The University of Queensland’s Veterinary School is seeking cat volunteers for research aimed at earlier detection and prevention of feline and human diabetes.
PhD student Rose Lederer is testing healthy cats, and particularly Burmese, between the ages of two and eight for glucose tolerance.
Consultation and testing would require cats to be “borrowed” by UQ for two days, after which they would be safely returned to their owners.
Test results will help understand the causes of diabetes in both humans and cats, with hopes of earlier detection and prevention.
It is also expected that findings will assist in studies on genetic links to diabetes.
Diabetes and Obesity Unit head Professor Jacquie Rand said the cat is the closest model for human type-2 diabetes. Both humans and cats have a protein deposit in their pancreas which destroys insulin-producing cells.
“Cats are also more likely to be affected by modern lifestyle changes like obesity and lack of exercise,” she said.
“Societal concerns about overweight children are increasing and type-2 diabetes is now occurring more commonly in people younger than 20.”
Ms Lederer’s research will also greatly benefit cat owners and cat lovers by determining whether there is insulin “insensitivity” in the Burmese breed.
Professor Rand said Burmese cats were more at risk of developing diabetes and the possibility of developing the disease increased to one in 10 when the cat was eight.
“By understanding why Burmese develop the disease, there is a greater chance in finding preventative treatment, especially when the cat reaches middle age,” she said.
“If diabetes is detected and treated early, there is an increased likelihood of diabetic remission. We can achieve remission rates exceeding 80 percent with early detection and use of an ultra-long acting insulin combined with a low carbohydrate diet.”
Cat owners will also receive a $100 voucher for consultations and pet food at the Veterinary School’s clinic at St Lucia.
For more information or to volunteer your cat, contact Rose Lederer (telephone 07 3346 9606, email: r.lederer@uq.edu.au); Professor Jacquie Rand (telephone 07 3365 2122, mobile 0419 555 554) or Elizabeth Kerr at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2339, email: e.kerr@uq.edu.au).
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