What do you wish you knew?

Krista & Copernicus

Krista & Copernicus

Member Since 2026
Hey All,
Copernicus is newly diagnosed acro from
His IGF-1 results. What treatment options worked? Didn't work? Pros and cons? What questions to ask his vets? Tell me all the things you wish you knew going into this...thank you.
 
Treatment options from most expensive to least:
  • hypophysectomy - surgical removal of the pituitary gland. Only done a few places in the US, so could involve travel. Riskiest, but also most curative. We've seen a couple cats get the surgery but it didn't get all the pituitary so they got radiation afterwards. Best place to go for this is England, where they have the most experience and best % good outcomes.
  • stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) - radiate the pituitary gland. Was the only treatment option when Neko was around. Offered many more places now, could still involve some travel. Cyberknife is one variation, works better but offered fewer places. I was happy with my decision to do SRT, it greatly improved her quality of life for several years. It also costs a lot more now.
  • cabergoline - medication given at home, no travel required. Helps reduce dose and symptoms. We've seen a few cats go OTJ, but less than the other options.
  • last option, treat only with insulin as needed and manage side effects (which you also have to do with other options). Cats don't typically live as long, but we've seen a couple go as long as 5 years.
For most people it becomes a cost trade off and possibly travel issue. Cats with heart issues have to consider whether anaesthesia is safe, if not, then surgery and radiation can't be considered. I can give you examples with all of the options where it worked well, or not so much.
 
W
Wendy&Neko said:
Treatment options from most expensive to least:
  • hypophysectomy - surgical removal of the pituitary gland. Only done a few places in the US, so could involve travel. Riskiest, but also most curative. We've seen a couple cats get the surgery but it didn't get all the pituitary so they got radiation afterwards. Best place to go for this is England, where they have the most experience and best % good outcomes.
  • stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) - radiate the pituitary gland. Was the only treatment option when Neko was around. Offered many more places now, could still involve some travel. Cyberknife is one variation, works better but offered fewer places. I was happy with my decision to do SRT, it greatly improved her quality of life for several years. It also costs a lot more now.
  • cabergoline - medication given at home, no travel required. Helps reduce dose and symptoms. We've seen a few cats go OTJ, but less than the other options.
  • last option, treat only with insulin as needed and manage side effects (which you also have to do with other options). Cats don't typically live as long, but we've seen a couple go as long as 5 years.
For most people it becomes a cost trade off and possibly travel issue. Cats with heart issues have to consider whether anaesthesia is safe, if not, then surgery and radiation can't be considered. I can give you examples with all of the options where it worked well, or not so much.
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Wendy, who is doing Cynerknife these days? Do you know offhand?
 
Krista, I have been thinking about this question since you asked it. I wish I knew how hard the Acromegaly was going to be on my boy’s kidneys. I wish I knew that the excess growth hormone also would make it appear that his kidneys were functioning better than they actually were (increases GFR). Of course, it’s hard on a lot of the organs so it’s best to be vigilant and to move forward with treatment options as quickly as possible and while your baby is still able to have anesthesia.
 
Been a while since we've seen an update. SS is not up to date either: King Chuck’s 4 month cyberknife update Way back in Neko's times, the few people who did Cyberknife got better results that SRT. But it was a small number of cats, and each cat's journey is different, so hard to say if it's significant. Plus waaaay more expensive back then. One other note: back in Neko's SRT time, I was seeing an oncology vet (for a friends dog) who also had her radiation oncology ticket and she was on the Yonkers board. Which was one of the first (only?) places at the time with Cyberknife. She was a fan.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Krista, I have been thinking about this question since you asked it. I wish I knew how hard the Acromegaly was going to be on my boy’s kidneys. I wish I knew that the excess growth hormone also would make it appear that his kidneys were functioning better than they actually were (increases GFR). Of course, it’s hard on a lot of the organs so it’s best to be vigilant and to move forward with treatment options as quickly as possible and while your baby is still able to have anesthesia.
Click to expand...
Thank you. This is what I was looking for. 🫂🙏🏻
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
How is Copernicus? How are you?
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We are just concerned and being whipped around. I felt relief when I saw a number in the 200s yesterday to wake up to him being in a danger zone of 600. He feels terrible. So that means I don't sleep at all. Thank you for your kindness and for asking. I hope you are doing great.
 
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