Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diabetes risk in cats after high-dose prednisolone treatment
By Nerhagen, Sivert et al.·Published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·2020·Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Prednisolone-induced diabetes mellitus in the cat: a historical cohort
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 143 cats receiving a high dose of prednisolone (a steroid medication) for more than three weeks was studied to see if they developed diabetes. Out of these cats, 14 (about 10%) were diagnosed with diabetes within three months of starting the medication. This suggests that cats on high doses of prednisolone should be closely monitored for signs of diabetes during the first few months of treatment. If your cat is on prednisolone, watch for symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss, and discuss any concerns with your veterinarian.
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Abstract
Objectives Prednisolone is a commonly used drug in cats and potential adverse effects include hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency and investigate potential predisposing risk factors for the development of prednisolone-induced diabetes mellitus (PIDM) in cats. Methods The electronic records of a tertiary referral centre were searched for cats receiving prednisolone at a starting dose of ⩾1.9 mg/kg/day, for >3 weeks and with follow-up data available for >3 months between January 2007 and July 2019. One hundred and forty-three cats were included in the study. Results Of the 143 cats, 14 cats (9.7%) were diagnosed with PIDM. Twelve out of 14 cats (85.7%) developed diabetes within 3 months of the initiation of therapy. Conclusions and relevance Cats requiring high-dose prednisolone therapy should be closely monitored over the first 3 months of therapy for the development of PIDM.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x20943522