Signalment, clinicopathological findings, management practices and comorbidities in cats with diabetes mellitus in Germany: cross-sectional study of 144 cases

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe signalment, clinicopathological findings, management practices and the occurrence of comorbidities in feline diabetes mellitus (DM) in Germany. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires and laboratory submissions to a commercial laboratory, Antech Lab Germany, between May 2021 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of DM by the attending veterinarian and submission of a completed questionnaire besides blood samples. Laboratory testing included haematology, serum biochemistry, concentration of total thyroxine (TT4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), cobalamin (COB), fructosamine, b-hydroxybutyrate and DGGR (1,2- O-dilauryl- rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-[6′-methylresorufin] ester) lipase activity. Data are presented as the median (range) and analysed by non-parametric tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The median (range) age of the 144 diabetic cats at diagnosis was 11 years (0.9–18.7), 66.4% were male, 84.6% were domestic shorthair, 50.4% were currently overweight and 61.5% were previously overweight (body condition score >5/9). Most cats were treated with insulin (84%), most commonly protamine zinc insulin (57.5%). Blood glucose curves or continuous glucose monitoring alone or in combination with other methods were performed to adjust insulin therapy in 70.6% of cats. Based on questionnaires, 78.6% were poorly controlled and 21.4% were well controlled. Increased TT4 occurred in 3/139 and hyperthyroidism was known in 5/139 cats (frequency of known/suspected hyperthyroidism: 5.8% [n = 8/139]); 17.5% (n = 17/97) had increased IGF-1 (IGF-1 >746 ng/ml, cut-off for hypersomatotropism with the chemiluminescence assay used in this study); 24.5% (n = 34/139) had COB <295.2 pmol/l and 54.2% (n = 78/144) had increased DGGR. Cats with IGF-1 >746 ng/ml were receiving a higher insulin dose than cats with IGF-1 ≤746 ng/ml (median 1.63 vs 0.86 U/kg/day, P = 0.018). Conclusion and relevance Increased DGGR and increased IGF-1 indicating hypersomatotropism are common in diabetic cats and should be tested for. Almost one-quarter of diabetic cats might require COB supplementation.