Upcoming Managing common medical problems in practice today

Scottsdale, AZ

  |   February 20th - 22nd, 2026

Overview  |  Accommodations  |  Register
Register Now

Ellen Behrend V.M.D., Ph.D.

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Joezy Griffin Professor emerita
Department of Clinical Sciences
Auburn University

Gary Oswald D.V.M.

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Tampa Bay Veterinary Consultants
Oldsmar, FL

 

This combination of two internationally recognized Internists will provide you with a practical approach to the management of many common medical problems that you encounter in your daily practice. You are sure to come away with some very helpful tips!

Seminar Schedule:

Registration: Friday Feb. 20, 2026 7:15 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast: Daily 7:15 am – 8:00 am
Lectures: Friday, Feb. 20
Saturday, Feb. 21
Sunday, Feb. 22
8:00 am – 1:30 pm
8:00 am – 1:30 pm
8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Seminar Topics:

 

Endocrine

  • Feline diabetes: what are SGLT2 inhibitors and how to use them

  • Diabetes mellitus: management issues

  • Diagnosing canine hyperadrenocorticism: a case-based approach

  • Feline hyperthyroidism: finding it and helping your patients live longer

  • Canine hypoadrenocorticism: unmasking and treating the great pretender

Cardiac disease  

  • Updates on the “The Big Three that You See” : Canine Mitral Valve Disease, Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Feline Cardiomyopathy.

  • Heart murmurs – when are they helpful and when can they mislead ? 

  • How can I use radiography, cardiac biomarkers and focused echocardiography in my patients ?

  • This asymptomatic dog has a murmur. How should I approach this case and is it time to start treatment ? 

  • Treatment considerations in canine mitral valve disease vs dilated cardiomyopathy. 

  • What is the best approach for treating subclinical cardiomyopathy and CHF cats? 

  • What are the preferred thromboprophylaxis treatments in feline cardiomyopathy patients ?

  • What is the role of diet in subclinical heart disease and CHF ?

  • When to initiate and how to dose pimobendan in dogs and cats.

  • Appropriate use of angiotensin and aldosterone – ACE-inhibitors or Aldosterone antagonists in heart disease. 

  • Loop diuretic therapy in CHF – furosemide of torsemide? 

  • What role does spironolactone play in CHF patients?

  • Use of Viagra (sildenafil) in canine heart disease. 

Chronic Kidney Disease 

  • Has creatinine, SDMA, FGF-23, proteinuria, Cystatin B or AI become the preferred test for CKD? 

  • Should quantitative urine protein values be routinely determined when annually screening geriatric patients?

  • When should renal biopsy and/or SDS-Page be considered?

  • Should immunosuppressive therapy be considered in CKD ?

  • Is blood pressure determination really that important in renal patients? 

  • Which antihypertensive treatment is preferred in CKD – amlodipine, ACE-Is or ARBs?  

  • When should a therapeutic renal diet be started in CKD patients? 

  • This dog/cat doesn’t like oral phosphorus binders. How important is this drug? 

  • Is it just an “Ohio State thing” or are vitamin D, calcium and PTH important in CKD? 

  • Appropriate use of erythropoeitin analogs in anemic CKD patients. 

  • Appropriate use of fluid therapy and appetite stimulants in hyporexic CKD patients. 

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Seminar Speakers

  • Ellen Behrend V.M.D. Ph.D. Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor emerita Department of Clinical Sciences Auburn University
  • Gary Oswald D.V.M. Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Tampa Bay Veterinary Consultants Oldsmar, FL

CE Hours

This program has been submitted for 16 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions, which recognize AAVSB’s RACE approval; however, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and /or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call IVS at 800-487-5650 for further information.

IVS complies with the following guidelines:

  • Speakers are recognized specialists
  • Mandatory recorded attendance
  • Submission of attendance to AAVSB RACEtrack program
  • Complete seminar notes

 

Accommodations

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa

Visit Website

New venue in 2026- The Scottsdale Resort & Spa.

Master the art of escaping in plain sight. Located within McCormick Ranch, one of the most celebrated communities in Scottsdale, our resort is a short distance from the town’s attractions but miles from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. Our services and amenities — such as Luna Spa, La Fogata and other fantastic dining outlets, and lovely pools — make this a true resort setting where even locals can get away to indulge in a bit of leisure among manicured walking paths that lead to delightful discoveries.

Group  room rate: $379.00 dbl per night plus taxes & fees.

Additional Fees (subject to change without notice):

  • State and local taxes are currently 14.02%
  • Porterage: $8.00 per room one time charge- round trip
  • Housekeeping: $2.00 per room per day
  • Overnight self parking discounted to $15.00
  • Resort fee: Usually $40.00- but for IVS it is $10.00 per room, per night, plus tax.

Daily Resort Charge includes: Internet access; bicycle rental; use of putting & chipping areas at Golf Club; lawn games; fitness classes; Social Boardroom access including games & entertainment; 15% off dinner at La Fogata restaurant; 10% off select spa services.

The hotel rates above are based on single or double occupancy.  For additional adults (anyone over the age of 18yrs) staying in the room, with a max of 4 people per room, there is an additional fee per additional person. 

Cancellations:

To avoid a one night’s room and tax charge, reservations must be canceled at least thirty (30) days prior to scheduled arrival. You will also be charged for your complete stay if you cancel within 7 days of scheduled arrival or if you are a no-show or depart early.

Book Accommodations Register Now

Area Attractions

Visit Old Town Scottsdale

 

Relax at the Spa

 

Take a hike

 

 

Getting There

PHX- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is only approximately 15 miles from the Resort.  Either rent a car or grab a taxi or ride sharing company to the resort.

Self parking at the resort is discounted to $15.00 for guests

For attendees driving in for the meeting- up to 6 hours is $10.00 and 6 to 12 hours is $15.00

Registration Fees:

Early Bird:  $1175.00

Register by:  December 19, 2025

Advanced:  $1195.00

Register by:  January 16, 2026

Regular:  $1215.00

Register after:  January 16, 2026

Special Pricing:

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

Registration Includes:

  • 16 CE hours
  • complete seminar notes
  • submission of attendance to AAVSB RACEtrack program
  • breakfast and breaks daily

Seminar Registration:

Details Price Qty
Early Bird $1,175.00 USD  
Advanced $1,195.00 USD   Goes On Sale
December 19, 2025
Regular $1,215.00 USD   Goes On Sale
January 16, 2026

Add to Calendar

  • Scottsdale, AZ
     February 20, 2026 - February 22, 2026
     12:15 am - 5:00 pm

Register online

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

Questions?  

For regular seminars: ivseminars@yahoo.com

Passport Information

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.

Accommodation Registration

Please note:  

  • For Scottsdale, the easiest way to reserve your hotel room is to book online thru this link:

  • Booking Link: click here- coming soon

  • Please DO NOT use the form below.  If you are having trouble booking your room thru the above link, please call our IVS Office at (800) IVS-5650.

Please only use the hotel request form below, if you are having problems with reserving your room thru the online hotel registration link and are not able to contact our office at 800-487-5650. This form is sent to our office and it will take up to 1 week for our office to receive confirmation from the hotel and then send out a confirmation to you.

Hotel Request Form:* Required Fields

Please note: At this time, we are not able to accept credit card details online. As all hotels require a valid credit card to guarantee your room, after submitting the hotel request form, please call our office at 1 (800) 487-5650 to provide the card number.

Questions?

Please call the IVS travel group at 1 (800) 487-5650 for assistance.

Passport Information

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.