Confounding Cats: Detecting, Classifying, and Managing Feline Heart Disease in Practice

Feline heart disease is common, heterogeneous, and often difficult to detect before clinical decompensation. This program reviews the limitations of auscultation and radiography in cats and outlines a practical, evidence-based approach to diagnosis using biomarkers, imaging, and clinical context. ACVIM classification of feline cardiomyopathies will be reviewed, along with current recommendations for medical management and referral. Emphasis is placed on improving clinical decision-making in general practice.

(Will lead this proposed talk and share it with the two Synovetin OA experts: Robert D. Menardi DVM and Nigel R. Stevenson)

From Human RSO to Tin-117m: Clinical Perspectives on Inflammation, Joint Injections, and Treatment Innovations for Canine Osteoarthritis

This program explores innovative, inflammation-targeted approaches to managing canine osteoarthritis, with a focus on intra-articular joint injections as a core therapeutic strategy. Drawing from decades of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) experience in human inflammatory joint disease, the presentation highlights translational insights and the evolution of targeted radionuclide therapies, culminating in the development and clinical application of tin-117m (Sn-117m) as a veterinary-specific agent (e.g., Synovetin OA). Attendees will gain practical perspectives on controlling synovial inflammation, achieving sustained pain relief and potential disease-modifying effects, and integrating these advancing options into modern veterinary practice for improved patient outcomes in dogs with joint disease.

Wide, Deep and Decisive: Surgical Strategies for Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

This presentation will provide an updated overview of the biological behavior and clinical characteristics of canine soft tissue sarcomas, with emphasis on how these factors influence treatment planning. Multimodal therapy will be reviewed, with primary focus on surgical management, including margin selection, anatomical constraints, intraoperative decision making, instrumentation and execution of surgical technique. Interpretation of histologic margins, local recurrence risk, and associated prognostic implications will be discussed. The session will conclude with a brief overview of molecular parallels between canine and human soft tissue sarcomas and emerging future directions.

Cardiac biomarkers in the dog and cat

This lecture will cover the physiology and basics of cardiac troponin (cTnI) and NT-proBNP testing in dogs and cats. A review of clinical utilization of these cardiac biomarkers will also be reviewed along with supporting literature of when to utilize these diagnostic tests, what they mean, and how to prognosticate.

Protein Losing Enteropathies

This lecture will focus on the approach and work up of canine protein losing enteropathies (PLE). We will dive into the pathophysiology of PLEs, understand the different etiologies, and gain insight on current literature pertaining to this disease. By the end of this lecture, viewers will also have a strong understanding on the different treatment modalities available, ensuring a comprehensive therapeutic plan.