4. Hepatobiliary Diseases

4. Hepatobiliary Diseases

246,00 €

This is the fourth module of Vet Clinical Nutrition Academy.
The full bundle of 60-hour program (12 modules) is available here: Vet Clinical Nutrition – 60-hour course

In this module, we focus on nutritional strategies for canine and feline hepatobiliary diseases. Participants explore the complexity of liver disorders, breed related predispositions and the dietary modifications required to support patients across a wide spectrum of hepatic conditions.

Key topics include:
• Prevalence and breed predispositions for copper storage hepatopathy, chronic hepatitis, idiopathic cirrhosis, congenital portosystemic shunts, hepatic lipidosis, and feline cholangitis / cholangiohepatitis
 • Dietary modifications tailored to different hepatopathies
• Protein type, amount and digestibility
• Energy density and dietary fat considerations
• Types and amounts of dietary fibre
• Mineral management, including copper restriction
 • Hepatoprotective nutraceuticals
 • Diet selection and monitoring for commercial and home prepared hepatic diets

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Evaluate copper restricted or hepatic encephalopathy focused diets when indicated.
• Set appropriate macronutrient and micronutrient targets for different hepatic disease phenotypes.
• Plan monitoring steps and re feeding protocols during hepatic flare episodes or recovery.

Schedule:

5 Feb 2026 – Pre‑recorded material (2 h)

19 Feb 2026 – Live: cases + Q&A (2 h)

Total ~4 h

(Live sessions take place at 7:30 p.m. CEST via Google Meet.)

Live meetings include case discussions and small-group workshops. The course also includes supporting literature, practical tools, knowledge-check quizzes, and access to a private Facebook community.
It is conducted in English.
This is a fully online program that you can complete from anywhere, at your own pace.

This module offers a comprehensive, evidence based overview of nutritional management for hepatobiliary diseases in dogs and cats. Participants examine the prevalence and breed predispositions of key hepatic conditions, including copper associated liver disease, chronic hepatitis, idiopathic cirrhosis, portosystemic shunts, hepatic lipidosis and biliary tract inflammation in cats.

The module provides detailed guidance on dietary modifications tailored to individual hepatic disorders. This includes evaluating protein type and digestibility, determining appropriate energy density and fat levels, selecting suitable fibre types, and adjusting mineral intake, particularly in cases requiring copper restriction. The role of hepatoprotective nutraceuticals is reviewed with an evidence based approach.

Participants also learn how to select and monitor both commercial hepatic diets and home prepared therapeutic diets, including indications for formulation, adjustment and re evaluation.

Practical components of the module cover monitoring protocols, progression tracking and designing re feeding steps for patients experiencing hepatic flare ups or recovering from acute hepatic injury.

By the end of this module, participants will be equipped to provide structured, effective and individualized nutritional support for a wide range of hepatobiliary diseases.

Dr Cecilia Villaverde Haro, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ECVCN
Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition

She obtained her veterinary degree in 2000 and her PhD in animal nutrition in 2005 by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) She completed a residency in small animal clinical nutrition at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis, California and is board certified in veterinary nutrition by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition) and by the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) since 2010. After working as the chief of service of the veterinary teaching hospital nutrition service in UAB for 6 years, she is now a consultant in clinical nutrition for Expert Pet Nutrition (www.expertpetnutrition.com) and Veterinary Information Network (VIN). She is a member of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee and has written several articles and book chapters on the topic of companion animal nutrition.

  • I’m so glad I came across your website in the endless sea of online content, most of which isn’t really worth much. It’s such a pleasure to learn from lectures that are so professionally prepared, and at the same time delivered in a clear and genuinely friendly way.
    Anna Ożga
  • I didn’t expect such a great way of teaching – and above all, I appreciate that you are open to all types of feline diets. You don’t impose one “right” way, but instead show that every approach has its pros and cons. Your passion really comes through – it’s not just dry theory.
    Thank you for so many practical tips!
    Renata
  • During the course I learned many new things that truly surprised me. Reading posts from other nutritionists, I honestly think Karolina is the best in Poland at what she does. The course debunks myths that have been repeated for years and proves that there is always more to learn.
    Katarzyna Kuryłowicz

Yes. Each module can be purchased separately.
However, if you plan to complete the entire Vet Clinical Nutrition Academy (60 hours), purchasing the full package is more cost-effective and allows you to take the final exam.

The course is also open to veterinary technicians, animal nutritionists, students, and pet food professionals who wish to expand their clinical nutrition knowledge.
It was, however, designed primarily for veterinarians and assumes a basic understanding of pathophysiology and diagnostic principles in small animal medicine.
Lectures include short refreshers on key topics but focus mainly on nutritional management of clinical patients.

Live meetings are held online via Google Meet in English, at 7:30 p.m. (CEST).
You will receive a meeting link by email before each session.
All live sessions are recorded, so you can watch them later if you can’t attend in real time.

Yes. Upon completing all lessons and quizzes, you will receive a personalized PDF certificate (in English), signed by the lecturer and featuring the Vet Clinical Nutrition Academy logo.

You will have 12 months of access to all videos and course resources from the date of purchase.

Yes. Invoices are issued automatically after purchase – for EU companies with an active VAT number (reverse charge mechanism).
For participants outside the EU, the net price (0% VAT) applies.

No, but participation is highly recommended, as live sessions include clinical case discussions, practical calculations, and Q&A with the instructor.
Recordings are available for those who cannot attend.

Yes. In addition to video lectures, the course includes hands-on exercises (small-group workshops), calculations, quizzes, and opportunities to analyze real clinical cases and pet foods submitted by participants.

Yes. You can purchase the course as a gift voucher.
Please contact: pytania@karolinaholda.com for more details.

  • Start date: February 5, 2026
  • Total duration: 4 hours
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Access period: 12 months

The VCNA course has been designed primarily for veterinarians who wish to deepen their expertise in the dietary management of canine and feline diseases.
It is also suitable for veterinary technicians, animal nutritionists, veterinary students, and pet food professionals interested in the clinical application of nutrition.

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