Pathophysiology of Diabetes mellitus

The cause of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats may differ but the pathophysiology remains the same:

• An absolute or relative insulin deficiency
• Reduced tissue utilization of glucose
• Extracellular hyperglycaemia and intracellular hypoglycaemia

The consequences of extracellular hyperglycaemia and intracellular hypoglycaemia are shown in the diagram. Click on thumbnail for full sized algorithm.