Epidemiological ad clinical characteristics of diabetic dogs and cats in Indonesia

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIABETIC DOGS AND CATS AT A

MULTICENTRE VETERINARY HOSPITAL NETWORK IN INDONESIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Dr Sharon Gunardi

¹ MEDIVET Pet Hospital and Clinic Network

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine disorder in small animal practice; however, limited epidemiological data are available in companion animals in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of diabetic dogs and cats presented to a veterinary hospital network in Indonesia.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using medical records of dogs and cats newly diagnosed with DM between 2025 and April 2026 across seven branches of a veterinary hospital network. Inclusion criteria included random hyperglycaemia (>200mg/dL/11.1 mmol/L in dogs; >270 mg/dL/15 mmol/L in cats) with clinical signs of hyperglycaemia, with glucosuria documented on at least two evalua@ons in cats or increased glycated protein. Data collected included signalment, presenting complaints, treatment protocols, and hospitalisation status. Continuous variables were reported as mean ± SD, while categorical variables were summarised as percentages.

Results: A total of 52 diabetic patients were included, consisting of 31 dogs (59.6%) and 21 cats (40.4%), with a mean age of 9.6 ± 3.4 years. Intact animals predominated in both males (71.4%) and females (62.5%). Toy poodles represented 41.9% of diabetic dogs, while domestic shorthair and Persian cats predominated among feline pa@ents. Common presenting complaints included polyuria/polydipsia (40.4%), cataract forma@on in dogs (30.8%), lethargy (25.0%), and vomi@ng (23.1%). Insulin glargine U-100 was the most commonly prescribed insulin preparation, and 63.5% of patients required hospitalisation during initial stabilisation.

Conclusions: DM primarily affected middle-aged to older dogs and cats, with intact animals comprising most cases. Polyuria/polydipsia and cataract formation in dogs were common presenting complaints. These findings provide preliminary epidemiological and clinical data regarding DM in companion animals in Indonesia