Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Disease:

A Case-Based Discussion

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Please RSVP by July 31st

**Our sponsor pays per RSVP. If your plans change, please be sure to update your RSVP accordingly so our sponsor will not be charged unnecessarily. If you need assistance prior to the meeting, please contact Teri Fisher at teri.fisher@vca.com

Neurologic signs are not always caused by primary neurologic disease. Many systemic disorders can present with weakness, gait abnormalities, seizures, collapse, or other neurologic deficits, often creating diagnostic challenges and delaying recognition of the primary underlying condition. This case-based lecture will review several systemic diseases in cats and dogs that commonly manifest with neurologic signs. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing characteristic clinical presentations, understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking systemic disease to neurologic dysfunction, and identifying key diagnostic and treatment strategies. Attendees will gain practical tools for incorporating systemic differentials into their neurologic evaluations, improving diagnostic efficiency, facilitating earlier intervention, and optimizing patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize common neurologic presentations of selected systemic diseases in dogs and cats.
• Understand the underlying mechanisms by which systemic disorders produce neurologic dysfunction.
• Develop practical diagnostic approaches for differentiating primary neurologic disease from systemic disease with secondary neurologic manifestations.
• Review current treatment strategies and prognostic considerations for the systemic diseases discussed.

Speaker: Dr. Erica Burkland, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Bio: Dr. Erica Burkland, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) is a board-certified veterinary neurologist based in Los Angeles. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She then completed a rotating internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, a neurology internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, and a residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at Mississippi State University. Although Dr. Burkland enjoys all aspects of neurology, her primary interest lies in neurosurgery, and she is proficient in a wide variety of spinal and intracranial surgical procedures. Dr. Burkland earned her ACVIM Neurosurgery Certificate of Training in 2022. Dr. Burkland has contributed to published research on discospondylitis, CNS blastomycosis, and epilepsy and lectures internationally.

Sponsors:

A Practical Approach to Diseases of the Nasal Cavity

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This session provides a practical overview of recognizing, diagnosing, and managing common nasal diseases in dogs and cats through clinical signs, diagnostic strategies, and real-world case discussions.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key clinical signs associated with nasal disease in dogs and cats
• Differentiate between common nasal conditions in small animal practice
• Develop a systematic diagnostic approach to nasal disease
• Review current treatment options and management strategies
• Apply clinical knowledge through case-based discussions

Speaker: Todd Green, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)

Bio: Dr. Todd Green DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science at the University of California, Davis in 1995. Following graduation, he worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician for five years prior to attending veterinary school. Dr. Green then relocated to the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts, where he attended Ross University, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003. Following graduation, he went on to complete a one-year small animal rotating internship in medicine and surgery at The Ohio State University. Dr. Green continued his pursuit of advanced veterinary training at The Ohio State University by completing a three-year residency and master’s degree in small animal internal medicine in 2007. Dr. Green is board certified in small animal internal medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Since completing his residency, Dr. Green has practiced in multiple veterinary specialty hospitals in Georgia, Washington, North Carolina, and Southern California. Dr. Green returned to the Caribbean in 2010 to pursue his passion for teaching veterinary medicine joining the faculty at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grand Cayman. He continued in Grenada, spending four years as a faculty member at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. He has also been a visiting faculty member (locum tenens) at The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He continues to teach as a Clinical (Adjunct) Professor for Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, as a visiting professor at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, and as an instructor for the Viticus Academy Flexible and Rigid Endoscopy course.

Dr. Green enjoys all aspects of internal medicine, with interests in respiratory disease, urology, gastroenterology, and interventional radiology / interventional endoscopy. He always aims to educate his clients, so they can help make the best informed decisions about the care and treatment of their dogs and cats.

During his career, Dr. Green has authored several scientific papers and contributed to textbook chapters in the field of veterinary internal medicine. As an educator for many years, Dr. Green has a passion for teaching veterinary internal medicine to students, interns/residents and veterinarians to maintain the highest level of patient care.

Dr. Green shares his home with his wife (veterinary anesthesiologist), two children, and their Miniature Schnauzer, Biscuit. He enjoys spending time with friends, stand up paddle boarding, exercise, concerts, playing guitar, eating great sushi, travel, camping, and sharing these experiences with his family.

Kidney Health Is Total Health

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Attendees will understand the answers to these questions:

• What is the function of kidneys?
• How do we assess kidney health?
• What is kidney disease?
• How has our understanding of kidney health evolved?

