Hematology is most comprehensively assessed by combing the CBC numerical data with the associated cytograms and blood film review -- and significant pathologic changes will be missed or mis-interpreted if only the numerical data is reviewed. In this case-based session, we will utilize real emergency cases for which the appropriate interpretation of the CBC's histograms and scattergrams is key to understanding the data.

Cytograms from various point-of-care analyzers will be shared and explained, and patterns will be paired with blood film changes to better elucidate their combined value in augmenting the automated CBC numerical data. Tips will be shared to immediately affect how you interpret the CBC in practice.

Urinalysis is a crucial component of the minimum laboratory database, offering essential diagnostic insights that directly impact patient management. This session will cover both fundamental techniques and advanced interpretations, emphasizing urinalysis within the broader scope of laboratory diagnostics.

Attendees will learn how to maximize the information obtained from urine samples, including proper collection techniques, interpretation of dipstick results, and identification of key pathological changes in urine sediment. Using real-world cases, we will illustrate the role of urinalysis in both routine wellness screenings and complex diagnostic work-ups, highlighting how early detection and proper interpretation of abnormalities can lead to timely and effective medical intervention.

Proper interpretation of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) is essential in the diagnostic work-up of emergency and critical patients. Detecting and trending inflammation provides critical feedback on treatment efficacy and disease progression. Identifying cellular reactivity and atypia offers deeper insights into underlying conditions, guiding the need for additional diagnostics such as advanced lab work and imaging.

Emergency patients often present with non-specific clinical signs, making objective data from lab work essential for accurate diagnoses and targeted treatment. This interactive workshop equips attendees with the skills to perform thorough hematologic assessments using hands-on techniques and case-based discussions.

Led by a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Small Animal Internal Medicine (SAIM), a VTS in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC), and a Board-Certified Clinical Pathologist, this session highlights the critical role of collaborative interpretation in patient management. Attendees will gain practical experience in CBC analysis, recognizing patterns in critical cases, and applying hematology insights to real-world emergency scenarios.

All labs require pre-registration. To register for labs, see Event Registration link below to add a lab to your IVECCS registration.

This workshop will cover considerations in the perianesthesia period including anesthesia machine setup, anesthesia machine troubleshooting, ventilator set up and patient monitoring. There will also be case studies on challenging anesthesia cases.

All labs require pre-registration. To register for labs, see Event Registration link below to add a lab to your IVECCS registration.

Ever wonder if that renal toxicity patient is anuric when it's not possible to pass a urinary catheter, or if that acute abdomen case has free abdominal air? What about generalized ileus in anorexic regurgitating post-operative patient? Ever struggle with determining the cause of dyspnea in the patient that is too unstable to take radiographs (cardiac, respiratory, pleural space)? Should you discontinue IV fluids in patients with mild tachypnea? Why does the stable patient I just anesthetized have a “halo” sign? Have you ever felt frustration at not finding a cause for patients presenting for “ain’t doing right” with no specific clinical signs? Veterinary point of care ultrasound (VPOCUS) can help you manage these patients! Using a binary approach to ask the right question at the right time makes learning and applying POCUS easy! Veterinary POCUS techniques are rapid, easy-to-learn and practical ultrasound skills that ANY practitioner can apply in everyday practice. This interactive, banter filled lecture series, delivered by leading experts from the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Ultrasound (VECCUS) working group will cover the core principles to understand and interpret sonographic findings of the abdomen, pleural space, lung and cardiovascular systems.

All labs require pre-registration. To register for labs, see Event Registration link below to add a lab to your IVECCS registration.

Feline urethral obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and intervention. This hands-on wet lab provides critical training in managing “blocked” cats, focusing on stabilization, catheterization techniques, and complication management. Participants will rotate through four interactive stations, each designed to enhance clinical skills using cadavers and innovative phantom urinary bladder models.

1. Station 1: Emergency Stabilization – Learn to assess and treat hyperkalemia, implement sacrococcygeal epidurals, and tailor sedation protocols.

2. Station 2: Urethral Catheterization – Gain experience placing different catheter types in cadaver models, using ultrasound to confirm placement.

3. Station 3: Managing Complications – Practice diagnosing and addressing catheterization challenges, including urethral trauma and uroabdomen. Attendees will place pigtail urinary catheters using realistic phantom bladder models.

4. Station 4: Hospital Management – Develop post-procedure treatment plans, troubleshoot urinary catheters, and perform ultrasound-guided abdominal drain placement.

This lab is ideal for clinicians, technicians, and students looking to refine their approach to feline urethral obstruction, optimize patient outcomes, and improve confidence in hands-on procedures. Spaces are limited—register early to secure your spot!

All labs require pre-registration. To register for labs, see Event Registration link below to add a lab to your IVECCS registration.

This limited enrollment session will begin with a co-delivered interactive panel-based session on what options exist with difficult IV access in both stable and unstable patients, and will review indications for intraosseous catheter placement, venous cutdowns, central lines and ultrasound guided vascular access/sampling techniques. The interactive session will be followed by a hands-on workshop that demonstrates how to make a "low cost" phantom chicken vascular access model (everyone will make their own model so they can teach others how to perform ultrasound guided vascular access). Using our freshly created vascular access phantom models, participants will be guided through "in" and "out" of plane ultrasound guided vascular access techniques, how to place ultrasound guided central lines, using "in plane" and "out of plane" techniques.  Time permitting, and for those willing to participate, we will also run the 3rd annual ultrasound guided vascular access "Olympics", which will include book prizes for the last three contestants standing!

All labs require pre-registration. To register for labs, see Event Registration link below to add a lab to your IVECCS registration.

Focused echocardiography or focused cardiac ultrasound is an essential diagnostic tool in the assessment and monitoring of sick and injured dogs and cats in the acute care setting. Focused echo can help in the timely diagnosis of pericardial effusion, structural heart diseases and to provide estimates of fluid responsiveness. Importantly, it should be part of a more comprehensive and integrated thoracic ultrasound including interrogation of the pleural space, and lungs in a patient with respiratory clinical signs and undifferentiated hypotension. In this lab, we will maximize hands-on “probe time” practicing acquisition and interpretation of echo images in various patient positions and transducer positions. We will work with the live dogs in sternal/standing and lateral recumbency.