Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 0.5% of dogs and 0.5-2% of cats. Dogs are typically Type 1 (insulin-dependent); cats may have Type 2 (insulin resistance) with potential remission. Use the Endocrinology Specialist for dosing guidance and the Bloodwork OCR to interpret glucose data.
| Insulin | Duration | Species |
|---|---|---|
| NPH (Vetsulin, Humulin N) | 12-14 hours | Dogs, some cats |
| Glargine (Lantus) | 18-24 hours | Cats (often q12h) |
| Detemir (Levemir) | 12-24 hours | Dogs, cats |
Starting doses: dogs 0.25-0.5 U/kg BID; cats 0.25-0.5 U/cat BID (glargine or NPH). Always give with food to match insulin peak.
Glucose curves (measurements every 2 hours over 12-24 hours) assess insulin efficacy. Target: nadir 80-150 mg/dL (dogs), 80-200 mg/dL (cats) without hypoglycemia. Fructosamine reflects 2-week average glucose.
Home glucose monitoring (AlphaTrak, human glucometers) allows owner involvement. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are increasingly used for cats.
Warning: Hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dL) causes weakness, ataxia, seizures, coma. If suspected, apply corn syrup to gums and seek emergency care. Never skip insulin without veterinary guidance—ketoacidosis can develop.
Diabetic remission is possible in cats with early, aggressive insulin therapy and low-carbohydrate diet. Up to 30-40% of newly diagnosed cats may achieve remission.
- Dogs: Type 1, insulin-dependent; cats: may have Type 2 with remission potential.
- NPH, glargine, detemir are common insulins; dose BID with meals.
- Glucose curves and fructosamine guide dose adjustments.
- Hypoglycemia is an emergency—corn syrup to gums, then emergency care.
- Consistent feeding and insulin timing are critical.