Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diabetes remission in three cats after cabergoline treatment
By Miceli, Diego D et al.·Published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports·2021·Endocrinology Unit, Hospital School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Diabetes mellitus remission in three cats with hypersomatotropism after cabergoline treatment
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three diabetic cats were brought in with symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and poor blood sugar control. After testing, two of the cats were found to have high levels of insulin-like growth factor, indicating a condition called hypersomatotropism, while the third cat had a pituitary enlargement. They were treated with an oral medication called cabergoline, which helped reduce their insulin needs. Remarkably, all three cats achieved diabetic remission within two to three months of starting treatment, and they have maintained this remission for up to 38 months.
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Abstract
Case summary Three diabetic cats presented with polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and poor glycemic control. Cat 1 displayed prognathia inferior and had a body condition score (BCS) of 4/5; cat 2 had a BCS of 5/5; and cat 3 had broad facial features. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations were compatible with hypersomatotropism in cat 1 and cat 2 (>1500 ng/ml and 1200 ng/ml, respectively) and just below the cut-off of 1000 ng/ml (947 ng/ml) in cat 3; in this last cat diagnosis was further supported by the presence of pituitary enlargement on MRI. Oral cabergoline (10 μg/kg q48h) was initiated. Insulin requirements progressively reduced, as evidenced by daily blood glucose monitoring and weekly blood glucose curves. Diabetic remission occurred in all three cats between the second and third months of cabergoline treatment. At the time of writing, remission has persisted thus far (cat 1: 23 months; cat 2: 14 months; cat 3: 38 months). Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of diabetic remission in cats with hypersomatotropism after cabergoline treatment, despite previous reports of this being an ineffective treatment. Further work is indicated to determine why some cats do, and others do not, respond to this treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169211018991