Friday, February 13 | Sessions

Companion Animal
Hot Topics
Animal Welfare
Equine

Companion Animal Session
Room - Bishop C
Sponsored by IDEXX
8:00-9:00am - IDEXX Cancer Dx Testing - Dr. Cristina Walsh
This presentation is designed to discuss the prevalence of cancer in the canine population and demonstrate how IDEXX Cancer Dx, using novel biomarkers specific for lymphoma, can help diagnose and differentiate lymphoma in at-risk patients earlier and with clarity. Learning Objectives: Understand the prevalence of cancer in dogs. Recall clinical presentation of canine lymphoma and prognosis after diagnosis. Explain IDEXX Cancer Dx™ testing and how it can be used in practice for at-risk sick and well patients. Compare performance and utilization of other oncology diagnostics with IDEXX Cancer Dx testing
9:00-10:00am - From Vague to Vital: Diagnosing Josie's Illness - Dr. Cristina Walsh
This is a case-based presentation on diagnosing endocrine disease in the clinic. It highlights the new Catalyst Cortisol slide. I don't want to include that it is Addison's disease, or it will defeat the purpose of the presentation and working through it together. Learning Objectives: Propose differential diagnosis for hyporexia, vomiting, and lethargy that include both gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal causes. Plan a comprehensive workup of a young canine patient that presents with moderate to severe signs of systemic disease. Discuss the diagnostic criteria for canine hypoadrenocorticism. Interpret Catalyst™ Cortisol Test results in canine patients.
10:00-10:30am BREAK
10:30-11:30am - Tricky Feline Case: Louise is Not Acting Herself - Dr. Cristina Walsh
This is a case based presentation on the diagnostic approach to the mildly ADR feline patient (or to the patient that presents with vague clinical signs if ADR is not appropriate). Learning Objectives: Propose differential diagnoses for signs of hyporexia, vomiting, and weight loss that include both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions. Plan comprehensive workup of a feline patient that presents with vague or mild signs of systemic illness. Discuss the diagnostic criteria for feline pancreatitis. Interpret Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test results in feline patients.
11:30-1:00pm LUNCH
1:00-2:30pm - Blood Cell Morphology-Why Should I Care? - Dr. Guillermo Couto
Most of us evaluate only the numerical results of the CBC report. Although we were taught that blood morphology is important, we rarely look at blood smears. Red blood cell and white blood cell morphology in particular can give us either a definitive diagnosis or narrow down the list of differential diagnoses. I will use cases to illustrate the value of blood cell morphology.
2:30-2:45pm BREAK
2:45-4:15pm - What? Cytology Without A Microscope? - Dr. Guillermo Couto
Traditional cytology involves the use of a stained smear and a microscope. However, for the past several years, we can evaluate blood cell morphology without doing any of those things. I will focus on how the cytograms provide information on cell morphology and on the novel fluid-based cytology analyzers using case discussions.

Hot Topics Session
Room - Skinner A
Sponsored by ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
8:00-9:00am - New Topics in Small Animal Lower Urinary Tract Diseases - Dr. Jean-Sebastien Palerme
During this session we will review clinical cases of lower urinary tract disease highlighting new recommendations and techniques for their management.
9:00-10:00am - Managing Cough and Tracheal Collapse in Dogs - Dr. Jean-Sebastien Palerme
Recurring or chronic cough is a common cause of presentation of dogs to veterinary clinics. During this presentation, we will discuss the practical steps involved in the diagnosis and management of cough in dogs. In addition, we will specifically discuss up to date recommendations on the management of tracheal collapse.
10:00-10:30am BREAK
10:30-11:30am - Ocular Emergencies - Dr. Jesus Diaz
Ocular emergencies in small animals can progress quickly and threaten both vision and comfort. This talk provides a practical overview of the most common urgent eye conditions seen in dogs and cats, including acute glaucoma, lens luxation, and sudden blindness. You will learn how to recognize these conditions early and understand the key steps for rapid intervention.
11:30-1:00pm LUNCH
1:00-2:00pm - Corneal Ulcers - Dr. Jesus Diaz
Corneal ulcers are among the most frequent and challenging ocular problems in small-animal practice. This talk explores the essential anatomy of the cornea, the protective roles of the eyelids and lacrimal system, and the main causes of ulcer formation. You will also gain practical guidance on diagnosing and treating corneal ulcers, helping you feel more confident managing these cases in your everyday practice.
2:00-2:15pm BREAK
2:15-3:15pm - Can you see it? - Neurologic Disease Affecting Vision, Pupils, Blinking, and Ocular Movement - Dr. Rod Bagley
In this session you will learn the ways that animals with neurologic conditions result in abnormalities of vision and pupils. By asking and answering a short series of reflective questions the clinician will be able to localize where the abnormality is within the nervous system. Determining if the animal can see, what the pupil size is in ambient light, and how the pupils react to different phases of light stimulation will provide clues to neuroanatomical diagnosis. Subsequently, this localization will lead to generating a differential diagnosis and ultimately. Learner Outcomes: Following this discussion, the clinician should be able to: 1) Explain how abnormalities of nervous innervation affect vision and pupils 2) Identify the clinical clues that suggest an abnormality of vision and pupils 3) Develop a logical clinical evaluation process to evaluate animals with neurologic causes of eye problems
3:15-4:15pm - Avoiding Cognitive Errors in Clinical Neurologic Evaluation – Dr. Rod Bagley
In this session you will learn about the range of potential cognitive errors that may contribute to misdiagnoses, clinical mistakes, and misinterpretation of clinical information. The most common cognitive errors that occur in clinical practice will be discussed and situations where these errors commonly result will be identified. We will expand the discussion of common clinical “thought errors” including availability error, hindsight bias, overconfidence, representativeness, and causation errors. Diseases with common clinical judgment errors such as degenerative myelopathy, fibrocartilaginous emboli, lumbosacral disease, and cognitive dysfunction will be explored. Once these potential clinical pitfalls are recognized, strategies to reduce the incidence of these errors will be provided to improve patient outcomes. Learner Outcomes: Following this discussion, the clinician should be able to: 1) Explain the different types of judgment and decision-making errors in clinical practice when evaluating patients with neurologic diseases 2) Identify situations where judgment errors more commonly occur in clinical practice situations 3) Develop strategies to reduce or eliminate cognitive medical errors

