3/26 Peeka Acromegaly diagnosis

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

Hi there,

like the title states, I took some advice I had received and this appears to be the diagnosis. Ultrasounds came back and there was no tumor near her pancreas which another vet had wanted to look into.


Curious the opinion here about a prognosis. The vet had said there’s not a whole lot to be done other than continue to increase insulin as needed and there may come a time where we need to consider saying goodbye.

As always, thank you everyone for your assistance with our journey. Feeling somewhat deflated by this news.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Did the vet send out blood (to MSU) to do an IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor) blood test? That test is the best method to test for acromegaly with the exception of a CAT scan or MRI if the pituitary gland area. I would also get an Insulin Autoantibody (IAA) test, also done by MSU).
Acromegaly usually progresses slowly unless cured by either surgery or STR radiation treatment. However, those are expensive, like $5,000-10,000 and the fcitie that doe those are limited. There is also the drug cabergoline that seems to slow the effects of acromegaly.
There is a separate acromegaly forum in FDMB
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/acromegaly-iaa-cushings-cats.12/
that links for additional information
There is also the closed FB acromegaly group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/acromegaly


I have had two cats (MurrFee (GA) and Snuffles)diagnosed with acromegaly via the IGF-1 test and I suspect that my first "diabetic" cat, Gray Ghost, also had acromegaly.

 

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

Did the vet send out blood (to MSU) to do an IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor) blood test?

Yes, they just got results back today for this. Don’t know that STR radiation is going to be an option due to the high prices. Already having conversations with the wife about quality of life for her since she does still have neuropathy that affects her day to day. Certainly a lot to navigate through.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Sorry to hear the news, but you now have an explanation for his insulin needs.

There are several options for treating acromegly, only one of which is just to treat with the amount of insulin they need. If you do go that route, as some point you may wish to switch to Levemir insulin. It seems to act longer and give flatter cycles in higher dose cats. Other options are surgical removal of the pituitary gland (hypophysectomy), radiation therapy with stereotactic radiation therapy being first choice (my girl had that), and medications. The only cost effective medication is cabergoline. It seems quite effective in a large number of cats. We've seen 4 cats go off of insulin, and most of them had some lowering of dose and reduction in the acro side effects, which can result in better quality of life and a longer one. We have one current members who has had her cat on cabergoline for 4 years now, and very well regulated. There is often travel required for radiation therapy or surgery, depending where you live. I was lucky that costs were much cheaper for SRT when we went.