Changes

==Description==

==Description==

The clinical syndrome described by the term '''diabetes mellitus''' results from intolerance to glucose.  It is a chronic disease caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin and, although all body systems are ultimately affected, it is primarily a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism.  The approximate incidence of the disease is 13 cases/10,000 dogs years at risk<ref name="one">Fall T, Hamlin HH, Hedhammar A, Kämpe O, Egenvall A. '''Diabetes mellitus in a population of 180,000 insured dogs: incidence, survival, and breed distribution.''' ''J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Nov-Dec;21(6):1209-16.''</ref>.

The clinical syndrome described by the term '''diabetes mellitus''' results from intolerance to glucose.  It is a chronic disease caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin and, although all body systems are ultimately affected, it is primarily a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism.  The approximate incidence of the disease is 13 cases/10,000 dogs years at risk<ref name="one">Fall T, Hamlin HH, Hedhammar A, Kämpe O, Egenvall A. '''Diabetes mellitus in a population of 180,000 insured dogs: incidence, survival, and breed distribution.''' ''J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Nov-Dec;21(6):1209-16.''</ref>.

===Aetiology===

===Aetiology===

Diabetic animals may suffer from '''peripheral neuropathies''' and '''retinopathy''' and they will have some level of '''immunosuppression'''.  Affected animals are therefore predisposed to the development of chronic skin and urinary tract infections.

Diabetic animals may suffer from '''peripheral neuropathies''' and '''retinopathy''' and they will have some level of '''immunosuppression'''.  Affected animals are therefore predisposed to the development of chronic skin and urinary tract infections.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

Diabetes mellitus is most common in mature dogs and it is twice as common in females than in males.  Miniature Poodles, Dachshunds and terriers may suffer from degenerative changes and type 1 disease.  Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is paticularly common in obese indoor cats with low physical activity <ref>Slingerland LI, Fazilova VV, Plantinga EA, Kooistra HS, Beynen AC. '''Indoor confinement and physical inactivity rather than the proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus.''' ''Vet J. 2009 Feb;179(2):247-53. Epub 2007 Oct 26.''</ref>.

Diabetes mellitus is most common in mature dogs and it is twice as common in females than in males.  Miniature Poodles, Dachshunds and terriers may suffer from degenerative changes and type 1 disease.  Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is paticularly common in obese indoor cats with low physical activity <ref>Slingerland LI, Fazilova VV, Plantinga EA, Kooistra HS, Beynen AC. '''Indoor confinement and physical inactivity rather than the proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus.''' ''Vet J. 2009 Feb;179(2):247-53. Epub 2007 Oct 26.''</ref>.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

An '''electrocardiogram''' should be performed in cases of DKA to assess the degree of cardiac compromise caused by hyperkalaemia.  Common findings in this condition include bradycardia, reduced R wave amplitude, reduced or absent P waves, spiked T waves, a reduced Q-T interval and an increased P-R interval.   

An '''electrocardiogram''' should be performed in cases of DKA to assess the degree of cardiac compromise caused by hyperkalaemia.  Common findings in this condition include bradycardia, reduced R wave amplitude, reduced or absent P waves, spiked T waves, a reduced Q-T interval and an increased P-R interval.   

==Treatment==

==Treatment==