With acros, there isn’t much out there in the way of affordable, convenient treatment. We had some kitties start cabergoline here when it was still being trialled in the UK. I had asked about side effects, and there were few. It was a drug already given to cats, but for another reason. So the risks were fairly well understood. Anyway, the first person to try it with their kitty saw him go OTJ within weeks. A lot of the other caregivers have seen benefits, such that it’s a better alternTive than no treatment. One can only hope the new drug is even better. I know RVC was working closely with doctors working with human acromegaly patients, so there are still options out there.
Some of the US endos are doing the same as the RVC. It is all part of the larger One Health movement where there is crossover and shared data between veterinary and human medicine. It makes a lot of sense and the two disciplines are able to help each other vs reinventing the wheel if info already exists. I highly recommend that people who are not near a U setting with one of the specialized vet endocrinologists, reach out for consults if their vet is willing to do it (or find one who is wiling to do it if the current vet is unwilling to do so
). It is worth it to at least present the case and ask what is available or what they might be able to offer, specifically and especially with cases where alternative options are financially out of reach or the pet parent is not interested in pursuing them for other reasons.
It is very nice when the risks of a drug for a cat are fairly understood
. Based on the info out there, studies and experience, the drug clearly can be helpful with some cats...which ones exactly is not known yet, but to your point, sometimes, depending on the specific situation, trying something can be better than doing absolutely nothing.
Even when the risks are
not known, depending on what the situation is with a specific cat, there can be equal or possibly more risk by choosing to do nothing. I think it is fair to say that it is equally important to understand the reality & actual level of risk of doing nothing vs the risks of trying a new drug or treatment. We ultimately have to reconcile and accept that we are making the best decisions given all of the information/treatments currently available or unavailable, the realities of the medical problem & it’s complications and then literally be able to take ourselves off the hook if something goes wrong. Realistically, it is ultimately the condition at fault for the outcome. However, I can also understand & appreciate that, for some people, actively choosing to try something despite knowing there is either unknown risk or even a level of known risk, puts them in a position where they will ultimately feel responsible and blame themselves vs. the disease state for any poor outcome
. The decisions are definitely very challenging.
