Diagnosis and Management of Insulin Resistance in Dogs and Cats With Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Both dogs and cats with diabetes occasionally develop resistance to the action of insulin during treatment. Clinical insulin resistance should be suspected in any animal in which marked hyperglycemia persists throughout the day despite insulin doses of greater than 1.5 U/kg per injection. In a clinical setting it may be difficult to determine the underlying cause for insulin resistance, which makes management difficult. This article reviews the known causes for insulin resistance and outlines recommendations for diagnosis and management of diabetic dogs and cats.