Diabetes from humans to cats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in humans and in cats. The general prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and in particular of type 2 diabetes, has risen dramatically in recent years. This increase has often been linked to the rise in the obesity pandemic because obesity and the ensuing metabolic consequences constitute major risk factors for human type 2 and for feline diabetes. Feline diabetes shares many features of human type 2 diabetes in respect to its pathophysiology, underlying risk factors and treatment strategies. This review will briefly summarize major characteristics in the human and the feline disease and where available, point out the current knowledge on similarities and differences.