Clinical Remission of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

Diabetic cats that go into diabetic clinical remission have remaining functional beta cells in the pancreatic islets which are able to produce sufficient insulin once persistent hyperglycaemia, which results in glucose toxicity, is treated adequately with insulin.

The time to remission is variable and likely depends on how long the hyperglycaemia and glucose toxicity have been present and if there are remaining functional beta cells in the pancreatic islets. In diabetic cats it may be shortly after the start of treatment (e.g. around 2 weeks) or take up to 3-4 months or longer.

It is important to remember that remission does not mean cure. Care with diet and exercise and avoidance of aggravating factors (progesterone, progestogens, corticosteroids, obesity, etc.) are important.