A patient care report of a feline with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus hospitalised for a blood glucose curve

The patient was presented to a first opinion veterinary practice following a recent diagnosis of feline diabetes mellitus (FDM). The owner brought her cat to be admitted and hospitalised for a blood glucose curve (BGC) and later to a nurse clinic on diabetes management.

Species: Feline

Breed: Domestic shorthair

Age: 10 years 5 month

Sex: Male (neutered)

Weight: 1.9 kg

On presentation the patient was bright, alert and responsive. Patient's heart rate was 172 beats per minute (bpm) (normal range 100–180 bpm) with normal pulses, mucous membranes pale pink, capillary refill time less than 2 seconds, respiratory rate 50 breaths per minute (normal range 20–30 bpm) and rectal temperature 38.2°C (normal range 38.2–38.6^oC) (Goddard and Phillips, 2011). No abnormalities noted on thoracic auscultation and abdominal palpation. The patient had body condition score of 2/9.

On presentation initial blood glucose check revealed hyperglycaemia (glucose 27.1 mmol/litre (3.3–6 mmol/litre)). Urinalysis shown severe glycosuria (>2000 mg/dl (0 mg/dl)) and very dilute urine (specific gravity 1.010 (1.035–1.060)) (Irwin, 2011). The patient was fed and 4iu of porcine lente insulin (Caninsulin®, MSD Animal Health) was administered subcutaneously. Following that, blood glucose checks were performed every hour for the next 9 hours.