Stacie Summers, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVIM (Small Animal Medicine)
Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, ABT, ABVT
Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), CVCH
Gary Richter, MS, DVM, CVA, CVC, GDVWHM
Amy Hinc, VMD, ABVP (Feline Practice)
Cynthia Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM SAIM
Course Open: June 22-August 13, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, and August 3, 2021; 9:00-11:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 12
RACE Category: 12 hours Medical Skip to Enrollment Course Information:
This course focuses upon extending the participants' knowledge of feline medicine, covering a variety of topics including feline mast cell tumors, proteinuria, toxicological hazards, use of CBD products, acromegaly, pituitary disorders, and continuous glucose monitoring. Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
- Understand some common physiologic differences in cats that can influence susceptibility to certain toxicants.
- Approach common and not-as-common feline intoxications with a rational plan for case management
- Understand the endocannabinoid system and how it affects the feline body.
- Understand how phytocannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids interact with the endocannabinoid system and other body systems.
- Understand the clinical indications and dosing guidelines for cannabis in felines.
- Review normal pituitary gland anatomy and pathophysiology.
- Learn the pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of acromegaly.
- Briefly explore less common pituitary disorders such as hyposomatotropism, pituitary dependent hypercortisolism, and central diabetes insipidus.
- Understand the pathologic origin and clinical presentations of feline mast cell tumors.
- Understand the common diagnostic tests used in evaluation of feline mast cell tumor patients.
- Understand the therapeutic approaches (surgery, radiation, chemo, novel therapies) available and associated prognoses for each presentation of disease.
- Discuss CGM devices and techniques with owners.
- Choose appropriate cases on which to use CGM technology.
- Interpret CGM results and make appropriate changes to insulin therapy.
- Understand the importance of early diagnosis and management of proteinuria in cats.
- Outline a logical diagnostic approach to differentiating between pre-renal, renal, and post-renal proteinuria.
- Understand how to utilize common diagnostic tests to screen and diagnose renal proteinuria.
- Describe the causes of renal proteinuria in cats.
- Understand the patient characteristics and diagnostic tests that can help differentiate between immune-complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN) and non-ICGN renal disease.
- Describe how to perform a renal biopsy in the cat.
- Describe the indications and contraindications to performing a renal biopsy.
- Create an appropriate therapeutic plan for the proteinuric cat, including RAAS inhibition and immunosuppression.
- Evaluate the limitations and possible complications associated with treatment options.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 12 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 20-774385) Course Agenda: Week 1 (Real Time Session June 29, 2021): Feline Mast Cell Tumors
Presenter: Christine Mullin, VMD, DACVIM Oncology
This session will provide an overview of feline mast cell neoplasia. Specific topics covered will include pathology of feline mast cell tumors, presentations of disease, diagnostic workup, therapeutic approaches and associated prognoses, all interwoven with a review of the veterinary literature on this topic. Week 2 (Real Time Session July 6, 2021): Proteinuria - Diagnosis and Treatment in Cats
Presenter: Stacie Summers, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVIM (Small Animal Medicine)
Proteinuria is gaining wider recognition in feline medicine, and persistent renal proteinuria is of significant clinical importance. Proteinuria is associated with the development of azotemia in geriatric cats and is an independent risk factor for survival in cats with chronic kidney disease. This session will start with a review of the diagnosis and causes of proteinuria, with an emphasis on renal proteinuria. The session will review the indications to perform a renal biopsy, how to perform a renal biopsy, and the specialized tests required for the diagnosis of amyloidosis and immune-complex glomerulonephritis. And finally, management options for cats with proteinuria will be outlined, with a focus on medications to inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Week 3 (Real Time Session July13, 2021): Toxicologic Hazards for Cats
Presenter: Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, ABT, ABVT
This session will cover characteristics of the cat that make it unique in its response to toxicants. Toxicants of concern for cats including lilies, acetaminophen, Allium spp., concentrated pyrethroids, human topical products (minoxidil, hormone creams, etc.), venlafaxine, liquid potpourri, and ethylene glycol. Week 4 (Real Time Session July 20, 2021): Medical Cannabis in the Feline Patient
Presenters: Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), CVCH;
Gary Richter, MS, DVM, CVA, CVC, GDVWHM
This lecture will be a discussion of the components of the endocannabinoid system, the cannabis plant and how the compounds interact with the feline body. We will review some clinically relevant applications, dosing guidelines, delivery methods, product selection as well as potential toxicities and contraindications that are relevant to the feline patient. Week 5 (Real Time Session July 27, 2021): Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Cats
Presenter: Cynthia Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM SAIM
Monitoring diabetes mellitus can be frustrating and time consuming. New technology is available that allows complete glucose monitoring in a non-invasive way and in the cat’s home environment. Continuous interstitial glucose monitoring including devices available and how they work will be discussed. Case examples will be used to highlight lecture points. Week 6 (Real Time Session August 3, 2021): Acromegaly and Other Pituitary Disorders
Presenter: Amy Hinc, VMD, ABVP (Feline Practice)
In this lecture we will explore the small but mighty pituitary gland and disorders associated with it. The focus will be on acromegaly, an emerging pituitary disorder that is most likely overlooked in clinical practice. Other, less common pituitary disorders will also be briefly explored. 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 $276 ($248 early bird special if enrolled by June 8, 2021)
Non-Member $413 ($317 early bird special if enrolled by June 8, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars. *To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on June 29, 2021 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: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
- Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
VIN Education Director VIN CE Services: CEonVIN
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