Diabetes

From Diabetes in Pets

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Diabetes mellitus

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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
Primary diabetes is most similar to human Type I, NIDDM	No	Yes
Peak occurrence in middle-aged to older animals	Yes ^[12]	Yes
Breed predispositions	No	Yes
Initially presents as NIDDM and progresses to IDDM	No	Yes
Can experience transient diabetes	Yes	Yes ^[13]^[14]^[15]
Obesity is a common factor	Yes	Yes
Higher incidence in males versus females	Yes	No
Higher incidence in females versus males	No	Yes ^[16]

[edit] Further Reading

Current Understanding of Feline Diabetes Mellitus-WSAVA 2004-Drs. Rand & Martin
Therapeutic Goals for Otherwise Healthy Diabetic Cats--WSAVA 2004--Drs. Rand & Martin
Understanding Feline Diabetes: Pathogenesis & Management-Drs. Rand & Marshall-2005
Signs of Feline Diabetes Mellitus-Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Education Library
Feline Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-ILAR/National Research Council-2006
Stabilizing the Healthy Diabetic Cat-Axiom Labs (UK)
Note: Axiom is UK-based--the all beef Insuvet insulins referred to are available there. Comparable insulins in North America would be PZI from BCP, VPOA, or Summit, or Hypurin Bovine Protamine Zinc imported from CP Pharma. Caninsulin is available in the US as Vetsulin.
Diabetes Mellitus in the Cat: A Review-Schweizer Archiv fuer Tierheilkunde--2006-Article Translated into English
FDMB posting discussing the difference between insulin-dependent Type-2 and actual Type-1 diabetes in cats
FDMB posting discussing types of diabetes in further detail
Managing Feline Diabetes-Diet-North American Veterinary Conference-2006
Early Diabetes Detection in Cats-North American Veterinary Conference-2006

FDMB posting regarding types in dogs and cats, from a talk by Dr. David Bruyette, DVM
Pathogenesis of Diabetes Mellitus--Canines and Felines 2003 WSAVA Presentation
Diabetes Mellitus Classifications
Comparative Aspects of Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats-Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology-2002
Gastrointestinal Signs in Endocrine Disorders-Cats & Dogs-Provet UK
Endocrine Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Similarities and Differences with Endocrine Diseases in Humans-Growth Hormone & IGF Research 2003
Cornell University-Feline Health Center-Diabetes: Getting the Diagnosis Flash Movie
Though the movie is essentially aimed at feline diabetes, the diabetes concepts presented in it are basic to the disease, making it suitable for all.

[edit] References

[0] World Health Organization definitions and diagnosis of diabetes

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

[2] VIN-Canine Diabetes

[3] Feline Diabetes

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

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

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

[7] Vet tech blog, 2006

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

[9] Rand & Marshall, ibid

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

[11] Petshealth.com-Feline Diabetes

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

[13] Intervet-Caninsulin-Page 3

[14] Veterinary Partner-Steroid Use

[15] Veterinary Information Network-Canine Diabetes

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