A survey of Southeastern United States veterinarians' preferences for managing cats with diabetes mellitus. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • This study evaluated primary practitioners' perceptions of managing feline diabetics. Surveys distributed during local continuing education events achieved a response rate of 46% (90/195). A mean of 74% feline diabetics required chronic insulin; 26% were transient diabetics. Choice of insulin was most influenced by duration of action: human recombinant protamine zinc insulin was ranked first (42%) and glargine second (27%). Dietary management was always/usually recommended by 97% respondents, with prescription or proprietary low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets recommended in 93% responses. More recent graduates (P=0.0419), those who worked in larger practices (P=0.0315), and those who saw more transient diabetics (P=0.0288) were more likely to recommend dietary change. In-house blood glucose curves (BGCs) were the most popular method of assessing glycemic control, while at-home BGCs were least popular, although their use correlated positively with annual diabetic caseload (r=0.43, P=0.0239). Owners mishandling insulin was cited as the most common cause of poor glycemic control, while clinical signs of acromegaly were rarely recognized.

published proceedings

  • J Feline Med Surg

altmetric score

  • 0.25

author list (cited authors)

  • Smith, J. R., Vrono, Z., Rapoport, G. S., Turek, M. M., & Creevy, K. E.

citation count

  • 6

complete list of authors

  • Smith, Jo R||Vrono, Zak||Rapoport, Gregg S||Turek, Michelle M||Creevy, Kate E

publication date

  • October 2012