Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diabetes Mellitus and Bilateral Cataracts in a Kitten
- Journal:
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Thoresen, SI et al.
- Affiliation:
- The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 18-week-old male domestic long-hair kitten was brought to the vet because he had been drinking and urinating a lot for several weeks. Although he seemed generally healthy, he was smaller than expected for his age and had cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the lenses of his eyes. Blood tests showed that his blood sugar levels were consistently high, leading to a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (a condition where the body can't properly manage sugar levels). Unfortunately, despite receiving insulin treatment, the cataracts continued to worsen, and the kitten was euthanized 10 weeks later. Further examination of his pancreas showed that it had fewer and smaller insulin-producing cells than a healthy kitten of the same age, and the eye examination confirmed the cataracts were affecting both parts of the lens.
Abstract
An 18-week-old male domestic long-hair kitten was presented with a history of polyuria and polydipsia for several weeks. The general condition was unremarkable, but the kitten was considerably smaller than expected for the age and showed cataracts in both eyes. Serum glucose concentrations were persistently elevated and based on clinical findings and an elevated serum fructosamine concentration, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was established. Diabetes mellitus is not commonly diagnosed in young kittens, nor are cataracts recognised as a frequent feature of this disease in cats. The cataracts progressed in spite of the insulin therapy and the kitten was euthanised 10 weeks after referral. Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed few and small islets of Langerhans compared to the examination of pancreas from a healthy kitten of the same age. Histopathological changes in the eyes included cataracts affecting both cortex and nucleus.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1053/jfms.2001.0161