Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Safe and effective home blood sugar control in diabetic cats
By Roomp, Kirsten & Rand, Jacquie·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2009·Department of Computational Biology and Applied Algorithmics, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intensive blood glucose control is safe and effective in diabetic cats using home monitoring and treatment with glargine.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of diabetic cats were successfully managed at home by their owners using a specific insulin (glargine) and a low-carb diet. Out of 55 cats, 64% achieved remission from diabetes, with even better results for those who started treatment within six months of diagnosis. Only one cat experienced a mild drop in blood sugar during the study, indicating that the approach was safe. This method shows promise for pet owners looking to manage their cat's diabetes effectively at home.
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Abstract
Human diabetic patients routinely self-adjust their insulin dose using a protocol and home monitoring, and perform equally well or outperform physician directed adjustments. The objective of this study was to report the outcome of home monitoring of diabetic cats by owners using a protocol aimed at achieving euglycaemia, using ultra-low carbohydrate diets (< or =10% metabolisable energy) and the insulin analogue glargine for >10 weeks and/or until remission was achieved. Fifty-five cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, whose owners joined the online German Diabetes-Katzen Forum, were included. An overall remission rate of 64% was achieved in the cohort. Significantly higher remission rates were observed if good glycaemic control was achieved soon after diagnosis: 84% for cats started on the protocol within 6 months of diagnosis went into remission, and only 35% for cats that began more than 6 months after diagnosis (P<0.001). Only one mild clinical hypoglycaemic episode occurred observed despite tight blood glucose control. In conclusion, intensive blood glucose control is safe and effective in diabetic cats using home monitoring and treatment with glargine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19592286/