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Journal article
Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019
Journal of veterinary internal medicine, Vol.39(4), e70161
2025
PMID: 40525629
Abstract
Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats. General population epidemiology and mortality studies on DM are lacking.
Objectives
Describe the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and mortality for DM in cats under primary veterinary care in the United Kingdom (UK).
Animals
Random sample of 1053 confirmed DM cases from 1 255 130 cats in VetCompass.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study with a nested case–control study. Period prevalence and incidence risk of DM for 2019 were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify risk factors for DM.
Results
Annual prevalence was 0.39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37–0.42). Incidence risk (2019) was 0.14% (95% CI, 0.13–0.16). Mean age and median adult body weight of incident cases diagnosed with DM was 11.8 ± 3.5 years (n = 371) and 5.9 kg (interquartile range: 4.6–7.1, n = 327). Odds of DM were increased in cats ≥ 9.0 years (odds ratio [OR]: 5.11, CI, 4.10–6.24) compared with cats 4.5–9.0 years. Burmese (OR: 2.07, CI, 1.29–3.31) and Burmillas (OR: 8.30, CI, 2.59–26.62) had increased odds, whereas Bengals (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.06–0.98) and Ragdolls (OR: 0.11, CI: 0.02–0.80) had decreased odds of DM compared with crossbreeds. Of 51.2% (192/375) cats dead within 3 years of diagnosis, 93.0% (176/192) were euthanized; 19.7% (35/178) were euthanized ≤ 3 days after diagnosis.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Almost 1/250 cats in the UK live with DM annually. Burmillas were predisposed to DM, and protection against DM was shown in Bengals and Ragdolls. Early mortality associated with DM diagnosis in cats is high.
Details
- Title
- Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019
- Authors/Creators
- Oliver Waite - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary MedicineRuth Gostelow - Royal Veterinary CollegeEmma Wright - Royal Veterinary CollegeRosanne E. Jepson - Royal Veterinary CollegeDave C. Brodbelt - Royal Veterinary CollegeDan G. O'Neill - University of London
- Publication Details
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine, Vol.39(4), e70161
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- Identifiers
- 991005790673207891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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