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Aruba

Feline medicine update

December 10–13, 2026


Susan Little D.V.M.

Dipl. American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Feline Practice)
Bytown Cat Hospital
Ottawa, ON
Canada

Michael Lappin D.V.M., Ph.D.

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Colorado State University

 

 

Drs. Michael Lappin and Susan Little are two of the well-known feline interested veterinarians in North America. Dr. Little is board certified in feline medicine by the ABVP and owns two feline only practices in Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Lappin in an internal medicine specialist has been involved with feline clinical research ever since reporting the Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG tests in 1989. His research group at Colorado State University completes approximately 15 feline clinical research projects per year. Dr. Little and Lappin have lectured together multiple times and most recently spoke to packed houses at both NAVC and WVC.


Speakers & Topics

Dr. Little:

  • Cracking cases of GI lymphoma in cats

  • Unraveling feline retroviruses: things you might not know about FeLV/FIV testing

  • Surviving acute respiratory distress in cats

  • FIP: is it finally a treatable disease?

  • A Revolution in Feline Diabetes Mellitus Care! Novel Drugs and New Recommendations

Dr. Lappin: 

  • New tips for managing stress associated feline interstitial cystitis

  • Management of flea associated diseases

  • Management of tick associated diseases

  • Management of acute infectious upper respiratory diseases

  • Management of chronic infectious upper respiratory disease

  • Update on infectious causes of cough in cats.

  • Cracking cases of GI lymphoma in cats
  • Unraveling feline retroviruses: things you might not know about FeLV/FIV testing
  • Surviving acute respiratory distress in cats
  • FIP: is it finally a treatable disease?
  • A Revolution in Feline Diabetes Mellitus Care! Novel Drugs and New Recommendations

  • New tips for managing stress associated feline interstitial cystitis
  • Management of flea associated diseases
  • Management of tick associated diseases
  • Management of acute infectious upper respiratory diseases
  • Management of chronic infectious upper respiratory disease
  • Update on infectious causes of cough in cats.

Schedule

Wednesday Dec. 9, 2026 Travel day
Thursday Dec. 10, 2026 Registration 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Seminars 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Friday Dec. 11 Breakfast 7:30 am – 8:00 am
Seminars 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday Dec. 12 Seminars 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 13 Breakfast 7:30 am – 8:00 am
Seminars 8:00 am – 11:30 am

Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Resort, Spa and Casino- Aruba

Hyatt Regency Resort, Spa and Casino- Aruba

Price

 Group Run of house garden and resort view room rate:

  • $409.00 sgl or dbl/night + resort charge & tax (total for both is currently 27.5%)

Group run of house resort/partial ocean view room rate:

  • $469.00 sgl or dbl/night + resort charge & tax (total for both is currently 27.5%)
  • There is also a government environmental fee of $3.50 per room per night
  • Rates above are based on single or double occupancy. The rate will be increased by $45.00 per person, per night for additional persons age 18yrs. and older in guest rooms or suites, limit 4 persons per room.

  • Please note that the service charge does not include mandatory bellman and daily housekeeping charges:  The bellman gratuity is $10.75 per person including children, round trip and maid gratuity is $7.53 per room per night- these will be charged to your account. (tax included)

Terms

A deposit of 1 nights stay will be charged prior to your arrival.

Cancellations:

You will be charged for the complete scheduled stay if you cancel after November 8, 2026. No penalty if you cancel prior to this date.

You are also responsible for the complete scheduled stay if you check out of the hotel prior to your scheduled date- without having notified the hotel at check-in of your change in departure.

Please call our travel group at Cruises Etc. @ 1-800-487-5650 to arrange accommodations at the group rate.


Room Description

Let the hypnotic sounds of the ocean gently lull you to sleep each evening in the luxurious comfort of our Aruba accommodations. These spacious 380-sq.-ft. rooms offer a private step-out balcony, perfect for enjoying views of the ocean, three-level pool, lagoon and tropical gardens. Complementing the view is the delightful decor, with sophisticated yet warm colors of the Caribbean creating a serene setting for your visit. Awaken each day refreshed from an exceptional rest in our signature Hyatt Grand Beds, fitted with luxurious linens, fluffy down pillows and a colorful throw over a pillow-top mattress. All King rooms include a shower while the Queen/Queen guestrooms include a bathtub. Enjoy the deluxe amenities in our air-conditioned, beachfront Aruba lodging including:

  • refreshing ceiling fan
  • Portico bath products
  • iHome clock/radio
  • coffeemaker
  • minibar
  • 32″ LCD TV
  • high-speed Internet access
  • daily newspaper

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino

Experience the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, where luxurious pampering and exquisite touches enhance every moment of your visit. Breathe in fresh tropical breezes bringing the captivating scents of our island retreat into each corner of our impeccably renewed Aruba hotel and resort. Delight in the beauty of our new design, from intimate gathering spaces to elegantly modern guestrooms. Discover inner peace as you relax on our silky white sand beach, or as you give in to the nourishing treatments in our serene spa. Revive your sense of adventure with sailing, diving or tempting Lady Luck in the casino of our Palm Beach, Aruba hotel. Select our luxury hotel in Aruba, and transform your island escape from expected to distinctly remarkable.

