Klinische manifestationen und management des felinen diabetes

Clinical manifestations of feline diabetes mellitus are basically caused by persistent hyperglycemia. Because of possible concurrent conditions all newly diagnosed diabetic cats should be examined thoroughly including a physical examination, complete blood count, clinical biochemistry, urinalysis and abdominal ultrasound. Differention of NIDDM and IDDM is difficult in the feline. The extent of pathologic changes of the beta-cells and the pancreatic islets influences the variable clinical course in the cat and also the mostly unpredictable response to therapy including transient diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance with the latter often being linked to obesity, and glucose toxicity are important features of feline diabetes.