Cats Just Wanna Have Fun: Cat Enrichment

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP

Discover the world of cat enrichment and its vital role in fostering happy and well-balanced feline companions. This session explores the importance of meeting a cat's natural instincts through enrichment activities, preventing boredom-related issues such as aggression and anxiety. Learn practical applications and strategies that cater to all aspects of a cat's daily needs, ensuring a fulfilled and contented life for our beloved furry friends. Join us as we delve into the science of enrichment and empower cat owners and professionals to create thriving environments for their feline companions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the significance of cat enrichment and its impact on a feline's overall well-being, behavior, and health.
• Identify common signs of feline boredom and the potential behavioral issues that may arise due to a lack of enrichment.
• Acquire practical knowledge and techniques to implement various enrichment activities that cater to all aspects of a cat's daily sessions, fostering mental and physical stimulation to keep cats happy and engaged.

Harmonizing Ventilation: Decoding the Capnography Waveform

12:10 PM - 1:10 PM ET

Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia)

Participants will learn the fundamentals of capnography, including how end-tidal CO₂ is measured, normal waveform anatomy, and what each phase of the capnogram represents. Through practical case examples, attendees will recognize common waveform abnormalities associated with hypoventilation, airway obstruction, rebreathing, apnea, circuit leaks, and changes in cardiac output. This lecture is designed to help veterinary technicians move beyond simply recording ETCO₂ numbers and begin using capnography as a dynamic patient assessment tool to improve anesthetic monitoring, troubleshooting, and patient safety.

Expanding Clinical Skills to Support your Entire Hospital

1:20 PM - 2:20 PM ET

Mark Harris, Jr, LVT, BS

This presentation provides an in-depth overview of three advanced techniques commonly used in specialty and emergency practice: Central venous catheter placement, epidural anesthesia and arterial line placement. Participants will explore the indications, anatomy, equipment selection, patient preparation, sterile technique, troubleshooting, and post-placement care for each procedure. Whether you are working toward a greater technical proficiency or helping develop advanced nursing programs within your hospital, this lecture will provide practical knowledge, clinical pearls, and best practices that can be immediately applied in specialty practice. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of these procedures, increased confidence in supporting clinicians, and a renewed appreciation for how advanced veterinary nursing skills elevate patient care and strengthen the entire healthcare team.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the indications, relevant anatomy, equipment, and patient preparation required for successful central venous catheter placement, epidural anesthesia, and arterial catheter placement.
• Demonstrate appropriate sterile technique and procedural setup to support the safe performance of advanced veterinary nursing procedures.
• Differentiate the indications, advantages, and potential complications associated with central venous catheters, epidurals, and arterial catheters to support appropriate case selection and patient care.
• Apply evidence-based troubleshooting and post-procedural monitoring techniques to recognize complications and promote optimal patient outcomes following advanced catheter and epidural placement.
• Integrate advanced veterinary nursing techniques into clinical practice by developing strategies that improve patient safety, procedural efficiency, and collaboration within the veterinary healthcare team.

I Can See Clearly Now: Dental Radiography in Veterinary Practice.

2:40 PM - 3:40 PM ET

Denise Rollings, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)

This class discusses safety, terminology, normal and abnormal anatomy, basic pathology, and labial mounting of dental radiographs. Dental radiographs are an essential part of the oral exam. About half of the dental pathology is found subgingival and radiographs will help diagnose the pathology that is not visible. Full mouth radiographs on all dental patients will help find pathology, leading to proper recommendations and treatment. The result is practicing better medicine, healthier patients, and happier clients. Learn how to obtain full mouth canine and feline diagnostic intraoral radiographs and troubleshooting common mistakes.

Mr. Roboto: Is AI Turning Cat Parents into Couch Potatoes – or Supercharging Pet Care?

3:50 PM - 4:50 PM ET

Ellen M. Carozza LVT, VTS (CP-Feline)

In this engaging lecture, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming everyday cat care—from the living room to the exam room—while keeping the human–animal bond at the center. You’ll discover practical AI-powered tools that help owners become more observant, proactive caregivers. We’ll cover smart litter systems that track weight, elimination frequency, and patterns to flag early signs of urinary, kidney, or digestive issues; AI-enabled pet cameras and feeders that monitor appetite, activity, and behavior; wearable or home-based health trackers; and emerging apps that analyze photos, videos, or sensor data for subtle changes in mobility, coat condition, or vocalization. The session shows how these products turn routine data into actionable insights, enabling earlier detection of problems, better nutrition and enrichment decisions, and stronger partnership with the veterinary team. We then shift to the clinic, examining how AI supports—not replaces—veterinary professionals. From AI-assisted interpretation of radiographs and ultrasound to streamlined lab analysis, triage tools, and treatment planning aids, these technologies sharpen diagnostic accuracy and efficiency so veterinarians can devote more time to the irreplaceable human elements of care: physical examination, nuanced clinical judgment, client communication, and compassionate decision-making. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of current products, realistic expectations for what AI can (and cannot) do, practical tips for integrating home technology into a cat’s care plan, and a vision of veterinary medicine enhanced by AI while remaining firmly human-centered. Ideal for cat owners, veterinary teams, and anyone curious about the thoughtful future of feline healthcare.

Don’t Be a Pain: Analgesia for the Emergency and Critical Care Patient

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC)

Definitions related to pain and pain control, commonly used analgesia drugs in emergency and critical care settings, pain scoring systems. Also, the consequences of untreated pain, how patient comfort and stress levels affect pain perception, how to manage stress and anxiety along with pain. We will also talk about some non-pharmacologic measures to help with pain control.