Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Feline diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in cats whereby either insufficient insulin response or insulin resistance leads to persistently high blood glucose concentrations. Diabetes affects up to 1 in 230 cats, [1] and may be becoming increasingly common. Diabetes is less common in cats than in dogs.
The vast majority of cats present with diabetes mellitus, the possibility of hypersomatotropism causing it is rarely considered until the diabetes becomes difficult to control. In cats with difficult to control diabetes mellitus, hypersomatotropism should be considered as a cause only after exclusion of other conditions that can impact insulin.
The cat must have a supply of niacin, as cats cannot convert tryptophan into niacin. [5] However, diets high in corn and low in protein can result in skin lesions and scaly, dry, greasy skin with hair loss. [5] A deficiency of the B vitamin biotin causes hair loss around the eyes and face. [1]
Although any age, breed, or sex of cat can develop feline hyperesthesia syndrome, it has been noted that Abyssinian, Burmese, Himalayan and Siamese breeds appear to have an increased risk of developing the disease, therefore there is the possibility of a genetic link. [1] [3] [4] [11]
Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare, chronic skin condition predominantly associated with diabetes mellitus (known as necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum or NLD). [1] It can also occur in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or without any underlying conditions ( idiopathic ). [ 2 ]
The immune response is impaired in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Cellular studies have shown that hyperglycemia both reduces the function of immune cells and increases inflammation. Respiratory infections such as pneumonia, influenza and COVID-19, [43] are more common and severe among individuals with poorly controlled diabetes.
Feline diseases are often opportunistic and tend to be more serious in cats that already have concurrent sicknesses. Some of these can be treated and the animal can have a complete recovery. Others, like viral diseases, are more difficult to treat and cannot be treated with antibiotics, which are not effective against viruses.
The amount of described causes for dogs is low and even lesser for cats. The causes of pancreatitis in humans is vastly different from that of cats and dogs. [4] Two studies have suggested that hypertriglyceridaemia is a cause of pancreatitis in the Miniature Schnauzer; [12] [13] however, there is no evidence of this as a cause in other breeds. [4]