Acromegaly in cats is a little-known but serious condition that can cause a range of health problems in our feline friends. Left untreated, acromegaly can even lead to serious health issues. But with early diagnosis and treatment, most cats will make a full recovery. In this article, we'll introduce you to acromegaly and what you need to look out for if you think your cat might have it.
What is acromegaly in cats?
Acromegaly is an underdiagnosed chronic disorder of the pituitary gland that causes high levels of growth hormone to be produced. This hormone is responsible for the growth and development of bones, muscles and other tissues in the body. In cats, acromegaly can result in a wide range of health problems, including diabetes. Cats with acromegaly frequently develop insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus and it has been reported that approximately 25% of diabetic cats have acromegaly.
What are the causes of acromegaly in cats?
Cats with acromegaly typically have a functional non-cancerous pituitary adenoma that releases excessive growth hormone despite negative feedback.
What are the symptoms of acromegaly in cats?
As most cats with acromegaly have concurrent diabetes, these cats often have unregulated diabetes despite the best efforts for proper regulation. Typical clinical symptoms of feline acromegaly include:
- Broadened face
- Enlarged feet
- Excessive skin folds
- Poor hair coat
- Enlarged jaw and tongue
How is acromegaly diagnosed?
The majority of affected cats have insulin-resistant diabetes and the cats are receiving high insulin doses, yet diabetes is not being controlled. Serum growth factor (IGF-1) measurement is the most commonly used diagnostic test for acromegaly were cats with acromegaly typically have markedly increased IGF-1 levels.
What is the treatment for acromegaly in cats?
Medical therapy
Acromegaly can be treated with analogues of somatostatin. Somatostatin is a hormone released by the hypothalamus that inhibits the release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.
Radiation therapy
Acromegaly in cats is commonly treated with radiation therapy. Five weekly treatments stabilized or improved diabetes management in 8/8 of the cats with pituitary adenomas and concurrent unregulated diabetes according to one study.
Surgical therapy
Hypophysectomy to remove the pituitary tumour is also an effective therapy but it is not widely available.
Supportive therapy
Higher insulin dosages can be used on cats whose owners choose not to treat acromegaly in order to improve glycemic control and reduce the symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, urination, and appetite.
What is the prognosis for cats with acromegaly?
The short-term prognosis for cats with acromegaly is good but the long-term prognosis is poor. Acromegaly is a disease that can lead to serious comorbidities in cats (e.g. diabetes, renal failure, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy).
Frequently asked questions
How long do cats live with acromegaly?
A median survival time of 20.5 months was reported in one study of 14 cats with acromegaly.
Can acromegaly in cats be cured?
The best chance at a cure for acromegaly is through radiation therapy as it has been highly successful in treating acromegaly in cats. While surgical treatment is another option, it is not commonly performed or recommended.
How common is acromegaly in cats?
There is no scientific data on the incidence of acromegaly in the general feline population, however, 25% of all diabetic cats are estimated to have acromegaly.
This article has introduced you to acromegaly in cats. This condition is a chronic disorder of the pituitary gland that causes high levels of growth hormone to be produced. In cats, acromegaly can result in a wide range of health problems, including diabetes. The most common diagnostic test for acromegaly is serum growth factor (IGF-1) measurement, where cats with acromegaly typically have markedly increased IGF-1 levels. Acromegaly can be treated with analogues of somatostatin, radiation therapy or surgery. Higher insulin dosages can be used on cats whose owners choose not to treat acromegaly in order to improve glycemic control and reduce the symptoms of diabetes. Unfortunately, the prognosis for cats with acromegaly is poor in the long term. If you have any further questions or if you are concerned that your cat may have acromegaly, please contact your veterinarian.