compLEMENTARY VETERINARY MEDICINE programme
Wednesday 24 June 2026
| 7am | Registration opens | Level 3 |
| 8am | Plenary: Thriving and striving at work - the ultimate win win |
Charlotte Cantley | Theatre A Level 5 |
| 8.45am | NZVA AGM | Theatre A Level 5 |
| 9.30am | Morning tea | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 10am | How to use acupuncture for pain management in dogs and cats | Huisheng
Xie Western medicine is highly effective for managing acute pain, which is often caused by traumatic injury or inflammation. Chronic pain, however, is defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than three months. In recent years, numerous clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can offer an effective therapeutic option for chronic pain management.This presentation will focus on acupuncture point selection and treatment techniques for chronic pain conditions in dogs and cats, including osteoarthritis, cancer-related pain, and soft tissue injuries. Case examples will also be included to demonstrate the practical application of acupuncture in pain management. | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 11.10am | How to use acupuncture for the treatment of IVDD in dogs and cats |
Huisheng Xie Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common condition in small animal practice. Acupuncture can be an effective standalone therapy or an integral component of a multimodal treatment plan that may include herbal medicine, Western medical management, and, when indicated, surgery. This presentation will explore the use of acupuncture for thoracolumbar IVDD, including acupoint selection, step-by-step electroacupuncture techniques, and recommended treatment frequency. Acupuncture treatment strategies and expected clinical outcomes will also be discussed. Case examples will be included to illustrate practical clinical applications. | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 1.30pm | Acupuncture and herbal medicine for the treatment of cancers in dogs and
cats | Huisheng Xie Recent clinical studies in both veterinary and human medicine support the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in cancer management. This presentation reviews the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) pathophysiological model of cancer, explaining how and why a normal cell may transform into a cancer cell. It also highlights key acupoints and therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the formation of cancer cells and targeting existing cancer cells. In addition, the presentation covers commonly used acupoints and Chinese herbal formulas for treating cancer in dogs and cats, along with clinical case examples to demonstrate practical applications in everyday practice. | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 2.30pm | Introduction to laser therapy in horses, dogs and cats | Huisheng Xie Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation and has been used in veterinary medicine since the 1970s. This introductory presentation will review laser classifications and key treatment parameters, including wavelength, power, treatment time, dose, and frequency. The session will focus on practical application of Class IV laser therapy in horses, dogs, and cats, with emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions and wound management. Practical guidelines for effective treatment delivery, appropriate dosing, and safety considerations will be discussed. Case examples will be included to demonstrate clinical use and expected outcomes. Shared talk with Large Animal Veterinary Technician stream. | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon tea | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 4pm | Veterinary rehabilitation - how acupuncture improves outcomes | Renate Haveman | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 4.40pm | Effectively detecting and treating the source of most pain with trigger
point therapy | Viv Harris A large percentage of chronic pain is related to localised areas of hypercontractility in muscles, fascia and ligaments which can refer pain for some distance and apply pressure to joints, reducing the range of movement and can be misdiagnosed as actual Degenerative Joint disease pain. They are generally not responsive to most pain relief medication and are only resolved through manual detection and release. Trigger point therapy involves the detection and release of these points, resulting in immediate reduction in pain, increased range of movement in any affected joints and often a markedly reduced need for long term pain medication. | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 5.45pm | NZVA Awards | Theatre A Level 5 |
| 6.30pm | Networking dinner | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| Combined session with another stream. |
This programme was correct at the time of publication. Speakers and titles are subject to change. |