OvaCyte Pet

 Hey everyone, welcome to Products360. Doctor Adam Christman here, chief editor officer at DVM 360. We're live here at Fetch, Kansas City. We want to thank our friends at Indical for supporting this great conversation. And joining me is…

 I'm Dr. Marthaler, Director of Science and Technology with Indical. I'm an infectious disease specialist.

 Excellent. Thank you for being here. So, we are bringing AI to the veterinary space. Tell us a little bit about what that looks like.

: We're harnessing the power of AI technology and we're being able to look at the morphology of eggs through a microscope. And we're using the AI in the cloud to call those eggs and identify those eggs.

 OK. And what types of parasites are we looking for?

: We're looking for all common parasites in cats and dogs. And then we also have a system available for large animals. So that would be ovine, bovine, and equine.

 OK. And we have the machine here. We have OvaCyte here so tell us about it. 

 The OvaCyte system is very small. The sample prep is relatively simple and easy to use.

 It looks like an espresso machine, right? 

 That's what I tell a lot of my colleagues when I'm out in the clinics. This is like a little espresso machine, except for we're looking at feces.

 But, all in a good way because space is a commodity in vet med and this does not take up a lot of counter space, which is fantastic. So, tell us a little bit how it works.

 So, it's got a very simple sample prep. What we're going to do is we're going to grab the feces. Put it into the tube. We’re going to aspirate up our float solution. Drop it in, dislodge the feces. Break it up. Just take it out. And then we’re going to go ahead and put it back in this cassette. We're going to fill the cassette. It's a little ring that goes around the sides and then we just drop it on the device, and we hit start.

 And as a technician or veterinarian—from start to finish, how much time is involved with this?

 Yeah. So, the hands-on time is about 60 seconds to do that prep, to grab that feces, put it in the tube, and drop it on the instrument. It's about 60 seconds. And then the run time is less than 20 minutes. So that again is just completely walk away, you drop, walk away and never have to come back until you're ready to run that next sample. And you can have that one ready sitting while that one is running.

 So, I'm thinking about workflow utilization, technicians, we're always so busy. I'm imagining by the time they run that sample, I go into the exam room, I do the physical exam, we'll have the results.

 Exactly, exactly. The great thing, too, is once the technician or the doctor has dropped the cassette on the analyzer, they don't have to come back. Those results are gonna kick back up in the cloud. And then they can just go to the front desk and grab them and bring them back to the office while the patient is in the room.

 I think of the new puppy exam, the kitten exams, and sometimes on Fridays they don't get the results back till Monday. We worry about zoonotic diseases and we're treating right then and there.

 That's right. We don't have to blanket treat. We can test before we treat and get those results before they walk out that door. It saves time for the patient too because they don't have to come back and actually get those meds.

 Yeah. Yes. Right, absolutely. What if I'm off for some reason and I want to check the stool sample. Is it cloud based? Am I able to do that?

 You mean you don't just work in the lab or in the clinic every day? You know, you're not at home checking emails? Yeah, I know. That's a great question. It's a cloud-based system. All those results are on the cloud. So even though they're on the analyzer, those images are on the cloud so you can pull it up on your phone, your tablet, or even your computer when you're out and about. 

 I know we talked a lot about access to care and this is accessible. It could be a one doctor practice. It could be a large doctor practice, right?

 That's exactly right. You know, when we're designing this system, we wanted to make sure it was accessible to any science clinic. So that's why we made the small footprint because we know spaces. You know some veterinarians have mentioned, “can I put this in my exam room and actually run it right there and do that educational piece as well with the patient?”

 And I also think of it's a great opportunity for lunch and learns for your staff to learn about this, how AI technology is rapidly evolving and helping as a tool to effectively diagnose and manage our patient care with greater outcomes. I know we previously mentioned sensitivity. So, walk me through about what makes this so sensitive in parasite detection.

 When we designed the system, we were really worried about having false negatives. We know that there are a lot of methods out there that do generate false results. So, you're missing that positive that could lead to the zoonosis between patient and your family. We are sensitive compared to the other reference methods and we do that with three different ways. So, we have a closed system. All your eggs are in the system and get transferred to the cassette. So higher recovery than what is traditionally done. The second is that we do an agitation motion on the device. It’s all those eggs are floating to the top, debris settling to the bottom. And then the third is with the AI technology. We can train that AI that technology to have better discrimination than what a human eye can do. And then also we have those trained parasitologists behind the scenes looking and verifying as well.

