This topic explores the signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in pets, how it impacts their daily lives, and what supportive measures pet owners can take to improve their pets’ quality of life. We’ll discuss what is known about underlying causes, diagnosis, environmental enrichment strategies, dietary and supplement options backed by scientific evidence, and how structured routines can help slow progression. Additionally, we’ll cover the emotional challenges of caregiving and provide guidance on when to have difficult but necessary conversations about long-term management and quality of life. This session is designed to empower you to support your clients with practical tools to support their pets with canine and feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

The veterinary profession, marked by high demands and intense pressures, has seen a noticeable decline in the confidence of early-career practitioners. This presentation addresses the erosion of self-belief among veterinary professionals and proposes actionable strategies for rebuilding confidence. The session will explore the roots of diminished confidence, including the impacts of chronic stress, fear of failure, and the ever-increasing expectations of early-career veterinarians. As we hold up the mirror to our profession and ask, “Where has the confidence gone or did we never have it to begin with?” we have to recognize that the effects of a lack of self-confidence are profound, affecting decision-making, job satisfaction, and mental health. This session is critical as it seeks to empower veterinarians by restoring their self-belief, enhancing their professional efficacy, and improving their overall well-being. “Where Has All the Confidence Gone?” is not just a question but a call to action for veterinary professionals. By addressing this issue head-on, this presentation will provide early career veterinarians and students with the tools they need to reclaim their confidence and continue to thrive in their demanding careers.

Seizure disorders represent a complex challenge in veterinary neurology, requiring multiple considerations to be taken into account for each individual seizure patient. This presentation aims to explore the clinical reasoning process when developing etiological differentials and therapeutic modalities for seizure disorders, with particular emphasis on scenarios where advanced diagnostic tools may be limited or unavailable. During this hour, the presenter will challenge the dogma of “seizure protocols,” highlighting the individual variation between patients and clients in veterinary medicine. The agenda of this in-depth discourse includes discussing pertinent parameters and co-morbidities that influence decision-making factors, underscoring their significance in tailoring therapeutic intervention to individual patients. This session’s import is encouraging practitioners to engage in decision-making at the individual patient level while recognizing prevailing challenges and pitfalls in seizure therapy within the general practice setting. Examples used within this session are gleaned from the presenter’s experience in teleconsulting directly with general practitioners. This session hopes to offer invaluable insights to professionals in the veterinary medicine field, from seasoned practitioners to recent graduates and students; attendees stand to benefit from a refined understanding of clinical reasoning with seizure cases informed by the latest scientific developments while operating within real-world limitations. Armed with the insights from this session, practitioners will be better positioned to approach seizure disorders with a structured, scientifically informed strategy that highlights the individuality of patient care and client limitations.

Vestibular syndrome etiologies are often challenging to differentiate and diagnose without advanced imaging. Discerning clues from exams and initial diagnostics can help practitioners provide supporting evidence for or against their preliminary diagnosis. When faced with such dizzying differentials, the true challenge lies in the clinician’s ability to think methodically, discern astutely, and utilize readily available tools for an effective preliminary diagnosis. This session will offer a short primer on the intricate anatomy and physiology of the vestibular apparatus, laying a foundational understanding for the subsequent differentials while dissecting various vestibular conditions, focusing on discernable clinical manifestations and their implications and working through clinical reasoning to comprehensively elucidate possible etiologies, from infectious agents and inflammatory causes to traumas and toxins, and how they might present in a general practice setting. This presentation focuses on critical thinking and clinical reasoning, prioritizing differential diagnoses based on clinical presentation, patient history, and risk factors. In the realm of veterinary medicine, where advanced diagnostics might not always be accessible or feasible, the power of clinical reasoning takes center stage. This session is curated for both novice and seasoned veterinarians, promoting a keen analytical mindset and pragmatic approach. Attendees will depart with a refined toolkit: a blend of theoretical knowledge and actionable strategies to discern better and manage vestibular syndrome’s dizzying differentials confidently while appreciating the limitations they may encounter.

This interactive lecture will focus on enhancing clinical reasoning skills in diagnosing brain diseases in veterinary patients, with an emphasis on what can realistically be done in general practice. Using case-based discussions, participants will refine their approach to neuroanatomic localization and learn to generate appropriate differential diagnoses based on patient signalment and progression of clinical signs. We will also discuss practical diagnostic and treatment options when advanced imaging or referral is not immediately available.

This interactive lecture will focus on enhancing clinical reasoning skills in diagnosing spine diseases in veterinary patients, with an emphasis on what can realistically be done in general practice. Using case-based discussions generates appropriate differential diagnoses based on patient signalment, history, and progression of clinical signs. We will also discuss practical diagnostic and treatment options when advanced imaging or referral is not immediately available.