Diabetes mellitus in other species

This chapter discusses the pathogenesis, classical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diabetes mellitus in horses, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, pet birds and reptiles. Chronic insulin resistance is believed to be a contributing factor in most horses. Horses with diabetes mellitus should be investigated to determine the underlying cause, for example, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction or as a consequence of inadequately managed metabolic syndrome; various test protocols are available. Spontaneous diabetes mellitus is a very uncommon condition in ferrets, rabbits, and rodents. The diagnosis is made on the basis of serial blood and urine sampling. The aim of treatment is to normalize the blood glucose concentration without the development of hypoglycemia. The existence of true diabetes mellitus in birds and reptiles is debatable and the pathogenesis of disease in suspect cases is unclear