Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with high calcium from steroid-caused adrenal failure and diabetes
By Smith, Stephanie A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2002·Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypercalcemia due to latrogenic secondary hypoadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was brought in for excessive eating, drinking, and urination after receiving long-term steroid treatment for itching. Within a day, she became lethargic, stopped eating, vomited, and showed signs of severe dehydration. Tests revealed high calcium levels and an issue with her adrenal glands. After starting glucocorticoid treatment and addressing her dehydration, her calcium levels returned to normal, and both her diabetes and adrenal problems improved within nine weeks.
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Abstract
A 9-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat presented for polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria following chronic methylprednisolone acetate therapy for pruritus. Initial diagnostics were consistent with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus. Serum calcium was within reference range. Within 12 hours the cat developed depression, anorexia, vomiting, and severe dehydration. Laboratory analysis indicated marked hypercalcemia as measured by both ionized and total calcium concentration. No underlying neoplastic or inflammatory process was identified. An adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test was indicative of adrenocortical insufficiency. The hypercalcemia resolved with glucocorticoid supplementation and correction of the dehydration. The diabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency both resolved within 9 weeks.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11804313/