Diabetes

Diabetes refers to either wikipedia:Diabetes mellitus or wikipedia:Diabetes insipidus, and on this site mostly the first. Diabetes insipidus is a chronic condition of insufficient Antidiuretic hormone or resistance to this hormone. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition of insufficient insulin or resistance to it, and high blood glucose levels.

Diabetes insipidus[]

This article is a stub. You can help the Diabetes in Pets wiki by adding to it. Just use the "edit" tab above.

See wikipedia:Diabetes insipidus for further information.

Diabetes mellitus[]

Diabetes mellitus is commonly divided into two types^[1], depending on the origin of the condition:

Type 1[]

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called "juvenile diabetes", is caused by destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas due to an autoimmune disorder.

Type 2[]

Type 2 diabetes is caused by either insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production, which can be triggered by any number of causes. Type 2, if not well-treated, deteriorates^[2] as it destroys beta cells of the pancreas, eventually leading to complete insulin dependence. If well-treated early, some proportion of cats experience remission.

Fast Facts[]

The typical canine diabetes patient is middle-aged, female^[3] and overweight at diagnosis.
The typical feline diabetes patient is middle-aged, male, and overweight at diagnosis^[4].

Cats are one of the few species capable of developing a form of diabetes which is very much like that of Type 2 in humans. Both can develop amyloid deposits which inhibit the endocrine pancreas from working properly^[5].

Type 2 diabetes is rare in dogs, but between 80-95% of cats with diabetes suffer from the Type 2 form^[6].

The number of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has increased three-fold in thirty years. Looking back on survival rates from almost the same time period, only 50% survived the first 60 days after diagnosis and went on to be successfully treated at home. With treatment, diabetic dogs are able to survive as long as non-diabetic dogs of the same age and gender^[7].

The number of cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has increased at least twofold in the last 15 years^[8], and now ranges from 1 in 400 to about 1 in 50 cats.^[9] With early appropriate diet change and treatment, it is now possible for 20 to 90 percent of Type-2 cats to expect diabetic remission.^[10]

Similarities and Differences of Diabetes Mellitus in Canines and Felines^[11]
Contributing Factors in Diabetes Mellitus	Felines	Canines
Common endocrine disorder	Yes	Yes
Primary diabetes is most similar to human Type II, NIDDM	Yes	No^[12]
Primary diabetes is most similar to human Type I, NIDDM	No	Yes
Peak occurrence in middle-aged to older animals	Yes ^[13]	Yes
Breed predispositions	No	Yes
Initially presents as NIDDM and progresses to IDDM	No	Yes
Can experience transient diabetes	Yes	Yes ^[14]^[15]^[16]
Obesity is a common factor	Yes	Yes
Higher incidence in males versus females	Yes	No
Higher incidence in females versus males	No	Yes ^[17]

References[]

[1] World Health Organization definitions and diagnosis of diabetes

[2] Dr. Richard Nelson on deteriorating type-2 diabetes in cats

[3] VIN-Canine Diabetes

[4] Feline Diabetes

[5] Similarities of Type 2 Diabetes in Cats & Humans

[6] Understanding Feline Diabetes Mellitus, J. Rand, R. Marshall, 2005

[7] Beyond Insulin Therapy: Achieving Optimal Control in Diabetic Dogs Drs. Fleeman & Rand-U-Queensland 2005

[8] Vet tech blog, 2006

[9] Canine and Feline Diabetes Mellitus: Nature or Nurture, J. Rand et al.

[10] Rand & Marshall, ibid

[11] US Pharmacist Diabetes Mellitus in Canines and Felines-2002

[12] Insulin Resistance Not Associated with Glucose Intolerance in Dogs Obese Due to Overfeeding-ACVIM 2006-Page 78, Abstract #224

[13] Petshealth.com-Feline Diabetes

[14] Transient Canine Diabetes Mellitus-Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2003

[15] Intervet-Caninsulin-Page 3

[16] Veterinary Partner-Steroid Use

[17] Veterinary Information Network-Canine Diabetes

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]