Veterinary Endocrinologist Course

Lesson 1 • Endocrine-Metabolic Interactions

Examines how hormones regulate glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. Establishes metabolic context needed for interpreting clinical signs of endocrine disease.

Lesson 2 • Hormone Classes and Synthesis

Covers peptide, steroid, and amine hormone biosynthesis pathways. Links chemical class to receptor type and clinical half-life considerations.

Lesson 3 • Hormone Transport and Receptors

Describes binding proteins, free hormone fractions, and receptor subtypes. Connects transport physiology to interpretation of serum assay results.

Lesson 4 • Feedback Regulation Mechanisms

Explains negative and positive feedback loops controlling hormone secretion. Builds the conceptual framework for understanding dysregulation in disease.

Lesson 1 • Dynamic Stimulation Testing

Teaches ACTH stimulation, TSH stimulation, and insulin tolerance protocols. Students select appropriate tests based on suspected axis dysfunction.

Lesson 2 • Dynamic Suppression Testing

Explains dexamethasone suppression and glucose suppression protocols. Distinguishes pituitary-dependent from adrenal-dependent disease using suppression patterns.

Lesson 3 • Basal Hormone Measurement

Covers sample collection timing, handling, and reference interval interpretation. Addresses pre-analytical variables that cause misdiagnosis in routine testing.

Lesson 4 • Hormone Assay Technologies

Reviews radioimmunoassay, ELISA, chemiluminescence, and mass spectrometry platforms. Clarifies sensitivity, specificity, and species validation requirements for each method.

Lesson 1 • Adrenal Tumors and Incidentalomas

Evaluates functional and non-functional adrenal masses including pheochromocytoma. Guides surgical candidacy assessment and perioperative endocrine management.

Lesson 2 • Hypoadrenocorticism Diagnosis

Teaches recognition of typical and atypical Addison disease presentations. Covers electrolyte patterns, ACTH stimulation interpretation, and crisis stabilization.

Lesson 3 • Feline Hyperadrenocorticism

Addresses the unique presentation and diagnostic challenges of Cushing syndrome in cats. Highlights concurrent diabetes mellitus management in affected patients.

Lesson 4 • Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs

Covers pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent Cushing syndrome pathophysiology and diagnosis. Prepares students to differentiate forms and select appropriate therapy.

Lesson 1 • Thyroid Disorders in Large Animals

Addresses goiter, hypothyroidism in foals, and iodine-related disorders in ruminants. Connects nutritional management to prevention and treatment strategies.

Lesson 2 • Canine Hypothyroidism

Covers autoimmune thyroiditis, idiopathic atrophy, and secondary hypothyroidism in dogs. Addresses diagnostic pitfalls from euthyroid sick syndrome and drug interference.

Lesson 3 • Feline Hyperthyroidism

Examines multinodular adenomatous hyperplasia as the primary cause in cats. Compares radioiodine, methimazole, dietary iodine restriction, and surgical options.

Lesson 4 • Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Focuses on parathyroid adenoma causing hypercalcemia in dogs. Covers PTH assay interpretation, surgical parathyroidectomy, and postoperative hypocalcemia management.

Lesson 1 • Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus

Distinguishes insulin-deficient and insulin-resistant diabetes types across species. Establishes mechanistic understanding needed for rational insulin selection.

Lesson 2 • Insulin Types and Protocols

Compares intermediate, long-acting, and lente insulin formulations for dogs and cats. Addresses species-specific pharmacokinetics and injection technique.

Lesson 3 • Glucose Curve Interpretation

Teaches in-clinic and continuous glucose monitoring curve analysis. Identifies Somogyi overswing, insulin resistance, and short duration of action patterns.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosis and Initial Stabilization

Covers glucose, fructosamine, and urinalysis criteria for diagnosis. Guides initial fluid therapy, electrolyte correction, and insulin initiation in newly diagnosed patients.

Lesson 5 • Diabetic Ketoacidosis Management

Addresses pathogenesis, diagnosis, and intensive care of diabetic ketoacidosis. Covers fluid protocols, potassium supplementation, and regular insulin CRI.

Lesson 1 • Diabetes Insipidus Diagnosis

Distinguishes central, nephrogenic, and psychogenic polydipsia using water deprivation and ADH response tests. Addresses diagnostic pitfalls in partial deficiency cases.

Lesson 2 • Hypothalamic Dysfunction Syndromes

Examines hypothalamic lesions causing multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and obesity. Connects hypothalamic pathology to clinical presentations requiring multimodal management.

Lesson 3 • Growth Hormone Disorders

Covers acromegaly in cats and dogs, congenital GH deficiency, and pituitary dwarfism. Links GH excess to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus development.

Lesson 4 • Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism

Deepens understanding of corticotroph adenoma pathophysiology beyond adrenal chapter basics. Focuses on pituitary macroadenoma recognition and radiation therapy indications.

Lesson 1 • Progesterone Monitoring in Breeding

Teaches quantitative progesterone assay use for ovulation timing in dogs. Addresses assay platform variability and optimal breeding window determination.

Lesson 2 • Endocrine Causes of Infertility

Identifies hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, and adrenal dysfunction as infertility contributors. Guides systematic hormonal workup for breeding failure cases.

Lesson 3 • Estrous Cycle Endocrinology

Details GnRH, LH, FSH, estrogen, and progesterone dynamics across the estrous cycle. Provides the hormonal foundation for interpreting reproductive diagnostics.

Lesson 4 • Reproductive Endocrinopathies

Covers cystic ovarian disease, prolonged diestrus, and luteal cysts across species. Links hormonal imbalances to clinical signs and targeted treatment selection.

Lesson 1 • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes

Examines concurrent endocrine tumors and their genetic basis in veterinary patients. Guides systematic screening when one endocrine tumor is identified.

Lesson 2 • Endocrine Disruptors and Toxicology

Examines environmental and iatrogenic endocrine disruptors affecting veterinary patients. Addresses progestogen exposure, phytoestrogens, and exogenous steroid effects.

Lesson 3 • Novel Therapeutics in Endocrinology

Reviews GLP-1 analogs, SGLT2 inhibitors, and targeted molecular therapies in veterinary use. Evaluates current evidence and appropriate patient selection criteria.

Lesson 4 • Integrating Endocrinology into Complex Cases

Applies all prior knowledge to multi-system cases with concurrent endocrine and non-endocrine disease. Develops systematic diagnostic reasoning and prioritization skills.

Lesson 5 • Insulinoma and Hypoglycemia

Covers pancreatic beta-cell tumor diagnosis, surgical management, and medical palliation. Addresses episodic hypoglycemia workup and differential diagnosis.