Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with adrenal insufficiency caused by immune pituitary disease
By Rudinsky, A J et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2015·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Adrenal insufficiency secondary to lymphocytic panhypophysitis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old male Domestic Shorthair cat was brought in because he was very tired, vomiting, drinking a lot, and urinating more than usual. The vet suspected adrenal insufficiency, a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones, and confirmed it with a special test. Further examination suggested that the problem was linked to an immune issue affecting the pituitary gland. While this condition is rare in cats, it can be treated, so it's important for pet owners to be aware of it.
People also search for: cat vomiting and lethargy · cat drinking a lot and urinating frequently · adrenal insufficiency treatment in cats
Abstract
CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old male castrated Domestic Shorthair cat was presented for investigation of lethargy, vomiting, polydipsia and polyuria. Glucocorticoid-deficient hypoadrenocorticism was suspected based on hypocholesterolaemia, hypoglycaemia and lack of a stress leucogram, and confirmed with an ACTH stimulation test. Pituitary disease was suspected based on the clinical signs and the combination of hyposthenuria and hypernatraemia. Necropsy revealed bilaterally symmetric adrenocortical atrophy and the changes in the pituitary gland were suggestive of a T-cell-rich immune-mediated panhypophysitis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Secondary adrenal insufficiency and panhypophysitis have not been previously reported in the cat. This report should raise awareness of this rare but potentially treatable disease process.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26313211/