Feline hypersomatotropism: the owners’ point of view

CORSINI ANDREA; NIESSEN, STIJN JM; CANEY, C. ARENAS, M.J. DIAS, M. BATTELLINO, F. FRACASSI; DIEGO D MICELI

Congreso; ECVIM-2021; 2021

Feline hypersomatotropism (FHS) has been recognized more frequently in recent years, both in cats with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). FHS can affect the quality of life (QoL) of cats and owners though little is known about their QoL and life expectancy. The aims of this observational study were to:collect epidemiological data describe the owners’ perception of the disease, its treatment, and its impact on cat QoLinvestigate the life expectancyFeline hypersomatotropism (FHS) has been recognized more frequently in recent years, both in cats with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). FHS can affect the quality of life (QoL) of cats and owners though little is known about their QoL and life expectancy. The aims of this observational study were to:collect epidemiological data describe the owners’ perception of the disease, its treatment, and its impact on cat QoLinvestigate the life expectancyMale (70/101, [70%]) and indoor (69/101, [69%]) cats were overrepresented. Diabetes mellitus was present in 94/101 (93%) cats, and 86/94 (91%) were already receiving insulin treatment when FHS was diagnosed. The median daily insulin dose at diagnosis was 14 U (3-60) and the median interval between start of insulin treatment and FHS diagnosis was 5 months (0.5-60). The maximum (median) daily insulin dose administered during the course of the disease was 24 U (4-110). Symptomatic hypoglycemia occurred at least once in 22/96 (23%) cats, with 11 (12%) experiencing >1 episode (Figure 2). Diabetic cats were treated with: insulin therapy only  51/94 (54%) insulin therapy plus cabergoline  20/94 (21%)radiotherapy  12/94 (13%) hypophysectomy  8/94 (9%) The median QoL score at diagnosis (3, [1-5]) was lower than after treatment (4, [1-5]; P