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The 2024 Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS) kicked off today, Thursday, September 26, and CE sessions will run through Sunday, September 29, in Fort Worth, Texas. Below are 8 sessions that attendees won’t want to miss before the symposium ends.

Friday, September 27

There’s Room for Zoom in Your Practice: Embracing Telehealth

9:00–9:50_AM CST – Exhibit Hall E

Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association

Speaker: Steve Dale, CABC

This presentation explains why practices should implement telehealth as part of their service offerings, and how integration can be comprehensive, and legal. Dale provides practical case examples, and draws from human health care, to determine the best ways to introduce telehealth into a practice.

Influenza: Current Trends in the Pathogen and Its Prevention

11:30–12:20_AM CST – Exhibit Hall E

Sponsored by Merck Animal Health

Speaker: Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM

With the persistent evolution of influenza, veterinarians can never let their guard down. In this presentation, Chatfield explains that with an increased understanding of the immune system, vaccine technologies continue to evolve.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Tail-Wagging Updates on Treating Itchy Dogs

12:30–1:20_PM CST – Ballroom B

Sponsored by Elanco

Speaker: Darren Berger, DVM, DACVD

In this session, Berger provides the definition and diagnosis procedure for canine atopy, in addition to updates regarding communication with owners, realistic expectations, and therapeutic options.

Saturday, September 28

Updates on Diabetes (SGLT2 inhibitors) and Incorporating Flash Glucose Monitors

8:00–12:00_PM CST – Room 114

Sponsored by Elanco

Speaker: Carly Patterson, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

SGLT2 inhibitors have been made available for veterinary use for the treatment of diabetes. This presentation covers concepts, clinical cases, and top FAQs, also explaining flash glucose monitors.

So What if We’ve Always Done It That Way? Effectively Implementing Change

11:30–12:20_PM CST – Room 201 C

Speaker: Theresa Cosper-Roberts, RVT, CVPM, ACE(DE), CVBL

This session explains the best methods for implementing changes into a veterinary practice, including developing compelling arguments when personnel initially resists change.

Diagnostic Clinical Pathology in Avian Medicine: From Blood Sampling to Interpretation

4:30–5:20_PM CST – Room 104

Speaker: Lauren Thielen, DVM

Thielen will highlight the processes of sampling and handling blood, explain chemical values that are clinically relevant in avian medicine, and explain the evaluation process for each organ system through clinical pathology.

Sunday, September 29

Current Trends in Gastrointestinal Parasites of Companion Animals

8:00–8:50_AM CST – Room 201 AB

Speaker: Guilherme G. Verocai, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)

This presentation will examine the clinical relevance and epidemiology of selected gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, providing recommendations for prevention, diagnostics, and control.

What’s Going on With Cushing’s in Dogs?

10:00–10:50_AM CST – Room 108

Speakers: Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, and Kären Marsden, BA, DVM

This session outlines a simple, safe, and inexpensive approach to treating dogs with Cushing’s disease. Steve and Kären Marsden share that this approach has cured dogs without the use of any pharmaceuticals—and explain how that’s possible.