2022 Fall Conference - Program

Cardiovascular Refresher Part 2: Diagnostic Evaluation
A review of multiple diagnostic modalities utilized for cardiovascular evaluation will be discussed during this lecture. Thoracic radiography will be covered including positioning/technique, VHS and cardiac enlargement patterns, and heart failure diagnosis. Cardiac biomarkers will be covered — benefits and limitations of these tests. Echocardiography will also be discussed with an emphasis on anatomy and point of care assessment.

Cardiovascular Refresher Part 3: Cardiac Arrhythmias and ECGs
This hour will be spent reviewing normal cardiac conduction, performing electrocardiograms (ECGs), and interpreting ECGs. Common cardiac arrhythmias in dogs and cats will also be discussed.

Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias
We will build on the previous hour by further discussing cardiac arrhythmias with a focus on treatment options (medical and interventional) along with additional diagnostic evaluation recommendations.

Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy
This hour will briefly review canine dilated cardiomyopathy along with possible mechanisms for association with diet. We will focus on the most current research/updates from the FDA with this lecture.

Putting The Diagnostics Together: Case Study Fun
We will utilize case studies to help combine the basics we covered earlier in the day along with emergency scenarios in a fun and interactive format.

Is It Heart or Not? Differentiation of Cardiac vs. Respiratory Causes of Coughing or Dyspnea in Dogs 
Differentiation of whether your canine patient is having respiratory signs from heart or pulmonary disease is challenging. This lecture will help guide the clinician in the assessment of dogs with respiratory signs and weigh likelihood of heart disease as a cause, then test your skills in several cases of coughing or dyspneic dogs. (2 hrs)

Faint of Heart
Episodes of loss of postural tone or altered mentation can be a diagnostic dilemma for veterinarians. Seizures and syncopal episodes are often mischaracterized by the owner and can be difficult to clinically differentiate even by astute veterinarians. This lecture will discuss mechanisms of syncope, clinical workup and treatment of important causes of syncope including case examples, and differentiation of syncope and neurologic disorders.

Elevate Your Practice In Management of 
Canine Congestive Heart Failure
Did you know that 10% of dogs in your practice have heart disease, and that 30% of dogs with mitral valve disease will develop heart failure? Staging heart disease allows the clinician to practice proactive, evidenced base medicine in order to optimize quality of life and longevity. Diagnostic testing and treatment according to stage of heart disease will be discussed.

Current Perspectives On Diagnosis and Treatment of
Feline Cardiomyopathies
Feline cardiomyopathies are common in cats, and are divided into hemodynamic categories that aid in management decisions. Diagnosis and management of feline congestive heart failure will also be discussed to provide practical information for the general practitioner. (2 hrs)