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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) / Transient diabetes mellitus in a neonatal Thoroughbred foal.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)2010; 20(6); 611-615; doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2010.00588.x

Transient diabetes mellitus in a neonatal Thoroughbred foal.

Abstract: To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of a neonatal foal diagnosed with transient Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A 3-day-old Thoroughbred foal presented with a 24-hour history of diarrhea and depression. Coronavirus particles were observed in the feces via electron microscopy. During hospitalization the foal developed hyperglycemia concomitantly with low insulin concentration and an adequate response to exogenous insulin therapy supported a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The foal required SC insulin for 26 days, but developed complications associated with insulin therapy that resolved with appropriate care. On follow up assessment the foal was found to be a healthy euglycemic animal with normal insulin concentration at 11 months of age. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first report of Type 1 diabetes in this age group and the first report of transient neonatal diabetes mellitus in horses. Type 1 diabetes mellitus should be considered a differential diagnosis for hyperglycemia in equine neonates and that it can be transient and managed successfully.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2010.
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Publication Date: 2010-10-07 PubMed ID: 21166983PubMed Central: PMC7169339DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2010.00588.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses a unique case of a newborn (neonatal) Thoroughbred foal that was diagnosed with transient Type 1 diabetes – a condition where an animal is unable for a period to regulate blood sugar levels due to a lack of insulin production. It provides details about the foal’s health condition, the diagnosis process, treatment procedures, and its status during subsequent monitoring.

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

  • The study begins by noting the clinical presentation of the foal, emphasizing its initial symptoms. Just three days old, the foal had been experiencing diarrhea and depression for 24 hours.
  • It’s stated that coronavirus particles were observed in the foal’s feces through a process called electron microscopy. This finding led to the foal being hospitalized.
  • During the hospitalization, medical personnel noted the foal’s development of hyperglycemia – an abnormally high amount of glucose in the blood. Coupled with this was an observed low concentration of insulin.
  • A successful response to exogenous (externally administered) insulin therapy supported the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. In other words, they concluded that the foal wasn’t producing enough insulin naturally – the defining characteristic of Type 1 diabetes.

Treatment and Complications

  • The treatment process is discussed next. The foal required subcutaneous (under the skin) administration of insulin for 26 days.
  • However, during this treatment process, the foal developed complications directly related to the insulin therapy.
  • The research article doesn’t provide specifics about these complications, only noting that they were successfully resolved through appropriate care.

Follow-up and Concluding Thoughts

  • In the follow-up (about 11 months after initial presentation), the foal was found to be healthy. It exhibited normal blood sugar (euglycemic) levels and a normal insulin concentration – a sign of successful recovery from the transient Type 1 diabetes.
  • The researchers conclude by emphasizing the uniqueness and significance of this case. They believe it to be the first report of Type 1 diabetes occurring in a neonatal horse and, more significantly, the first account of transient neonatal diabetes in horses.
  • Thus, the take-away from this case is that Type 1 Diabetes can occur, albeit temporarily, in equine neonates. Hence, it must be considered a possible differential diagnosis – or other conditions that could explain the observed symptoms – when faced with hyperglycemic equine neonates. Further, it’s possible to successfully manage and overcome this condition with proper treatment and care.

Cite This Article

APA
Navas de Solis C, Foreman JH. (2010). Transient diabetes mellitus in a neonatal Thoroughbred foal. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio), 20(6), 611-615. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2010.00588.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
ISSN: 1476-4431
NlmUniqueID: 101152804
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
Pages: 611-615

Researcher Affiliations

Navas de Solis, Cristobal
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA. navasdes@vet.upenn.edu
Foreman, Jonathan H

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Coronavirus / isolation & purification
    • Coronavirus Infections / complications
    • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
    • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
    • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary
    • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis
    • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy
    • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / veterinary
    • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / virology
    • Diagnosis, Differential
    • Feces / virology
    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
    • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
    • Horse Diseases / virology
    • Horses
    • Illinois
    • Insulin / therapeutic use
    • Male
    • Treatment Outcome

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 5 times.
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      doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13030522pubmed: 36766627google scholar: lookup
    2. Agarwal S, Agarwal SK. Endocrine changes in SARS-CoV-2 patients and lessons from SARS-CoV.. Postgrad Med J 2020 Jul;96(1137):412-416.
      doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137934pubmed: 32527756google scholar: lookup
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