Cabergoline as a possible treatment for acrocats: discussion

Beenie said:
I'm tagging @Jadi & Tiffany as I believe they just ordered from Diamond Back. Not sure what the shipping charges would be so that will add to it.

So I see you're in MA so I called the compounding pharmacy just now that I used (in NY much closer than AZ) and they ship as well. They'd be happy to assist. Here's their website http://www.crossriverpharmacy.com/

Based on some of prices I seen Cross River is very reasonable, I paid $69
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Thank you for all of your help and support:bighug::bighug:
 
Pamela & Amethyst said:
Thank you I spoke with my local and she could not give me any prices without the script she also said that the TUNA could only be filled for 2 weeks at a time??
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Darn! I just double checked with Diamond Back and it is a 30 day supply. I am mixing it in with a small amount of Tiff's favorite cat food. Maybe that would alleviate the taste?
 
My little girl will not eat when there is medicine in her food She is very picky That is why I need TUNA flavored she will take that from a syringe a least she did when I had to give her prednisone last year. My local Animal Pharmacist said that this is icky tasting plain. hopefully your little one will take it with her food Good Luck:cat:
 
Mom2Maverick said:
I am following this thread closely as I am researching Cabergoline. I have "followed" a few of you that I see are giving it to your cats. @Beenie @Chubba @Jadi & Tiffany @Marvin's Mom - Nat
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
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You are welcome! I don't always post every day, but we have been blown away at how Tiff seems to be responding. Her numbers are good and her dose is going down. Most importantly, she has been like her old self these past few days - more active, running through the house and wanting to play. My vet high fived me in the office the other day and is blown away that this is happening. I don't want to be too optimistic, but so far I am so happy with are doing the Cabergoline.
 
Jadi & Tiffany said:
You are welcome! I don't always post every day, but we have been blown away at how Tiff seems to be responding. Her numbers are good and her dose is going down. Most importantly, she has been like her old self these past few days - more active, running through the house and wanting to play. My vet high fived me in the office the other day and is blown away that this is happening. I don't want to be too optimistic, but so far I am so happy with are doing the Cabergoline.
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That's awesome! I would love to even have a glimpse of my old cat back. I have emailed my vet and will see what he says. He is supportive of my managing of the diabetes and megacolon. I think he is learning a lot too!
 
Marvin personality is back, mind you he had severe neuropathy due to the diabetes, so he is not quite back to normal as he still can't walk properly or jump, however he is moving a round alot more, and still seeing improvements. So the neuropathy is improving. Getting him regulated was key. Seeing his personality back is a blessing, his quality of life is 100 x better. He actually went upstairs to nap with me this weekend. First time since January, which shows he is still improving. Well worth it for me.
 
Marvin's Mom - Nat said:
Marvin personality is back, mind you he had severe neuropathy due to the diabetes, so he is not quite back to normal as he still can't walk properly or jump, however he is moving a round alot more, and still seeing improvements. So the neuropathy is improving. Getting him regulated was key. Seeing his personality back is a blessing, his quality of life is 100 x better. He actually went upstairs to nap with me this weekend. First time since January, which shows he is still improving. Well worth it for me.
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Wow, that's something! I would also love a reprieve from feeding every 3 hours. It's like having a newborn!
 
Mom2Maverick said:
Has anyone giving Cabergoline had the ILGF-1 retested?
Also does anyone know of the latest RVC findings of their study?
Thank you!
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My info from RVC is from April/May, but back then, the one of six cats that was doing well on the Cabergoline still had about the same IGF1 level as when she started about 8 weeks prior. There might be updates if anybody else has recently corresponded with Chris at RVC.
 
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I keep checking their Website, but nothing has been posted about the results yet. If Gizmo ever responds to the cabergoline, I believe my vet wants to redo the IGF-1 test.
 
