The third and least common cause of DKA is the result of another illness or medication that impairs insulin action. The most effective method of preventing DKA is having your pet examined by a veterinarian. Clinical symptoms of DKA include excessive drinking, excessive urination, increased or decreased appetite, weight loss, prostration and vomiting. Other symptoms sometimes associated with DKA include, neurological disorders, and acute kidney failure. DKA is one of the most serious metabolic disorders seen in both human and veterinary medicine.
Many patients die from it.
The aggressiveness of treatment depends upon how sick the animal is. While pets with mild DKA may be successfully treated with intravenous fluids and insulin, those with severe manifestations of disease need more significant therapy. Even with appropriate and aggressive treatment, some animals develop secondary problems that can prove fatal. Laboratory blood testing is important for diagnosing cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. Continuous blood testing is also needed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.