Getting to the heart of the problem: Current trends and recommendations on canine heartworm disease
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Heartworm is the most important parasite of dogs in the United States. This presentation will review the parasite’s life cycle and the pathology associated with infection. Trends in heartworm distribution will be examined. Recommendations for accurate diagnostics will be discussed. The role of owner compliance on heartworm prevention will be examined, considering the emergence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones. In addition, advice on best practices for treatment of infection will be provided.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Review the heartworm life cycle in the dog and trends of heartworm distribution in the United States
- Understand the manifestations of pathology in heartworm-infected dogs
- Assess when and why to test/retest canine patients and how immune complexes may affect heartworm test results
- Examine the complexity of heartworm preventive lack-of-efficacy reports and macrocyclic lactone resistance, and importance of owner compliance.
- Develop best practices and protocols for treating heartworm infections and discover how to create an effective treatment plan.
Guilherme G Verocai, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)
Dr. Gui Verocai is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology of Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (TAMU CVM). At the TAMU CVM, Dr. Verocai directs the Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory, teaches veterinary curriculum, and performs research. Dr. Verocai is a member of the Academic Advisory board of the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology, and an active member of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitology and the American Heartworm Society.
Dr. Verocai is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he completed his veterinary education (2005) and a master’s degree in Veterinary Parasitology (2008). He received a PhD in Parasitology from the University of Calgary, Canada (2015), and is board-certified in Parasitology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (2014). Before joining the TAMU CVM, he was on faculty at the University of Georgia.
Dr. Verocai has over 20 years of experience in research, diagnostics, and teaching Veterinary Parasitology. His research focuses on advancing diagnostics of vector-borne and zoonotic helminths, including those infecting companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Moderator: Gayle Millard, DVM
Dr. Millard graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. She practiced in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Tennessee for 20 years before joining Merial in 2005. She founded and owned a practice for 7 years, and worked as an associate in emergency, small animal, mixed animal, rural and urban practices.
She joined Merial as a Technical Services Veterinarian serving the Delta District (Arkansas, parts of Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Oklahoma) 2005-2007.
She transferred to San Antonio, TX as a Senior Professional Services Veterinarian in 2007, and currently serves the Heart of Texas District (Central, West and South Texas, plus Southern New Mexico) for BI. She has spoken and conducted workshops nationally and internationally on osteoarthritis, pain management, heartworm disease, flea and tick biology, vaccinology, exam room communication, and practice management.
Married to Bob Lord. One son - Jeremy, 25. One Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Annabel.
Professional Interests – Veterinary Practice Management, specifically the application of Communication and Coaching in Veterinary Medicine. Her passion is helping practicing veterinarians and their team members become better at what they do.
This program has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.
This activity is funded by Boehringer Ingelheim.
