THIS IS BIG!!! Veterinary Practice Guidelines 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats

2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats

Andrew Bugbee, DVM, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine),†
Renee Rucinsky, DVM, DABVP (Feline),† Elizabeth Alvarez, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline),
Audrey Cook, BVM&S, FRCVS, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine), DECVIM-CA, DABVP (Feline),
Patty Lathan, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine), Cassie Panning, BS, CVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Article Category: Research Article

Page Range: 65 – 93

ABSTRACT

A substantial number of cats develop diabetes mellitus (DM), a serious endocrine disorder that can lead to other physiologic complications. While DM management can be complex, successful control that alleviates the patient’s clinical signs and avoids hypoglycemia is achievable in most cats. Diabetic remission is also possible. The 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats retain clinically relevant information from the 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines and present new findings and expert opinions. Subjects such as pathophysiology, diagnosis, how to treat and monitor cats receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, various insulin options for cats, how to monitor cats receiving insulin, diet and physical activity recommendations, advantages and disadvantages of at-home glucose monitoring devices, diagnosing and treating diabetic ketoacidosis, and client education are all discussed. The guidelines also cover how to identify patients who are at risk of developing DM and how to differentiate DM from transient or mild hyperglycemia.

DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7572

https://jaaha.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/aaha/62/3/article-p65.xml?body=PDF