DKA: Saving the Crashing Diabetic

Dr. Rosemary Stolzer-Bolton, DVM, DVMFelinePre-RACE approval · 0.5–3 CE creditsFree Preview

Diabetic ketoacidosis in cats carries a 20-40% mortality rate and kills patients during treatment as often as from the disease itself. This course follows Pepper, an 11-year-old diabetic DSH cat in full metabolic crisis after 72 hours without insulin, covering the pathophysiology of the three concurrent catastrophes, the potassium sliding scale that saves lives, the insulin CRI protocol, and the complications that derail otherwise-recovering patients. Earn RACE CE credit (approval pending; hours assigned at approval).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Explain the three concurrent pathophysiologic cascades of DKA — unrestrained ketogenesis, metabolic acidosis, and osmotic diuresis — and describe how each drives the clinical presentation
  • 2Construct a 24-hour fluid resuscitation plan for a feline DKA patient including dehydration deficit calculation, crystalloid selection rationale, and the potassium sliding scale with safe maximum infusion rates
  • 3Set up and titrate a regular insulin CRI for feline DKA, apply the glucose monitoring and dextrose supplementation protocol, and explain why insulin must continue after glucose reaches 250 mg/dL
  • 4Identify the clinical signs of treatment-induced hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia-driven hemolytic anemia, and cerebral edema, and describe the specific interventions for each complication
  • 5Counsel owners on feline diabetic remission probability, low-carbohydrate diet selection, home glucose monitoring options, and early DKA recognition to prevent recurrence

Course Syllabus

  1. 1
    Meet Pepper — The Diabetic in CrisisPreview

    module-1-meet-pepper

    8 min
  2. 2
    Pathophysiology — Metabolic Meltdown

    module-2-pathophysiology

    9 min
  3. 3
    Fluid Resuscitation — The Foundation

    module-3-fluid-resuscitation

    9 min
  4. 4
    Insulin Therapy — The Art of the CRI

    module-4-insulin-therapy

    9 min
  5. 5
    Integrative Support and Complications

    module-5-integrative-complications

    8 min
  6. 6
    Pepper's Recovery and Long-Term Plan

    module-6-case-resolution

    7 min

Final Assessment

10 questions · Passing score: 70%

Complete all course modules to unlock the assessment. Upon passing, your CE certificate will be generated automatically.