Feline Diabetes Flashcards
How does feline diabetes differ from canine diabetes
cats can have lesions on islet cells, amyloid deposits, and changes in their beta cells
are cats more likely to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
type 2 diabetes
List the clinical signs of DM in cats
PUPD
weight loss
polyphagia
anorexia
lethargy
DKA
V/D
plantigrade stance
+/- pancreatitis/triaditis
Describe treatment of DM in cats
diet changes
insulin supplementation
oral hypoglycaemics
why is DM remission in cats an unpredictable state
they can flit inbetween hypo and hyper glycaemia, leading to massive instability
why is DKA common in cats
DKA can occur from stress in cats, with or without diabetes
How can we tell if a cat has diabetes or if it was just stressed at the time of the sample
Using fructosamine
signalment of cats with diabetes
cats over 7 years old
mainly males
List 4 things that can increase the risk of diabetes in cats
obesity
indoor/inactive cats
glucocorticoids
progestagens
What is a plantigrade stance
standing and walking with the hocks on or almost touching the floor
Describe how type 1 diabetes occurs
a deficiency of insulin due to loss of beta cells
List 6 conditions that can cause type 1 DM in cats
chronic pancreatitis +/- EPI
pancreatic amyloidosis
glucose toxicity
immune mediated disease
congenital issues
what can cause type 2 diabetes in cats
an inability to respond to insulin
Describe how type 1 diabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes
inflammatory mediators may contribute to insulin resistance
what are the consequences of persistant hyperglycaemia in cats
fat mobilisation is favoured leading to hepatic lipidosis, hepatomegaly, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertryglyceridaemia, increased catabolism
can lead to ketonaemia, ketonuria and a DKA
what is triaditis
liver disease
pancreatitis
IBD
Describe how we diagnose diabetes in cats
USG
glucosuria
fructosamine
List 6 possible diffferentials for glucosuria in cats
Common:
- DM
- Stress
Rare:
- Renal tubular disease
- Fanconi syndrome
- Primary renal glucosuria
- Nephrotoxin exposure
what can we do to encourage weight loss in cats
wet food to reduce calorie intake
encourage movement
puzzle feeding
Describe the ideal diet for a diabetic cat
high protein
restricted carbs
wet formulation
why is high protein good for diabetic cats
normalises fat metabolism and provides a consistent energy source
limits hepatic lipidosis risk
prevents loss of lean muscle mass
why is restricted carbohydrate diet good for diabetic cats
helps relieve tendency to hyperglycaemia and glucose toxicity
when starting insulin dosing, how often should we check blood glucose
every 2-4 hours
how soon should we review insulin doses
5-14 days after treatment begins
List 2 indicators of diabetic remission
hypoglycaemia despite low dose insulin
no glucosuria
why are oral hypoglycaemics rarely used in cats
they can contribute to the progression of DM and pancreatic amyloidosis
What is the prognosis for a cat with DM
13-29 months on insulin therapy
what can persistant absence of glucose in the urine of a diabetic cat indicate
hypoglycaemia - insulin overdose or diabetic remission
what can ketonuria indicate in cat
DKA
what can blood or change in pH of urine indicate in cat
UTI
List 4 likely causes of unstable diabetes in cats
compliance issues
UTI
pancreatitis
significant dental disease
why is hypoglycaemia diagnosed less in cats than dogs
cats mask the signs of hypoglycaemia better compared to dogs
List the clinical signs of hypoglycaemia
lethargy
muscle tremors
anorexia
vomiting
ataxia
recumbency
vocalisation
seizure
Describe the immediate treatment for hypoglycaemia
rub glucose or honey on the oral mucous membranes, feed ASAP
dextrose bolus + CRI in clinic
