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Excessive Growth Hormone (Somatotropin) in Cats

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Treatment

Often, the goal is to treat and control the secondary diseases that develop following prolonged growth hormone hypersecretion (e.g., diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and kidney failure). However, there have been some successful attempts at treating the acromegaly.

In one study, for example, cobalt radiotherapy was used in which six out of seven acromegalic cats showed permanent or temporary resolution of insulin resistance following therapy. In another case, the surgical removal of the pituary tumor by freezing (cryohypophysectomy) also showed success. The cat slowly regained normal plasma somatomedin C levels and the diabetes mellitus resolved after two months.

Consult your veterinarian for the best course of treatment for your animal.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments with you to treat your pet's secondary complications, as necessary. Unfortunately, cats are usually euthanized or die because of complications associated with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and/or progressive central nervous system signs (seizures, etc.). Reported survival times following diagnosis range from 4 to 42 months, with a median of 20 months.