12:00 – 1:00 pm
Canine Hypoadrenocorticism: Research-Driven Medicine

I utilize evidence-based medicine thru present day showing alternative ways to test for primary (atypical and typical) and secondary hypoadrenocorticism in dogs (screening and differentiation tests), including different and more cost-effective (for practice and owner) ACTH stim methods. I highlight differences in atypical and typical and the fact we know there exists a continuum between the two, and I provide methods to determine primary vs. secondary IOT rule out wasteful use of clients’ time and money/clinic resources when creating patient monitoring/lab recheck plans. I also use a couple of short cases to demonstrate some unusual Addison’s presentations and how they were each managed (one Yorkie POA and one Belgian Malinois MWD). Pursuant to your trauma/ER theme mentioned on the phone, these cases and the didactic portion of the session will cover fluid management, stabilizing steroid needs +/- electrolyte dyscrasias, hypoglycemic mgmt. and how to avoid causing hypoglycemia when treating hyperkalemia, etc.. I think this will appeal to those with an IM and/or ECC interest equally. One of my goals in teaching about this disease to any audience is always to increase everyone’s level of suspicion for this disease.

1:00 – 2:00 pm
Diabetic Ketoacidosis – Modern Threats and Management Strategies

I think DKA is an important topic at any time, but especially now that these new feline-specific SGLT2 cotransport inhibitors are coming out (bexagliflozin/Bexacat, velagliflozin/Senvelgo, others in horses and people as well), a non-insignificant number of diabetics on these drugs are presenting in euglycemic DKA. This is difficult to recognize if there is no level of suspicion/decent history of the pet/no one checks blood ketones (or a ketone meter is not available at all). I would discuss DKA dx and tx including fluid therapy and insulin mgmt. (IV CRI and IM methods), management of electrolytes with transcellular K +/- PHOS shifts, treatment of concurrent pancreatitis (common occurrence), feeding tube use (types, when to use which, caloric calculations, food selections based on nutritional content), why long lines/PICCs are so important vs. peripheral IVCs, and how to transition to home environment and avoid future recurrence through lifestyle changes, etc…

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Transferring Battlefield Canine Trauma Skills to General Practice

This session will cover methods for triaging an individual patient’s injuries in order to treat more effectively. This will cover how civilian veterinarians can incorporate battlefield medicine’s transformation of the old ABCs paradigm (airway, breathing, circulation) into our current M3ARCH2 PAWS principles – Muzzle/Massive Hemorrhage/Medication; Airway/Respiration/Circulation; Hypothermia/Head Trauma followed by Pain (Analgesic)/Antibiotics/Wound Mgmt. (Dressing/Eye Wound)/Splint. Inherent to these principles will be tasks including thoracocentesis, tracheostomy, hasty vs. deliberate muzzles (SWOT-T vs. human-type (think combat action tourniquets) tourniquets), aFAST/tFAST, etc.. (I will ensure this is applicable/transferrable to civilian veterinarians.)