 Excellent, excellent. So how many are in the pack?

 Yeah, that's a great question. Forty come in a kit and what comes in that pack is you get 40 of these sample preps and this I forgot to say is one and done. Once you use it, throw it away, never have to come back to it. You'll have your cassette here as well that you fill in and that again is one and done. Throw it away. Then it comes with that float solution and then it also comes with those scans. So, you're not just paying for the sample prep, you're also paying for that scan. So being able to get those results and everything as well.

 OK. Excellent. And I just love that we're finally getting AI technology in the veterinary space and it's constantly evolving, which is cool, I think. 

 Exactly, exactly. This system continually will evolve as you are evolving with your clinic. We can add new parasites onto the system relatively easy. We're always updating, always trying to push the envelope. We're always trying to do better in diagnostics. That's our goal as a company.

 I always think as a veterinarian, every pet deserves a stool sample. We always say even if they have diarrhea, something so simple, let's just rule out the basic intestinal parasites. And of course, for their wellness. But it's nice to have this machine where it doesn't take long to get those results. And you can kind of mark that off your differential diagnosis list. 

 Yeah, so, Indical is a diagnostic company. We've been around for 30 years. We have really good reputation in the large animal space. So, we've been supporting those veterinary diagnostic labs all around the US and globally, I should say. And then we have point of need systems including Rapids and the OvaCyte device for small animals.

 Yeah, you can learn more at Indical. So just Google us and you’ll find us right away on your first hit.

 Thank you so much for joining us and thank you for tuning in here at Products360. And we'll see you next time. 

Articles

How Ovacyte Pet is putting time back in the hands of veterinary staff with fully automated, digital sample analysis.  

AI-Powered fecal analysis for parasites

Moira being returned to the ocean (Image courtesy of SeaWorld/ 

Activities conducted under the Stranding Agreement between NMFS and SeaWorld California under the Authority of the MMPA)

SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), and Turtles Fly too joined forces to help transfer Moira, a rescued loggerhead sea turtle. Moira was found and rescued on February 4, 2024, with cold stunned in British Columbia, and was brought to San Diego where she was returned to the wild.

When Moira was originally rescued, she was severely hypothermic with a core temperature of only 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit when she was admitted with the VAMMR team.

 For turtles, cold-stunning is when they become very weak and inactive due to exposure to cold temperatures usually below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They tend to become lethargic and are eventually unable to continue swimming, resulting in them floating to the surface where winds and/or tides could wash them ashore. If not treated or temperatures remain low, they can develop secondary health issues or even die.

The team estimated Moira’s age to be somewhere between 15-20 years old. According to the organizational release, at the time she was rescued, Moira was the second loggerhead sea turtle sighting in British Columbia. With the permission of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, local marine biologist Anna Hall, BSc, MSc, PhD, was first to respond for the rescue.

"This has been a remarkable story for Moira. I am very proud of the vital role that VAMMR and Vancouver Aquarium staff have played in getting her ready to be released by SeaWorld and Turtles Fly Too," said VAMMR executive director Martin Haulena, DVM, MSc, Dipl. ACZM.

Moira was transferred to SeaWorld San Diego where she was assessed by its veterinary and rescue teams on her readiness to return to the wild. They stated she had adjusted nicely to her new environment, was swimming beautifully in larger, deeper pools, and her diving abilities during evaluation combined with her healthy blood sample showed he team she was ready.

When transferring a single sea turtle multiple organizations are needed due to the importance of returning loggerheads to the wild not that they were given endangered status of loggerhead turtles in the North Pacific.

 Females are particularly important because they are essential to the reproductive capacity of the species, playing a crucial role in the species survival and the health of the broader marine ecosystem.

"Moira's journey showcases the collaborative efforts of our rescue team at SeaWorld, alongside partners from the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society and Turtles Fly Too," said Jeni Smith, curator of rescue at SeaWorld San Diego.

