Objectives: Prednisolone is a commonly used drug in cats and potential adverse effects include hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency and investigate potential predisposing risk factors for the development of prednisolone-induced diabetes mellitus (PIDM) in cats.
Methods: The electronic records of a tertiary referral centre were searched for cats receiving prednisolone at a starting dose of ⩾1.9 mg/kg/day, for >3 weeks and with follow-up data available for >3 months between January 2007 and July 2019. One hundred and forty-three cats were included in the study.
Results: Of the 143 cats, 14 cats (9.7%) were diagnosed with PIDM. Twelve out of 14 cats (85.7%) developed diabetes within 3 months of the initiation of therapy.
Conclusions and relevance: Cats requiring high-dose prednisolone therapy should be closely monitored over the first 3 months of therapy for the development of PIDM.
Keywords: Glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycaemia; corticosteroid; glucosuria; hyperglycaemia.