The 2014 University of Florida Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program Conference featured three days of continuing education workshops and presentations, all designed to provide shelter professionals with crucial knowledge across a diverse array of categories. These intensive sessions will help you implement lifesaving practices in your community, learning directly from experts in the shelter medicine field. Explore innovative ideas and discover practical solutions for important issues facing shelters and shelter veterinarians.

Babesia gibsoni

May 2014

Babesia gibsoni is an intracellular parasite of red blood cells. Watch a case study in the diagnosis and management of B. gibsoni in pit bulls rescued from large-scale fighting rings.

Cats and Capacity for Care Part 1

May 2014

What if there was a magic wand we could wave over animal shelters to increase cat adoptions while cutting daily care costs, reducing stress for staff, creating a more welcoming environment for volunteers and visitors, and dramatically improving the health and welfare of shelter cats? It's not quite as easy as a magic wand, but Capacity for Care (C4C) can have these benefits and more.

Cats and Capacity for Care Part 2

May 2014

In part 2 of Cats and Capacity for Care (C4C), the good news is that it can apply to any shelter, small or large, rich or poor, open or limited intake. Attaining Capacity for Care in the shelter frees resources to invest in building C4C in the community as well.

Infectious Diseases in Cat Hoarding

May 2014

Animal hoarders often accumulate animals in over-crowded conditions without adequate nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care. As a result, animals seized from hoarding situations frequently suffer from a variety of medical conditions.

Medical and Behavioral Programs Part 1

May 2014

The medical department's protocols to prevent transmissible disease and injuries may come into direct conflict with the behavior department's protocols to socialize, exercise and train dogs. How do you choose the best approaches to balance medical and behavioral needs? See case studies for merging critical medical and behavioral programs in shelters to increase their life-saving capacity.

Medical and Behavioral Programs Part 2

May 2014

The medical department's protocols to prevent transmissible disease and injuries may come into direct conflict with the behavior department's protocols to socialize, exercise and train dogs. How do you choose the best approaches to balance medical and behavioral needs? See case studies for merging critical medical and behavioral programs in shelters to increase their life-saving capacity.

The Evolution of Adoption Programs Part 1

May 2014

Shelter medicine teams have the opportunity to take the lead in utilizing innovative adoption policies to save more lives. Cutting-edge research reveals that we should focus our efforts on breed-neutral best practices with proven effectiveness to make policy and adoption decisions, rather than relying on breed.

The Evolution of Adoption Programs Part 2

May 2014

Innovations in the way we consider marketing adoptions in shelters mean that everyone has the opportunity to put on their PR hat - including medical team members! Once breed-neutral policies are in place, learn how to implement strategies that decrease barriers to adoption and increase live outcomes.

Treating Heartworm Disease

May 2014

A diagnosis of heartworm infection in shelter dogs at municipal animal control facilities can be devastating, and most animals with this disease are euthanized. Not many animal shelters or rescue groups can afford the expense of heartworm treatment, and if they can, may be unable to hold an animal through the entire treatment protocol.

Vet to Vet Efficacy of FIS

May 2014

Discussion of research on the efficacy of synthetic FIS, or feline interdigital semiochemicals, which may be useful as a preventative measure for inappropriate scratching behavior.

Vet to Vet Ponazuril Protocols

May 2014

Research on the use of ponazuril for the treatment of coccidiosis in cats and dogs.

Vet to Vet Secnidazole

May 2014

The use of Secnidazole to treat cats and dogs with giardia infections.

Vet to Vet Serial FIV Serological Results

May 2014

Research, risk management and modes of transmission regarding cohabitating FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats.