Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society 43rd Symposium
Performance and Quality of Life
September 21–24, 2025, Magog, Quebec, Canada
Hosted by the the Université de Montréal, organized by Mathilde Leclère
2025 Program
Sunday September 21st, 2025
17:00 - 19:00
Welcome gathering with refreshments and registration at Hotel Verso. On the outdoor, weather permitting.
Evening
Dinner on your own in the town of Magog (10-min walk from hotel) or at the Kóz restaurant in Hotel Verso (please make a reservation a week ahead).
Monday September 22nd, 2025
7:30 - 8:30
Breakfast and registration
8:30 - 8:40
Opening remark
Mathilde Leclère, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Université de Montréal, Canada.
8:40 - 9:30
Keynote: 35 years of respiratory research. From the clinic to the lab, back to the clinic
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Université de Montréal, Canada.
9:30 - 9:45
Heather Reid*. Standing videofluoroscopic swallow study in dogs with megaesophagus provides novel etiology with minimal aspiration risk. University of Missouri.
9:45 - 10:00
Sofia Cecchetto*. An improved portable device for in-field lung function test in horses by oscillometry. Politecnico di Milano.
10:00 - 10:15
Khadija Ayadi*. Bronchodilation and plasma concentration following lidocaine nebulization in horses with severe asthma. Université de Montréal.
10:15 - 10:30
Coffee break
10:30 - 11:20
Exercise-induced asthma
Ronald Olivenstein, MD, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Canada.
11:20 - 11:35
Estelle Manguin*. Longitudinal assessment of pulmonary cytology and EIPH indicators during a swimming-based training program in sport horses. École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort.
11:35 - 11:50
Henriikka Neittaanmäki*. Effectiveness of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist for the treatment of chronic inflammatory rhinitis in dogs: a pilot study. University of Helsinki.
11:50 - 12:50
Lunch
12:50 - 13:40
Performance and quality of life: a cross-species perspective
Marion Desmarchelier. DMV, IPSAV, MSc, Dipl. ACZM, ECZM (Zoo Health Management), ACVB, Université de Montréal, Canada.
13:40 - 14:30
Bovine respiratory disease: hidden costs to growth and productivity
Sébastien Buczinski, Dr. Vét. MSc, Dipl. ACVIM. Université de Montréal, Canada.
14:30 - 14:50
Coffee break with snacks
14:50 - 15:40
Clinical impact of pulmonary fibrosis in dogs
Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM., Dipl. ACVIM (SAIM), DACVECC, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
15:40 - 15:55
Rebecca M. Legere. Nebulizer use in ruminants: case review and in vitro evaluation. Texas A&M University.
15:55 - 16:10
Laurence Leduc*. Fecal and pulmonary short-chain fatty acids in severe equine asthma exacerbation. Université de Montréal.
16:30 - 18:00
Outdoor activity. Kayaking on a calm river winding through a scenic marsh (open kayaks, no skills required). A guided nature walk is also available.
Evening
Dinner on your own in the town of Magog (10-min walk from hotel) or at the Kóz restaurant in Hotel Verso (please make a reservation a week ahead).
VCRS Board members: meeting from 19:00 to 21:00
Tuesday September 23rd, 2025
7:30 - 8:30
Breakfast
8:30 - 9:20
Breathing room: improving thoracic CT acquisition one scan at a time
Isabelle Masseau, DMV, PhD. Dipl. ACVR, Université de Montréal, Canada
9:20 - 9:35
Ludovic Tanquerel*. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in French Trotters: prevalence study and evaluation of diagnostic methods. École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort.
9:35 - 9:50
Rachel McNair*. Comparative analysis of conventional versus expanded diagnostics in dogs with bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis. University of Missouri.
9:50 - 10:05
Camille Ruault*. Randomised study of the effects of testosterone in severe equine asthma. Université de Montréal.
10:05 - 10:20
Beatrice Sica*. Racetrack surface dust and their implication as a relevant source of respirable mineral particles for racehorses. University of Turin.
10:20 - 10:35
Coffee break
10:35 - 11:25
Could exercise improve the quality of life of horses with asthma?
Sophie Mainguy-Seers, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA, Université de Montréal, Canada.
11:25 - 11:40
Chi-Ru Chen*. Applying stethoscopic approach to investigate heart rate variability in dogs with respiratory diseases: a pilot study evaluating vasovagal tonus index. National Taiwan University & TACS-Alliance Research Center.
11:40 - 11:55
Patricia Arnaiz Saura. The influence of asthma severity and sex on tracheal caliber in horses. Université de Montréal.
11:55 - 12:10
Introducing the posters: "My poster in 2 minutes"
Lisa Giero*. Exercise challenge to distinguish horses with severe asthma in remission from healthy controls. Université de Montréal.
Estelle Manguin*. Longitudinal assessment of diaphragm thickness evolution during a swimming-based training program in sport horses. École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort.
