Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENTS 

• Second generation sulfonyureas (glipizide/glyburide) cause the release of preformed insulin by pancreatic β cells and also increase peripheral utilization of insulin. For these medications to be effective, pancreatic β cells need to be functional (type 2 DM). 
•  If the cat is generally well, weight loss is mild, is not ketoacidotic and does not have a peripheral polyneuropathy; hypoglycemic agents can be tried. Glipizide (2.5 mg 2x/day) or glyburide (2.5 mg 2x/day) are available in many countries.
• Other hypoglycemic agents --eg metformin, acarbose, troglitazone and vanadium are also used
•  Dosage for acarbose is 12.5-20 mg/meal in dogs and cats.