insulin--isophane and Cat-Diseases

The majority of feline diabetic patients require insulin to stabilize their diabetes and lente insulins have been widely available for many years. Management of many cases using Lente insulins is straightforward and can produce an excellent quality and length of life.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diabetes Mellitus; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin Resistance; Insulin, Lente; Quality of Life; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome

This study evaluated the outcome of cats with diabetes mellitus treated with a loose-control approach using protamine zinc insulin and identified factors that influence the likelihood of remission and survival in these cats. A total of 185 client-owned domestic cats were followed until death, lost to follow-up, or the end of the 11-year study. These cats were treated primarily basing insulin dose adjustments on clinical response. Patient records were used to examine factors suspected of influencing success of diabetes management. The remission probability was 56.2%. Survival time ranged from 0 to 3808 days with a median of 1488 days. Recent pre-diabetic corticosteroid use, lower mean blood glucose concentration during treatment, and lower mean insulin dose significantly increased the likelihood of remission. A low-carbohydrate diet, occurrence of remission, lack of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis, lower mean blood glucose value during treatment, and lower blood glucose value at diagnosis were significantly associated with increased survival time.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Insulin; Insulin, Isophane

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin, Isophane; Insulin, Lente; Male; Prospective Studies; Sus scrofa

Thirteen cats with diabetes mellitus were evaluated. Clinical signs included polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, lethargy, and weight loss. Results of physical examination included obesity, hepatomegaly, mild seborrhea sicca, muscle wasting, and dehydration. One cat walked plantigrade and was suspected of having a diabetic neuropathy. Persistent hyperglycemia, glucosuria, high liver enzyme activities, hypercholesterolemia, hyperproteinemia, and low electrolyte concentrations were the common laboratory findings. In 3 cats diabetes mellitus developed after megestrol acetate therapy; 2 of these cats required only temporary insulin treatment. In a 3rd cat, which had no history of receiving diabetogenic drug therapy, remission of diabetes mellitus also was observed. Serum insulin and plasma glucose concentrations were determined in 6 cats after administration of an intermediate-acting insulin (isophane insulin) and in 3 cats after administration of a long-acting insulin (protamine zinc insulin). The insulin concentration peaked 2 to 6 hours after the injection of intermediate-acting insulin and 6 to 12 hours after the injection of long-acting insulin. The lowest glucose concentration was recorded 4 to 8 hours after injection of intermediate-acting insulin, and 6 to 12 hours after injection of long-acting insulin. It was concluded that, although insulin therapy must be adjusted to the individual, the diabetic cat usually requires twice-daily administration of isophane insulin; however, the protamine zinc insulin can be given once daily for satisfactory control.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Blood Glucose; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Insulin, Isophane; Insulin, Long-Acting; Male