"This case stands out for its multi-agency approach, with US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and international customs all playing crucial roles in ensuring her safe transfer. Preparing for her return to the wild is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in her rescue, rehabilitation and return."

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Released Off San Diego Coast Following Months of Rehabilitation. News release. SeaWorld. October 24, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loggerhead-sea-turtle-released-off-san-diego-coast-following-months-of-rehabilitation-302286546.html

Cold-Stunning and Sea Turtles – Frequently Asked Questions | NOAA Fisheries. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/cold-stunning-and-sea-turtles-frequently-asked-questions

The female turtle was rescued in February 2024 after found suffering from cold stunned in British Columbia 

Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ocean following months of rehabilitation

Otitis externa is a common issue in dogs, often causing significant discomfort, pain, and distress. While it’s troublesome for canine patients, it can also be quite stressful for their owners who seek swift solutions. In a recent study—presented by Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, at the 10th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology—a comparative analysis was performed between a hydrocortisone aceponate, miconazole nitrate, gentamicin sulfate otic suspension (EASOTIC®, Virbac) and a leading brand.

 This study aimed to evaluate not just the long-term efficacy of the treatments, but also their ability to provide early relief—something that pet owners highly prioritize. The findings offer valuable insights when determining the best course of treatment for dogs suffering from this uncomfortable condition.

Traditionally, clinical studies assessing the effectiveness of otitis externa treatments have focused on results after several weeks of treatment. However, this particular study took a different approach by examining the relief provided at earlier intervals—specifically on days 0, 2, 7, and 28 of treatment. The goal was to determine which product offered faster relief for common symptoms like ear discharge, stenosis, and odor, which are key indicators of inflammation and infection.

Both products contained a combination of antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agents, which are essential in combating the infection and inflammation associated with otitis externa. However, the focus of the study was to see which product delivered faster results in the critical early stages of treatment.

The study involved 86 dogs diagnosed with acute otitis externa, non-parasitic, with an OTIS-3 score ≥ 5 and with cytological evidence of the presence of bacteria and/or yeast were included. These dogs were evaluated by veterinarians on several parameters, including the reduction of symptoms like ear discharge, stenosis, and odor. By day 28, both EASOTIC and the leading brand demonstrated high levels of efficacy, but the major difference came in the earlier stages of treatment. According to the results:

By day 2, EASOTIC had already significantly reduced discharge, stenosis, and odor compared to the leading brand. 

By day 7, dogs treated with EASOTIC showed a greater overall improvement, with veterinarians reporting excellent responses to treatment in 49% of the cases, compared to 29% for CLARO®.

The improvement in symptoms such as ear odor and dirtiness was also more pronounced in the EASOTIC group by day 7.

One of the key factors contributing to the faster relief provided by EASOTIC may be its anti-inflammatory component, hydrocortisone aceponate. This unique ingredient is known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce swelling and irritation more rapidly than some other treatments. In contrast, the leading product contains mometasone furoate, another effective anti-inflammatory, but the study’s results suggest that hydrocortisone aceponate may provide quicker symptom relief in the early stages. Inflammation is one of the primary drivers of discomfort in otitis externa, and reducing it as swiftly as possible is beneficial for improving the dog’s well-being.

These early results show EASOTIC may provide faster relief than a leading brand in the early stages of treatment for canine otitis externa. Veterinarians may consider these findings when recommending treatment options, especially in cases where quick symptom relief is a priority for both the dog and its owner.

Von Simson C, Poincelot L, Jasmin P, et al. Comparison of the efficacy of a gentamicin, miconazole and hydrocortisone aceponate formulation and a florfenicol, terbinafine and mometasone furoate formulation in the treatment of canine otitis externa with a focus on onset of action. Paper presented at: 10th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology; July 25-29, 2024; Boston, MA. Session P-36.

Recent study results presented at WCVD10 show promise for fast relief of canine otitis externa symptoms

Early efficacy matters for canine otitis externa

Editor’s note: All names and businesses in this dilemma case are fictitious, but the scenario is based on real occurrences.

