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Diabetes mellitus in cats.
Jacquie S Rand1, Rhett D Marshall
1Centre for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. j.rand@uq.edu.au
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice
|January 4, 2005
Summary
Feline diabetes can be put into remission with early glycemic control. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet and long-acting insulin can help cats achieve remission, making a cure a realistic goal.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Feline diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder in cats.
- It is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetics, diet, obesity, and inactivity.
- Most diabetic cats are insulin-dependent at diagnosis, even with type 2 diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for achieving clinical remission in diabetic cats.
- To evaluate the efficacy of specific dietary and therapeutic interventions in feline diabetes management.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
- Administering a long-acting insulin (glargine) twice daily.
- Focusing on achieving early and good glycemic control.
Main Results:
- A substantial proportion of diabetic cats achieved clinical remission with the implemented treatment strategy.
- The combination of diet and insulin therapy facilitated diabetic remission.
- This approach shifted the focus from merely managing clinical signs to achieving a potential cure.
Conclusions:
- Early glycemic control is crucial for achieving remission in diabetic cats.
- Dietary modification (low-carbohydrate, high-protein) combined with long-acting insulin offers a realistic path toward curing feline diabetes.
- These treatment modalities represent a significant advancement in managing feline diabetes mellitus.