Kati M.E. Vainio*. Iatrogenic aspiration pneumonia in six horses: a retrospective case series. University of Helsinki.
Isabelle Desjardins. Use of methotrexate in the management of severe equine asthma in a pony affected by endocrinopathic laminitis: a case-report. University of Lyon.
Viitanen Sanna. Inflammatory biomarkers in canine bronchial diseases. University of Helsinki.
Rachel M. Butler*. Modified toggle technique as a salvage option for suture pull-through at the arytenoid cartilage in equine laryngoplasty. University of Illinois.
12:10 - 13:10
Lunch
13:10 - 14:00
Variation in lung structure and its impacts on function
Sophie Collins, PhD, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada.
14:00 - 14:50
Breath and speed: exploring aerobic limits in racehorses
Renaud Léguillette.DMV, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVSMR. University of Calgary, Canada.
14:50 - 15:05
Wei-Tao Chang*. Acquiring barometric whole-body plethysmography pseudoflow signals in cats using a modified spirometric system: toward a simplified clinical setup. National Taiwan University & TACS-Alliance Research Center.
15:05 - 15:40
Poster viewing and coffee break with snacks.
15:40 - 16:30
Measuring airway inflammation to better treat asthma
Catherine Lemière, MD, MSc. Université de Montréal, Canada.
16:30 - 16:45
Michela Bullone. Racetrack surface dust elicit a pro-inflammatory response in cultured equine alveolar macrophages. University of Turin.
16:45 - 17:00
Eliott Schmitt*. Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers candidates for moderate asthma of horses: A proteomic investigation. LABÉO.
17:00 - 17:15
Pin-Yen Chen*. Prevalence of birefringent particles in bronchoalveolar lavage cytology and correlation with mineral cat litter use. National Taiwan University & TACS-Alliance Research Center.
17:15 - 17:30
Kaitlyn Wiggins. Equine nebulizer settings modify corticosteroid aerosol properties. Texas A&M University.
18:00 - 18:30
Abstract Jury meeting.
19:00
Conference Dinner at the Taverne 1855 (12-min walk from hotel)
Announcement of the Joan A. O'Brien Research Award winner for best abstract.
Wednesday September 24th, 2025
7:30 - 8:30
Breakfast
8:30 - 9:20
Impact of nebulizer device on aerosol drug delivery in large animal patients
2024 VCRS Grant recipient.
Becky Legere, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM-LA. Texas A&M University.
9:20 - 9:35
Paula Tilley. Multistage asthma classification in horses using AI and the Tilley asthma staging method. University of Lisbon.
9:35 - 9:50
Aida Vientós-Plotts. Sedated respiratory-gated computed tomography (CT) is comparable to anesthetized inspiratory:expiratory breath-hold CT for detection of CT patterns and magnitude of disease severity scores in dogs. University of Missouri.
9:50 - 10:05
Lana Dedecker. Pulmonary disposition and pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium after nebulization in adult horses. Auburn University.
10:05 - 10:20
Isabelle Desjardins. Comparison of clinical data and histological fibrosis scores in horses with interstitial lung disease with or without EHV-5 infection. University of Lyon.
10:20 - 10:40
Coffee break with snacks
10:40 - 10:55
Kaitlyn Wiggins. Design matters: in vitro evaluation of equine nebulizers for aerosol drug delivery. Texas A&M University.
10:55 - 11:10
Elizabeth Rozanski. Work-related asthma: airway resistance and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology in New England barn and pet cats. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
11:10 - 11:40
Potential consequences of sex hormones on equine performance
Sophie Mainguy-Seers, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA, Université de Montréal, Canada.
11:40 - 11:50
Closing remark
Mathilde Leclère, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Université de Montréal, Canada
Elizabeth Rozanski, D.V.M., DACVIM (SAIM), DACVECC, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
11:50
End of the symposium
Meet the speakers
35 years of respiratory research. From the clinic to the lab, back to the clinic
Jean-Pierre Lavoie, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Dr Jean-Pierre Lavoie, DMV, DACVIM, is an emeritus professor of equine internal medicine and former vice-dean for research at the faculty of veterinary medicine of the Université de Montréal. He completed his residency and postdoctoral fellowship in pulmonary physiology at the University of California, Davis. He is the founder of the Equine Asthma Research Laboratory and the Equine Respiratory Tissue Biobank. His internationally recognized work has advanced the understanding of equine asthma, bridging clinical practice with cutting-edge pulmonary physiology research.
Exercise-induced asthma
Ronald Olivenstein, MD, McGill University Health Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Montréal, Canada.
Dr. Ronald Olivenstein is a respirologist at the McGill University Health Centre and associate professor in the faculty of medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University. He specializes in severe asthma and clinical respiratory medicine, with decades of experience in clinical trials and guideline development. He has contributed extensively to advancing the management of difficult-to-treat asthma. In his talk, Dr. Olivenstein will review mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of exercise-induced asthma in humans.