Hess Veterinary and Urgent Care Center (HVUC) was a busy practice with 44 veterinary and professional support team members. It is not unusual for clinics this size to have significant challenges beyond patient medical care. For example, human resource issues; client interactive stresses; and, recently, several “difficult clients” caused some disruption among the staff and several behind-the-scenes discussions. Every practice has its challenging clients—something veterinarians sign up for when dealing with pets with critical issues. The HVUC hospital manager felt that the recent client discussions were becoming a distraction and that the situation warranted a staff meeting.

The hospital administrator, a veterinarian with 43 years of clinical experience, coupled his experience with some research to try to assist his staff. A staff meeting in the form of a lunch and learn was simply titled The Difficult Client. The staff generally felt that the difficult client was confrontational, did not want to listen to staff, and was dismissive. The administrator began by saying that such clients enter the clinic stressed and anxious, triggered by their pet’s medical issues. Clients who are anxious and stressed can behave very differently from other clients. When assisting these clients, staff should understand they should not take the clients’ actions personally, and it is always best for the clinician to put on their “professional hat.” Do not escalate the situation or engage in confrontational behavior, and always respond professionally.

It is vital that the client knows you are listening to what they have to say. Stating that you are there to help and then asking for their input empowers them. One reason for the client’s stress and anxiety is that they feel powerless, often because they have no idea why their pet is ill or how to help their pet. At this moment, the veterinarian is the only person with this information. Add to this a white coat and a hospital setting, and anxious clients are often intimidated.

For the veterinarian to be less intimidating and the client more receptive to hearing and complying with a diagnosis, the initial encounter should be an icebreaker. The goal is for the pet owner to see the doctor as a member of their community who knows more about pet care than they do and is interested and willing to help. You can accomplish this by greeting and complimenting the pet before engaging the owner. You might tell the owner, “I’m glad we could get together today.” Asking them what they think is the cause of the pet’s problem immediately invites them to be part of the treatment team.

Finally, addressing the elephant in the room in a professional manner is a must. Many challenging client encounters are due to financial restraints and the cost of care. These alone can cause stress, anxiety, anger, and guilt. When significant fees are involved, you should discuss this sooner rather than later with the client. Ideally, the client would have this discussion with a staff member they have worked with before. Directing them to account management is often necessary but not recommended.

Some veterinarians and technical staff members objected to the administrator suggesting they should have to discuss finances with clients. As one veterinarian said, “This is not part of my job description.” However, it is part of any compassionate clinician’s job description. Relieving anxiety and assisting the patient and owner is always the primary directive. Employing some of the administrator’s suggestions will convert many demanding clients to helpful assistants in the care of their pets.

In this day and age of larger practices and corporate-owned facilities, the division of labor within clinics is more strictly defined. Specific staff are assigned to billing, international travel requirement details, and follow-up care and assessment under a veterinarian’s supervision. This setup may be more efficient. Nevertheless, the veterinarian should participate to a greater or lesser degree in every component of the client-practice relationship. This is the essence of the practice’s image and reputation in the community.

How can veterinary teams handle those “difficult clients” when they enter the veterinary clinic?

Difficult clients

Diastema Between Two Cheek Teeth With Food Accumulation.

Equine dental disorders are common, and horses may present with a variety of clinical signs that do not always correlate to the severity of the disease. Clinical signs observed with dental disease include weight loss, quidding, slow eating, nasal discharge, headshaking, and poor performance or difficulty with the bite.

Diastema After Flushing With Periodontal unit.

Often the veterinarian notices dental abnormalities during routine dental maintenance evaluation, warranting a thorough examination. A dental exam should be performed in adequately restrained horses with the help of standard equipment, including a mouth speculum, a head torch or other light source, an oral irrigator, dental probes and picks, lingual and buccal retractors, an intraoral mirror, and ideally an oral endoscope. Additional diagnostic imaging such as upper airway endoscopy, radiographs, or CT may be required in certain cases. Disease of the upper last 4 maxillary cheek teeth may be associated with sinus disease; therefore, further diagnostics may be helpful in establishing an adequate treatment plan.

Midline Sagittal Fracture of Maxillary Cheek Tooth.

. Maxillary CT Infundibular Cemental Caries.

