Diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis in cats: 42 cases (1980-1995).
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities, prevalence of concurrent disease, treatment, complications of treatment, and outcome in cats with diabetic ketosis (DK) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
42 cats with DK or DKA.


METHODS
Medical records of diabetic cats with ketonuria were reviewed.


RESULTS
In 26 cats, diabetes was newly diagnosed; in 16, diabetes had been diagnosed previously and cats had been treated with insulin (n = 14) or sulfonylurea drugs (2). Common clinical findings were lethargy, anorexia, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. Common laboratory findings were hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, low total CO2 content, hyperosmolality, high serum alanine transaminase activity, azotemia, glycosuria, and ketonuria. Concurrent disorders were identified in 39 cats and included hepatic lipidosis, cholangiohepatitis, pancreatitis, chronic renal failure, urinary tract infection, and neoplasia. Treatment of DK and DKA included administration of regular crystalline (34 cats), NPH (6), or ultralente (2) insulin, intravenous (38) or subcutaneous (4) administration of fluids, and enterall parenteral or administration of antibiotics (42). Complications during treatment included abnormalities in serum electrolyte concentrations (27 cats), hemolytic anemia (4), hypoglycemia (3), and neurologic abnormalities unrelated to hypoglycemia (2). Eleven cats died or were euthanatized during the initial hospitalization period for treatment of DK or DKA. Azotemia, metabolic acidosis, and hyperosmolality were more severe in cats that died than in cats that survived. Differences in regard to treatment or complications were not apparent between cats that died and cats that survived. The 31 cats that survived were discharged 1 to 16 days (median, 5 days) after initiation of insulin treatment. Diabetic ketosis or ketoacidosis recurred in 13 (42%) of these cats.


CONCLUSIONS
A thorough diagnostic evaluation should be performed on cats with DK or DKA to identify concurrent disorders, formulate an appropriate treatment plan, and provide prognostic information to the owner.
Bruskiewicz
K A
KA
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Nelson
R W
RW
Feldman
E C
EC
Griffey
S M
SM
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008064:Lipidoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D007328:Insulin; D010710:Phosphates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C013216:potassium phosphate; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium