Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pancreatitis signs in diabetic cats without symptoms at diagnosis
By Zini, E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2015·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Longitudinal evaluation of serum pancreatic enzymes and ultrasonographic findings in diabetic cats without clinically relevant pancreatitis at diagnosis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 cats with newly diagnosed diabetes were evaluated for signs of pancreatitis, even though they showed no clinical symptoms. Tests revealed that many of these cats had subclinical pancreatitis, which could complicate their diabetes management. All cats were treated with insulin glargine, and 57% achieved remission from diabetes after treatment. However, those with higher levels of a specific pancreatic enzyme (Spec fPL) were less likely to go into remission. This suggests that monitoring pancreatic health is important for diabetic cats, even if they don't show obvious signs of illness.
People also search for: diabetic cat treatment · cat pancreatitis symptoms · insulin for diabetic cats · cat diabetes remission signs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cats with diabetes mellitus can have subclinical pancreatitis but prospective studies to confirm this are lacking. Metabolic control of diabetic cats with pancreatitis is difficult. HYPOTHESIS: Subclinical pancreatitis occurs in diabetic cats at the time diabetes is diagnosed or might develop during the follow-up period, hampering diabetic remission. ANIMALS: Thirty cats with newly diagnosed diabetes without clinical signs of pancreatitis on admission. METHODS: Prospective study. On admission and 2 and 6 months later, serum Spec fPL and DGGR-lipase were measured and the pancreas underwent ultrasonographic examination. Pancreatitis was suspected if serum markers were increased or ≥2 ultrasonographic abnormalities were detected. Cats were treated with insulin glargine and diabetic remission was defined as euglycemia ≥4 weeks after discontinuation of insulin. Nonparametric statistical tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: Subclinical pancreatitis at the time of diagnosis was suspected in 33, 50, and 31% of cats based on Spec fPL, DGGR-lipase and ultrasonography, respectively; and in 60% when diagnostic criteria were combined. During the follow-up period, suspected pancreatitis developed in additional 17-30% cats. Only 1 cat had transient clinical signs compatible with pancreatitis. Seventeen of the 30 cats (57%) achieved remission. Frequency of abnormal Spec fPL and DGGR-lipase and abnormal ultrasonographic findings did not differ in cats achieving remission and those who did not. Cats achieving remission had significantly lower Spec fPL at 2 months (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Based on laboratory and ultrasonographic measurements, many cats with diabetes might have pancreatitis, although without clinical signs. Cats with high Spec fPL might have a reduced chance of diabetic remission; however, this topic needs further studies in large cohorts of diabetic cats.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25818213/