AAHA updates guidelines on diabetes management

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The American Animal Hospital Association has released the 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, offering updates to the 2010 guidelines.

Online resources include quick-reference algorithms on diabetes monitoring and troubleshooting; information on insulin formulations and recommendations for their use; thorough templates for discharge instructions and home monitoring diaries; how-to videos on insulin administration, capillary blood sampling, and urine glucose testing; and client and staff education materials.

According to the guidelines, "Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a treatable condition that requires a committed effort by veterinarian and client. Due to many factors that affect the diabetic state, a pet's changing condition, and variable response to therapy, management of DM is often complicated. Success requires understanding of current scientific evidence and sound clinical judgment. Each patient requires an individualized treatment plan, frequent reassessment, and modification of that plan based on the patient's response. This document provides current recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of DM in dogs and cats."

Client handout (front) Client handout (back)
​This client handout is among diabetes resources from the American Animal Hospital Association.

After the introduction, the first section of the guidelines covers diagnostic criteria and initial assessment for diabetes. The bulk of the document addresses treatment for diabetes, with details about initial and ongoing treatment and monitoring of cats and dogs. Other sections provide additional information about troubleshooting, recognizing and monitoring patients at risk of diabetes, and client education.

The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association published the guidelines in the January/February issue, and they are available with online resources at www.aaha.org/diabetes.