Feline Diabetes & Dry Food Diets

Slingerland, L. I., V. V. Fazilova, et al. (2009). "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 179(2): 247-253.

Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands used a telephone questionnaire to investigate risk factors for development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats. Commercially produced dry diets are relatively high in carbohydrates especially as compared to canned food diets and the investigators hypothesized that dry food may be a risk factor for development of DM. In addition, physical activity, which is known to influence development of DM in humans, was evaluated. Owners of 96 cats diagnosed with DM from 28 clinics throughout the Netherlands were questioned. These were matched with owners of 192 healthy control cats. The association between questionnaire-derived factors and development of DM was analyzed. The researchers found that the proportion of dry food in the diet did not appear to be an independent factor for DM development, but physical inactivity and indoor confinement were. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bennett, N., D. Greco, et al. (2006). "Comparison of a low carbohydrate-low fiber diet and a moderate carbohydrate-high fiber diet in the management of feline diabetes mellitus." J Fel Med Surg 8(2): 73-84.
>> PubMed Abstract

Martin, G. and J. Rand (1999). "Food intake and blood glucose in normal and diabetic cats fed ad libitum." J Fel Med Surg 1(4): 241.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Slingerland, L. I., V. V. Fazilova, et al. (2009). "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 179(2): 247-253.

Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands used a telephone questionnaire to investigate risk factors for development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats. Commercially produced dry diets are relatively high in carbohydrates especially as compared to canned food diets and the investigators hypothesized that dry food may be a risk factor for development of DM. In addition, physical activity, which is known to influence development of DM in humans, was evaluated. Owners of 96 cats diagnosed with DM from 28 clinics throughout the Netherlands were questioned. These were matched with owners of 192 healthy control cats. The association between questionnaire-derived factors and development of DM was analyzed. The researchers found that the proportion of dry food in the diet did not appear to be an independent factor for DM development, but physical inactivity and indoor confinement were. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bennett, N., D. Greco, et al. (2006). "Comparison of a low carbohydrate-low fiber diet and a moderate carbohydrate-high fiber diet in the management of feline diabetes mellitus." J Fel Med Surg 8(2): 73-84.
>> PubMed Abstract

Martin, G. and J. Rand (1999). "Food intake and blood glucose in normal and diabetic cats fed ad libitum." J Fel Med Surg 1(4): 241.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More

Rickets in Cats

Geisen, V., K. Weber, et al. (2009). "Vitamin D-Dependent Hereditary Rickets Type I in a Cat." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23(1): 196-199.

A 5-month-old female domestic short hair cat was examined for a short history of generalized pain. The cat weighed 1.8 kg and had a sibling in the household that was healthy and weighed 2.6 kg. The cat was increasingly reluctant to move and had also developed constipation. Radiographs indicated reduced skeletal mineralization. A serum biochemistry profile indicated such abnormalities as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, plus elevated alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase values. Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and skeletal abnormalities are indicative of rickets. Rickets can develop after prolonged feeding of a diet deficient in calcium or vitamin D. Cats cannot synthesize vitamin D in the skin so sunlight does not contribute to their vitamin D supply. A board certified nutritionist analyzed the diet fed to both cats and determined it was not deficient. Parathyroid hormone was measured and found to be high. Calcium gluconate and a vitamin D metabolite (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) were started as a therapeutic regimen. Radiographs were taken 4 months after starting treatment and bone structure, while still abnormal, showed marked improvement. Vitamin D-dependent rickets Type I (VDDRI) is caused by a defect in the gene encoding the enzyme 25-hyproxyvitamin D-1-alpha hydroxylase (CYP27B1). This is an autosomal recessive disorder. The affected cat had genetic sequencing performed and two mutations were found that affect the CYP27B1 transcript. These results along with the clinical findings of rickets and hyperparathyroidism confirmed a case of VDDR1. The patient was continued on oral 1,25dihydroxycholecalciferol to maintain calcium homeostasis and will need to be continued lifelong with frequent rechecks of serum calcium concentrations. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Godfrey, D. R., R. M. Anderson, et al. (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II in a cat." J Small Anim Pract 46(9): 440-4.
>> PubMed Abstract

Tanner, E. and S. Langley-Hobbs (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2 with characteristic radiographic changes in a 4-month-old kitten." J Fel Med Surg 7(5): 307-311.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Geisen, V., K. Weber, et al. (2009). "Vitamin D-Dependent Hereditary Rickets Type I in a Cat." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23(1): 196-199.

A 5-month-old female domestic short hair cat was examined for a short history of generalized pain. The cat weighed 1.8 kg and had a sibling in the household that was healthy and weighed 2.6 kg. The cat was increasingly reluctant to move and had also developed constipation. Radiographs indicated reduced skeletal mineralization. A serum biochemistry profile indicated such abnormalities as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, plus elevated alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase values. Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and skeletal abnormalities are indicative of rickets. Rickets can develop after prolonged feeding of a diet deficient in calcium or vitamin D. Cats cannot synthesize vitamin D in the skin so sunlight does not contribute to their vitamin D supply. A board certified nutritionist analyzed the diet fed to both cats and determined it was not deficient. Parathyroid hormone was measured and found to be high. Calcium gluconate and a vitamin D metabolite (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) were started as a therapeutic regimen. Radiographs were taken 4 months after starting treatment and bone structure, while still abnormal, showed marked improvement. Vitamin D-dependent rickets Type I (VDDRI) is caused by a defect in the gene encoding the enzyme 25-hyproxyvitamin D-1-alpha hydroxylase (CYP27B1). This is an autosomal recessive disorder. The affected cat had genetic sequencing performed and two mutations were found that affect the CYP27B1 transcript. These results along with the clinical findings of rickets and hyperparathyroidism confirmed a case of VDDR1. The patient was continued on oral 1,25dihydroxycholecalciferol to maintain calcium homeostasis and will need to be continued lifelong with frequent rechecks of serum calcium concentrations. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Godfrey, D. R., R. M. Anderson, et al. (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II in a cat." J Small Anim Pract 46(9): 440-4.
>> PubMed Abstract

Tanner, E. and S. Langley-Hobbs (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2 with characteristic radiographic changes in a 4-month-old kitten." J Fel Med Surg 7(5): 307-311.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More