Feline diabetes due to Non-Pancreatic Origin

Obese cats

• The sensitivity of tissue receptors to insulin is decreased by obesity
• This increases the demand for insulin resulting in hyperglycaemia along with high plasma insulin concentrations
• May lead to exhaustion of the islets of Langerhans and diabetes mellitus

Overproduction of counteracting hormones and insulin resistance

• Progesterone–The administration of progestogens, e.g. to treat skin disease or spraying, may induce diabetes mellitus.

• Growth hormoneexcess of pituitary origin – pituitary tumours producing growth hormone have been diagnosed in cats. These cats usually have typical signs of acromegaly (growth hormone excess).

• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) or the administration of glucocorticoids
  
  • Glucocorticoids stimulate gluconeogenesis
  • Increase blood glucose concentration

  Increases insulin secretion

  • Exhausts the islets of Langerhans.

Diabetes mellitus appears to be a common feature of Cushing’s disease in cats.

• Hyperthyroidism – Increased insulin catabolism due to high thyroid hormone levels may increase the demand for insulin in pre–existing diabetics.