Description
This lecture will use a clinical case to look at the causes of diabetes mellitus in cats, including the role of insulin resistance, pancreatic amyloid deposition, obesity, hypersomatotropism (acromegaly), hyperadenocorticism (Cushing’s-like syndrome), pancreatitis, and even genetics.
We will consider the difficulties in trying to diagnose diabetes mellitus in a species that often urinates outside (hiding polyuria) and develops stress hyperglycaemia so easily, and to a level that can result in glycosuria.
We will discuss the goals of treatment, including whether to try to achieve diabetic remission or not.
Treatment options considered will include various different types of insulin, diet, oral hypoglycaemic agents, plus the role of reducing body weight and increasing exercise.
Regardless on which treatment option(s) are considered, excellent client communication is required and treatment options need to be realistic for each individual cat and its owner.
Monitoring the efficacy of treatment is essential, and can take many different forms, from home glucose monitoring, or serial fructosamine testing, and must again be tailored for the individual cat and its owner.