A pilot study comparing a protocol using intermittent administration of glargine and regular insulin to a continuous rate infusion of regular insulin in cats with naturally occurring diabetic ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this pilot study was to compare regular insulin administered by continuous rate infusion (CRI) to an approach using insulin glargine and regular insulin administered intermittently.

DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS: Sixteen cats with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

INTERVENTIONS: Cats with DKA were randomized to either low-dose regular insulin CRI (CRI group; n = 8) or intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections (subcutaneous [SC] glargine plus intramuscular [IM] regular insulin; SC/IM group; n = 8).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Time of normalization of pH, bicarbonate, hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and appetite, as well as duration of hospitalization were recorded. Eleven of 16 cats (59%) survived to discharge, with no difference in survival between groups (P = 0.99). Times of resolution of hyperglycemia (P = 0.02) and ketonemia (P = 0.04), and normalization of pH (P = 0.04), and bicarbonate (P = 0.03) were significantly shorter in the SC/IM group. Cats in the SC/IM group also had a significantly shorter duration of hospitalization (SC/IM: median = 54 hr [range, 19-118 hr]; CRI: median = 111 hr [range, 58-271 hr]; P = 0.04). Time of first meal was not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Although further research is required, an approach using intermittent short- and long-acting insulin injections appeared to be an effective option for treatment of DKA in cats.