Speaker: Joy Bunkley, BS, DVM

Bio: Dr. Bunkley was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After high school she left home to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. She ventured to the Southeast for her studies to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal and Poultry Science and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University. After Veterinary school she decided to stay in the south and moved to Duluth, Georgia. There she practiced Small Animal Medicine as an associate doctor for 2 years and later became a Chief of Staff at a Small Animal Practice. After over 5 years in GA she decided to move back home to Los Angeles and continued her work as a small animal GP veterinarian. Dr. Bunkley then ventured into shelter medicine at a local shelter in Los Angeles. There she practiced for 2 years before moving to the prestigious company IDEXX as a Professional Services Veterinarian for the Los Angeles region.

During her free time she still finds joy practicing as a relief doctor around the Los Angeles area. Overall, she has a strong track record of leadership, medical and surgical expertise, and financial acumen. Currently, Dr. Bunkley resides in Long Beach, CA. She is a proud pet parent to Duke, a 5 yr old lovable Rottweiler. In her spare time, Dr. Bunkley enjoys going to the beach, traveling, listening
to live music, and reading.

Sponsor:

The Great Pet Food Label Mystery

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Learning Objectives:

• Describe the regulatory requirements governing commercial pet food labels.
• Describe the required components of a pet food label.
• Differentiate between regulated labeling terminology and common marketing claims.
• Develop effective communication strategies to educate clients on interpreting pet food labels.

Speaker: Dr. Jose De Jesus Ruiz Romero, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)

Sponsor:

  The Wonderful World of Hemp Cannabinoids in Small Animal Practice

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Please Note: There is a new location for Chapter Meetings:

Mimi’s Cafe Tustin

17231 17th Street

Tustin, 92780

This will be the location for future meetings unless otherwise noted.

This session will discuss what veterinarians should be looking for when recommending CBD- rich hemp-based products. The focus will be on the information that the veterinarian should be looking for on a certificate of analysis (COA) of marketed products. Discussion around the cannabinoid analysis when companies do third party testing, as well as microbiologics, mycotoxins, solvent residues, heavy metals, pesticides and terpenes will be covered. More importantly, understanding if companies have validated the utility of the product through pharmacokinetic testing in the species intended, as well as safety data with a deeper examination of current safety data around long-term supplementation.

As there is increasing evidence on the efficacy of CBD rich hemp products on a variety of conditions these studies will be examined surrounding the growing evidence for chronic osteoarthritis pain, with further foray into acute surgical pain studies. Further evidence-based medicine will be examined around the growing number of trials surrounding seizures with a focus not only on efficacy, but potential drug interactions.

Lastly, evidence around pruritic diseases and the immune system will be examined particularly around the atopic dermatitis, and cannabinoids as potential immune system regulators.

Speaker: Dr Robert Menardi, DVM

Bio: Bob Menardi DVM, is Senior Director of Veterinary Education with ElleVet Sciences. He leads the company’s comprehensive veterinary technical education and outreach programs, and serves as the subject matter expert for members of the veterinary profession. Dr. Menardi has worked in the veterinary medical cannabinoid arena since 2019, with key roles in education, commercialization, and research and development. He frequently consults with clinical and academic veterinarians on the applications of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Menardi worked in private clinical practice for 12 years after graduating from Colorado State University in 1990 with his DVM degree. Prior to joining ElleVet, Dr. Menardi served in multiple leadership roles in the animal health industry. Since 2002, his areas of responsibility have included technical marketing, field veterinary services, veterinary operations and professional development, biologics marketing, and pharmacovigilance. Most recently prior to ElleVet, he served as Chief Veterinary Officer for Exubrion Therapeutics.

Sponsor:

The Complete Plan for the Periodontal Patient: COHAT

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Performing a complete oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT) entails much more than removing plaque and calculus from the teeth. A thorough dental prophylaxis consists of educating the client, an oral examination, charting disease process, pathology and anomalies, radiographs, both supra and subgingival plaque and calculus removal, hand scaling, polishing, irrigation and home care instructions.

Location:

Zoom- Online and Interactive

Speaker: Mary L. Berg, BS, RVT, LATG, VTS (Dentistry)

Bio: Mary received her VTS (Dentistry) in 2006, recertifying in 2025. Her background includes veterinary dental research, practice management, and work as a dental technician in general practice. She’s currently an adjunct at two veterinary technology programs and the president and founder of Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education, teaching dentistry to veterinary teams using practical, easy-to-master methods. Mary was named the VMX Speaker of the Year in 2024, the NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year in 2020, won AVDT’s Excellence in Dentistry Education in 2019, and was named a Fellow in Veterinary Education in 2025. Mary is a textbook author, speaker, and wet lab instructor at numerous state and national conferences. She lives on a small farm near Lawrence, KS, with her husband, two cats, a terrier named Gypsy, and a few goats.