Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness, so the cost does not arrive in a single invoice. It is split between the initial diagnosis, the glucose monitoring and, if the cat goes into ketoacidosis, a hospital stay. These are the 2026 public prices of a Spanish university veterinary hospital.
Key facts
- At a university vet hospital, an endocrinology consultation costs €60 and a blood glucose curve €80.
- A 24-hour admission for diabetic ketoacidosis costs €300, and each further day of maintenance €140.
- Petplan reimburses 100% up to €3,100 a year if the diabetes is not pre-existing.
Reference prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Endocrinology consultation | €60 |
| Endocrinology follow-up | €30 |
| Blood glucose curve | €80 |
| Complete blood count with differential | €35 |
| 15-parameter biochemistry with electrolytes | €55 |
| Feline panel: blood count, 10-parameter biochemistry, electrolytes and total T4 | €100 |
| Urinalysis (dipstick and sediment) | €25 |
| Glucose test strips | €6 |
| 24 h hospitalisation with fluid therapy and medication (cat) | €90 |
| 24 h hospitalisation for diabetic ketoacidosis | €300 |
| Daily maintenance for diabetic ketoacidosis | €140 |
| Daytime emergency consultation | €70 |
| Night, weekend or public holiday emergency consultation | €90 |
What makes the price vary?
The cost depends above all on when the diagnosis is made. A stable cat is managed with €30 follow-ups and €80 glucose curves, the lowest figures in the table. A cat that arrives in ketoacidosis needs admission: the first day costs €300 and each further day of maintenance €140. Frequency matters too, because the glucose curve is repeated every time the vet adjusts the dose. And if the crisis happens at night, at the weekend or on a public holiday, the emergency consultation goes from €70 to €90.
How much does Petplan cover?
Petplan Spain reimburses 100% of the invoice up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 co-payment per illness or accident, at the vet of your choice. It does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive care, and there are waiting periods of 15 days for accidents and 30 days for illness.
For a diabetic cat, what matters is when the first clinical signs appeared. If the diabetes was already diagnosed, or had shown clinical signs, before the policy was taken out, it is a pre-existing condition and is excluded. If it appears while the policy is in force, each illness is covered for 12 months from the date the clinical signs were first noticed, or until the annual maximum reimbursement is reached, whichever comes first. An admission for ketoacidosis is covered as long as the vet confirms that hospitalisation is needed for basic treatment, and costs outside normal consulting hours only if the vet confirms an emergency consultation was necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to diagnose diabetes in a cat?
At this hospital, an endocrinology consultation costs €60 and the feline panel (blood count, 10-parameter biochemistry, electrolytes and total T4) €100. A urinalysis with dipstick and sediment is €25, and a blood glucose curve, to confirm the diagnosis and adjust the dose, is €80.
Does the policy cover diabetes that has already been diagnosed?
No. An illness diagnosed or showing clinical signs before the policy was taken out is a pre-existing condition and is excluded. If the diabetes appears while the policy is in force, Petplan reimburses 100% of the invoice up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 co-payment applied once per illness and deducted from the first claim. There is a 30-day waiting period for illness. A cat can be insured from 2 months to 7 years old, and stays insured at any age as long as the policy is renewed.
Sources
- Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza, 2026 public prices (VAT included).
- Petplan, health insurance general conditions (in Spanish).
See also: cost of a blood test, cost of a urine test, cost of hospitalisation and real cost of the vet in Spain 2026.
Indicative prices. Spain has no official price scale and each clinic sets its own fees: these are the public prices of a university veterinary hospital, and other clinics may charge differently.
