Renal sodium glucose transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a novel class of drug developed for the management of type-2 diabetes (T2DM) in humans. Inhibition of SGLT2 induces profound renal glucosuria reducing blood glucose and lowering insulin requirements in man. Adverse effects are uncommon. These drugs have not been evaluated in cats to the authors' knowledge. In this study 3 healthy cats were sequentially dosed with 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg of dapagliflozin for 5 days per treatment with a 2-week washout between each regimen. Cats were housed in individual cages. Haematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis were performed before and after each trial. Daily food, water intake, urine production and 24-hour urinary glucose excretion were measured for the duration of each trial. Data was analysed using a mixed linear model with a fixed effect of 'dose' and 'day', and the random effect of 'cat'. Dapagliflozin induced significant glucosuria at all doses used, which persisted for 5 days after the last dose for each regimen. The 10 mg dose induced the most significant increase in daily urine glucose output with a concomitant decrease in daily urine output. One cat developed a mild hyperglobulinaemia and leukocytosis, but no other adverse effects were noted. The cats lost weight during each of the trials, which is one of the touted benefits of the drug in human diabetics. Polydipsia/polyuria were not observed, nor were urinary tract infections detected during the trial. In conclusion, dapagliflozin appeared safe and is effective in inducing glucosuria.

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