Diabetes Management.

Annalisa Prahl, DVM, DACVIM

This presentation is a comprehensive overview of diabetes mellitus in both dogs and cats.  We will start off the lecture with a review of pathophysiology and glucose and insulin homeostasis.  Clinical signs and the reason for these changes will follow.  The veterinary technician's role in client education regarding DM and the nursing care required for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis will be discussed in detail.  We will also review insulin and its various types. 

The many ways to monitor DM will be presented along with the pitfalls that accompany each technique including in-hospital blood glucose curves, at-home blood glucose curves, fructosamine levels and continuous blood glucose monitoring.  The veterinary technician should feel well versed in the complications of DM and how to counsel pet owners if these complications arise after this lecture.  The veterinary technician is an invaluable asset to the veterinarian when managing a chronic and complicated disease like DM. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Any questions or concerns, please email Jennifer Waldrop, DVM, DACVECC.