Diabetes Mellitus in Companion Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2016) | Viewed by 69682

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, QLD 4343, Australia
2. Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, Kenmore, QLD 4069, Australia
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce a Special Issue of Veterinary Sciences devoted to new research in feline and canine diabetes. This issue is aimed at improving our understanding of its pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in pets, and can markedly reduce the quality of life for the pet and its owner, especially if good glycemic control cannot be achieved. It may ultimately result in euthanasia. Therefore, improved understanding leading to better prevention, earlier diagnosis and better management can save lives. I invite researchers to submit manuscripts that will advance our knowledge of diabetes mellitus in companion animals, for the benefit of veterinarians, pets and their owners.

Emeritus Prof. Jacquie Rand
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Feline and canine diabetes
  • hyperglycemia
  • hypoglycemia
  • Somogyi
  • Cataracts
  • peripheral neuropathy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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2169 KiB  
Article
The Big Pet Diabetes Survey: Perceived Frequency and Triggers for Euthanasia
by Stijn J.M. Niessen, Katarina Hazuchova, Sonya L. Powney, Javier Guitian, Antonius P.M. Niessen, Paul D. Pion, James A. Shaw and David B. Church
Vet. Sci. 2017, 4(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4020027 - 14 May 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 8982
Abstract
Current pet diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment necessitates the active daily involvement of owners and can be costly. The current study aimed to investigate the owner population which opts for euthanasia instead of DM treatment. A survey was designed using multiple feedback steps and [...] Read more.
Current pet diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment necessitates the active daily involvement of owners and can be costly. The current study aimed to investigate the owner population which opts for euthanasia instead of DM treatment. A survey was designed using multiple feedback steps and made available online to veterinarians world-wide. A total of 1192 veterinarians completed the survey and suggested a median one in 10 diabetic pets are euthanased at diagnosis; a further median one in 10 within one year because of lack of success or compliance. Perceived most important motivating factors included “presence concurrent disease” (45% respondents); “costs” (44%); “animal age” (37%); “problems obtaining adequate control” (35%); “pet welfare” (35%); and “impact owner’s lifestyle” (32%). Cats in Canadian (odds ratio (OR) 2.7), Australian (OR 2.3), rural (OR 1.6) and mixed (OR 1.7) practices were more likely to be euthanased because of DM diagnosis, while cats presented to referral/university were less likely to be euthanased (OR 0.6). Dogs were more likely to be euthanased because of DM in Canadian (OR 1.8), rural (OR 1.8) and mixed (OR 1.6) practices. The survey results suggest that benefit exists in improved DM education with emphasis on offering a choice of treatment styles ranging from intense and expensive to hands-off and cheap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes Mellitus in Companion Animals)
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441 KiB  
Article
Effect of Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid in Preventing the Genesis of Canine Diabetic Cataract: A Preliminary Study
by David L. Williams
Vet. Sci. 2017, 4(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4010018 - 16 Mar 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7756
Abstract
Blinding cataract is a significant effect of canine diabetes with 75% of animals affected two years after diagnosis. Lens opacification occurs primarily through the generation of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, through the action of aldose reductase (AR). The osmotic effect of sorbitol draws [...] Read more.
Blinding cataract is a significant effect of canine diabetes with 75% of animals affected two years after diagnosis. Lens opacification occurs primarily through the generation of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, through the action of aldose reductase (AR). The osmotic effect of sorbitol draws water into the lens, causing opacification. Inhibition of AR should thus prevent the generation of cataracts. A topical AR inhibitor has been shown to have this effect, as has the commercially available neutraceutical OcuGLO, containing the AR inhibitor alpha lipoic acid (ALA) together with other plant-based antioxidants. Here a comparison is made between the number of diabetic dogs developing cataracts when given oral ALA alone and those given a mix containing ascorbic acid and tocopherol. Animals given ALA developed significantly fewer lens opacities than those given conventional antioxidants. Cataracts which formed occurred at a significantly greater duration after the commencement of treatment than those on the antioxidant mix. Although this is a small study conducted over a short period, the significant benefit of ALA in diabetic dogs is a reason to evaluate these effects in larger trials. As AR is involved in diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, this enzyme inhibitor may be worthy of evaluation in preventing these conditions in human diabetics also. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes Mellitus in Companion Animals)
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1063 KiB  
Article
Serum Fructosamine Concentration in Uncontrolled Hyperthyroid Diabetic Cats Is within the Population Reference Interval
by Arnon Gal, Brie Trusiano, Adrienne F. French, Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos and Amy L. MacNeill
Vet. Sci. 2017, 4(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4010017 - 15 Mar 2017
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7133
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy of cats that is characterized by persistent fasting hyperglycemia. However, stress induces substantial hyperglycemia in cats that poses a challenge to the veterinarian who may wrongly interpret the high serum concentration of blood glucose as evidence of [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy of cats that is characterized by persistent fasting hyperglycemia. However, stress induces substantial hyperglycemia in cats that poses a challenge to the veterinarian who may wrongly interpret the high serum concentration of blood glucose as evidence of diabetes mellitus. Fructosamine is a glycated serum protein that serves as an index of glycemic control in cats and is useful because it is not affected by stress hyperglycemia. However, factors such as body weight, hypoproteinemia, and increased serum thyroid hormone concentration can alter fructosamine concentration. The goal of this retrospective study was to compare the fructosamine concentrations in diabetic and nondiabetic cats with and without uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. A secondary goal was to determine the effect of sex, age, different populations of cats, and diabetes on the variability of fructosamine. We found that the mean (±SE) serum fructosamine of hyperthyroid diabetic cats (332 ± 24 µmol/L, 95% CI 291–379 µmol/L) was within the population-based reference interval (200–360 µmol/L) and significantly lower in comparison to euthyroid diabetic cats (527 ± 10 µmol/L, 95% CI 515–553 µmol/L). Additionally, in this study, diabetes accounted only for approximately 50% of the variance in serum fructosamine, while age, sex, and population made a minor contribution to this variance. In conclusion, finding serum fructosamine that is within the population-based reference interval in an uncontrolled diabetic cat should alert the veterinarian to the possibility of concurrent hyperthyroidism. Additionally, the veterinary clinician should consider that serum fructosamine might be substantially affected by factors other than diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes Mellitus in Companion Animals)
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Review

