When sweet turns sour: Diabetic ketoacidosis in the small animal veterinary patient
Tracks
Advanced Clinical Stream - Eureka 1
| Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Eureka 1 |
Overview
Tori Brown
Speaker
Tori Brown
Pet Intensive Care Unit
When sweet turns sour: Diabetic ketoacidosis in the small animal veterinary patient
Abstract
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) arises in patients with undiagnosed or poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus, presenting significant management challenges that demand intensive veterinary interventions. Effective outcomes hinge on the intricate care provided by Veterinary Nurses and Technicians. This presentation explores the pathophysiology of DKA, examining the critical metabolic disruptions and systemic impacts. It will cover essential diagnostic criteria and advanced treatment strategies, including fluid therapy, insulin protocols, and electrolyte balancing, while also addressing concurrent illnesses that are also seen in DKA patients. We’ll tackle potential treatment complications and highlight the vital nursing interventions that are crucial for the successful management of patients with DKA and Diabetes Mellitus.
Biography
Tori Brown is a Specialist ECC Veterinary Technician with a decade of experience in the field. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Veterinary Technology) and a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. During her final year at university, she developed a keen interest in emergency and critical care (ECC), beginning her career at Animal Emergency Services in 2015. In 2018, she was offered a role as a Core Critical Care Nurse at Pet Intensive Care Unit in Brisbane. Her passion for ECC led her to pursue and achieve her Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care in 2023. Following this achievement, Tori founded Code Blue! Veterinary Education in 2024, a platform dedicated to continued education for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians with an interest in ECC. In addition to her clinical role, Tori is a Clinical Educator at Pet ICU and enjoys presenting at conferences to share the knowledge and skills she has gained throughout her career, inspiring others in their Veterinary Nursing journeys. Some of her areas of interest include pain management, mechanical ventilation, cardiac emergencies and endocrine disorders.
