THE RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF PANCREATIC DIABETES IN CATS

Abstract

In 19 normal cats in post-absorptive condition 41 observations showed an av. metabolism of 29.3 [plus or minus] 0.4 calories per sq. m. per hr. and a R.Q. of 0.75 [plus or minus] 0.006. If the head of the pancreas is removed, cutting off the supply of pancreatic juice to the intestine, the metabolism remains unchanged. The averages for these animals are 0.75 [plus or minus] 0.001 for the R.Q. and 29.4 [plus or minus] 0.1 for the metabolism. Complete removal of the pancreas lowers the R.Q. to 0.70 [plus or minus] 0.004 and increases the metabolism more than 40% to 41.7 [plus or minus] 0.4 calories. This occurs even in under-nutrition.