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This area of the website provides extensive information on the subject of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. Click on the articles listed below to view abstracts.

Canine reference articles

  • Diabetes Mellitus

    • Pharmacokinetics of a porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs.

      Graham PA, Nash AS and McKellar QA. Pharmacokinetics of a porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 1997;38(10):434−438.

      Abstract:
      Ten dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus were injected with a highly purified porcine insulin zinc suspension at a dose according to their expected requirement. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured at two-hourly intervals over 24 hours following injection.

      There were either one or two peaks in plasma insulin concentration: one at about 4 hours (mean 4.3 +/-1.3 [SD]) and another at about 11 hours (mean 11 +/- 1.85) after the injection. The second insulin peak was seen in only eight dogs. Persistence of elevated plasma insulin concentrations ranged from 14 to 24 hours (mean 17.4 +/- 3.65).

      These results compare favourably with those published for other intermediate-acting insulin preparations used to treat canine diabetes mellitus and suggest that this preparation has useful properties for the successful management of many canine diabetics.

    • Evaluation of an insulin zinc suspension for control of naturally occurring diabetes mellitus in dogs.

      Horn B and Mitten RW (2000) Evaluation of an insulin zinc suspension for control of naturally occurring diabetes mellitus in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal 78(12):831-4.

      Abstract:
      Objective
      To evaluate duration of action of an insulin zinc suspension (Caninsulin, Intervet) in spontaneously occurring cases of canine diabetes mellitus and suitability of its use as a once daily administered insulin for treatment of this disease.

      Design
      Eight client-owned canine diabetics were included in a prospective pilot study. All dogs had been treated with Caninsulin for a minimum of 2 months and were considered on clinical grounds to be adequately stabilised.

      Procedure
      Dogs were hospitalised for 24 h and blood collected every 2 h via indwelling venous catheters for blood glucose determination.

      Results
      Once daily Caninsulin administration failed to maintain glycaemic control for greater than 13 h in five of eight dogs, but acceptable blood glucose concentrations were maintained for 22 h and greater than 24 h in two others. One dog became distressed during hospitalisation and the blood glucose curve did not show an identifiable response to the insulin.

      Conclusion
      Most diabetic dogs may require twice daily administration of Caninsulin for satisfactory glycaemic control, but once daily administration may be adequate in some animals. More comprehensive investigation into duration of activity of Caninsulin is warranted.

    • Efficacy and safety of Caninsulin®, purified porcine insulin for treating diabetic dogs.

      Monroe W, Laxton DJ and Robertson JL. (2001) Efficacy and Safety of Caninsulin®, Purified Porcine Insulin for Treating Diabetic Dogs 19th ACVIM Forum Denver, Colorado, 23-26 May 200: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 15:pp. 309 (#150)

      Abstract
      The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of CANINSULIN®, a purified porcine insulin produced by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health for treating diabetic dogs.

      Fifty-three dogs were treated with CANINSULIN® for 60 days after an initial dose determination period. TO evaluate efficacy, the study population mean blood glucose concentration from 12 hour glucose curves (glucose determined every 2 hours) performed at time 0 (prior to beginning insulin therapy), time 1 (end of dose determination period), time 2 (30 days after time1) and time 3 (60 days after time 1) were determined.

      The mean blood glucose nadir at times 0, 1, 2, and 3 was also evaluated. Clinicians judged if a patient's hyperglycaemia was under adequate glycaemic control based on improvement in clinical signs of diabetes (PU, PD, and ketonuria) and evaluation of 12-hour blood glucose curves determined at times 1, 2, and 3 compared to study time 0. Safety was evaluated based on serial histories, physical examinations, CBCs, serum chemistry profiles and urinalyses. The mean 12 hour blood glucose concentration at time 0 was 370 mg/dl. This decreased to 151 mg/dl, 181 mg/dl, and 183 mg/dl at times 1, 2, and 3. Mean blood glucose nadir concentration was 307 mg/dl at time 0. This decreased to 92 mg/dl, 120 mg/dl, and 119 mg/dl at times 1, 2 , and 3. Compared to the time 0 incidence, polyuria had resolved in 96% (47/49), 82% (40/49), and 94% (46/49) of patients, and polydipsia had resolved in 96% (48/50), 86% (43/50), and 96% (48/50) of patients at times 1, 2, and 3.

      Mean 12 hour blood glucose concentration and mean blood glucose nadir were substantially reduced, with most patient's judged to be under adequate clinical control at times 1, 2, and 3 compared to time 0. No unexpected side effects from treatment were observed.

    • Capillary blood sampling from the ear of dogs and cats and use of portable meters to measure glucose concentration.

      Wess G, Reusch C Capillary blood sampling from the ear of dogs and cats and use of portable meters to measure glucose concentration. J Small Anim Pract. 2000 Feb;41(2):60-6

      Abstract
      Two new methods for collection of capillary blood from the ear of dogs and cats for the measurement of blood glucose concentration using portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) are described. The first method uses a lancing device after pre-warming the ear, while the second employs a vacuum lancing device. Both methods generated blood drops of adequate size, although the latter method was faster and easier to perform. Accuracy of the two PBGMs was evaluated clinically and statistically. Although assessment of statistical accuracy revealed differences between the PBGMs and the reference method, all of the PBGM readings were within clinically acceptable ranges. Measurement of capillary blood glucose concentration is easy to perform, inexpensive and fast. It may be used by owners to determine blood glucose concentrations at home, and could serve as a new tool for monitoring diabetic dogs and cats.

    • Measurement of capillary blood glucose concentrations by pet owners: a new tool in the management of diabetes mellitus.

      Casella M, Wess G, Reusch CE. Measurement of capillary blood glucose concentrations by pet owners: a new tool in the management of diabetes mellitus. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2002 May-Jun;38(3):239-45

      Abstract
      Recently a new method for capillary blood sampling from the ears of dogs and cats was described, which allows the measurement of glucose concentration by means of portable glucose meters. The authors of this report evaluated the suitability of this method for use by pet owners and the potential technical problems. The owners of seven healthy dogs and seven healthy cats were asked to perform two glucose curves (measuring blood glucose concentration every 2 hours for a total of 12 hours). All dog owners and three cat owners were able to perform a reliable blood glucose curve. The most frequently encountered problems were inadequate formation of a blood drop due to excessive digital pressure on the pinna, repeatedly depressing the plunger of the lancet device instead of allowing the negative pressure to slowly build up, and failure to fill the test strip up to the mark. The authors conclude that these steps of the procedure need to be stressed during technique demonstration and that home monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may serve as a new tool in the management of diabetic dogs and cats.

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis

    • Therapy of the "Healthy" Diabetic Ketotic Animal, by Drs. Stewart and Lewinsky, 2000.

      Abstract:
      Treatment of the healthy diabetic ketotic animal begins with the successful physical examination and determination of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

    • Therapy of the Ill Diabetic Ketoacidotic Animal, by Drs. Lawson and Nelson, 2003.

      Abstract:
      Insulin therapy is critical for successful therapy of the ill diabetic ketoacidotic animal. By maintaining the dose and monitoring glucose levels

    • Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology, by Drs. Feldman and Nelson, University of California-Davis, 2003.

      Abstract:
      Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Current concepts regarding the pathophysiology and management of DKA in dogs and cats is discussed.

    • Establishing the Diagnosis of Diabetic Ketosis and Ketoacidosis, by Drs. Stewart and Lewinsky, 2000.

      Abstract:
      The first steps to successful diagnosis is testing for glucose and a physical examination.

Feline reference articles