Why choose the Hyatt Resort?

  • Relaxing tropical resort
  • Off-peak rates
  • Beautiful beach
  • Relax by the pool
  • Easy drive to the town center
  • All watersports available
  • Learn to dive
  • Great snorkeling
  • Try your luck at the Casino
  • Learn to wind surf or kite surf at a world renowned Vela windsurfing school

Things To Do

Area Attractions

Discover an island that energizes the senses. Where untamed desert beauty bounds a turquoise ocean. An isle of ancient caves, coral reefs, legendary lagoons, open-air markets and colorful boutiques. An exotic invitation to snorkel, scuba dive, parasail, windsurf. Play a round of golf, horseback ride, or fish the depths of blue-green sea. Relax, Daydream, Bask, Swim, Dine, Play at the casino. Indulge in the beachfront luxury of the Aruba Hyatt Resort and Casino.

The island of Aruba is part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, and lies approximately 29km (18 miles) off the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela. One of the Lesser Antilles islands, Aruba is about 30 km (19 miles) long and about 8 km (5 miles) wide with an area of 193 sq km (75 sq miles). The island’s population is about 89,000. Aruba has highest standard of living in the West Indies. In just a few short years, Aruba has become one of the most popular vacation spots in the Caribbean, with visitor figures approaching a million annually. Aruba’s diverse cultural heritage makes it a fascinating place to visit and explore. The island was originally inhabited by a tribe of Arawak Indians who migrated here from Venezuela. Many sites on Aruba still bear the original Indian names, and many of today’s Arubans still reflect the faces of their native ancestors. Spanish explorers arrived in Aruba in the 15th century and eventually colonized the island. But in 1636 the Dutch took over, and Aruba has remained Dutch ever since.

Aruba lies below the Hurricane Belt and December is late in the season, so expect wonderful weather!

Outdoor Activities

In the Air

It is not surprising that many of Aruba’s popular pastimes involve its blue waters and beautiful beaches. The most famous is wind surfing and kite sailing, thanks to the consistent 20-knot trade winds. Equipment rentals and instructors are available. Give it a try!

In the Water

Less than a mile offshore, the sea abounds with sailfish, wahoo, yellow and black tuna and marlin. Sport-fishing trips are widely available for full or half days. The German freighter Antilia, scuttled at the start of WWII off the northwest coast, is a favorite destination of scuba divers. Shallow, gentle waters at Druif and Arashi Beaches, where you can see a reef of elkhorn on the sandy bottom, are a big draw for snorkelers. Or you may like a cruise on a glass bottom boat or catamaran which combines picnic and sightseeing.

On the Land

Be sure to explore Aruba by land, too. The countryside, is dotted with windswept divi-divi trees, cactus and pastel-colored houses. One of the island’s most famous landmarks is Hooiberg, or Haystack Hill, a volcanic formation over 541 feet high. Climb its steps for a view of Venezuela on a clear day! The huge rocks at Ayo and Casibari have remnants of Amerindian drawings and afford another chance for the energetic climber.

Birdwatching

Bubali Pond on the west coast is a bird sanctuary which attracts a great variety of birds – pelicans, cormorants, wood storks and long-legged egrets among them.

Horseback Riding

You can go horseback riding on highly trained paso fino horses from South America.

Golfing

Golf lovers can play at the Aruba Golf Club near San Nicolas and at the new Tierra del Sol course in Arashi in the northwest tip of the island, Aruba’s first world class golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II. 18 hole par 71 course.

Casino Hopping

Aruba has over six Vegas style casinos for nighttime entertainment as well as superb restaurants, shows and world class shopping with many bargains to be had in European porcelain, jewelry, perfumes, and clothing.


Need To Know

Registration

Online registration is easy and fast. But please confirm your hotel reservations prior to completing your registration or booking flights. Many Hotels are selling out many months ahead of our seminars. If you need to book a hotel room, click the link to the online hotel registration page.  If none is available for your selected seminar, please fill out our hotel request form or contact our office at 800-487-5650.  Please note that hotel rooms are not confirmed until you receive confirmation from the hotel (if you booked online thru our group link) or from our office for hotels that do not offer the online link.

IVS is now required by AAVSB RACE to upload your completed attendance into their “RACEtrack” system. Your state of license and your license number are required for all seminars starting in January 2022. More information is available at https://www.aavsb.org/ce-services/racetrack

Early Bird:  $1235.00

 Register by:  October 9, 2026

Advanced:  $1255.00

Register by:  November 13, 2026

Regular:  $1275.00

Register after:  November 13, 2026

Special Pricing:

Veterinary Technicians receive an $80 discount using promo code “techsaver”. Enter the code during checkout in the  submit promotion code box.

For International Travel

Passport requirements for international travel

Please note that all passengers traveling by air to or from the United States will be required to hold a valid passport. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

When planning international travel, please be sure that you are in possession of all required documents for both outbound and return flights. Remember to allow ample time for acquiring official travel documents.

For complete information on the U.S. Department of State’s New Travel Initiative Requirements, please visit travel.state.gov.

