Acromegaly in Cats: Understanding the Rare Feline Disorder

What is Acromegaly in Cats?

Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder that affects both humans and animals. It is a disorder that arises from the excessive production of growth hormone (GH) in the body. This overproduction occurs primarily due to benign tumors in the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. These tumors, known as pituitary adenomas, disrupt the balance of hormones, leading to increased GH secretion. 

The consequences of this condition are increased hunger, high risk of developing diabetes mellitus which can be difficult to control, soft tissue growth and increased risk of heart disease.

Acromegaly in Cats Symptoms

The clinical signs of acromegaly in cats can be subtle and challenging to detect in the early stages. It most often affects middle-aged and older male castrated cats.

• Cats with acromegaly usually present with insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus with increased body weight, a
  widening of the face, widening of the enlarged feet, and protrusion of the mandible (mandibular protrusion), an increased spacing between teeth, and enlargement of organs.

A photograph of a cat with overgrowth disorder showing broad facial features, most evident in this photograph is the enlarged muzzle.

• In cats with acromegaly, the overgrowth of the soft palate and laryngeal tissue causes respiratory distress and even upper airway obstruction. Cardiovascular signs include heart murmurs, hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Neurologic signs of acromegaly include sluggishness, lethargy, abnormal behavior, spinning, and blindness.
• Glomerulopathy and secondary renal failure have also been associated with feline acromegaly. Lameness also occurs in cats with acromegaly due to associated degenerative joint disease and peripheral (diabetic) neuropathy.

Diagnosis of Acromegaly in Cats

Veterinarians will typically perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a thorough physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies such as X-rays or ultrasounds. A definitive diagnosis often involves measuring insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, which are elevated in cats with acromegaly.

Rapid glucose monitoring is a novel noninvasive monitoring technique that is increasingly used in the management of diabetes in small animals. It allows accurate measurement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels.

Acromegaly in Cats Treatment

• Cabergoline, a medication known to control acromegaly in some humans, could be used to control acromegaly in cats. Cabergoline can act on the growth hormone producing tumour to reduce growth hormone release and can shrink some pituitary tumours in humans.
• Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT, also commonly referred to as SRS, SBRT, radiosurgery and/or Cyberknife-type therapy) is the newest and most convenient treatment available for feline acromegaly.
• Symptomatic treatment: Addressing associated conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or heart disease, is crucial to maintaining the cat's well-being.

Diabetes in cats is treatable isn’t it?
Usually we treat diabetic cats with injections of insulin but in acromegaly insulin doesn’t work. These cats have insulin resistance due to excess growth hormone.

FAQs

What is the Life Expectancy of Acromegaly in Cats?

Acromegaly it can't be cured, all we can do is try to treat the symptoms. We use special diets and pills to try to lower blood sugar. With stable blood sugar control and no other complications, such as heart problems, the cat's life expectancy will not be affected.

But a median survival time of 20.5 months was reported in one study of 14 cats with acromegaly.

Is Acromegaly in Cats Painful?

Yes, they can be painful, and cats with acromegaly often have enlarged jaws and teeth, which can lead to dental problems and oral pain. And the increased production of growth hormone can lead to enlargement of internal organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys. This can lead to pain or discomfort.

What Age Do Cats Get Acromegaly?

Male cats older than 10 years old.

Conclusion

Acromegaly is a rare but noteworthy disorder that can affect our feline companions. As responsible cat owners, it is crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with acromegaly and seek veterinary attention if any concerns arise. Understanding this condition and its potential treatment options can help ensure a better quality of life for cats diagnosed with acromegaly, enabling us to provide them with the care and support.