What lab result would you expect in a cat with diabetes mellitus?
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Expect an animal with diabetes mellitus (DM) to have a HIGH blood and urine glucose concentration. If the vet suspects DM, perform a blood glucose (ideally with a glucometer in hospital) and a urine dipstick for glucose (and ketones) first.
Common clinical signs of DM include increased urination and drinking (called polyuria/polydipsia or PU/PD), and increased appetite (polyphagia) with weight loss. DM is a complicated disease with a complicated treatment that requires the owner to inject insulin usually twice a day.
A technician’s job typically involves helping to educate the owner about DM and providing nursing care for diabetics with a severe form called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
