Managing common medical problems in practice today
February 20–22, 2026
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!
Speakers & Topics
Endocrine
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Feline diabetes: what are SGLT2 inhibitors and how to use them
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Diabetes mellitus: management issues
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Diagnosing canine hyperadrenocorticism: a case-based approach
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Feline hyperthyroidism: finding it and helping your patients live longer
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Canine hypoadrenocorticism: unmasking and treating the great pretender
Cardiac disease
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Updates on the “The Big Three that You See” : Canine Mitral Valve Disease, Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Feline Cardiomyopathy.
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Heart murmurs – when are they helpful and when can they mislead ?
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How can I use radiography, cardiac biomarkers and focused echocardiography in my patients ?
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This asymptomatic dog has a murmur. How should I approach this case and is it time to start treatment ?
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Treatment considerations in canine mitral valve disease vs dilated cardiomyopathy.
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What is the best approach for treating subclinical cardiomyopathy and CHF cats?
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What are the preferred thromboprophylaxis treatments in feline cardiomyopathy patients ?
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What is the role of diet in subclinical heart disease and CHF ?
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When to initiate and how to dose pimobendan in dogs and cats.
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Appropriate use of angiotensin and aldosterone – ACE-inhibitors or Aldosterone antagonists in heart disease.
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Loop diuretic therapy in CHF – furosemide of torsemide?
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What role does spironolactone play in CHF patients?
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Use of Viagra (sildenafil) in canine heart disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease
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Has creatinine, SDMA, FGF-23, proteinuria, Cystatin B or AI become the preferred test for CKD?
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Should quantitative urine protein values be routinely determined when annually screening geriatric patients?
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When should renal biopsy and/or SDS-Page be considered?
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Should immunosuppressive therapy be considered in CKD ?
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Is blood pressure determination really that important in renal patients?
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Which antihypertensive treatment is preferred in CKD – amlodipine, ACE-Is or ARBs?
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When should a therapeutic renal diet be started in CKD patients?
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This dog/cat doesn’t like oral phosphorus binders. How important is this drug?
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Is it just an “Ohio State thing” or are vitamin D, calcium and PTH important in CKD?
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Appropriate use of erythropoeitin analogs in anemic CKD patients.
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Appropriate use of fluid therapy and appetite stimulants in hyporexic CKD patients.
Schedule
| Registration | Friday Feb. 20, 2026 | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Breakfast | Daily | 7:15 am – 8:00 am |
| Lectures | Friday, Feb. 20 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm | |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | 8:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Accommodations
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.
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.
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.
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: $1175.00
Advanced: $1195.00
Regular: $1215.00
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
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.
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.