โรคอะโครเมกาลี

Key Facts

• Cats: caused by growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumor; over 90% of affected cats are male
• Dogs: usually caused by excess progesterone (ovarian cysts); typically older unspayed females
• Growth hormone interferes with tissue insulin receptors, causing insulin resistance
• Visual clues: jaw enlargement, gum tissue proliferation, head broadening
• Diagnosis: IGF-1 assay (insulin-like growth factor-1) is more reliable than growth hormone level
• Definitive diagnosis via CT or MRI of the pituitary gland
• Treatment: radiotherapy of pituitary tumor (difficult; research ongoing)
• In dogs, spaying may be curative
• More common than previously thought; should be considered in any insulin-resistant diabetic cat
• Species: dogs and cats