Feline Diabetes: Practical Management – Current Best Practice

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder of cats, comparable to human type-2 diabetes. Management of affected cats can be challenging but also rewarding, not least because early appropriate treatment can result in reversal of the diabetic state (diabetic remission).

The International Society of Feline Medicine recently published Consensus Guidelines on the practical management of this condition and this article discusses the guidelines and presents important, applicable information. Areas covered include dietary management, the appropriate use of insulin and how to monitor and adjust the insulin dosage when managing feline diabetics.

This article also provides a practical guide on teaching owners to measure blood glucose at home, an invaluable technique for stabilising and monitoring diabetic cats.