Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with swallowing trouble diagnosed with low adrenal hormone disease
By Stonehewer, J & Tasker, S·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2001·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypoadrenocorticism in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old neutered male cat was brought in because he was having trouble swallowing, along with signs of lethargy, weight loss, increased thirst and urination, muscle weakness, and occasional vomiting. These symptoms had been fluctuating for two months but improved with initial treatment from another vet. After further examination, the cat was diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism (a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones) and was treated with intravenous fluids and medications. Within a week, he was back to normal and has remained healthy for two years on a daily oral medication.
People also search for: cat trouble swallowing · cat weight loss and vomiting · hypoadrenocorticism treatment for cats
Abstract
Primary hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed in an eight-year-old neutered male cat. The predominant presenting complaint was dysphagia. Other historical signs included lethargy, weight loss, polydipsia, polyuria, muscle weakness and occasional vomiting. The signs had waxed and waned over the two months before presentation and had improved when the cat was treated with enrofloxacin and prednisolone by the referring veterinarian. On referral, dehydration, depression and poor bodily condition were found on physical examination. Results of initial laboratory tests revealed mild anaemia, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia and elevations in serum creatinine and creatine kinase. The diagnosis of primary adrenocortical insufficiency was established on the basis of results of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test and endogenous plasma ACTH determination. Initial therapy for hypoadrenocorticism included intravenous administration of 0.9 per cent saline and dexamethasone, and oral fludrocortisone acetate. Within one week the cat was clinically normal and two years later was still alive and well on fludrocortisone acetate treatment only.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11327666/