Companion Animals

Acromegaly in Dogs: Welfare and Hormonal Management

Welfare guide to canine acromegaly -- a rare hormonal disorder causing progressive physical and metabolic changes.

Key Facts

Acromegaly in dogs is caused by excess growth hormone -- most commonly from progesterone-stimulated mammary tumours
Affected female dogs develop coarsening of facial features, skin thickening, and insulin resistance
Many cases are associated with progestogen administration -- used for oestrus suppression in intact bitches
The excess growth hormone causes insulin resistance leading to secondary diabetes mellitus
Cessation of progestogen or ovariohysterectomy resolves the growth hormone excess in most cases
Secondary diabetes in acromegaly may resolve after growth hormone normalisation
Welfare deterioration includes metabolic dysfunction, diabetes complications, and progressive physical changes
Early recognition and treatment prevents irreversible physical changes and secondary complications

Welfare Significance

Canine acromegaly welfare highlights the iatrogenic risks of hormonal treatments in intact females. The condition is often directly caused by progesterone therapy -- a preventable welfare outcome. Early recognition, cessation of progestogens, and neutering are the welfare-corrective actions. Secondary diabetes requires management but may resolve with appropriate hormonal treatment.

What You Can Do

Avoid long-term progestogen use in intact female dogs -- neutering is a safer welfare choice
Seek veterinary assessment for any intact bitch developing physical changes or diabetes while receiving progestogens
Perform ovariohysterectomy promptly once acromegaly is diagnosed -- this is the primary treatment
Monitor blood glucose and clinical signs carefully for 6-12 months after treatment to assess diabetes resolution