Student Projects - Biology

Project Name

Management of Feline Diabetes Mellitus Through Diet Control

Project Description

The project was designed to test the results of recent research on Diabetes Mellitus by Dr. Greco which states that a low carbohydrate, high protein, high fat diet is preferable to manage DM and will in some cases induce diabetic remmission. Cats diagnosed with DM are treated by insulin supplementation and diet control. Previously, the suggested diet for cats was similar to that suggested for humans, which is a high fiber, high carbohydrate, low fat diet. The recent research shows, however, that a low carbohydrate and high fat diet will force the body to regulate the levels of blood glucose through gluconeogenesis, delivering glucose to the blood in a slow and steady rate. This would limit the need for insulin supplementation.

The purpose of my research project was to test the affects of this type of diet in cats in a small scale setting to determine the practicality of using this diet as treatment for DM in a small animal practice. Over the course of nine months, 5 patients at Companion Animal Hospital were kept solely on the Purina DM diet, and had their blood glucose and weight measured monthly. Their dosage of insulin was adjusted during the experimental period depending on the levels of glucose in their blood. Three markers of improved diabetic condition were determined and any changes were recorded during the nine months. These markers were decreased weight, decreased blood glucose levels, and a decrease in the required amount of insulin injected.

After nine months, the results were compiled and analyzed to determine whether or not the general trend was an improvement in diabetic condition or not.

Project Outcomes

The results of this research project showed that 4 out of the 5 cats showed a definite improvement in all three of the markers. The one cat which did not show improvement was found to have been eating other types of food and not eating only the DM, meaning the results from this pet cannot be trusted. The four that remained on the diet showed on average about a 1 lb weight loss, an 83 unit decrease in BG, and about a 1 unit decrease in insulin dosage. The results show a general trend of improvement of diabetic condition and thus show the diet to be a practical and useful treatment for DM in a small animal hospital.

Companion Animal Hospital has begun to keep Purina DM in stock and has implemented the diet as part of the regular DM treatment. These pets will remain on DM diet, and will hopefully continue to show decreases in weight, BG, and insulin. I plan to check on the status of these cats after several more months on the diet to see if any have reached diabetic remission and are no longer in need of insulin supplementation to manage their diabetes.