Reliability of history and physical examination findings for assessing control of glycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus: 53 cases (1995-1998).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reliability of history and physical examination findings for assessing control of glycemia in insulin-treated diabetic dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
53 insulin-treated dogs with diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Medical records of insulin-treated diabetic dogs from June 1995 to June 1998 were reviewed, and information on owner perception of their dog's response to insulin treatment, physical examination findings, body weight, insulin dosage, and concentrations of food-withheld (i.e., fasting) blood glucose (FBG), mean blood glucose (MBG) during an 8-hour period, blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb), and serum fructosamine was obtained. Owner's perception of their dog's response to insulin treatment, physical examination findings, and changes in body weight were used to classify control of glycemia as good or poor for each dog. The FBG, MBG/8 h, blood GHb, and serum fructosamine concentrations were compared between well-controlled and poorly controlled insulin-treated diabetic dogs.


RESULTS
Presence or absence of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, lethargy, and weakness were most helpful in classifying control of glycemia. Mean FBG and MBG/8 h concentrations, blood GHb concentrations, and serum fructosamine concentrations were significantly decreased in 25 well-controlled diabetic dogs, compared with 28 poorly controlled diabetic dogs. Most well-controlled diabetic dogs had concentrations of FBG between 100 and 300 mg/dl, MBG/8 h < or = 250 mg/dl, blood GHb < or = 7.5%, and serum fructosamine < or = 525 mumol/L, whereas most poorly controlled diabetic dogs had results that were greater than these values.


CONCLUSIONS
Reliance on history, physical examination findings, and changes in body weight are effective for initially assessing control of glycemia in insulin-treated diabetic dogs.
Briggs
C E
CE
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Nelson
R W
RW
Feldman
E C
EC
Elliott
D A
DA
Neal
L A
LA
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin