Acromegaly in dogs and cats

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Endocrinology
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Acromegaly is an endocrine disorder characterized by excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion.
• In cats, it's typically caused by pituitary macroadenomas; in dogs, it's linked to progesterone-induced GH production by mammary glands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies for acromegaly in companion animals.
• To highlight the growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis in animal models.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on acromegaly in cats and dogs.
• Analysis of diagnostic methods including clinical examination, imaging, and serum hormone level measurements.
• Compilation of current therapeutic options: radiotherapy, surgery, and pharmacotherapy.

Main Results:

• Clinical signs include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight gain, and prognathism, stemming from insulin resistance and GH's anabolic effects.
• Diagnosis relies on correlating clinical signs with elevated GH and IGF-1 levels.
• Therapeutic approaches vary, including radiation, hypophysectomy, and medications like somatostatin analogs.

Conclusions:

• Acromegaly presents distinct clinical and etiological profiles in cats and dogs.
• Effective management requires a thorough understanding of the GH-IGF-1 axis and tailored therapeutic interventions.