Article - Spectrum of veterinary care in feline diabetes mellitus

squeem3

squeem3

Member Since 2009
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X251401500

It includes some general diabetes-related costs in the US and Australia (food including non-prescription, insulin, test strips, etc).

Abstract​

Approximately 10% of cats with diabetes mellitus (diabetes) are euthanased at diagnosis and a further 10% euthanased within the first year of treatment, despite diabetes being a treatable disease. This review presents a spectrum of veterinary care aimed at providing practitioners with a range of treatment options to discuss with owners, potentially helping to prevent euthanasia at the time of diagnosis. Barriers such as owner concerns about lifestyle impact, pet welfare and presence of comorbidities contribute to decisions to euthanase, while financial limitations can significantly restrict access to veterinary care for cats with diabetes. This highlights the urgent need to implement a spectrum of care approach for feline diabetes with the aim of reducing euthanasia rates and improving owner and cat outcomes.

Plain language summary​

Spectrum of veterinary care in feline diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common and increasingly diagnosed disease in cats. Unfortunately, about one in 10 cats are euthanased at the time of diagnosis, even though diabetes is a treatable condition that can be managed. Decisions about euthanasia are often influenced by both cat-related factors (such as age, temperament or concurrent diseases) and owner-related factors (including time and financial demands, lifestyle impacts, pet welfare, fear of hypoglycaemia and giving injections, and challenges with boarding or travel). These factors reflect the significant caregiver burden that can accompany management of a diabetic cat. To support both cats and their owners, veterinarians should focus on clear and thorough owner discussions and developing individualised and flexible treatment and monitoring plans tailored to each cat’s needs and the owner’s circumstances. By applying a ‘spectrum of care’ approach – offering a range of practical and affordable options – veterinarians can make diabetes care more accessible and sustainable for all clients. The ultimate goals in managing feline diabetes are to reduce euthanasia rates, empower owners through education and shared decision-making, and improve quality of life for both cats and their caregivers without compromising care. The primary costs of diabetes management arise from treatment, monitoring, diet and veterinary care. Substituting a more affordable option in any of these areas can reduce overall expenses generally without impacting care. By being aware of the available options and their associated costs, veterinarians can offer flexible, individualised and informed treatment plans that address financial and practical barriers, ultimately reducing treatment costs and enhancing prognosis, owner satisfaction and feline wellbeing.
 
Thank you for sharing! I didn’t know the statistic about 10 percent of diabetic cats being euthanized on diagnosis and another 10 within 12 months 😭

I have to imagine it’s a big part of why Moonie was surrendered to the shelter. Sometimes I get sad that I didn’t meet her sooner before her diabetes diagnosis because it’s just harder to get remission now that she’s been diabetic for so long. But now I’m just grateful she was even here for me to find.

The costs piece was interesting too. I just wish healthcare and especially veterinary care were more affordable and accessible.
 
Connie & Moonie said:
Thank you for sharing! I didn’t know the statistic about 10 percent of diabetic cats being euthanized on diagnosis and another 10 within 12 months 😭

I have to imagine it’s a big part of why Moonie was surrendered to the shelter. Sometimes I get sad that I didn’t meet her sooner before her diabetes diagnosis because it’s just harder to get remission now that she’s been diabetic for so long. But now I’m just grateful she was even here for me to find.

The costs piece was interesting too. I just wish healthcare and especially veterinary care were more affordable and accessible.
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So well said Connie. I agree completely.
Moonie is so lucky she found you 💞
 
I was just reading a statistic similar to this (20-30% pets
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euthanized within the first year) in a veterinary magazine. It was talking about how many dogs achieve good regulation with once-daily shots. I wish it worked similarly for our sugar kitties.
 
squeem3 said:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X251401500

It includes some general diabetes-related costs in the US and Australia (food including non-prescription, insulin, test strips, etc).

Abstract​

Approximately 10% of cats with diabetes mellitus (diabetes) are euthanased at diagnosis and a further 10% euthanased within the first year of treatment, despite diabetes being a treatable disease. This review presents a spectrum of veterinary care aimed at providing practitioners with a range of treatment options to discuss with owners, potentially helping to prevent euthanasia at the time of diagnosis. Barriers such as owner concerns about lifestyle impact, pet welfare and presence of comorbidities contribute to decisions to euthanase, while financial limitations can significantly restrict access to veterinary care for cats with diabetes. This highlights the urgent need to implement a spectrum of care approach for feline diabetes with the aim of reducing euthanasia rates and improving owner and cat outcomes.

Plain language summary​

Spectrum of veterinary care in feline diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common and increasingly diagnosed disease in cats. Unfortunately, about one in 10 cats are euthanased at the time of diagnosis, even though diabetes is a treatable condition that can be managed. Decisions about euthanasia are often influenced by both cat-related factors (such as age, temperament or concurrent diseases) and owner-related factors (including time and financial demands, lifestyle impacts, pet welfare, fear of hypoglycaemia and giving injections, and challenges with boarding or travel). These factors reflect the significant caregiver burden that can accompany management of a diabetic cat. To support both cats and their owners, veterinarians should focus on clear and thorough owner discussions and developing individualised and flexible treatment and monitoring plans tailored to each cat’s needs and the owner’s circumstances. By applying a ‘spectrum of care’ approach – offering a range of practical and affordable options – veterinarians can make diabetes care more accessible and sustainable for all clients. The ultimate goals in managing feline diabetes are to reduce euthanasia rates, empower owners through education and shared decision-making, and improve quality of life for both cats and their caregivers without compromising care. The primary costs of diabetes management arise from treatment, monitoring, diet and veterinary care. Substituting a more affordable option in any of these areas can reduce overall expenses generally without impacting care. By being aware of the available options and their associated costs, veterinarians can offer flexible, individualised and informed treatment plans that address financial and practical barriers, ultimately reducing treatment costs and enhancing prognosis, owner satisfaction and feline wellbeing.
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Thanks for sharing this!

I remember freaking out when Ailish was first diagnosed and struggling really hard with balancing providing the best care to her while also managing the rest of my life, which felt so scary. I even had two different vets offer to put her down to save me and her stress.

I got really lucky in finding a vet who helped me come up with a treatment plan that worked for me, having the support of this board, and friends who were comfortable helping.

I do agree that finding ways to offer a spectrum of care that meets owners where they are at would help a lot of folks who want to do right by their cats but struggle with reaching that highest level.

I remember reading about an approach like that in this article a few years ago. I’m not sure I’d ever be able to be that hands off but I think having it as an option might help folks who are just starting this journey, if it can be medically safe.

Loose-control of diabetes mellitus with protamine zinc insulin in cats: 185 cases (2005–2015) - PMC
 
Ailish’s Brother said:
I do agree that finding ways to offer a spectrum of care that meets owners where they are at would help a lot of folks who want to do right by their cats but struggle with reaching that highest level.
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Agreed! Sadly, we get a lot of searches for terms similar to “choosing not to treat feline diabetes” and “… euthanize”. If we could get those people to do the highest level care, that would be a win for a lot of cats.
 
@Tim & Pookey where are those diabetes info flyers? Maybe they can be updated to say diabetes is manageable even on a budget? Then people can post them at pet stores, give them to the vet office to share with other clients, etc.
 
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