Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A pilot study comparing a protocol using intermittent administration of glargine and regular insulin to a continuous rate infusion of regular insulin in cats with naturally occurring diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Gallagher, Brandi R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how two different methods of giving insulin could help cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition caused by high blood sugar and ketones. Sixteen cats were split into two groups: one group received a steady drip of regular insulin, while the other group got a mix of short-acting and long-acting insulin through injections. The researchers found that the cats receiving the injections had quicker improvements in their blood chemistry and spent less time in the hospital compared to those on the insulin drip. In the end, 11 out of the 16 cats survived and there was no difference in survival rates between the two groups. Overall, the injection method seemed to work well for treating DKA in cats, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this pilot study was to compare regular insulin administered by continuous rate infusion (CRI) to an approach using insulin glargine and regular insulin administered intermittently. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Sixteen cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). INTERVENTIONS: Cats with DKA were randomized to either low-dose regular insulin CRI (CRI group; n = 8) or intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections (subcutaneous [SC] glargine plus intramuscular [IM] regular insulin; SC/IM group; n = 8). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Time of normalization of pH, bicarbonate, hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and appetite, as well as duration of hospitalization were recorded. Eleven of 16 cats (59%) survived to discharge, with no difference in survival between groups (P = 0.99). Times of resolution of hyperglycemia (P = 0.02) and ketonemia (P = 0.04), and normalization of pH (P = 0.04), and bicarbonate (P = 0.03) were significantly shorter in the SC/IM group. Cats in the SC/IM group also had a significantly shorter duration of hospitalization (SC/IM: median = 54 hr [range, 19-118 hr]; CRI: median = 111 hr [range, 58-271 hr]; P = 0.04). Time of first meal was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although further research is required, an approach using intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections appeared to be an effective option for treatment of DKA in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25546713/