FELINE MEDICINE
The Importance of a High Protein Diet in
Managing Feline
Diabetics
Dr Salome Nagel BVSc MMedVet
(Med) Small Animals [email protected]
Reviewed by Drs Marlies Böhm and L van der Merwe
The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing dramatically in household cats over the past
few decades1,6 and currently affects between 1/100
and 1/500 cats7,4 In cats, like in humans, obesity is the
most important risk factor for, and cause of, diabetes.
It has been experimentally shown that a 1 kg weight
gain results in a 30% decrease in insulin sensitivity in
cats8.
Feeding style (ad lib vs. set meal times), a sedentary
life style (esp. indoor confinement), increased age
due to easier access to improved veterinary care (typical age is > 7 years at diagnosis) and neutering status
(esp. neutered male cats) are also thought to play a
role.1,4-7 Other risk factors include diseases which destroy beta cells (pancreatitis or pancreatic neoplasia)
and diseases which result in elevations of hormones
that antagonise the effects of insulin (eg acromegaly,
hyperthyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism).
Fat cats which are already insulin resistant may become symptomatic when the stress of concurrent
disease causes the release on cortisol which further antagonises the effects on insulin.3,5 Exogenous
progestagens or corticosteroids may trigger clinical
diabetes in a predisposed individual (the depot formulations are the riskiest because they cannot be
withdrawn once side effects become obvious).3, 4
If cats are diagnosed and treated early enough many
may go into remission i.e. no longer need insulin.6
Studies have shown that use of long acting insulin,
BID treatment with tight euglycaemic control and a
low carbohydrate diet increase the likelihood of a cat
going into remission. Cats in diabetic remission will
continue to have decreased glucose tolerance and
should be considered pre-diabetic.
About 25% may become clinically diabetic again at a
later stage. Thus ongoing dietary and weight management is essential.
vet360
Issue 04 | JULY 2015 | 12
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