Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis in cats
By Cooper, Rachel L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2015·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation of risk factors and outcome predictors in cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (1997-2007): 93 cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old Siamese cat was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition that can occur when diabetes is poorly managed. The cat showed high blood sugar levels and other concerning lab results. Treatment involved administering a higher concentration of insulin through an IV, which significantly improved the cat's chances of recovery. Unfortunately, about 39% of cats with DKA had poor outcomes, often linked to elevated kidney and liver markers. However, those receiving more intensive insulin treatment had better results.
People also search for: cat diabetic ketoacidosis treatment · Siamese cat diabetes symptoms · insulin treatment for cat DKA
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors and outcome predictors in cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DESIGN: Retrospective study. Inclusion in the DKA group required blood glucose concentration > 13.9 mmol/L (250 mg/dL), venous pH < 7.35, and urine or serum acetoacetate concentration greater than 1.5 mmol/L (15 mg/dL). Signalment and weight were recorded in all cats with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus (DM) without DKA and in all other nondiabetic cats examined during the study period. Clinicopathologic variables, concurrent disorders, and initial insulin intravenous (IV) continuous-rate infusion (CRI) concentration of 1.1 or 2.2 U/kg/240 mL bag of 0.9% NaCl, were examined for a possible association with outcome. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Ninety-three cats with DKA, 682 cats with uncomplicated DM, and 16,926 cats without DM or DKA. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cats with DKA were younger (median age 9.4 years; range, 1-17.9 years) than cats with uncomplicated DM (median 11.6 years; range 0.7-19.5 years, P < 0.0003). Siamese cats were overrepresented in the DKA group compared to the uncomplicated DM or nondiabetic group (P = 0.038 and P = 0.01, respectively). Poor outcome (defined as death due to disease or by euthanasia) in 36 cats with DKA (39%) was associated with increased initial creatinine, BUN, total serum magnesium, and total bilirubin concentrations (P = 0.007, P = 0.005, P = 0.03, P = 0.03, respectively). Cats treated with a higher concentration of insulin were less likely to have a poor outcome compared to cats treated with a lower concentration of insulin (odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.02-1.16, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cats with DKA are more likely to be Siamese than cats with uncomplicated DM. Poor outcome of cats with DKA is associated with increased initial creatinine, BUN, total magnesium, and total bilirubin concentrations. Good outcome was associated with a higher concentration of IV insulin CRI.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25845506/