Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low blood sugar episodes in diabetic cats and their treatment
By Viebrock, Kayla A & Dennis, Jeff·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2018·Internal Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypoglycemic episodes in cats with diabetes mellitus: 30 cases (2013-2015).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of diabetic cats showed signs of hypoglycemia, like confusion or weakness, after receiving insulin. Many of these cats had either missed a meal, vomited, or accidentally received too much insulin. When treated, those that improved within 12 hours were more likely to recover fully, regardless of their initial condition. It's important for cat owners to monitor their pet's eating habits and insulin doses closely to prevent these dangerous episodes.
People also search for: cat diabetes hypoglycemia symptoms · why is my cat weak after insulin · treatment for diabetic cat low blood sugar
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to review the characteristics of diabetic cats presenting to a specialty and emergency center for signs attributed to hypoglycemia and to identify the factors that may have contributed to the hypoglycemic episode, the patient's clinical signs and laboratory findings, and the response of hypoglycemic cats to therapy. Methods Twenty-eight cats were presented a total of 30 times for symptomatic hypoglycemia. Data were collected from cat owners at the time of presentation and from subsequent patient records. Results The majority of cats presented for neurologic signs attributed to the reduced ingestion or subsequent vomiting of a meal after insulin had been administered or the accidental double-dosing of insulin. Concurrent illnesses that may have affected insulin requirements were also common. Conclusions and relevance Cats that demonstrated clinical improvement within 12 h of treatment were more likely to recover despite their mental status and glucose level on presentation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28816090/