Primary hyperaldosteronism in cats – a review

Abstract

Primary hyperaldosteronism is a disease in which tumors or hyperplasias in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland induce hypersecretion of aldosterone. Effects are thus consistent with the actions of aldosterone in the body: increased sodium retention, increase of blood volume and increased renal excretion of potassium. Clinical signs are systemic hypertension and hypokalemic myopathy with generalized muscle weakness and even paresis. The most common biochemical findings are hypokalemia, elevated urea and creatinine concentration, hypomagnesemia, hypochloremia, and hypophosphatemia. Image of adrenals establishes the unilateral or bilateral involvement and the appropriate treatment for each patient. Medical treatment is symptomatic and consists of potassium supplementation, use of spironolactone and calcium channel blockers. Unilateral adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice, because it is curative and offers good prognosis.