Diastemata is an interdental space between 2 adjacent cheek teeth and can be present in up to 4% of horses. Caudal mandibular cheek teeth are most involved, particularly the interdental (interproximal) spaces between molars 09s and 10s and between 10s and 11s. The presence of space between the teeth usually leads to the accumulation of food material and the development of periodontal disease (

). In advanced cases, this can lead to alveolar bone resorption or the formation of an oronasal fistula. Periodontal disease is a painful condition, and quidding is a common associated clinical sign.

Debridement of Caris Using High-Speed Dental Drill/Burr.

For valve diastemata (where the space is narrower occlusally), one treatment option is to widen the space with a burr to allow for better evacuation of the trapped food material, and this has proved successful in selected cases. Other treatment options for diastemata include flushing the space using a periodontal unit (

) and packing the space with dental fillers. In more severe cases, exodontia of one of the teeth may be needed.

Flushing of Cavity Preparation and Application of Bonding Product. Disinfectant solutions are flushed into the cavity preparation and a layer of a single step-etch bonding product is applied to the walls of the cavity.

Cavity Filled With Dual-Cured Flowable Resin Composite.

Fractures can be traumatic in origin, such as following a kick or a collision, or idiopathic. Although mandibular cheek teeth are more commonly involved in traumatic fractures, maxillary cheek teeth, especially the 09s, are frequently found to have idiopathic fractures. Lateral slab fractures through the 2 lateral (buccal) pulp cavities and midline sagittal fractures through both infundibula (

), believed to be predisposed by infundibular cemental hypoplasia (caries), are common fracture configurations for cheek teeth.

 Some uncomplicated crown fractures may not have pulpar involvement, but some more complicated fractures will. These can develop apical infection and, in some cases, secondary sinusitis, depending on the teeth involved. CT can help in determining the extent of the apical and sinus involvement and, therefore, putting in place a comprehensive treatment plan.

Radiographs identifying marked bulbous and heterogeneous remodelling of the roots of all maxillary incisors, and moderate widening of the periapical and periodontal space surrounding these abnormal roots. This horse also presented an acute, open, and completely displaced simple transverse fracture of the left rostral quarter of the incisive bone.

The main treatment for a fractured tooth associated with periapical infection is extraction. This is typically performed orally but, in more complicated cases, can necessitate a minimally invasive buccotomy, where an incision is made through the mucosa for the insertion of specialized equipment to elevate and extract the affected tooth. Oral extraction involves elevating the mucosa surrounding the affected tooth, spreading the affected tooth from each adjacent tooth, and breaking the periodontal ligament using traction and a molar extractor.

The most common type of dental caries (occlusal exposure of developmental infundibular hypocementosis) identified in equine teeth is maxillary CT infundibular cemental caries (

). If left untreated, this can progress to septic pulpitis or pathological fracture.

 In most cases, treatment consists of debridement and filling with dental material to prevent further evolution of the tooth decay. To summarize, necrotic, impacted food material must be removed from the infundibulum using dental picks and a high-speed dental drill or burr (

). The infundibular cavity is then flushed, and disinfectant solutions such as dilute sodium hypochlorite or chlorhexidine are flushed into the cavity preparation (

). A layer of a single step-etch bonding product is applied to the cavity walls, and the cavity is filled with a dual-cured flowable resin composite.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis

This condition primarily affects the intra-alveolar aspect of the teeth, most commonly incisors and canines, although cheek teeth can also be affected. Odontoclastic cells have been found to cause resorptive lesions extending into the cementum, enamel, dentin, and even the pulp, causing a marked loss of normal architecture in some teeth.

 This painful condition can present with absent to variable clinical signs, including masticatory problems. The veterinarian often makes the diagnosis by oral examination and radiographs (

) or advanced imaging. Findings upon oral examination include gingivitis, fistula formation, gingival recession, deposition of calculus, and swelling or abnormal tooth mobility. Tooth resorption and bulbous enlargement are frequent features on radiographic examination. Currently, surgical extraction of the affected teeth is the treatment option of choice. Supportive therapy with systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and local mouthwash has been shown to provide only short-term relief of symptoms at best.

Various pathologies can affect dentition in horses. Most conditions have variable clinical signs, hence the importance of a regular, thorough oral examination in horses, particularly older horses.

Dixon PM, Dacre I. A review of equine dental disorders. 

