The Long and Winding Gait--Evidence-based management of canine osteoarthritis

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Karl Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA

This session equips general practitioners with a practical, evidence-based framework for the diagnosis and long-term management of osteoarthritis in dogs. Participants will review current understanding of osteoarthritis pathophysiology, clinical staging, and multimodal treatment strategies, including pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and interventional options. Emphasis will be placed on individualized treatment planning, realistic goal-setting with clients, and optimizing patient comfort, mobility, and quality of life over time. By the end of the lecture, attendees will have the tools to confidently implement and adjust comprehensive osteoarthritis management plans in general practice.

The Silent Sufferers: Advanced Tools for Detecting and Treating Pain in Cats

12:10 PM - 1:10 PM ET

Mike Petty, DVM

Feline Grimace Scale evolution, arthritis screening, chronic pain phenotyping, environmental enrichment, updated feline-sae analgesic protocols

Pharmaceuticals in Chronic Pain Management for Dogs and Cats

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM ET

Melina Zimmerman DVM

This lecture will review pharmacologic strategies for managing chronic pain in dogs and cats. We will discuss first-line therapies including NSAIDs and monoclonal antibodies as well as adjunct analgesics. Chronic pain in companion animals often involves complex, maladaptive components such as central sensitization, neuropathic pain, and emotional distress. This session will explore the mechanisms, clinical indications, and practical applications of adjunctive drug classes including gabapentinoids, NMDA antagonists, antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs), muscle relaxants, and opioids. Emphasis will be placed on species-specific considerations, patient-centered drug selection based on pain phenotype, and real-world integration into general and referral practice. Clinical case examples will be used to reinforce multimodal planning, client communication, and outcome assessment.

From Table to Home: Modern Acute Pain Protocols and ERAS Pathways for Small Animals

2:40 PM - 3:40 PM ET

Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA

Multimodal anesthesia, local blocks, lidocaine/ketamine CRIs, opioid-sparing techniques, and fast-recovery principles for routine and advanced surgeries

Beyond the Prescription: Rehab, Laser, Acupuncture, and Lifestyle Medicine for Chronic Pain

3:50 PM - 4:50 PM ET

Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR

What works vs. what’s hype, new RCT findings, myofascial pain, therapeutic imagery, weight loss as medicine, and building integrative care pathways.

When Behavior Speaks Pain: Client Communication Strategies for Identifying and Managing Chronic Pain

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Behavior changes as pain indicators, motivational interviewing, showing owner-observable metrics, compliance improvement, and reframing chronic pain for clients