Disorder - Diabetes mellitus

Organ Systems Involved
Endocrine

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Pancreatic disorders

Alternative Names
Sugar diabetes

Presenting Signs

In normal cats, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels. Diabetes mellitus (DM) develops when not enough insulin is secreted (type I DM) or the body does not respond adequately to insulin (type II). It can occur as a secondary condition to diseases such as pancreatic disease, endocrine disorders or drug therapy. Most feline diabetes mellitus are type II.

Because diabetic cats cannot process glucose, they have resulting high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), glucosuria (glucose in the urine) and weight loss despite an increased appetite. The glucosuria leads them to urinate excessively, and to compensate they drink copiously due to extreme thirst. Owners commonly complain that they need to change their cat’s litter frequently. Other symptoms include lethargy, dry, unkempt and lustreless coat, decreased jumping ability, and hind limb weakness or incoordination when walking. Eventually the DM progresses and leads to further metabolic disturbances, causing vomiting, anorexia, weakness and dehydration. It is also not uncommon for diabetic cats to have other diseases such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or kidney disease at the same time.

Cats at Risk

Older cats, especially if over 10 years of age; obese cats; male cats

Breeds Affected
Burmese


Treatment

Medical.

• Insulin therapy: To stabilise and normalise blood glucose levels.
  
• Diet: high protein, low carbohydrate and low fibre diet, which allows better control of blood glucose levels.

PubMed References
Diabetes mellitus

Contributor
Guo Hao