. 2005;169(2):165-187. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022

Dixon PM, Tremaine WH, Pickles K, et al. Equine dental disease: part 3: a long-term study of 400 cases: disorders of wear, traumatic damage and idiopathic fractures, tumours and miscellaneous disorders of the cheek teeth. 

. 2000;32(1):9-18. doi:10.2746/042516400777612099

Brigham EJ, Duncanson GR. An equine postmortem dental study: 50 cases. 

. 2000;12(2):59-62. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3292.2000.tb01765.x

Collins NM, Dixon PM. Diagnosis and management of equine diastemata. 

. 2005;4(2):148-154. doi:10.1053/j.ctep.2005.04.006

Dixon PM, Barakzai S, Collins N, Yates J. Treatment of equine cheek teeth by mechanical widening of diastemata in 60 horses (2000-2006). 

. 2008;40(1):22-28. doi:10.2746/042516407X239827

Dacre I, Kempson SA, Dixon PM. Equine idiopathic cheek teeth fractures: part 1: pathological studies on 35 fractured cheek teeth. 

. 2007;39(4):310-318. doi:10.2746/042516407x182721

Taylor L, Dixon PM. Equine idiopathic cheek teeth fractures: part 2: a practice-based survey of 147 affected horses in Britain and Ireland. 

. 2007;39(4):322-326. doi:10.2746/042516407x182802

Dixon PM, Barakzai S, Collins NM, Yates J. Equine idiopathic cheek teeth fractures: part 3: a hospital-based survey of 68 referred horses (1999-2005). 

. 2007;39(4):327-332. doi:10.2746/042516407x182983

Simhofer H, Griss R, Zetner K. The use of oral endoscopy for detection of cheek teeth abnormalities in 300 horses. 

. 2008;178(3):396-404. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.029

Earley ET. Principles of restorative dentistry: cavity preparation and restoration of the anterior dentition. In: Easley J, Dixon P, du Toit N, eds. 

Equine Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery

. Cambridge Scholars Publishing; 2022:694-711.

Pearce C, Horbal A. Infundibular restorations. In: Easley J, Dixon P, du Toit N, eds. 

. Cambridge Scholars Publishing; 2022:668-693.

Pearce CJ. The equine infundibulum and infundibular disease: background, review, and techniques. 

. 2015;20(1):46-51. doi:10.12968/live.2015.20.1.46

Moore NT, Schroeder W, Staszyk C. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis affecting all cheek teeth in two horses: clinical and histopathological findings. 

. 2016;28(3):123-130. doi:10.1111/eve.12387

Smedley RC, Earley ET, Galloway SS, Baratt RM, Rawlinson JE. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: histopathologic features. 

 2015;52(5):903-909. doi:10.1177/0300985815588608

Staszyk C, Bienert A, Kreutzer R, Wohlsein P, Simhofer H. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis. 

. 2008;178(3):372-379. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.017

Regular oral examinations for horses can reveal variable clinical signs of conditions



An overview of common equine dental diseases

Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA; Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ; and Lucy Sumners, RVT, VTS(ECC); recently spoke with 

editors about different aspects of cardiology conditions, sharing insights on management for patients with heart disease. Watch the following 3 videos to gain more knowledge on specific areas of cardiology:

Handling heart murmurs during physical exams

Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA, discussed with attendees at the 2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City, Missouri, how to manage cardiac patients that were under anesthesia, and what veterinary professionals should do if they hear a heart murmur. In this interview, Bini explains the steps that veterinary professionals should take if they hear a heart murmur during their patients' physical exam, and what teams can do if certain equipment is not available to them when dealing with a patient like this.

Caring for patients with cardiac conditions

Lucy Sumners, RVT, VTS(ECC) presented several education sessions on cardiology at the 2024 Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas. In an interview with 

, she discussed these lectures and shared her goal for them. The topics include electrocardiograms (ECG) interpretation and common abnormalities in cardiology, tachyarrhythmia and Bradyarrhythmia, and cardiac emergencies with triage and veterinary technician care.

Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, provides an overview of the 4 current classifications of heart disease in an interview with 

. These classifications categorize stages and severity of cardiovascular disease, using the case of a Maine coon cat as an example. Byers presented a session about the stages of heart disease at the 2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City.

In these videos, heart disease experts share insights about different aspects of cardiac care.