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1162 KiB  
Review
Cats and Carbohydrates: The Carnivore Fantasy?
by Adronie Verbrugghe and Myriam Hesta
Vet. Sci. 2017, 4(4), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4040055 - 15 Nov 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 44860
Abstract
The domestic cat’s wild ancestors are obligate carnivores that consume prey containing only minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Evolutionary events adapted the cat’s metabolism and physiology to this diet strictly composed of animal tissues and led to unique digestive and metabolic peculiarities of carbohydrate [...] Read more.
The domestic cat’s wild ancestors are obligate carnivores that consume prey containing only minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Evolutionary events adapted the cat’s metabolism and physiology to this diet strictly composed of animal tissues and led to unique digestive and metabolic peculiarities of carbohydrate metabolism. The domestic cat still closely resembles its wild ancestor. Although the carnivore connection of domestic cats is well recognised, little is known about the precise nutrient profile to which the digestive physiology and metabolism of the cat have adapted throughout evolution. Moreover, studies show that domestic cats balance macronutrient intake by selecting low-carbohydrate foods. The fact that cats evolved consuming low-carbohydrate prey has led to speculations that high-carbohydrate diets could be detrimental for a cat’s health. More specifically, it has been suggested that excess carbohydrates could lead to feline obesity and diabetes mellitus. Additionally, the chances for remission of diabetes mellitus are higher in cats that consume a low-carbohydrate diet. This literature review will summarise current carbohydrate knowledge pertaining to digestion, absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, food selection and macronutrient balancing in healthy, obese and diabetic cats, as well as the role of carbohydrates in prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes Mellitus in Companion Animals)
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