by Steve Dale, CABC
Understandably, veterinary technicians often wonder out loud, “How can I make a difference?”
Proof positive that you can make that difference is Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition). Burns also holds honorary VTS designations in Internal Medicine (2011) and Dentistry (2012), and has received numerous awards– greatly for educating her colleagues – as former NAVTA Board President and recipient of the Bridge Club Industry Icon Award in 2024. She is the incoming Board Chair of the non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation, and the first technician to hold that position. And that is where the story begins.
After losing their cat, O’Malley, to diabetes (specifically acromegaly), Kara and her wife, Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA, were devastated. But together, they were also determined to do something about it.
They recently launched the O’Malley Fund with EveryCat to raise money to fund studies for diabetes and endocrinopathies (including hyperthyroidism).
The track record is pretty darn good: when EveryCat creates a special fund, magic has happened.
In 2005, Susan Gingrich was the force behind initiating the Bria Fund, which boosted attention and funding for studies of feline infectious peritonitis, then considered fatal and even challenging to diagnose in the first place. Of course, after funding many studies,- today FIP is treatable.
In 2002, I launched the Ricky Fund to support studies for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At that time, HCM treatments primarily focused on palliative care rather than addressing the disease itself. In fact, the disease – albeit very common – wasn’t fully understood. Today, much more is known about HCM and Felycin-CA1 as FDA CVM is now approved for treating non-clinical HCM. And there’s a lot more going on as well.
Of course, it’s not pure luck – it’s about giving EveryCat resources to fund studies, and that takes hard work. Burns is accustomed to rolling up her sleeves to get the job done and to make a difference.
About diabetes in cats
With as many as 60 percent of cats being overweight or obese, feline diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to rise across the U.S. (and throughout much of the world), approaching what many in practice reasonably describe as near-epidemic levels. Data suggest diabetes affects approximately 1 in 200 to 1 in 230 cats, though reported prevalence varies by population and methodology. Many suggest that DM is even more common than that since some cats go undiagnosed because they do not see a veterinarian.
Diabetes occurs in adult cats of any age, meaning long-term management is often required, which can be challenging for clients to afford. There’s also the psychological impact. Diabetes shortens lifespan in many patients, and caregiver fatigue is a real and underappreciated factor. In some cases, the burden of care contributes to relinquishment—leaving diabetic cats less likely to be adopted.
While the good news is that for a significant but unknown percent of cats with weight loss, a shift in metabolism (due to some exercise) and continued use of a prescription diet and insulin – remission is possible. And that remission can last a lifetime. But other cats, as Burns and Lowrey experienced, can become resistant to insulin.
And the entire notion of becoming diabetic in the first place – or achieving remission – rests fully on weight control, which is easier said than done.
The O’Malley Story
O’Malley’s history is clinically familiar. Found as a feral kitten at approximately four weeks of age, he presented malnourished but resilient and ultimately thrived in a home environment.
At 11 years old, he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and later identified as insulin-resistant secondary to hypersomatotropism (acromegaly)—an under-recognized condition now estimated to occur in 15% to 25% percent of diabetic cats, particularly those difficult to regulate.
As his disease progressed, his case reflected the realities veterinary technicians see daily: increasing insulin demands, progressive comorbidity, and the emotional toll on caregivers managing chronic endocrine disease.
Multiply that scenario across practices nationwide—and globally.
Emerging alternatives are under investigation and often funded by EveryCat, though more dollars are needed. Insulin pump technology for cats shows promise but remains cost-prohibitive and is still being evaluated. Oral hypoglycemic options exist, but their effectiveness is variable, and administration challenges persist—any technician who has attempted to pill a cat understands those limitations.
For veterinary technicians, this is where the story becomes personal. You are the ones monitoring glucose curves, coaching clients through insulin administration, recognizing subtle changes before anyone else, and carrying the emotional weight alongside families. The O’Malley Fund is more than a tribute — it’s a call to action for the profession. Progress in feline diabetes, just as with FIP and HCM, will come from research driven by people who refuse to accept the status quo. Kara Burns has shown what one technician can do. The question isn’t whether veterinary technicians can make a difference — it’s how many will choose to.
References:
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention – U.S. pet obesity prevalence data
Sparkes AH et al. ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Feline Diabetes Mellitus