Trauma-induced central diabetes insipidus in a cat

A 1-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented with a 4-week history of polydipsia that began immediately after an 8 metre fall, Trauma-induced central diabetes insipidus was suspected on the basis of the identification of hyposthenuria, normal haematology and serum biochemistry profile and unremarkable abdominal ultrasound examination. Failure to concentrate urine with water deprivation followed by production of hypersthenuric urine with administration of the synthetic antidiuretic hormone, Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), confirmed the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus. Treatment via conjunctival administration of DDAVP failed to attenuate the polydipsia, however, resolution of polydipsia was achieved with subcutaneous administration of DDAVP and the cat remains eudipsic with twice daily subcutaneous DDAVP administration 17 months after diagnosis.

Therapeutic goals for otherwise healthy diabetic cats

The principle goals of treating diabetes in cats are to correct the major clinical signs of diabetes (weight loss, polydipsia / polyuria, and polyphagia or inappetence), and to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. Additional goals are to minimize the risk of hypoglycaemia by appropriate dose adjustment of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents. Appropriate therapy of cats may also lead to diabetic remission, although currently it is not possible at diagnosis to predict which cats are more likely to go into remission. Treatment that is most effective in correcting hyperglycaemia is more likely to lead to remission by facilitating the recovery of the pancreatic cells from glucose toxicity.