I haven't re-done the 1-GF1 test, too pricey here to get it done at the moment. I may get it done in the future, there are other expenses with Marvin I need to look into, heart mur mur, teeth cleaning, and I am sure that will add up quick. Plus, doggy seems to have a little lump near his eye that just showed up last week. :arghh:.... need to find a rich man I think
 
Marvin's Mom - Nat said:
I haven't re-done the 1-GF1 test, too pricey here to get it done at the moment. I may get it done in the future, there are other expenses with Marvin I need to look into, heart mur mur, teeth cleaning, and I am sure that will add up quick. Plus, doggy seems to have a little lump near his eye that just showed up last week. :arghh:.... need to find a rich man I think
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Oh no ... hope the little lump is nothing. :bighug:
 
Chubba said:
I keep checking their Website, but nothing has been posted about the results yet. If Gizmo ever responds to the cabergoline, I believe my vet wants to redo the IGF-1 test.
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I want to have the tests done again. I want to give it a year. More to see if the IAA percentage is reduced and of course if there is a difference in the IGF-1 growth hormone output.
Marvin's Mom - Nat said:
Plus, doggy seems to have a little lump near his eye that just showed up last week
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Oh Nat I hope its no big deal:bighug:
 
Does anyone have any idea how long it takes to reduce the IAA. I had the test from MSU ran on samples that I sent from Buddy's doctor. When the results came back his ACRO score was around 64, but his IAA was 84. I sent everything in myself after the vet did the blood work, but the vet that I spoke to from MSU was really secretive and said he would be willing to speak to Buddy's vet. I told her that he wanted to speak to her, when she got the time she called MSU and they would not let her speak to him without a signed release of information. It was a big mess, but he wanted a test for hypothyroidism (spelling). We had he test ran and it was negative, but no other ideas. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with IAA and how it worked out.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
Does anyone have any idea how long it takes to reduce the IAA. I had the test from MSU ran on samples that I sent from Buddy's doctor. When the results came back his ACRO score was around 64, but his IAA was 84. I sent everything in myself after the vet did the blood work, but the vet that I spoke to from MSU was really secretive and said he would be willing to speak to Buddy's vet. I told her that he wanted to speak to her, when she got the time she called MSU and they would not let her speak to him without a signed release of information. It was a big mess, but he wanted a test for hypothyroidism (spelling). We had he test ran and it was negative, but no other ideas. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with IAA and how it worked out.
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Hi Teresa. An IAA diagnosis and a negative Acro is very good news!!! IAA is self limiting. They say it can take about a year. Check out @Sandy and Black Kitty SS and journey. Black Kitty tested positive for IAA and she did go off OTJ. Took 22 months. You have to stay on top of the increases to overwhelm the antibodies. See this sticky
 
@Teresa & Buddy you might want to start a separate post about Buddy's his diagnosis to get more experienced eyes. Most people looking at this post will be caregivers of acros. I have some links to IAA info, but would rather keep this post focussed on cabergoline.
 
Anyone on their second or third month of Cabergoline? If so - can you share you experience with other Acro related side effects (besides the insulin needs)?Have you seen improved pain management without meds? If you have or are experiencing GI issues? Mega colon improvement? TIA
 
Hmm not sure who is 2-3 months in. Seems like a few started recently, less than 2 months. Adrian and Chino weened off it a few weeks ago as he felt it wasn't helping.

I'll share my experience anyway :smuggrin:.
Overall I see an improvement with Beenie. Only catch is there's no way to really know if it's the Cabergoline, less IGF-1 output, IAA breaking.... As her numbers have improved recently I'm now starting to see behavioral/QOL improvements, small but they're happening:)
For me I won't give up on it. When we stared Lev and then shortly after Cabergoline we have tremendous improvement in her numbers. I can see why Adrian and Chino threw in the towel because there was no marked response to it. I think the trial, as small as the pool was, is indicative of the med seems to work for some and not others with no indication as to why. For us the cost was worth the try. Had it been one of the costly treatments I never would've have tried it.
I'm impressed with Jadi&Tiffany's response, to me its seems more likely its the Cabergolne for sure.

