New diagnosis Acro. Vet won’t see cat any longer - need support!

M

MaryM

Member Since 2026
Hi all, need support!

So a long road we have been on since starting on the path with our kitty, Charlie, back in November 2025 with a diabetes diagnosis. We started on Prozinc, moving units up systematically as we were not getting insulin regulated, then changed to a new vet who was experienced with Lantus, and swapped to that insulin, same progression increased over time (currently at 6 units twice a day, his numbers are consistently in the 300’s to 400’s), finally convinced vets to test for acromegaly (went to an internal vet for more diagnostics) and have now that diagnosis through MSU test, and visual changes to face and hind legs, plus ultrasound showing all organs are a bit oversized and abdominal cavity is full of fat (kitty isn’t fat but has a pot belly appearance).

So I need to do some research and find a vet with experience as well as understand how to provide him best quality of life.

Can anyone with a kitty with an acro. diagnosis chime in on how you manage as well as admins to help me think through next steps. Vet I was going to said she has no experience and would not be able to help me with him going forward, sort of frustrating but I press on to find the best path for him.

I am not thinking he is a good candidate for surgery nor radiation, so hoping to find out more from folks who have regulated with increasing insulin and maybe the other meds like Cabergoline etc I have read about as possible supports.

Thanks much.
 

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Hi!

Archie was diagnosed in January of this year. We went through the same progression as you, and were finally referred to Texas A&M small animal hospital. We are fortunate that we live within driving distance of the university. They put Archie on Cabergoline and he is doing very well. We decided to take him to Texas A&M every 3 months for a checkup, and to maintain a relationship with his primary local veterinarian so that he can get his vaccinations locally. This also gives us somebody local who we can take him to and who is familiar with his diagnosis if he becomes ill, without having to drive to College Station, Texas for what could be treated locally. This is indeed a complex condition where multiple systems need to be regulated. Hopefully people on this board will be able to direct you to someone relatively close by that is an expert. There are multiple options for care depending on any other conditions the cat has.

I see from the lab report you posted that you are only about an hour and 15 minute drive from Michigan State University. I would definitely see if you can get a referral from your vet to the veterinary school there.
 
When Neko was diagnosed back when - I had to convince the vet over and over to run the tests. She had never seen acromegaly and thought it was rare, waste of my time and money. Once we got the confirmation from MSU, she realized another of her clients had an acrocat. Meaning, my vet was willing to learn and work with me. Most of the help I got was from here though. If your vet is not willing to help you, you need another vet. It's going to be hard to find one with experience, you could try an internal medicine vet, though no guarantees. The biggest thing you need from your current vet, if you stick with her, is willingness to prescribe cabergoline, should you go that route. There will also be side effects that need to be managed over time, like possibly arthritis, kidney or heart disease, GI issues. After 4.5 years when Neko got quite complicated, my vet suggested an IM vet would be a good idea. He was, helped me manage and prioritize multiple conditions.

Why do you think he's not a good candidate for surgery or radiation therapy? Does he have other conditions?

We can help you here with insulin dosing. Are you home testing blood sugars? What food are you feeding him now? Is the vet helping you with dosing or are you doing it yourself.
 
TxArchie said:
Hi!

Archie was diagnosed in January of this year. We went through the same progression as you, and were finally referred to Texas A&M small animal hospital. We are fortunate that we live within driving distance of the university. They put Archie on Cabergoline and he is doing very well. We decided to take him to Texas A&M every 3 months for a checkup, and to maintain a relationship with his primary local veterinarian so that he can get his vaccinations locally. This also gives us somebody local who we can take him to and who is familiar with his diagnosis if he becomes ill, without having to drive to College Station, Texas for what could be treated locally. This is indeed a complex condition where multiple systems need to be regulated. Hopefully people on this board will be able to direct you to someone relatively close by that is an expert. There are multiple options for care depending on any other conditions the cat has.

I see from the lab report you posted that you are only about an hour and 15 minute drive from Michigan State University. I would definitely see if you can get a referral from your vet to the veterinary school there.
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Thanks so much! Trouble with any drive beyond 30 minutes is our kitty has trouble these days - I am assuming his heart it affected (as all organs looked larger then typical), so trying to work with another local vet (just found someone able to work with us but not an expert) within 30 minute drive. I may ask him to consult with Texas A&M - that medication was something I would like to try but this vet didn’t know anything about it, however he is willing to work with me if we find sound research and guidance on dosages etc: thanks again!
 
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