Diabetic Dramas!

diabetic-dramas

A pragmatic overview of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic Syndrome (HSS). 

If diabetes is undiagnosed or uncontrolled, a series of metabolic events can occur that lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a combination of hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia and metabolic acidosis. Not all patients with diabetic ketosis will be acidotic.

DKA is relatively uncommon, but potentially life-threatening and can occur in unstable diabetic patients and, on occasion, in stable diabetic patients that have precipitating factors that have caused this, such as infection/inflammation, metabolic disease, endocrine disease, cardiorespiratory disease or drugs administered for other issues.

Hyperglycaemia Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS) occurs when there is slightly more insulin present than in cases of DKA, so there is enough insulin to suppress ketogenesis, but not enough to control hyperglycaemia.

No two cases are ever the same with some patients appearing quite well on presentation whilst others are collapsing. No protocol is significantly superior in the treatment of either DKA or HSS. Prognosis for DKA is likely reasonable, HSS is far less common but prognosis is significantly poorer.

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Case Advice or Arranging a Referral

If you are a veterinary professional and would like to discuss a case with one of our team, or require pre-referral advice about a patient, please call 01883 741449Alternatively, to refer a case, please use the online referral form

About The Discipline

Internal Medicine

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Need case advice or have any questions?

If you have any questions or would like advice on a case please call our dedicated vet line on 01883 741449 and ask to speak to one of our Internal Medicine team.
Advice is freely available, even if the case cannot be referred.

Internal Medicine Team

Our Internal Medicine Team offer a caring, multi-disciplinary approach to all medical and surgical conditions.

Fiona Adam

BVMS DipECVIM MRCVS

Laura Macfarlane

BVMS(hons) PgCert VBM DipECVIM MRCVS

Victoria Shuff

BVMS MANZCVS(Medicine of Cats) DipECVIM MRCVS

Paula Valiente Diana

DVM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Hannah Walker

BVM&S MSc BSAVA PGCertSAM DipECVIM-CA (Small Animal Internal Medicine) MRCVS

Annabel Haines

BVSc MRCVS

Clarisse D’Aout

DVM Dipl. ECVIM-CA MRCVS

Richard Sparrow

BSc BVSc PGDipVCP MVetMed DACVIM(SAIM) MRCVS

Freddie Allan

BVMedSci(Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MVetMed DACVIM(SAIM) MRCVS