As far as GI issues I do notice Beenie is a little gasy o_O and her poo is normal to too soft (this after start of cabergoline). It fluctuates, some days its normal and other days its not but I've been giving her pumpkin and that helps. Other than that no other side effects that I'm aware of. I wish they could talk:rolleyes:

Are you considering and concerned about side effects?
 
Beenie said:
Hmm not sure who is 2-3 months in. Seems like a few started recently, less than 2 months. Adrian and Chino weened off it a few weeks ago as he felt it wasn't helping.

I'll share my experience anyway :smuggrin:.
Overall I see an improvement with Beenie. Only catch is there's no way to really know if it's the Cabergoline, less IGF-1 output, IAA breaking.... As her numbers have improved recently I'm now starting to see behavioral/QOL improvements, small but they're happening:)
For me I won't give up on it. When we stared Lev and then shortly after Cabergoline we have tremendous improvement in her numbers. I can see why Adrian and Chino threw in the towel because there was no marked response to it. I think the trial, as small as the pool was, is indicative of the med seems to work for some and not others with no indication as to why. For us the cost was worth the try. Had it been one of the costly treatments I never would've have tried it.
I'm impressed with Jadi&Tiffany's response, to me its seems more likely its the Cabergolne for sure.

As far as GI issues I do notice Beenie is a little gasy o_O and her poo is normal to too soft (this after start of cabergoline). It fluctuates, some days its normal and other days its not but I've been giving her pumpkin and that helps. Other than that no other side effects that I'm aware of. I wish they could talk:rolleyes:

Are you considering and concerned about side effects?
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Thanks for sharing. I go back and forth with wanting to try it. I finally found a good vet who is supportive of all I’ve done for Jimmy from his insulin needs to raw feeding to supplementing his food. I told her about cabergoline and she was receptive. Prior to seeing her no vet would even acknowledge he may be Acro so there was little chance of getting them to prescribe a trial drug. She was very interested to hear about the results some of you have been having. That gives me some relief. I guess my fear is yes, will Jimmy be that rare case of getting some side effect that ends his life too early because I was hoping for a reduced cost benefit? His activity level is quite good and besides the constipation flare ups has no other DX health issues. I have a gut feeling though there may be something up with his blood pressure. His ears are nearly warm all the time and when he gets above 300 his breathing is a bit labored. Below 300 he’s a happy camper. It’s a lot to weigh. Again, thanks for sharing your experience.
 
Most advanced treatments for various issues probably have side effects. There are side effects for SRT in treating Acro. And Leo is on prednisolone and Chlorambucil for small cell lymphoma. I think the key is to determine how bad off the kitteh may be without treatment.
 
JeffJ said:
Most advanced treatments for various issues probably have side effects. There are side effects for SRT in treating Acro. And Leo is on prednisolone and Chlorambucil for small cell lymphoma. I think the key is to determine how bad off the kitteh may be without treatment.
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Good point. Thank you.
 
Pamela & Amethyst said:
Hi How are you? Animal Pharm in Pembroke, Mass. Kathleen is great!!! My Vet still is not on board tho!!!
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Doing OK. Trying to get Jimmy’s constipation in check. He’s creeping back up to 26U...so I’m seriously considering trying cabgergoline.

Do you have any idea of price at Animal Pharm?

My vet is open to it...I need to send her the email I got from RVC about dosing. If I start it I’d like to start early November. She is really great...no ego and willing to learn more. She is part of the vet clinics (Charlestown, Revere, Lynn etc).
 
Susan G & Jimmy G said:
Doing OK. Trying to get Jimmy’s constipation in check. He’s creeping back up to 26U...so I’m seriously considering trying cabgergoline.

Do you have any idea of price at Animal Pharm?

