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RVC reveals cat breeds at risk of diabetes mellitus
For the first time, the Burmilla breed was found to be at increased risk of DM.
It’s hoped early conversations could reduce high mortality rates.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed insights which could help reduce the early mortality rates of cats with diabetes mellitus.

The project examined the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of diabetes mellitus in cats, hoping to gather vital information for veterinary professionals and cat owners.
 
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common hormonal condition in cats, often resulting in animals being euthanised at the time of diagnosis. Cats living with the condition require daily medication and regular examinations.

RVC draws similarities to the human global diabetes epidemic, with its small animal referral specialists reporting seeing 40 cases in the first five months of 2025.

Researchers examined data from RVC’s VetCompass programme, studying the characteristics and survival rates of 1,053 cats with DM in 2019. They aimed to establish the scale of early death in cats with DM.

The analysis found that approximately one in every 250 cats in the UK live with DM every year.

It also revealed that 10 per cent of cats diagnosed with DM were euthanised within three days of diagnosis. This supports findings from a questionnaire, conducted in various global locations, which drew the same statistics.

Researchers confirmed that Burmese cats were at increased risk of developing DM. However, for the first time, the Burmilla breed was also found to be at increased risk of DM.

In contrast, Bengal and Ragdoll breeds were more protected from DM, compared to crossbred cats.

RVC suggests that veterinary professionals proactively discuss the risks of DM with all cat owners, especially those with Burmese or Burmilla breeds. Researchers hope that raising awareness could prompt cat owners to take actions to prevent DM development, such as cat weight management.

Ruth Gostelow, senior lecturer in small animal internal medicine at RVC, said: “Our study highlights that there is clearly more to be done to reduce the ongoing, high euthanasia rate experienced by diabetic cats at diagnosis, and this should be an important target for the UK veterinary profession.

“The findings from our study provide an important baseline value for early mortality, which we hope can be improved by advancing our knowledge on how best to prevent and treat diabetes mellitus in cats.”

The full study can be found in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."