Diabetes Mellitus in Cats and Dogs
Diabetes mellitus is a complex
disorder resulting from inability of
the pancreatic islets to secrete
insulin and/or from impaired insulin
action in tissues. These
abnormalities ultimately cause
increased blood glucose levels
(hyperglycemia), increased glucose
in urine, increased drinking,
urination and eating, and weight
loss. Diabetes is one of the
most common endocrine problems in
cats and dogs, and can be fatal if
incorrectly diagnosed or
inappropriately treated.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
requires the presence of appropriate
clinical signs (polyuria,
polydipsia, polyphagia and weight
loss) in association with
hyperglycemia and glucosuria.
Serum fructosamine levels may or may
not be increased.
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Definitions |
| Polyuria: |
Increased urination |
|
Polydipsia: |
Increased drinking |
|
Polyphagia: |
Increased appetite |
|
Hyperglycemia: |
Elevated blood glucose |
|
Glucosuria: |
Elevated glucose in
urine |
|
Postprandial: |
After eating |
Therapy for Non-Complicated Diabetes
Mellitus
-
Proper insulin (
Vetsulin l
PZI VET ) administration to
maintain blood glucose
concentration as close to normal
(100 mg/dl) as possible.
-
Provide a relative consistent
level of daily exercise.
-
Avoid or control of other
illnesses.
-
Ovariohysterectomy (spay) in
nonbreeding females to prevent
destabilization of blood glucose
levels with fluctuations
reproductive hormones.
-
Dietary therapy is indicated for
all cats and dogs with diabetes.
-
The goal of dietary therapy
is to correct obesity.
-
Maintain consistency in the
timing and caloric content
of meals.
-
Furnish a diet that
minimizes post-eating
(postprandial) fluctuations
in blood glucose.
-
Feed canned and dry
kibble foods that
contain a predominance
of complex
carbohydrates.
Avoid soft moist foods.
-
Diets containing
increased amounts of
fiber help promote
weight loss, slow
glucose absorption from
the intestinal tract,
reduce postprandial
fluctuations in blood
glucose, and enhance
control of
hyperglycemia.
-
Consult with your
veterinarian about what
specific brand name diet
to offer. A number
of diet choices among
the leading
manufacturers (Hill's
r/d, Hill's w/d,
Eukanuba Restricted
Calorie Formula, Purina
DCO OM, IVD Select Care
Hifactor) are available.
-
The feeding schedule should
enhance the actions of insulin
and minimize postprandial
hyperglycemia. Within the
time frame of insulin action,
feed multiple small meals rather
than one large meal to minimize
the hyperglycemic effect of each
meal.
-
For dogs and cats that are
"nibblers" throughout the
day, allow free access to
food. For "gluttonous"
dogs and cats, feed two to
three meals daily, depending
on the frequency of insulin
administration.
Insulin Therapy
The
insulin of choice in dogs is
Vetsulin Insulin, 10 mL and is given
once a day concurrently with, or
right after a meal. The
initial insulin of choice for cats
is
PZI VET (protamine
zinc) Insulin, 10 mL. Twice a
day administration should be
initiated if the duration of insulin
action is determined to be
inadequate.
Further adjustments in dosage may be
necessary with changes in the dog’s
diet, body weight, or concomitant
medication, or if the dog develops
concurrent infection, inflammation,
neoplasia (tumor/cancer), or an
additional endocrine or other
medical disorder.
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The
goal of insulin
therapy in the
diabetic dog without
cataracts is to
maintain the blood
glucose
concentration at
100-180 mg/dl; in
the diabetic dog
that is blind
because of cataract
formation and in the
diabetic cat, the
goal is 100-250
mg/dl. If using
glucose test strips,
maintain the blood
glucose
concentration at
over 80 mg/dl.
Transitioning Canine
Patients With
Diabetes Mellitus To
Vetsulin From Other
Insulins
Conversion Chart
for Giving U-40
Insulin with a U-100
Syringe
Management of the
Diabetic Patient at
Home
-
The most
important
parameter to
assess in the
home is the
pet's water
intake, urine
output, and body
weight. If
these factors
are normal, the
diabetes usually
is well
controlled.
-
Strive for
consistency.
Consistent diet,
exercise or
environment
makes regulation
much easier.
-
Pet owners are
encouraged to
check the
animal's urine
daily for
glucose and
ketones.
Check the urine
prior to the
evening meal and
not in the
morning.
-
If the animal is
responding
properly to the
insulin
injections, the
urine will be
negative for
glucose prior to
feeding.
-
Pet owners are
encouraged to
check the urine
once a week as
many times as
possible during
the day.
The urine of the
well-controlled
diabetic pet
will be free of
glucose for most
of the 24 hour
period.
-
Insulin dosage
should not be
adjusted based
on morning urine
glucose
concentrations.
Instead, your
veterinarian may
want to do
in-hospital
serial blood
glucose
determinations
before making
adjustments.
-
In the healthy
diabetic dog or
cat, a serial
blood glucose
curve is
typically done
every 2-4
months.
-
Evaluate
serial blood
glucose
curves early
if elevated
blood or
urine
glucose
levels
become
persistent
or clinical
signs recur.
Your
veterinarian
will make
adjustments
in insulin
therapy
based on
these
results.
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Medi-Vet Animal Health, LLC
71345 Ellis Road, Covington, LA 70433
Telephone: (800) 668-9698 Local (985) 875-7533
Fax: (800) 854-9647 Local Fax: (985) 875-7530
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