Performance and quality of life: a cross-species perspective
Marion Desmarchelier. DMV, IPSAV, MSc, dipl. ACZM, ECZM (Zoo Health Management) and ACVB, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Dr MarionDesmarchelier, DMV, DACZM, DACVB, is a professor of veterinary behavioral medicine. She completed her training in zoological medicine and behavior medicine at the Université de Montréal and is a diplomate of both the American College of Zoological Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Dr. Desmarchelier has extensive clinical experience with companion animals, horses, as well as zoo and wild animals. She currently co-chairs the animal welfare axis of the Center of Expertise and Clinical Research (CERCL). Her research focuses on chronic stress and mental health across species. Her presentation will highlight how health, behavior, performance and welfare interconnect across different animal species.
Bovine respiratory disease: hidden costs to growth and productivity
Sébastien Buczinski, Dr. Vét. M.Sc., Dipl. ACVIM. Université de Montréal, Canada.
Dr. Sébastien Buczinski is a professor of food animal internal medicine at the Université de Montréal. His research focuses on bovine respiratory disease, diagnostic imaging, and evidence-based veterinary medicine. He has contributed to numerous international collaborations on bovine respiratory disease control and precision livestock medicine. His presentation will emphasize the economic and welfare impacts of bovine respiratory diseases and advances in its diagnosis and management.
Clinical impact of pulmonary fibrosis in dogs
Elizabeth Rozanski, D.V.M., DACVIM (SAIM), DACVECC, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Elizabeth
Rozanski is an associate professor of emergency and critical care at the Cummings
School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University. She is double board-certified
in small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care. Her clinical
and research expertise centers on respiratory emergencies, pulmonary disease,
and critical care management in dogs and cats.
Her lecture will address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of this
progressive disease in small animal practice.
Breathing room: improving thoracic CT acquisition one scan at a time
Isabelle Masseau, DMV, PhD, Dipl. ACVR, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Dr. Isabelle Masseau is an associate professor of diagnostic imaging at the Université de Montréal and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. Her clinical expertise includes advanced imaging techniques in small and large animals, with a research focus on respiratory imaging and pulmonary diseases. Her lecture will present innovative approaches to enhance CT imaging quality in veterinary patients.
Could exercise improve the quality of life of horses with asthma?
Sophie Mainguy-Seers, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Potential consequences of sex hormones on equine performance
Sophie Mainguy-Seers, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Dr. Sophie Mainguy-Seers is an assistant professor of equine internal medicine at the Université de Montréal. Her current research studies the role of exercise and sex hormones in equine respiratory health, aiming to improve management strategies for horses with asthma. She will give two talks, exploring both physiological adaptations and the complex interplay of endocrine factors in equine athletes.
Variation in lung structure and its impacts on function
Sophie Collins, PhD, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Montréal, Canada.
Dr. Sophie Collins is a postdoctoral fellow at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Her work focuses on lung structure-function relationships, with expertise in cardiorespiratory imaging, physiology, and epidemiology. She collaborates on translational projects linking basic science to clinical outcomes. Her talk will explore how structural heterogeneity shapes respiratory performance and pathophysiology.
Breath and speed: exploring aerobic limits in racehorses
Renaud Léguillette.DMV, MSc., PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVSMR. University of Calgary, Canada.
Dr. Léguillette is a professor of equine internal medicine and the Calgary
Chair of Equine Sports Medicine at the University of Calgary. A Diplomate in
both Large Animal Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, his
research spans equine asthma, pulmonary function, and high-performance horse
medicine. In his presentation,
Dr. Léguillette will discuss the physiological boundaries of equine performance
and their clinical implications.
Measuring airway inflammation to better treat asthma
Catherine Lemière, MD, M.Sc. Université de Montréal, Canada.
Catherine Lemiere is a full professor in the department of medicine at the Université de Montréal and a pulmonologist at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal. Her field of expertise is asthma and occupational asthma. She developed a clinical laboratory dedicated to non-invasive measures of bronchial inflammation with the goal of improving patient management for these respiratory diseases. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Lemiere chaired the writing committee of the Canadian asthma guidelines in 2004 and continues to serve on this committee of the Canadian Thoracic Society. In addition, she has been actively involved in the development of several international practice guidelines in the field of occupational asthma. Her presentation will explore how biomarkers and clinical assessment can improve asthma treatment strategies.
Impact of nebulizer device on aerosol drug delivery in large animal patients
Becky Legere, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM-LA. 2024 VCRS grant recipient. Texas A&M University.
Dr. Becky Legere is an assistant professor of large animal internal medicine at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on optimizing nebulization therapies for large animal patients, and she is the recipient of the 2024 VCRS research grant. Her presentation will provide new insights into maximizing therapeutic efficacy in veterinary respiratory care.