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The cat is a unique solitary predator as well as a prey species and maintains much of its wildness owing to a more recent domestication than dogs. Much of the cat’s behavior in the veterinary setting arises from normal responses to potential threats. By understanding these responses, we can work towards putting our feline patients at ease, creating a positive experience for cat, caregiver, and veterinary team.

Learning objectives

1. Understand and recognize feline emotions and their related behaviors
2. Know how to interact with cats to reduce protective (negative) emotions and promote engaging (positive) emotions in feline patients
3. Create a successful Cat Friendly culture within the practice

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2023.

Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (feline practice)

Dr. St. Denis is a practicing feline specialist, author and international speaker. In her early career she trained in molecular biology and immunology, working in the field of cancer research. She has co-authored a number of practice guidelines including the recent 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Interactions and the 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines. Dr. St. Denis is medical co-editor of the AAFP Feline Practitioner Magazine with Dr. Jessica Quimby and has recently joined Drs. Margie Scherk and Andy Sparkes as a co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Development of a Cat Friendly veterinary environment may sound like a major renovation project, but it is nothing of the kind.  The veterinary environment that we welcome our feline patients into needs to take into consideration the fear and anxiety cats experience when they are removed from their normal home territory to a space that is unfamiliar and filled with potential threats.  Even the smallest changes make a big difference.  You’ll be surprised at just how easy Cat Friendly can be.

Learning objectives

1. Define and understand the domestic cat’s normal emotional responses and how the veterinary environment impacts them.
2. Adapt this understanding to creating a veterinary environment that improves the cat’s experience
3. Create safe spaces that reduce protective (negative) and promote engaging (positive) emotions.

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2023.

Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (feline practice)

Dr. St. Denis is a practicing feline specialist, author and international speaker. In her early career she trained in molecular biology and immunology, working in the field of cancer research. She has co-authored a number of practice guidelines including the recent 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Interactions and the 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines. Dr. St. Denis is medical co-editor of the AAFP Feline Practitioner Magazine with Dr. Jessica Quimby and has recently joined Drs. Margie Scherk and Andy Sparkes as a co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

This session will cover a risk-benefit analysis of compounded medications with information on how to decrease your risk through regulatory compliance, clinical judgement, and sourcing of compounds. At the completion of this session participants will be able to describe the potential risks of utilizing compounded medications as well as the regulations that are in play to decrease these risks. Participants will also learn how employing clinical judgement and critical evaluation of the source of their compounded medications can help decrease the potential risk of these essential medications.

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2024.

Lauren Forsythe, PharmD, DICVP, FSVHP

Dr. Lauren Forsythe is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and the pharmacy service head at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She is also a diplomat of the International College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her veterinary pharmacy residency at Purdue’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Following completion of her residency, Dr. Forsythe spent three years at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical pharmacist before coming to UIUC in 2019.

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This session will explain the new FDA guidance document on compounding from bulk chemicals. To aid in understanding of the clinical impact of GFI #256, this session will summarize the legal history of veterinary compounding, the pros and cons of utilizing bulk chemical and the impact of office use. At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the clinical impact of GFI #256 as well as the risks that are being mitigated by this guidance.

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2024.

Lauren Forsythe, PharmD, DICVP, FSVHP

Dr. Lauren Forsythe is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and the pharmacy service head at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She is also a diplomat of the International College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her veterinary pharmacy residency at Purdue’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Following completion of her residency, Dr. Forsythe spent three years at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a clinical pharmacist before coming to UIUC in 2019.

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Comfort and mobility are common issues that factor into their quality of life for senior pets. Maintaining ideal weight, body condition and muscle condition can optimize mobility issues. Addressing common causes of pain and discomfort plays a large role in maintaining their mobility and quality of life.

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2024.

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC

Dr. Heidi Lobprise received her DVM from Texas A & M University in 1983 and became a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College in 1993. After 20 years of practice, she worked in industry for 11 years, then returned to private specialty practice becoming “semi-retired” in 2021. She is the author/co-author of three dental texts, including the third edition of Five-Minute Veterinary Consult – Clinical Companion Small Animal Dentistry, has written many chapters and articles on dentistry and senior care and has lectured internationally. She helped organize the SPA (Senior Pet Advocates) Initiative. She also serves on the Fear Free Advisory Board and the Grey Muzzle Advisory Board.

As the pet population continues to get more “gray”, with care that can extend the lifespan of our patients, we have to pay closer attention to issues that can arrive with these mature, senior and geriatric pets. Certainly, monitoring these individuals for medical parameters that can indicate a disease state is crucial, as early detection of any problem, from cancer to diabetes, can be helpful to the outcome of treatment.

All CVMA members: $15 | Non-members: $35

This course is available through December 31, 2024.

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC

Dr. Heidi Lobprise received her DVM from Texas A & M University in 1983 and became a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College in 1993. After 20 years of practice, she worked in industry for 11 years, then returned to private specialty practice becoming “semi-retired” in 2021. She is the author/co-author of three dental texts, including the third edition of Five-Minute Veterinary Consult – Clinical Companion Small Animal Dentistry, has written many chapters and articles on dentistry and senior care and has lectured internationally. She helped organize the SPA (Senior Pet Advocates) Initiative. She also serves on the Fear Free Advisory Board and the Grey Muzzle Advisory Board.