Topic: "Lymph node staging for the canine cancer patient"
Presenter: Dr. Monique Mayer, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2022

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About the seminar

This presentation will cover regional lymph node staging of the canine cancer patient:

• how to identify the lymph node groups draining a solid tumour
• sampling techniques based on location
• patterns of lymphatic drainage
• biological behavior of common tumours with respect to lymph node metastasis

About our speaker

Dr. Monique Mayer (DVM, MSc, DACVR–Radiation Oncology) is a graduate of the WCVM. After spending several years in companion animal practice, Dr. Mayer completed a radiation and medical oncology internship at a private referral centre in southern California. That experience led to a two-year radiation oncology residency at Colorado State University (CSU). In 2004, Mayer completed her Master of Radiological Health degree at CSU and became a board-certified radiation oncologist. Dr. Mayer leads the WCVM's radiation oncology program. The program includes radiation therapy services as well as teaching for undergraduate and graduate students. It also involves collaborative research with other WCVM scientists and with human medicine researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine, at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and at other oncology centres in North America. 

Topic: "A review of abnormal sperm morphology in the bull"
Presenter: Dr. Colin Palmer, associate professor of theriogenolgy, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About the seminar

This seminar will cover the process of cell differentiation from spermatogonia to spermatozoa and will also cover sperm maturation processes that occur during epididymal transit. The causes of abnormal sperm morphology will be presented including how and when abnormal forms will appear in the spermiogram. Included will be several good quality photomicrographs of the most common sperm defects seen in domestic animals. Some of the more difficult to identify morphology forms will be shown as well as minor, but acceptable, sperm aberrations and artifact. The speaker will provide tips for identifying defects and will provide information on how each of the defects affect fertility. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions of the speaker as this will enhance the learning opportunity for everyone.

About our speaker 

Dr. Colin Palmer is an associate professor of theriogenology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). He is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists with three decades of experience as a clinical veterinarian and teacher. He has also served on several committees at the WCVM including the admissions committee, and very recently, he was the associate director at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE). Dr. Palmer has enjoyed giving back to the veterinary profession and has served as president of the Society for Theriogenology and the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association and is currently serving on the Theriogenology Foundation. Dr. Palmer has modified and adapted the theriogenology curriculum and developed several new courses and clinical rotations for DVM students to enhance both the level of competence and students’ confidence in their theriogenology knowledge and skills. Research and clinical interests include bull fertility, estrus synchronization and bovine uterine health. He is passionate about theriogenology and sharing his knowledge. Dr. Palmer has authored over 100 articles including peer-reviewed papers, abstracts, book chapters, published conference proceedings and articles in non-refereed journals. He has presented over 60 seminars at conferences and extension events. 

Topic: “Veterinary management of bacterial brood disease in honey bees”
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Wood, USask Pollinator Health Research Chair, Department of Veterinary Pathology, WCVM
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About the seminar

Dr. Wood will cover the clinical signs, pathogenesis, treatment and control of the two bacterial brood diseases of honey bees: American foulbrood and European foulbrood.

About our speaker

Dr. Sarah Wood (MSc, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP) holds the position of USask Pollinator Health Research Chair at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). She is also an associate professor in the WCVM's Department of Veterinary Pathology and board certified with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Wood is a USask alumna who earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and PhD degrees from the WCVM, and who has worked on research related to pollinator health since 2015. Wood's research interests include infectious diseases of honey bees, pesticide risk assessment for pollinators, quantifying pollinator contributions to agricultural productivity, and developing honey bees as experimental models for human and animal disease. 

Topic: “Equine parasitology: anthelmintic control strategies for horses"
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Butler, assistant professor, large animal medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About the seminar

Equine parasite control recommendations are continually evolving as anthelmintic resistance escalates globally. Parasite control practices should be aimed at preventing disease while slowing impending anthelmintic resistance and maximizing refugia. There is no longer a “one size fits all strategy” with regards to an appropriate anthelmintic treatment plan. Therefore, it is important that veterinarians are up to date on the latest recommendations so they can provide the best treatment options for their patients.

The fecal egg count (FEC) and fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) are important diagnostic tools used in an integrated parasite control plan, but there is ongoing confusion surrounding how often these tests should be performed and what do the results mean.

In this session, you will learn when to perform these tests, how to interpret the results, and how to use these results to implement an appropriate parasite control plan.

Learning objectives

• Understand when a FEC should be performed and what to do with the results
• Understand some different treatment protocols depending on age and egg shedding status
• Understand how to conduct anthelmintic efficacy testing on a farm and its limitations

About our speaker

Dr. Amanda Butler (DVM, MVSc, DACVIM--LA) grew up in Victoria, B.C. She started riding horses at a young age and loves all things related to them. Dr. Butler received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island. She then completed a one-year rotating equine internship in Montana, followed by a three-year large animal internal medicine residency program. She successfully became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DACVIM-LA). During her residency, Amanda also graduated with a Master of Veterinary Science (MVSc) degree. Beyond veterinary medicine, Amanda enjoys gardening, reading and hiking with her two dogs, Molly and Finn. 

Topic: “Identifying chronic pain in companion animals”
Presenter: Dr. Karen Machin, resident of clinical behaviour and assoicate professor, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, WCVM
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About the seminar

Pain is an aversive sensory and emotional experience which elicits protective motor actions, results in learned avoidance and may modify species specific traits of behaviour including sleep patterns, cognition, affective states, and social behaviour.

Veterinarians are adept at recognizing acute pain states, but chronic pain is frequently overlooked. At least 70 per cent of the behaviour cases seen at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre have a pain component. In stressful situations, companion animals mask pain and do not display obvious signs of discomfort during routine veterinary visits.

This webinar will present the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain, behavioural outcomes, tips on diagnosing chronic pain not evident on physical exam, and case examples.

About our speaker

Dr. Karen Machin, an associate professor in the WCVM Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, is completing a residency in animal behaviour with Dr. Sagi Denenberg, a board-certified behaviour specialist in Thornhill, Ont. Dr. Machin also provides animal behavioural services at the WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC). 

Topic: Small animal dentistry
Presenter: Dr. Candace Lowe, assistant professor of veterinary dentistry, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. CST
Date: Wednesday, March 29

Once you register for this session, the WCVM will forward the Zoom meeting link. 

About our speaker

Dr. Candace Lowe (DVM, MSc, DAVDC) received her veterinary degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 2005. Following graduation, she worked as a clinical associate in radiation oncology at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre. In 2008, Dr. Lowe began a combined residency in veterinary dentistry and Master of Science degree program, which she successfully completed in July 2011. She joined the WCVM's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences as an assistant professor in September 2011 and now operates the veterinary dentistry clinical service at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre. Dr. Lowe is board certified with the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC).