* Dogs have a rapid and progressive onset of diabetes when they get it.
* Intact females may be transiently diabetic due to the insulin resistance effects of the diestrus phase
* Cats get diabetes because of a loss in function of the beta cells resulting in insulin resistance, islet amyloidosis or chronic lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis.
There is also a company called Baycom Diagnostics (BD Home Page) that is adapting the gold standard diabetes test, A1c, for use in dogs and cats.
