Background: Feline acromegaly has been reported infrequently in the veterinary literature and current knowledge of this endocrinopathy is based on limited numbers of animals with relatively advanced clinical signs. Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to screen diabetic cats for the presence of acromegaly. Animals: Diabetic cats with variable control examined by general practitioners in the United Kingdom. Methods: Blood samples were screened for the possible presence of acromegaly with basal serum concentrations of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and, when available, feline growth hormone (fGH). In patients with markedly increased IGF‐1 concentrations intracranial computed tomography (CT) was offered, and in selected cats additional imaging was performed. Results: IGF‐1 was determined in 184 variably controlled diabetic cats; 59 cats had markedly increased IGF‐1 concentrations (.1,000 ng/mL; reference interval, 208–443 ng/mL). Eighteen cats subsequently were examined, and acromegaly was confirmed in 17 cats. Notable findings included absence of a detectable pituitary mass lesion in some affected cats regardless of whether CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used. Hypertension was not found to be a complication in the evaluated cats and respiratory stridor was more prevalent than previously reported. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Measurement of IGF‐1, growth hormone (GH), or both is useful in the diagnosis of acromegaly in cats.
The surgical treatment of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in six cats is described. The preoperative diagnoses were based on the results of abdominal ultrasonography, and mesenteric portography was used during surgery to confirm the diagnosis and establish the morphology of the shunting vessel. In four of the cats the shunt vessel passed through the left division of the liver, compatible with a patent ductus venosus (PDV), in one cat the shunt passed through the central hepatic division and in the other cat it passed through the right hepatic division. During surgery the shunt vessel was manipulated directly either intrahepatically, or post hepatically in the four cats with PDV. In five cats the shunt vessel was partially ligated, and in the other the vessel was completely ligated. The attenuation procedure produced a mean increase in mesenteric venous pressure of 17 cm H2O, with a range from 14 to 20 cm. All the cats recovered from the surgical procedure, but one developed neurological signs shortly after the operation and died from respiratory failure. Four of the cats were clinically normal and required no medication by one month after the operation. One cat required long-term medication to control its continued clinical signs.
Measurement of IGF-1, growth hormone (GH), or both is useful in the diagnosis of acromegaly in cats.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.