Equine Session – Dr. Kirby Weaver
Room - Skinner C
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
8:00-10:00am - Equine PPID and EMS: Clinical Review and EEG Guideline Updates
This seminar offers a comprehensive review of two common endocrine disorders in horses: pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Participants will gain an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, characteristic clinical signs, and diagnostic approaches for each condition. Current research findings will be highlighted to demonstrate their relevance to everyday clinical practice, with emphasis on how new evidence informs diagnostic strategies and management decisions. Treatment and long-term management options will also be discussed, providing practitioners with practical tools to improve outcomes and quality of life for affected horses. In addition, the latest PPID and EMS guidelines established by the Equine Endocrinology Group (EEG) will be shared.
10:00-10:30am BREAK
10:30-11:30am - Protective Immunity in Horses: Evidence-Based Use of Titers and Vaccination Protocols
This seminar integrates equine immunology, titers, and vaccine science with practical strategies for clinical application. Participants will review the immune system’s key components, how titers are measured, and the evidence behind their relevance in equine medicine, and how these practices are aligned with AAEP guidelines. Building on this foundation, the seminar highlights vaccine formulation, immune response evaluation, and case-based risk analysis such as EHV-1. A central focus is the importance of establishing clear, evidence-based vaccine protocols and communicating them effectively to horse owners and staff. Attendees will leave equipped to interpret titers confidently, advocate for vaccination, and implement consistent protocols that strengthen equine health and client trust.
11:30-1:00pm LUNCH
1:00-2:00pm - Protective Immunity in Horses: Evidence - cont'd
2:00-2:15pm BREAK
2:15-4:15pm - Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy: Clinical Management, Biosecurity, and Emerging Vaccine Research
This seminar provides a focused review of equine herpesvirus (EHV) infections with an emphasis on equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and its neurologic manifestation, equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Participants will gain a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of EHV-1, including its role in respiratory disease, abortion, and neurologic syndromes. The course highlights the clinical presentation of EHM, approaches to diagnosis, and current treatment options, while also addressing prognosis and management considerations. Practical biosecurity measures will be discussed to help prevent and control outbreaks. In addition, new research will be shared evaluating the ability of intramuscular killed vaccines to stimulate mucosal antibodies and provide protection against EHV-1. By combining established knowledge with emerging evidence, this program equips practitioners to recognize, diagnose, and manage EHM effectively while reinforcing the importance of prevention in equine populations.

Animal Welfare Session
Room - Skinner B 
8:00-10:00am – Using the 5 Domains to Manage Cattle Welfare - Drs. Emiline Sundman & Grant& Renee  Dewell
In this presentation, we will give an overview of feedlot hospital and chronic pens. Then, we will discuss opportunities to support impaired cattle welfare through consideration of their unique needs and preferences. Finally, we will demonstrate how the Five Domains Model can be used to assess impaired cattle welfare to enhance animal care and decision-making.
10:00-10:30am BREAK
10:30-11:30am – Epidemiology and Behavior of Cattle in Feedlot Chronic Pens and Implications for Impaired Cattle Welfare -  Dr. Emiline Sundman
In this presentation, we will share research results regarding epidemiological and behavioral factors that may impact the welfare of impaired feedlot cattle. We will describe how population and individual characteristics could influence welfare risks in the chronic pen. Additionally, we will discuss how chronic cattle behaviors may be useful for identifying cattle at risk of negative welfare outcomes.
11:30-1:00pm  Lunch
1:00-2:00pm - The Welfare of the Transitional Calf: Feedlot Entrance Stressors and How Social Grouping May Educate Client Purchasing - Dr. Caleb Brezina
Feedlot cattle may undergo many stressors when transitioning from a cow/calf operation to a feedlot. Given that stress is a key component of the bovine respiratory disease complex, giving clients the right tools to reduce these stressors is necessary. In this session, we will talk about what stressors a calf may face, current mitigation techniques for some of these stressors, and the use of social buffering as a novel way of reducing calf stress throughout their transitional period.
2:00-2:15pm - Break
2:15-4:15pm - Brewing Livestock Neglect – How to Recognize the Signs and Opportunities for Intervention - Dr. Suzanne Millman
Good animal care is a central tenet to livestock farming which is articulated and verified through animal welfare guidelines and audits. Failures in husbandry can and do occur by veterinary clients as well as members of the community not accessing veterinary assistance. In this presentation we will explore signs of animal maltreatment, what is known about causal factors and effective remediation practices, and resources to support and prepare veterinary practitioners to address these cases. Livestock cases and rural practice will be the primary focus of this presentation with potential application to other species and scenarios.