My vet is open to it...I need to send her the email I got from RVC about dosing. If I start it I’d like to start early November. She is really great...no ego and willing to learn more. She is part of the vet clinics (Charlestown, Revere, Lynn etc).
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Hi Kathleen could not give me price without a prescription and dose. I wish my Vet would get on board!:oops:
 
Hi. This is what Chris from RVC said "10 microgram per kilo dose once daily". So since it's based on weight you'll be more than Beenie. She only weighs 10 lbs. Once I got the script I actually posted to make sure what I got was correct because I have no idea how to calculate it. It was correct.
Wishing you the best of luck!
 
Thanks. Vet had noticed the frequency of dosing difference between the SA study and the UK trial. Wanted to get an idea of dosing frequency others here are following.
 
Just thought I would add some info I have come across in case any one is not aware of this. I was actually doing some research on other uses of cabergoline and found some human studies from 2010 that showed some promise using cabergoline with Cushing's PAD (pituitary based). It has been used with some success in dogs already and perhaps may be beneficial for kitties. As a petparent of a GA Cushing's kitty I would very much like to see more research done in this area.

However this is not what I wanted to share. An article I found said that it may react with :

"Cabergoline may interact with the following medications: • Hypotensive drugs • Metaclopramide • Phenothiazines, eg acepromazine" although it does not state what the reactions are. But since Metaclopramide is commonly used for nausea I thought this might be worth mentioning.


https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=16&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi5ztXZ-ZbXAhXLx4MKHTCLAZg4ChAWCEUwBQ&url=https://bovavet.com.au/admin/include/render_document.php?table=shop_product_pdfs&document_id=12&usg=AOvVaw1f1MOuncc0T1935AmNmw0w



ETA Found this information...it is based on info fro people but I assume the same applies with kitties:

"
metoclopramide hcl oral and cabergoline oral
metoclopramide hcl oral decreases levels of cabergoline oral by reducing drug absorption from the stomach and intestine into the body when taken by mouth."


https://www.rxlist.com/drug-interac...l-and-metoclopramide-hcl-oral-interaction.htm


"
How the interaction occurs:
When these two medicines are taken together, metoclopramide may block the effects of cabergoline or pergolide."

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-...goline-pergolide-metoclopramide/intrtype-drug
 
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Thanks for the info Mary Ann!! Never occurred to me to be on the look out for interactions with other meds. Good to know since my vet has no idea how it all works. Well I'm not even sure what is happening but I like it.:D

Interesting it was used in people and dogs to treat Cushings.
 
This is my quote from Diamondback. Is this right??? I thought people were paying less than $100.
 

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Woah! I thought so too. However, dosing is based on weight so my Jimmy at 21 lbs is going to be more than say Beenie’s was at 60 or so. I talked to Diamond back last week and his would be $80 for a 30 day supply. So I encourage you to get on the phone and speak with them. Keep us posted.
 
This is very frustrating. I have my vet on board and I can't find it at an affordable price. I am able to pay around $100 per month but am being quoted $288 at Diamondback and $299 at Crossriver Pharmacy. They had told me that there has recently been a drastic increase in price. I am going to have my vet submit the script to Wedgewood and see if we can work anything out. They wouldn't give me pricing over the phone.
 
Mom2Maverick said:
This is very frustrating. I have my vet on board and I can't find it at an affordable price. I am able to pay around $100 per month but am being quoted $288 at Diamondback and $299 at Crossriver Pharmacy. They had told me that there has recently been a drastic increase in price. I am going to have my vet submit the script to Wedgewood and see if we can work anything out. They wouldn't give me pricing over the phone.
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I can't believe I did this but I miscalculated his dose. So I'm hoping it will be significantly less expensive.
At 10mcg/kg he would get 0.084 mg daily or 84.5 mcg daily.
A misplaced decimal point is a large error and I'm a nurse!
The vet is supposed to arrange the prescription tomorrow.
 
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