Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a common endocrinopathy in cats, is increasing. This study sought to determine population-based information about DM in cats.
Swedish insurance records from 2009 to 2013 from a single insurance company were reviewed; age, breed, and sex of affected cats were analyzed. During this time, 504 688 cats were insured; this accounted for 1 229 699 cat years at risk (CYAR). Overall DM incidence was 11.6 cases per 10 000 CYAR; 87% were diagnosed as DM, 3% as DM with complication, 4% as DM without complication, and 6% as DM with ketoacidosis. Male cats had twice the DM incidence rate as did females.
In addition to European shorthairs, at-risk breeds included Burmese, Russian blue, Norwegian forest cat, and Abyssinian. When the data were age-standardized, the Devon rex/sphynx breed group was also at increased risk. The age-standardized data identified the Bengal, Birman, Persian, ragdoll, and British shorthair breeds as low-risk.