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The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN Cats and Calcium: A Review of Feline Hypercalcemia (MULT310) Self-Study

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Presenter: Audrey K Cook, BVMS, MRCVS, Dip ACVIM, ECVIM, ABVP (Feline)
Course Open: July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022
Total CE Credit: 2
RACE Category: 2 hours Medical

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Course Information:
Calcium homeostasis is a complex process involving several hormones and organ systems. Hypercalcemia is increasing recognized in feline practice and is a significant cause of patient morbidity. This course will start with a review the essentials of calcium regulation, with an emphasis on the interactions between the various players. The clinical impact of hypercalcemia will be discussed, with a focus on common clinical signs and those associated with significant morbidity. A logical diagnostic approach based on the most common causes of hypercalcemia will then be outlined. And finally, management options for cats with hypercalcemia will be outlined, with an emphasis on the current evidence to support each approach.

To earn a certificate of completion the participant must complete all learning modules and score 80% or better on the end-of-course test. Completion of the course will take a minimum of 119 minutes. Participants must complete the participation requirements by June 30, 2022 to be eligible for a certificate.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a non-interactive CE certificate, please refer to Non-Interactive CE Certificate Requirements.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • describe the roles of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D in calcium homeostasis.
  • understand the impact of serum phosphorus concentrations on calcium homeostasis.
  • understand the impact of the kidney, bone and gastrointestinal tract on calcium homeostasis.
  • recognize the clinical signs associated with mild, moderate and severe hypercalcemia in the cat.
  • identify patients requiring in-depth evaluation of calcium regulation.
  • describe and prioritize the most common causes of feline hypercalcemia.
  • outline a logical diagnostic approach to the hypercalcemic cat.
  • interpret appropriate diagnostic test results.
  • create an appropriate therapeutic plan for the hypercalcemic cat.
  • describe the mechanisms of the various treatment options.
  • evaluate the limitations and possible complications associated with treatment options.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE self-study course is geared towards small animal practitioners and assumes some basic understanding of calcium homeostasis and the consequences of hypercalcemia in feline patients.. This course is open to VIN members only.
RACE Accreditation: This non-interactive course is approved for 2 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 22-43321)

Course Agenda:

Module 1: Calcium Homeostasis
Total Time: 21 minutes
Video: 21 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 2: Consequences of Hypercalcemia
Total Time: 36 minutes
Video: 16 minutes
Handouts (2): 20 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 3: Common Causes of Hypercalcemia
Total Time: 21 minutes
Video: 21 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 4: The Management of Hypercalcemia
Total Time: 26 minutes
Video: 26 minutes

Module 5: End of Course Test
Total Time: 15 minutes
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

Module 6: Course Evaluation

To learn more about the requirements for earning a non-interactive self-study CE certificate, please refer to Non-Interactive CE Certificate Requirements.


Enrollment is closed.


Tuition: VIN Member $46
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to starting the course. If you wish to withdraw after you have started this self-study course, please contact the VSPN office 800-846-0028, ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357