Feline diabetes and other conditions with similar symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: Feline diabetes mellitus is a complex pathology and new information is being provided in a fast manner by researches. The diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus is relatively simple and is based on the observation of sustained high blood glucose level, on two or more occasions. Even so, sustained hyperglycaemia can also occur as a consequence, be associated with, or even induce a series of other pathologies.Aims: The current study targets an accurate differential diagnosis of primary feline diabetes mellitus, associated pathologies and other endocrinopathies which hold a strong diabetogenic potential.Materials and methods: A number of 65 cats diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus have been included for the development of the study. All cats underwent clinical and physical examination, and further paraclinical investigations have been recommended for the diagnosis with the highest probability. Based on a case data set, targeted diagnoses included: a) primary diabetes mellitus, with no other associated pathologies; b) diabetes mellitus induced by (b.1) hypersomathotropism, (b.2) hyperthyroidism, (b.3) hyperadrenocorticism and (b.4) diabetogenic medication; c) diabetes mellitus in association with (c.1) chronic kidney failure and (c.2) heart failure and d) pancreatitis;Results: Based on the differential diagnosis, the observed diabetic felines were framed in one or more of the following groups: (a) - 27, (b.1) - 2, (b.2) - 1, (b.3) - 0, (b.4) - 38, (c.1) - 18, (c.2) - 10, (d) - 26.Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus can occur as primary or sole pathology, and also associated with other endocrinopathies or systemic illness. Most cases of secondary diabetes mellitus display difficult control of blood glucose level, highly variable insulin requirements, a low quality of life and a shorter survival rate. Thus accurate diagnosis might be most important aspect for the future outcome of the disease. Â