SERUM FRUCTOSAMINE CONCENTRATION IS HELPFUL IN DIAGNOSING FELINE DIABETES
Dr. Lee Morgan

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly diagnosed metabolic diseases in cats. However, the diagnosis can sometimes be complicated by hyperglycemia resulting from stress. Stress hyperglycemia can approach the serum glucose levels of diabetes, and can in some instances be high enough to cause glucosuria. Measurement of serum fructosamine concentration in cats is a useful tool to distinguish stress hyperglycemia from the hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus.

Fructosamine is a sugar-albumin complex that forms in chronic hyperglycemic conditions. The serum fructosamine concentration is proportional to the blood glucose concentration over the lifespan of the albumin protein, usually 1-2 weeks in cats. Thus, fructosamine concentration is an indicator of the blood glucose concentration of a patient over the preceding few weeks.

Serum fructosamine levels are significantly higher in untreated or poorly controlled diabetic cats compared with stressed or sick non-diabetic cats with hyperglycemia.

Fructosamine may also be a useful monitor of glycemic control in diabetic cats. Well controlled diabetics have significantly lower serum fructosamine levels than poorly regulated diabetics.

The serum fructosamine test is available locally through Antech Labs and has a rapid turnaround time.

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