deoxycortone-pivalate and Cat-Diseases

Primary hypoadrenocorticism (PH) is rare in cats and knowledge about treatment is sparse.. To describe cats with PH with a focus on long-term treatment.. Eleven cats with naturally occurring PH.. 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.. 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.. 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.

Topics: Addison Disease; Adrenal Insufficiency; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Desoxycorticosterone; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Prednisolone

A 6-year-old, castrated male Siamese cat was diagnosed with primary hypoadrenocorticism, confirmed by an adrenocorticotopic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test documenting both hypocortisolism and hypoaldosteronism. The cat was successfully treated using a combination of prednisolone and desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP). This case demonstrates that DOCP can be used successfully as mineralocorticoid supplementation in cats with hypoadrenocorticism and may have a longer therapeutic duration than that in dogs.

Topics: Adrenal Insufficiency; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Desoxycorticosterone; Glucocorticoids; Hyponatremia; Male; Mineralocorticoids; Prednisolone