Diagnosis & management of the limping dog and cat
October 24–26, 2025
Ross Palmer D.V.M., MS.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Professor of Orthopedics
Colorado State University
Michael Lappin D.V.M., Ph.D.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Colorado State University
Speakers & Topics
There are many conditions that can result in lameness in dogs and cats. Orthopedic, infectious, and immune-mediated causes exist and are all very common. In this lecture series, the perspectives of an orthopedic surgeon and an internist on this common problem will be presented. Drs. Palmer and Lappin shared part of their advanced training time at the University of Georgia in the 1980’s and now have worked together at Colorado State University on clinical service for over 10 years. Their rounds rooms are about 30 feet apart and so they commonly interact on clinical cases. Both speakers have also been in practice and so their approach to clinical medicine and surgery is very practical. Drs. Lappin and Palmer both have easy going styles and are very interactive. The lectures will be presented using a case based format and will include many video clips to emphasize clinical presentations and techniques.
The surgeons perspective:
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Orthopedic screening evaluation – detecting unrecognized ortho diseases
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How to improve your gait evaluation skills
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Art of the Orthopedic Exam
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Science of the Orthopedic Exam
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Clinical Case Discussion – The dreaded duo of OA and Obesity
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Is it shoulder or is it elbow?
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Clinical case challenges
The Internists perspective:
Polymyosititis
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What are the most common infectious causes?
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How do I differentiate infectious and immune mediated causes
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Can I diagnose Toxoplasma and Neospora with antibody titers?
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What are the optimal treatments for protozoal muscle diseases?
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What does of anti-inflammatory drugs should I use for immune mediated disease?
Polyarthritis
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How do I collect joint fluid?
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What tests should be performed on joint fluid?
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Are PCR panels for infectious agents worth the money?
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Does Bartonella really cause polyarthritis
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How can I prove ehrlichiosis, mycoplasmosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, and bartonellosis?
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Do cats get immune mediated polyarthritis?
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What are optimal primary therapies for infectious agents?
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What is the best dose of prednisone?
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In what order should I try “rescue” drugs for refractory immune mediated cases?
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Should I use the Borrelia vaccines?
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Which Borrelia vaccine is best?
Clinical Case Discussions – Surgeon vs. Internist
Schedule
| Registration | Friday Oct. 24, 2025 | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Breakfast | Daily | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Lectures | Friday Oct. 24 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm |
| Saturday Oct. 25 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm | |
| Sunday Oct. 26 | 8:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Accommodations
Stay in paradise at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Discover the emerald green waters and sugar-white sand of the gulf as you enjoy the amenities of this award-winning Destin hotel. Located in the center of the Florida Panhandle, our hotel in Destin, FL features a wealth of resort activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, and watersports. Guests at this Destin resort hotel can stay active or choose a relaxing vacation on the beach.
Unwind in one of the most pristine beach resort hotel destinations in Florida. Stroll along miles of white sand beaches or bathe in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Experience the world-class spa facilities of Serenity by the Sea, or enjoy a swim in one of three hotel swimming pools. Bring your golf clubs; our beach resort also features four championship golf courses.
Price
Group room rates:
Spa/Beachview: $289.00 dbl/night plus taxes & resort fee
Spa Lanai-poolside: $355.00 dbl/night plus taxes & resort fee
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Rates are based on single/double occupancy. There will be a $20.00 charge for each additional adult-subject to change
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Taxes:FL State sales tax: 7%. Walton County occ. tax: 4%- subject to change.
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Resort fee discounted to $25.00 per room per night (from $40.00)-
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Daily Secured Self-Parking
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Guest Access to Resort Wi-Fi
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Local and 800 Calls
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24-hour access to Resort Fitness Center
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Daily Yoga Classes at Serenity by the sea Spa
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Access to Sandestin Resort Activities (water vessel rentals, tennis, golf green fees and bicycle rentals)
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Children under age twelve (12) receive complimentary breakfast in Sandcastles Restaurant with paid adult
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Resort Tram Service
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Shuttle Service to Silver Sands Premium Outlets and The Shops of Grand Boulevard
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Exclusive shopping discount program for Silver Sands Premium Outlets and Grand Boulevard that is provided only for Hilton guests in the resort charge program
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Board and beach games upon availability
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- Valet parking – extra charge. $30.00 per night.
In order to confirm individual reservations, a first night’s room deposit will be taken at least 30 days prior to your arrival. Full refund of an individual room deposit will be forfeited unless cancellation is received 14 days prior to arrival. You will be charged for your entire stay if you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled arrival or are a no-show or depart early.
Things To Do
Area Attractions
Area golf
Serenity Spa
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-
Early Bird: $1095.00
Advanced: $1115.00
Regular: $1135.00
Special Pricing:
Veterinary technicians are welcome- there is an $80 seminar registration discount
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
In order to confirm individual reservations, a first night’s room deposit will be taken at least 30 days prior to your arrival. Full refund of an individual room deposit will be forfeited unless cancellation is received 14 days prior to arrival. You will be charged for your entire stay if you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled arrival or are a no-show or depart early.
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.
The speakers were excellent, as were the accommodations. I love coming to IVS Seminars.”
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!”
The trip was just perfect! My husband and I loved every minute.”
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.”
I enjoyed the seminar. IVS [is] still the best CE in my opinion. Great venue also.”
Thank you for putting on a fantastic program in Cabo!”
Thank you. I always enjoy the CE experience IVS provides.”
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.