Pricing

You will be charged for the complete scheduled stay if you cancel after November 8, 2026. No penalty if you cancel prior to this date.

You are also responsible for the complete scheduled stay if you check out of the hotel prior to your scheduled date- without having notified the hotel at check-in of your change in departure.

Please call our travel group at Cruises Etc. @ 1-800-487-5650 with any questions.

Global Vet Community Meets CE Experiences

IVS trips are designed to meet your CE requirements while offering a break from traditional, conference-style learning. With focused half-day sessions, small-group learning, and destinations worth the journey, IVS creates close-knit communities where education feels both engaging and rewarding.

Earn Your CE Credits

IVS makes it easy — and worth the trip — to keep your CE hours current. Each trip includes 12–18 CE credit hours, along with access to a dedicated portal where certificates and trip details are easy to find when you need them.

Explore the World

Choose from 50+ destinations worldwide, including classic travel locations and Bio Bio adventure trips. No matter the setting, IVS seminars are structured to support focused learning in an environment that feels immersive — not overwhelming.

Connect With Your Community

IVS brings together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and leading specialists in intentionally small groups. Designed for shared experience and meaningful discussion, these seminars foster professional connections that last well beyond your trip.

Get More from Every Trip

With points earned for every trip you attend, bonuses for referring friends, and a convenient user portal for tracking and seminar details, IVS makes earning your CE credits even more rewarding.

Postcards from Our Trips

From close to home to destinations abroad, hear what veterinary professionals are saying about their IVS experience.

Cecile Shafer, DVM
Monterey, CA

The speakers were excellent, as were the accommodations. I love coming to IVS Seminars.”

Cecile Shafer, DVM

Redwood Veterinary Hospital, Visalia, CA

Shira Anchill, DVM
Santa Fe, NM

I enjoyed this conference VERY much! The speakers were engaging and superb. I had a surgery day this past Tuesday and have implemented several of their pearls of knowledge!”

Shira Anchill, DVM

Union Lake Veterinary Hospital, Waterford Township, MI

Patti Klein, DVM
Galápagos Islands

The trip was just perfect! My husband and I loved every minute.”

Patti Klein, DVM

Pet Care In Motion, Woodstock, IL

Katharyn Kryda, DVM
Savannah, GA

Thank you for a great conference! This was my first IVS experience, and it was great. … I’m hoping to arrange a trip for my vet school friends (11 of us total) in the future.”

Katharyn Kryda, DVM

District Locum, Washington DC

Mike Dixon, DVM
Key West, FL

I enjoyed the seminar. IVS [is] still the best CE in my opinion. Great venue also.”

Mike Dixon, DVM

Flint Veterinary Clinic, Tyler, TX

Ed Fallin, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Thank you for putting on a fantastic program in Cabo!”

Ed Fallin, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine)

Veterinary Referral & Critical Care, Manakin-Sabot, VA

Carmen Lindheimer, MS, DVM
Lake Tahoe

Thank you. I always enjoy the CE experience IVS provides.”

Carmen Lindheimer, MS, DVM

MedVet, Asheville, NC

Good to Know Before You Go

Registration is simple. Browse upcoming seminars using the search on our homepage, then click through to the seminar page and complete registration online. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete, and a separate email confirming your payment. Please keep both for your records. You can also call our office at 1-800-487-5650 to register by phone.

IVS holds group space at each seminar venue and handles hotel bookings on your behalf. You can book accommodations at the same time as your seminar registration or separately — whichever you prefer.

On your selected seminar’s page, click the Accommodations tab and scroll down to the Book Accommodations button. Please note: if you need a room outside the standard seminar dates, availability will need to be confirmed with the hotel. Hotel bookings made through our site are not automatic and require some processing time. Once confirmed, you will receive a hotel confirmation letter from IVS by email. All hotels require a credit card to guarantee your booking, and cut-off dates apply — early registration is always advised. Our team is available at 1-800-487-5650, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm PST.

10% of the registration fee is non-refundable. If you cancel more than 30 days before the seminar start date, you may choose a refund of the remaining 90% or a Future Transfer Credit (FTC). If you cancel within 30 days, only a Future Transfer Credit is issued. The FTC can be applied to any future IVS seminar within 2 years of your cancellation date; it is forfeited if not used within that window. To cancel, you must contact our office and receive email confirmation of your cancellation before the seminar begins. Cancellations requested after the seminar has started, or without email confirmation on file, will forfeit the full registration fee. Please also note that cancellations will remove any Loyalty Program points earned from that registration.

IVS specializes in small group seminars — usually fewer than 80 people per seminar. Most veterinarians appreciate the smaller setting, as it allows for more interaction with speakers and other participants and gives everyone a chance to get their questions answered.

International Veterinary Seminars is an AAVSB RACE-approved provider of CE, which is accepted by all state boards throughout the US and Canada. We are provider #13 and are also an approved provider in New York State. Please contact your state board or our office with any questions. For more information, visit the AAVSB RACE program website.

Where will your learning take you?

Discover a different way to earn your veterinary CE. Explore upcoming trips to find an IVS seminar set in a destination you’ll want to stay awhile.