TOXICOLOGY SYMPOSIUM 2026 ( On Demand)

Course overview

PROGRAM TITLE: Old Dogs, New Tricks: How Do New Toxin Treatments Measure Up? By Dr Karla Smith DVM LECTURE ABSTRACT: The lecture will discuss when newer therapies such as intralipids or cholestyramine are indicated for the treatment of toxicity and when established therapies are completely appropriate. Recent journal articles will be discussed, along with firsthand experience from ASPCA Poison Control. We will also touch on why some new therapies that sound exciting may not be useful in the real world. PROGRAM TITLE: Species Sensitivities in the Toxin Realm by Dr Laura Stern DVM DABVT LECTURE ABSTRACT: We all know that cats are not small dogs, but why? This lecture will explore species differences between cats and dogs and how that affects their sensitivity to certain toxins. We will take a deep dive into the fascinating physiology that provides our least favorite complications when treating toxicities in our favorite companion animal species. Highlights include: ABCB1-1D genetic mutations, feline erythrocyte sensitivity to oxidative damage, feline specific metabolism defects, and dog and cat specific toxins. PROGRAM TITLE: Toxic Top 10: What Australian Pets Are Really Getting Into by Pooja Mehta Lecture Abstract: What toxins are Australian veterinarians really encountering in practice? Based on five years of data from the Australian Animal Poisons Centre, Pooja Mehta reveals the most common toxin exposures reported across Australia and New Zealand - and what the AAPC team recommends for managing these cases. LECTURE 4: PROGRAM TITLE: Spectrum of Care: Appropriate Management of Toxicology Cases on a Budget by Dr Catherine Dzienisiewski VMD, MLAS, DABT Lecture Abstract: The spectrum of care in the management of toxicities refers to the range of strategies used to recognize, assess, prevent, and treat adverse effects of toxicities. The primary goal is to ensure patient safety while maintaining treatment efficacy. It is important to establish key goals for veterinary care, emphasizing the importance of communication, evidence-based medicine, and client-centered decision-making in the treatment of toxicities.LECTURE 5: PROGRAM TITLE: Managing Rural and Agricultural Poisons in Practice by Pooja Mehta Lecture abstract: Rural and agricultural environments pose unique and serious toxicological challenges for veterinary teams - from accidental exposures to deliberate baits like 1080 and PAPP, to high-stakes chemicals such as paraquat. In this practical and clinically focused session, Pooja Mehta explores how to identify and manage these high-risk toxicities using a toxidrome-based approach and the RRSI (Risk-Resuscitation-Support-Investigation) framework, adapted specifically for animals. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of how to rapidly assess and respond to common rural poisons - even when diagnostics are limited and the clock is ticking. Perfect for clinicians in mixed or regional practice, this lecture combines real-world case insights with structured clinical strategy to help you act quickly and confidently when rural poisonings strike.