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Complications of diabetes mellitus in canine and feline patients
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy diagnosed in small animal patients, and once stable can be managed and well controlled in the home environment. Complications can occur, however, when unexpected factors arise which can cause destabilisation of the patient. This article will provide a brief review of diabetes mellitus in canine and feline patients before describing some of the common complications that may be observed including hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, urinary tract infection, diabetic neuropathy and cataracts. The aim is to ensure the veterinary nurse has a good understanding of these complications, for them to be aware of the clinical symptoms that may be displayed, and for them to appreciate the different treatment options available allowing them to be efficient advocates for their patients should the need arise.
The pancreas is a complex organ comprising both an exocrine and an endocrine function. The endocrine pancreas involves the area called the islets of Langerhans which contain β-cells; it is from these cells that insulin is produced (Kipperman and Rogers, 2012). Insulin is responsible for maintaining blood glucose levels within a normal range, and in healthy patients, receptors in the pancreas monitor blood glucose levels informing the β-cells to increase or decrease the amount of insulin accordingly.
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that results from either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or an ineffectiveness of insulin at peripheral tissues resulting in persistent hyperglycaemia (Yin, 2010). Various studies have been performed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and it has been estimated that approximately 0.43% of feline patients are affected (Reusch, 2014), while it is reported to affect around 0.3% of canine patients (Tardo et al, 2019).
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