Sciatic neuropathy in an acromegalic cat without concurrent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Case summary A 17-year-old neutered male European Shorthair cat was presented owing to an inability to jump and respiratory stridor. The owner did not report any other clinical signs. On physical examination, the main findings were plantigrade stance, broad facial features and inspiratory stridor. Neurological examination revealed posterior paraparesis, hypotonia and right hindlimb muscle atrophy. Laboratory findings were unremarkable and glycaemia was normal. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration was elevated (>1000 ng/ml). A total body CT scan showed an enlarged pituitary gland, thickening of the nasal turbinates and an L7–S1 right foraminal stenosis. Electrodiagnostic testing confirmed the presence of a neuropathy affecting both sciatic nerves. The cat was treated with gabapentin only and was still alive and euglycaemic 16 months after the diagnosis. Relevance and novel information This case describes for the first time sciatic neuropathy, an occasional complication of acromegaly in people, as a possible clinical presentation in acromegalic cats without concurrent diabetes mellitus.

Quality of life and response to treatment in cats with hypersomatotropism: the owners’ point of view

“…4,7,8 Sciatic neuropathy was confirmed by electrodiagnostic tests in one of these cats. 4 Of note, peripheral nerve dysfunction is a well-recognised complication of acromegaly in humans. 19 Around 5% of cats in the present study were not diabetic when diagnosed with HS and had not developed DM at the time the questionnaire was completed by the owners.…”

“…5 Plantigrade stance in cats with HS is usually considered the consequence of diabetic neuropathy; however, it was described in one non-diabetic cat in the present study and previously reported in 3/5 non-diabetic cats with HS. 4,7,8 Sciatic neuropathy was confirmed by electrodiagnostic tests in one of these cats. 4 Of note, peripheral nerve dysfunction is a well-recognised complication of acromegaly in humans.…”

“…4,7,8 Sciatic neuropathy was confirmed by electrodiagnostic tests in one of these cats. 4 Of note, peripheral nerve dysfunction is a well-recognised complication of acromegaly in humans. 19…”

“…Other clinical signs that can be present in cats with HS, sometimes even before the onset of DM, include broad facial features, enlargement of the feet, prognathia inferior, noisy breathing, heart murmur, plantigrade stance and polyphagia. 2–4…”

Prevalence of hypersomatotropism and hyperthyroidism in cats with diabetes mellitus from referral centers in Buenos Aires (2020–2022)

“…23 Reports in cats about this issue are lacking, and only five cases with HST without DM have been published to date. [26][27][28] In a recent study on quality of life in cats with HST, another seven cases of acromegaly without DM were mentioned. 29 Two studies have indicated that the prevalence of hyperthyroidism in the population of diabetic cats is around 5-6%.…”