Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term treatment for cats with adrenal disease
By Sieber-Ruckstuhl, Nadja S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical features and long-term management of cats with primary hypoadrenocorticism using desoxycorticosterone pivalate and prednisolone.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 11 cats with primary hypoadrenocorticism (a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones) showed symptoms like lethargy, weight loss, and dehydration. Most of these cats were British Shorthairs, and they were treated with desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) and prednisolone over a follow-up period of more than a year. The treatment required higher doses than what is typically used for dogs, with adjustments made based on each cat's needs. Overall, the cats responded to treatment, but ongoing management was necessary to keep their symptoms under control.
People also search for: cat adrenal gland disease treatment · British Shorthair lethargy · cat weight loss dehydration symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary hypoadrenocorticism (PH) is rare in cats and knowledge about treatment is sparse. OBJECTIVE: To describe cats with PH with a focus on long-term treatment. ANIMALS: Eleven cats with naturally occurring PH. METHODS: Descriptive case series with data on signalment, clinicopathological findings, adrenal width, and doses of desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) and prednisolone during a follow-up period of >12 months. RESULTS: Cats ranged from 2 to 10 years (median 6.5); 6 cats were British Shorthair. Most common signs were reduced general condition and lethargy, anorexia, dehydration, obstipation, weakness, weight loss, and hypothermia. Adrenal glands on ultrasonography were judged small in 6. Eight cats could be followed for 14 to 70 months (median: 28). Two were started on DOCP doses ≥2.2 mg/kg (2.2; 2.5) and 6 < 2.2 mg/kg (1.5-2.0 mg/kg, median 1.8) q28 days. Both high-dose cats and 4 low-dose cats needed a dose increase. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate and prednisolone doses at the end of the follow-up period were 1.3 to 3.0 mg/kg (median: 2.3) and 0.08 to 0.5 mg/kg/day (median: 0.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Desoxycorticosterone pivalate and prednisolone requirements in cats were higher than what is currently used in dogs; thus, a DOCP starting dose of 2.2 mg/kg q28 days and a prednisolone maintenance dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day titrated to the individual need seems warranted. Small adrenal glands (width < 2.7 mm) on ultrasonography in a cat suspected of hypoadrenocorticism can be suggestive of the disease. The apparent predilection of British Shorthaired cats for PH should be further evaluated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36809682/