Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diabetes mellitus in cats.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2005
- Authors:
- Rand, Jacquie S & Marshall, Rhett D
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Science · Australia
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Feline diabetes is a complex condition in cats that can be influenced by genetics, diet, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise. Most cats diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes but often need insulin to manage their condition. If treatment starts early and includes a special diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, along with a long-acting insulin given twice a day, many cats can actually go into remission, meaning they may no longer need insulin. This approach not only helps manage symptoms but also offers a chance for a cure.
Abstract
Feline diabetes is a multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental factors, including diet, excess body weight, and physical inactivity, involved in its pathogenesis. Although type 2 diabetes is most common in cats, most cats are insulin-dependent at the time of diagnosis. If good glycemic control can be achieved early after diagnosis, a substantial proportion of diabetic cats go into clinical remission. Diabetic remission may be facilitated by using a low-carbohydrate-high-protein diet combined with a long-acting insulin, such as glargine, administered twice daily. Rather than just controlling clinical signs, these new treatment modalities make curing feline diabetes a realistic goal for practitioners.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15627634/