Changes in Insulin Requirements in Diabetic Cats

"It is not unusual for insulin requirements to change suddenly even after a long period of stability. "


Dose adjustment

Dose adjustment should be based on the clinical response and the results of serial blood glucose samples and not just a single sample. Ideally a blood glucose curve should be made before the insulin dose is changed.

Urine glucose and ketone monitoring can be used to check whether a blood glucose curve should be made, it should not be used alone as a basis for dose adjustment.

Changes in dose should be made after a period of adjustment to a particular dose or regime. In cats the dose can be adjusted as infrequently as after 1-3 weeks on a particular regime. Increases of 1IU per injection are recommended.

Insulin dose adjustment

Click on thumbnail for a guide to dose adjustment:

Changes in Insulin Requirements in Diabetic Cats

Changes in insulin requirements can be due to a number of factors

  • infection (e.g., urinary tract infection (cystitis), pyoderma),
  • altered exercise regime
  • weight loss or gain
  • other concurrent illness (e.g., renal failure, heart failure)
  • other concurrent endocrine disease
  • corticosteroid or progestogen administration
  • remission- in cats treatment may result in remission of the diabetes in about 25% of cases. Continuation with the initial insulin dose will result in hypoglycaemia.