Diabetes is rising faster in pets than in humans, with more than half a million cats and dogs diagnosed with diabetes each year. Learning important clinical signs of diabetes and how to design a treatment plan that’s best for each cat or dog will be the focus of a virtual global summit hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) on 16 March. More than 2,000 veterinarians from around the world are planning to attend the virtual event where they can take what they learn back to their clinics and put into practice to enhance and prolong the lives of cats and dogs everywhere.
Cynthia Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), internist, reproductive endocrinology specialist, and Professor Emerita at the University of Georgia will present a comprehensive look into diabetes in dogs and cats including diagnosis, patient considerations when designing a treatment plan and monitoring techniques. Boehringer Ingelheim is sponsoring the NAVC Virtual Diabetes Summit, which is free for all veterinary professionals who wish to attend.
“Throughout my career, I have studied diabetes. I am so excited to share my learnings and experiences with thousands of veterinarians so they are better equipped and more knowledgeable on how to diagnose and treat this disease,” said Dr. Ward. “Diabetes can be managed through a careful routine of diet, exercise and insulin injections. Treatment can be challenging since each animal’s response varies so we will look at many different ways to develop individualized treatment plans.”
Dr. Dana Varble, NAVC Chief Veterinary Officer, will host the summit and offers the following information for pet parents and veterinarians to recognise the most common signs of diabetes and treatment options.
Signs to look for:
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Excessive thirst and increased water drinking
- Urinates frequently or begins having accidents in the house
- Cloudy eyes (dogs only)
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Increased or recurring infections
Management and Treatment:
- With obesity being a leading cause of feline diabetes, regular exercise, dietary changes and feeding routines are essential to maintaining weight
- Regular glucose monitoring
- Frequent visits to your veterinarian to assess your pet’s condition and recommend treatment modifications
- Explore new innovations in diabetes management and monitoring allowing veterinarians and pet owners to work together as a team
- Minimize instances of stressful situations
- Be aware of and treat other diseases and infections your pet may have
“Diabetes in animals is very similar to the disease we see in humans, and just like with people, your pet’s diabetes is also manageable. With time, proper care and dedication to a daily routine, your pet can live a quality, happy life,” said Dr. Varble. “Left untreated, the effects of diabetes are life-threatening, which is why it is so important for pet parents to identify potential symptoms early and contact their veterinarian with any concerns regarding their animal’s health.”
The
NAVC Virtual Diabetes Summit is part of the NAVC’s new, interactive year-round
virtual learning events including summits, seminars and a live webinar
series.
Participating
veterinarians will earn three hours of continuing education. For more
information and to register, visit the dedicated website.
About
the NAVC
The
North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organisation
dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The
world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers
essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay
abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for
animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the
NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including:
educational events, headlined by VMX, the world’s largest, most comprehensive
continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations
within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning
and engagement; the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio
of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary
community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in
Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognised annually as one of the
Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC’s products
and brands, visit the website, as well as to see our schedule of
upcoming events.
