Diabetes Mellitus: Chronic Complications

Abstract

Several chronic complications can occur in cats secondary to diabetes mellitus, especially following prolonged periods of unregulated hyperglycemia. Not all complications described in diabetic people occur in diabetic cats. A peripheral neuropathy is the most commonly encountered complication clinically, manifesting as mobility changes or a plantigrade stance. Glycemic regulation is likely to improve or resolve the condition in most cats; however, it can be permanent in cats with severe nerve injury. Other complications that warrant consideration in diabetic cats include chronic or acute-on-chronic pancreatitis in cats with consistent clinical signs or documented insulin resistance and reported associations with cardiac disease.