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The NeuroScope, a specific and sensitive indicator of cardiac vagal tone, was used to look for differences in autonomic tone between 25 dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus and 23 healthy control dogs, to determine whether there was any correlation between the dogs' cardiac vagal tone, the duration of diabetes and the adequacy of glycaemic control. The cardiac index of parasympathetic activity (cipa) was determined for each dog over a period of 2600 heartbeats. The mean, median and modal cipa values were significantly lower in the diabetic dogs than in the healthy dogs. There was no significant relationship between the cipa values and the duration of disease or the adequacy of recent glycaemic control in the diabetic dogs, but there was a significant inverse relationship between the cipa values and the bodyweight of the diabetic dogs that was not evident in the normal dogs. The conclusions were based on a 500-heartbeat interval selected from the 2600 heartbeats recorded.

Objective: To determine prevalence and severity of systemic arterial hypertension and proteinuria in dogs with naturally developing diabetes mellitus (DM) and to determine whether these abnormalities were related to age, sex, duration of DM, or degree of control of glycemia., Design: Case series and cohort study., Animals: Fifty dogs with naturally developing DM., Procedures: Blood pressure was measured in all 50 dogs. Thirty-eight dogs were evaluated once, and 12 were evaluated sequentially. Thirty-five were evaluated for proteinuria by determining protein-to-creatinine ratio in urine (n = 35) or by electrophoresis of urine (33)., Results: Hypertension was detected in 23 on the basis of a systolic pressure > 160 mm HG (12 dogs), a diastolic pressure > 100 mm HG (21), or a mean pressure > 120 mm HG (23). All dogs with systolic hypertension had concurrent diastolic and mean hypertension, and 19 of 21 dogs with diastolic hypertension had concurrent high mean pressure. Ten of 12 dogs reevaluated at subsequent visits had no change in blood pressure. Blood pressure remained consistent in 3 dogs tested at different times during the day on a single visit. Duration of DM and presence of proteinuria were significant predictors of hypertension. Seven of 35 (20%) dogs had an increased protein-to-creatinine ratio in their urine. Albumin concentration and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were significantly higher in urine from diabetic dogs, compared with healthy, nondiabetic dogs. Hypertension was associated with an increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio., Clinical Implications: Systemic hypertension and proteinuria may be common in diabetic dogs, but the clinical importance of these findings are, as yet, unknown.

In summary, hematologic abnormalities in diabetes affect the function, morphology, and metabolism of blood cells, and the coagulation system. These complications can contribute to the development of anemia, infection, and hypercoagulability in diabetic dogs and cats. Some hematologic changes, such as glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine, play an important role as markers of glycemic control. Hematologic changes also serve as important models for changes occurring in other tissues, such as cataract formation and nephropathy. Further study of blood alterations will enhance our knowledge of the biochemistry and pathophysiology of diabetes and diabetic complications and stimulate the development of effective preventative and therapeutic measures.