Evaluation of hypophysectomy for treatment of hypersomatotropism in 25 cats

Abstract Background Successful treatment of cats with hypersomatotropism by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is described in small numbers of cats. Objectives To describe the endocrine profile, survival, and remission rates of hypersomatotropism and diabetes mellitus in a cohort of cats with hypersomatotropism that underwent hypophysectomy between 2008 and 2020. Animals Twenty‐five client‐owned cats with spontaneous hypersomatotropism. Methods Retrospective study. Diagnosis of hypersomatotropism was based on clinical signs, plasma insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentration, and imaging of the pituitary gland. Growth hormone (GH) and IGF‐1 concentrations were measured repeatedly after surgery. Survival times were calculated based on follow‐up information from owners and referring veterinarians. Results Median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (range, 3‐18 days). One cat died within 4 weeks of surgery. Median plasma GH concentration decreased significantly from 51.0 ng/mL (range, 5.0‐101.0 ng/mL) before surgery to 3.8 ng/mL (range, 0.6‐13.0 ng/mL) at 5 hours after surgery. Remission of hypersomatotropism, defined as normalization of plasma IGF‐1 concentration, occurred in 23/24 cats (median, 34 ng/mL; range, 14‐240 ng/mL) and 22/24 cats entered diabetic remission. Median survival time was 1347 days (95% confidence interval, 900‐1794 days; range, 11‐3180 days) and the overall 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year all‐cause survival rates were 76%, 76%, and 52%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This study shows the beneficial outcome of hypophysectomy in cats with hypersomatotropism, marked by low death rate and a high percentage of diabetic remission and definitive cure.