Feline acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone from a pituitary tumor, creates a cascade of metabolic problems including diabetes that profoundly affects quality of life.
Cats with acromegaly face multiple concurrent welfare challenges: the metabolic effects of excess growth hormone cause internal organ enlargement, arthritis from bone changes, and severely uncontrolled diabetes requiring very high insulin doses. Pituitary tumor growth can eventually cause neurological signs including altered mentation and seizures. Many cats are diagnosed late because the gradual physical changes are subtle. With treatment - particularly radiation or surgery - some cats achieve good remission, but access to these specialized interventions is limited.