Glycemia as a reliable indicator for diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in petanimals with variable pathophysiological metabolic pathwaysin dogs. Consequently, various hematological and biochemicalparameters tend to have high variability. Therefore, the aimof this study was to assess the most reliable and practicalhematological and/or biochemical parameter for monitoringDM during the insulin treatment in dogs and cats. This researchincluded 11 pet animals (8 dogs and 3 cats) with high resolutionof DM clinical symptoms. Red blood cell (RBC) and white bloodcell count (WBC) were measured on whole blood samples byusing hematological analyzer. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), glucose, urea, and creatininewere obtained from plasma samples analyzed with automaticcolorimetric analyzer. The variability of the parameters wasassessed by the coefficient of variation (CV, %). Parameterswith CV >34% were considered with non-normal distribution.RBC and glucose had CV of 24% and 25%, respectively.The other parameters had CV ranging between 39% and162%. Polyuria and polydipsia were present in 7 dogs and 1cat. Polyphagia was present in 4 dogs and 1 cat. Intermittentpolyphagia was found in 3 dogs. The clinical manifestationshad variable underlying conditions which resulted in variableconcomitant organopathies. In conclusion, the blood glucoseindicated normal distribution and can be used as a reliableindicator for monitoring DM in diabetic dogs and cats. By usingtelemetric blood glucose monitoring devices, the veterinarydoctors will have continuous and reliable data for the status andthe effectiveness of the therapy for their patients.