Pathophysiology of Diabetes

The cause of Diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats may differ but the pathophysiology remains the same:

• An absolute or relative insulin deficiency
• Reduced tissue utilization of glucose
• Extracellular hyperglycemia and intracellular hypoglycemia

The consequences of extracellular hyperglycemia and intracellular hypoglycemia are shown in the diagram. Click on thumbnail for full sized algorithm.