The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN SAIM515-0722: Diabetes Mellitus in the Trenches

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenters: Amy E. Nichelason, DVM, DABVP
Thomas Hansen, DVM, DABVP
Course Open: July 21-August 28, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, July 28, August 4, 11 and 18; 2022; 7:00-8:30 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 6
RACE Category: 6 hours Medical


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $138 ($124 early bird special if enrolled by July 7, 2022)
Non-Member $231 ($208 early bird special if enrolled by July 7, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
What comes to mind when you hear the word diabetes? Fond recollections of TV ads featuring the late great Wilford Brimley? Not so fond flashbacks from a difficult case? Do you feel there is “nothing easier than diabetes”? (Actual quote from a leader in the field!) Or would nothing be easier than never having to manage a case again?
This class will discuss optimal canine and feline diabetic diagnosis and management in the trenches, from the perspective of two experienced practitioners also in those trenches. It will include a review on physiology/pathophysiology, the optimal approach to a newly diagnosed diabetic, tailored chronic management (including feline remission and those frustratingly resistant cases), and emergent presentations.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • describe the normal function of the pancreas.
  • understand the pathophysiologic changes underlying diabetes mellitus.
  • discuss diagnosis and management strategies of the newly diagnosed diabetic.
  • devise strategies for optimal chronic management of the diabetic patient.
  • confidently diagnose manage DK(A) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) in the busy ER.


Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians actively interested in a review on physiology/pathophysiology, the optimal approach to a newly diagnosed diabetic, tailored chronic management (including feline remission and those frustratingly resistant cases), and emergent presentations.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 20-903161)


Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session July 28, 2022): Physiology of the Pancreas, Pathophysiology of DM
This session will provide a review of normal pancreatic function and the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and the unique features of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats.

Week 2 (Real Time Session August 4, 2022): PU/PD and Now Dx w/DM
This session will discuss the diagnosis and optimal initial management of a new diabetic, including insulin selection.

Week 3 (Real Time Session August 11, 2022): Optimal Chronic Management of DM
In this session we will cover the tailored management of DM over time and discuss diabetic remission strategies in cats, management approaches for hard to regulate cases, and common comorbidities influencing management.

Week 4 (Real Time Session August 18, 2022): The Emergent Diabetic
The course will conclude with a discussion of diagnosis of diabetic ketosis, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) along with management of these more emergent manifestations of diabetes mellitus.


Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $138 ($124 early bird special if enrolled by July 7, 2022)
Non-Member $231 ($208 early bird special if enrolled by July 7, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on July 28, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357