Gaining knowledge about diabetes
Veterinary professionals attending the 97th WVC Annual Conference have the opportunity to learn about the disease and treatment options for small animals.
Photo: Alexander Lebedko
Diabetes is a common disease in companion animals and is frequently encountered in veterinary practices. In canines, the most common form of diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes in humans, while the most common form of the disease in felines more closely resembles type 2 diabetes in humans.1
Canine risk factors for diabetes include genetics, immune-mediated components, and environmental factors, and dogs can also develop a form of gestational diabetes. Obesity is a primary risk factor for feline diabetes.1
Veterinary professionals attending the 97th WVC Annual Conference—March 2-4, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada—have the opportunity to learn more about diabetes in small animals including treatment options. Attendees can earn continuing education (CE) credits by attending diabetes-focused CE sessions that include the following2:
A Revolution in Feline Diabetes Mellitus Care! Novel Drugs and New Recommendations
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
Sunday, March 2, 2025; 2-2:50 PM
Instructor: Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline Practice)
Moderator: Matthew Eberts, DVM
Treatment of feline diabetes has been traditionally based on a regiment of therapeutic food and insulin. However, there are different approaches to treating the disease with. A new class of oral drugs (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] inhibitors) have been licensed that is revolutionizing diabetes therapy. This lecture will present options for using insulin, and addresses SGLT2 inhibitor use.
Cliff Notes for SGLT2 Inhibitors in Treatment of Cats with Diabetes
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
Sunday, March 2, 2025; 3-3:50 PM
Instructor: Jocelyn Mott, DVM,DACVIM (SAIM), FACVIM (Feline and Canine Diabetes)
Moderator: Matthew Eberts, DVM
SGLT2 inhibitors increase glucose and sodium excretion into the urine reducing hyperglycemia independent of insulin secretion. Use of these drugs in clinical cases has increased veterinary professionals’ knowledge and experience with SGLT2 inhibitors. This lecture will use clinical cases to discuss ‘cliff notes’ versions of what veterinary practitioners need to know about SGLT2 inhibitors for treating feline diabetes. Appropriate patient selection and screening, indications, monitoring and adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors will be discussed as well as future applications in other species and diseases.
The Technician’s Role in Diabetes Management
Tuesday, March 4, 2025; 2-2:50 PM
Instructor: Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-FE)
Moderator: Kris Guffa, LVT
Veterinary professionals and pet owners are all components for successful treatment of feline diabetes. After receiving an accurate diabetic work up, a patient’s continued care includes repeat hospital visits and home care. A technician is involved in every step of the patient's journey from performing proper diagnostics to client education and follow up care during rechecks. This lecture provides a refresh of old knowledge as well as new tips and tricks to share with cat owners.
New Ideas for Treating Canine Diabetes Mellitus
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Wednesday, March 5, 2025; 8-8:50 AM
Instructor: Cynthia R. Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Moderator: Nathanael Oster, VMD, MBA
This lecture will focus on new strategies for more effective treatment of canine diabetes including increasing owner adherence. Case studies used will highlight key points.
References
- Nelson RW, Reusch CE. Animal models of disease: classification and etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats. Journal of Endocrinology. 2014;222(3). doi:10.1530/JE-14-0202
- 97th WVC annual conference program list. Viticus Group. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://myviticus.wvc.org/program-list?categories=Endocrinology%2CInternal+Medicine
