Welcome to CVMA’s new member platform! When logging in, you will need to change your password by clicking “Forgot Password” and following the prompts in the email you receive. If you do not have an email in our system, you will need to create a new account. Click here for a how-to guide to use the new platform. Please note that CVMA staff will be available to assist you Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Dr. Mollie Mesman, DVM, DACVD is the dermatology consultant for all 900+ Mission Pet Health practices, trains residents through Animal Dermatology Group, and lectures extensively across the country. She earned her DVM degree from Louisiana State University, and completed her internship at Auburn University and dermatology residency with the Animal Dermatology Clinic in Marina del Rey, California. Dr. Mesman loves all things skin and ear and is especially passionate about teaching primary veterinarians the art of practicing dermatology.
Otitis that Won’t Quit: How to Stop the Cycle of Relapse
Otitis externa is one of the most common and frustrating conditions in veterinary practice—but with the right approach, it’s manageable. This practical, step-by-step lecture will guide you through accurate diagnosis, effective treatment strategies, and smart prevention for long-term control. From mastering the otic exam to selecting the right topical or systemic therapy, we’ll cover what works, when to culture, and how to keep ears from relapsing, leading to chronic changes. You’ll gain actionable tools to tackle ear disease with confidence and improve outcomes for both pets and their people.
Staph Happens: Surviving Superficial Pyoderma in General Practice
In this clinically focused session, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist will walk primary practitioners through a practical, step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing canine superficial pyoderma. Learn how to recognize key lesions—papules, pustules, collarettes—and distinguish them from look-alike dermatoses. We’ll cover in-clinic diagnostics like cytology, when to dig deeper, and how to choose between topical and systemic therapies. You’ll also gain essential guidance on managing methicillin-resistant infections, interpreting culture results, and applying antimicrobial stewardship in daily practice. This session delivers actionable, evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes, enhance client compliance, and reduce recurrence—tools you can use immediately.
Deep Pyoderma: Furunculosis, Acral Lick Dermatitis, and More
This focused lecture dives into canine furunculosis—a painful deep pyoderma marked by nodules, draining tracts, and crusting. Learn to identify common causes like Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, foreign body reactions, post-grooming furunculosis, and acral lick dermatitis, and how to uncover underlying triggers like allergies or endocrine disease. We’ll cover practical diagnostics (cytology, culture, biopsy) and evidence-based treatment strategies, with a strong emphasis on appropriate antimicrobial use. Walk away with clear, actionable guidance for managing both acute flare-ups and chronic cases in general practice.
Feline Allergy Patterns
Feline skin disease can be puzzling, but understanding reaction patterns is the key to decoding the itch. In this case-based lecture, we’ll explore the four major feline reaction patterns: self-induced alopecia, head and neck pruritus, eosinophilic granuloma complex, and miliary dermatitis. Through real-world cases, you’ll learn how to recognize each pattern, narrow your differentials, and select practical diagnostic and treatment strategies. Whether it’s fleas, food, or something more elusive, this session will help you approach itchy cats with more confidence and less frustration.
It Looks Like Allergies but It’s Not: Diseases that Mimic Hypersensitivity Disorders
Allergies dominate both general and dermatology referral practice—but not every itchy or inflamed pet has an allergy. Many diseases mimic allergic skin disease, making diagnosis challenging and often reliant on ruling out other causes. This case-based lecture explores commonly misdiagnosed conditions like pemphigus foliaceus, sebaceous adenitis, cutaneous lymphoma, hormonal disorders, and parasitic diseases. Learn how to recognize subtle clues, avoid common pitfalls, and choose the right diagnostic and treatment approach. You’ll leave with practical insights to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care in everyday practice.
Systemic Allergy Management: How Inflammation Guides Our Drug Choices
Allergies are one of the most common—and frustrating—conditions in general practice. In this interactive, case-based session, we’ll walk through real-world examples to help you confidently select the most appropriate systemic allergy therapy. Not every treatment fits every patient, so we’ll focus on matching medications to the level of itch and inflammation to restore comfort fast. You’ll leave with practical, immediately applicable strategies to improve patient outcomes and client satisfaction.
Dr. Melissa Bain is a professor of clinical animal behavior at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and is board-certified by both the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American College of Animal Welfare. In 2016, Dr. Bain was selected as the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year, and in 2019 she received the Companion Animal Welfare Award from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Decoding the Drip: Understanding and Treatment of Feline House Soiling
This case-based talk will address a common feline behavioral problem: housesoiling. The session emphasizes a systematic approach to identify the relationship between medical issues (such as FIC), urine marking, and inappropriate toileting, with the focus on the common reasons for toileting. We will cover environmental and litterbox optimization (location, substrate, and cleanliness), as well as psychopharmacologic treatments for stress-related cases. By tackling this common problem, veterinarians can continue to provide life-saving solutions.
From Fear to Fury: Management of Feline Aggression
This case-based talk will address the challenges of feline aggression, with a focus on causes, management, and behavior modification for cat- and human-directed aggression. We will highlight the importance of using a systemic approach to identify triggers. Management strategies will cover environmental optimization, appropriate human interactions, and the use of psychotropic medications to help reduce the anxiety leading to aggression.
Stuck in a Loop: Repetitive Behaviors in Dogs and Cats
This case-based talk will explore the problem of repetitive behaviors in pets, distinguishing between displacement, compulsive, and medically affected causes. Attendees will learn to identify common manifestations, such as tail-chasing in dogs and psychogenic alopecia in cats. We will emphasize a multimodal diagnostic approach while addressing underlying medical triggers. Treatment strategies focus on behavior modification, environmental optimization, and use of psychotropic medications.
Trainer Triage: How to Select for Success, Not Setbacks
This interactive talk will provide attendees with a framework for how to identify humane and reputable dog trainers. We will cover covert red flags like “balanced” and how to best identify aversive-based training while highlighting the importance of humane and evidence-based methodologies. Attendees will gain insight in how to evaluate credentials, understand the limits of professional scopes, and build a reliable referral network. By identifying trainers to which to send clients, veterinarians can ensure long-term behavioral success for their clients and dogs.
Less Stress, More Success: Practical Management of Fearful Dogs in Practice
This talk will offer specific and easily implemented strategies to transform the experience for fearful canine patients. Focusing on low-stress care, the session details how small adjustments can significantly reduce patient cortisol levels, and how best to communicate these changes with team members. Attendees will learn to interpret body language cues to intervene before they escalate into aggression, and how to start incorporating techniques that prioritize cooperation over coercion. By reducing anxiety, veterinarians can ensure more accurate physical exams, safer handling, and increased client satisfaction.
Pawsitive Post-Op: Enhancing Canine Comfort and Welfare After Surgery
This lecture will address the intersection of physical and psychological well-being in the post-op canine patient. In addition to pain management, the session will explore how confinement and restricted activity can lead to anxiety and slower recovery. We will address comprehensive recovery plans that incorporate analgesia, mental stimulation, and modified physical therapy. By addressing the behavioral welfare alongside physical health, veterinarians can improve patient outcomes and owner adherence.
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