Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diabetic dog with hormone tumor treated by pituitary surgery
By Anika S. Meij et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2026·Animal Referral Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Report: Treatment of hypersomatotropism in a diabetic dog with transsphenoidal hypophysectomy
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier was brought in for excessive thirst and urination, breathing difficulties, and poorly controlled diabetes. Tests revealed a pituitary tumor causing high levels of growth hormone, which was contributing to the dog's diabetes. The tumor was surgically removed, and hormone levels returned to normal shortly after the operation. Unfortunately, the dog continued to need insulin for diabetes management, and about nine months later, the decision was made to euthanize due to ongoing health issues.
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Abstract
BackgroundPituitary somatotroph adenoma is rare in dogs and may cause hypersomatotropism (HS) leading to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (DM).Case descriptionA 10-year-5-month-old neutered male Staffordshire Bull Terrier presented with polyuria, polydipsia, progressive inspiratory stridor, and poorly controlled DM with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) was markedly elevated (1,214 ng/mL; reference interval, 42–449 ng/mL) and suggested HS which was further supported by a somatostatin suppression test. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a pituitary mass, organomegaly, and arthropathy.Treatment and outcomeThe pituitary mass was removed by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenoma. Postoperatively, GH normalized within hours, and IGF-1 values within a week. Although HS resolved and hyperinsulinemia improved postoperatively, the dog remained dependent on insulin and DM persisted which eventually led to euthanasia of the dog about 9 and a half months post-operatively.ConclusionTranssphenoidal hypophysectomy was effective in normalization of GH and IGF-1 concentrations in a dog diagnosed with a pituitary somatotroph adenoma but the postoperative course was characterized by persistent insulin dependency and DM.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1740713