Cats: Monitoring and controlling diabetes mellitus

Urine testing

If used in conjunction with punctual blood samples and evaluation of clinical signs, urine sampling can be a valuable monitoring tool. Urine only tests positive for glucose if the blood glucose concentration remains above the renal threshold for a substantial period of time. This occurs when glycemia reaches 200−280 mg/dL (11.1−15.6 mmol/L) in the cat.

Urine monitoring is also a quick and easy method of detecting ketonuria and hence a potential emergency. See diabetic ketoacidosis for more information. However, when you need to adjust a pet’s insulin dose, evaluate glycemia by performing a glucose curve.

Pet owners can use two protocols to test urine:

1. Have the pet owner test urine three times a day: before the first meal (test 1), before the second meal (test 2), and late in the evening (test 3).

Refer to the following table:

2. Ask the pet owner to closely monitor a 24-hour period by collecting as many urine samples as possible. A persistent glycosuria will indicate the need for a complete re-evaluation and glucose curve.