Condition4 connections · 1 source
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is the over-secretion of growth hormone, typically from a pituitary tumor. It causes insulin resistance and is an important cause of hard-to-regulate diabetes-mellitus in cats.
Key Facts
- Cats: caused by growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumor; over 90% of affected cats are male
- Dogs: usually caused by excess progesterone (ovarian cysts); typically older unspayed females
- Growth hormone interferes with tissue insulin receptors, causing insulin resistance
- Visual clues: jaw enlargement, gum tissue proliferation, head broadening
- Diagnosis: IGF-1 assay (insulin-like growth factor-1) is more reliable than growth hormone level
- Definitive diagnosis via CT or MRI of the pituitary gland
- Treatment: radiotherapy of pituitary tumor (difficult; research ongoing)
- In dogs, spaying may be curative
- More common than previously thought; should be considered in any insulin-resistant diabetic cat
- Species: dogs and cats