Small animal medicine… All the colours of the medical rainbow

Short welcome from the vtx team and an overview of how the day will flow and what to expect.

Is hyperbilirubinemia getting you down? In this lecture, we will discuss a logical approach to the investigation of liver disease in dogs and cats. Liver disease can be frustrating to diagnose. This lecture will focus on the tests that may be utilised in the diagnosis of liver disease and the non-hepatic causes for changes in these tests that the clinician should be aware of when interpreting clinical pathology results. We will round up with some of the practical treatment options.

• Consider the reasons for hyperbilirubinemia.
• Discuss how bloodwork can help us diagnose liver disease.
• Consider what treatment options are available for acute and chronic liver disease.

ThIs gastrointestinal disease getting you green?! Gastrointestinal tract disorders are one of the commonest reasons for seeking veterinary assistance in small animal practice. The majority of alimentary disorders in dogs are self-limiting and are usually associated with dietary indiscretions; these patients respond well to symptomatic treatment. However, in a significant minority of dogs and in most cats, an investigation will be required either because the animal fails to respond to symptomatic treatment or because it is seriously ill from the outset. This session will discuss in depth a problem-solving approach. We will also review the most up-to-date treatment consideration… faecal transplant anyone?

• Review the most appropriate treatment for acute vomiting or diarrhoea cases.
• Consider the diagnostic challenges of chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
• Discuss the most up to date gastrointestinal treatment options.

In this lecture we will look at the causes of dyspnoea in dogs. You will learn how to approach these cases in a logical manner, choosing the most appropriate tests for the presenting signs. A brief overview of some of the management strategies employed in these cases will also be discussed.

• List the possible causes of dyspnoea in dogs.
• Describe the various diagnostic tests associated with dyspnoea.
• Describe the most appropriate management for the dyspnoeic dog.

This is your chance to consolidate your learning from the morning sessions and to bring any cases that you want to get some advice on.

In this lecture we will be learning how important and useful blood smears can be in practice, in addition to haematology tests, and we will review other diagnostic tests that might go hand in hand to give you a good understanding and interpretation of the results. We will also be talking about all things IMHA (immune mediated haemolytic anaemia)! We will look at the challenges of diagnosing this condition as well as the most up-to-date treatment options. We will round up with some practical tips for transfusion therapy in practice!

• Discussed the diagnostic approach to the anaemic patient.
• Learn about the most up-to-date treatment options for patients with IMHA.
• What are the options for transfusion in practice … xenotransfusion?

In this lecture we will take a look at feline aortic thromboembolism. We will cover the pathophysiology, triage and management of such cases and bring to you some ‘hot off the press’ results from a variety of clinical studies looking to improve treatment and outcome for these cases.

• Describe the emergency and long-term management of ATE cases
• List the therapeutic strategies that can be applied to these difficult cases
• Explain recent updates in terms of treatment guidelines

In this lecture, we look at the approach to coagulation disorders in small animal practice. Coagulation is complex, but the investigations of these conditions does not have to be. We will look at disorders of primary haemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a common abnormality, but how often is it clinically significant? We discuss the challenges when treating these cases… giving back platelets is still a challenge. Disorders of secondary coagulation can also be daunting to investigate and treat. Learn how to approach and diagnose these cases with confidence, even when individual clotting factor analysis is not an option. We consider treatment options for these patients… from plasma to tranexamic acid.

• Discuss the logical approach to the bleeding patient.
• Understand what coagulopathies commonly affect our small animal patients.
• Learn about the treatment options… from transfusion to tranexamic acid.

This is your chance to consolidate your learning from the afternoon sessions and to bring any cases that you want to get some advice on.