within the United States. It teaches them about equine regulatory disease outbreaks that can lead to significant economic and trade impacts affecting the U.S. equine industry. It also teaches them about the principles of equine biosecurity and outlines some recent high-impact equine diseases that have been encountered in the U.S.

BREAK 9:30-9:45am

9:45 - 10:45am - Module 30: The Role of Veterinarians in Honey Bee Health - Dr. John McAfee
This module is intended to provide accredited veterinarians (AVs) with basic knowledge of honeybee biology and beekeeping, as well as information about relevant honeybee diseases and conditions, to foster communication with beekeepers and ensure stewardship of antimicrobial use in honey bees. Although this module focuses on the role of veterinarians related to antimicrobial use and the issuance of prescriptions and VFDs in honeybees, veterinarians can offer many valuable services to beekeepers, such as assisting hobbyist beekeepers with plans for parasite management or assisting commercial beekeepers with the development of protocols to be followed by beekeeping staff for disease detection and control. For these reasons, veterinarians are encouraged to gain more knowledge in this area and explore potential opportunities with both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers.

BREAK 10:45-11:00am

11:00-Noon - Module 40: The Veterinarian’s Role in Preharvest Microbial Food Safety - Dr. Bailey Goos

LUNCH Noon-1:30pm

1:30-2:30pm - Module 9: Interstate and International Health Certificates for Category 1 Animals - Dr. Jill Schriver
This module highlights the importance of health certificates for traveling pets and discusses the potential for disease spread associated with travel. The planning steps and regulation resources for properly completing a companion animal health certificate are presented through a variety of interactive animations and a scenario. Since errors can lead to travel delays or entry refusals, mistakes commonly made when completing health certificates are highlighted to help minimize these problems in real-life situations.

BREAK 2:30-2:45pm

2:45 - 3:45pm - Module 36: An Introduction to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and Domestic and International Movement of Poultry - Dr. Andrea Holmes
This module provides the accredited veterinarian with an understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and opportunities with respect to poultry. The definition of “poultry” and the basics of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the role it plays in poultry movement are discussed in detail. Included is an understanding of the process for preparing and issuing International Health Certificates (IHCs) for hatching eggs, day old chicks, and other poultry exports. Potential accreditation violations and the ramifications of such violations are also discussed.

BREAK 3:45-4:00pm

4:00 - 5:00pm - Module 18: Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle Disease (ND) - Dr. Lisa Hindle
This module helps veterinarians understand the economic and public health impact of an exotic avian disease outbreak and to better recognize the clinical signs associated with AI and ND. Details relating to collecting and submitting samples for the surveillance as well as reporting positive results for AI or ND are addressed. Understanding the investigative and clean-up process and implementing biosecurity measures specific for each disease are key roles of poultry veterinarians are emphasized. Finally, veterinarians will be able to explain the OIE’s role in preventing disease spread via exports.