Page 907 - Small Animal Internal Medicine, 6th Edition

CHAPTER 50 Disorders of the Adrenal Gland 879

Clinical Features BOX 50.6

VetBooks.ir CLINICAL SIGNS AND PHYSICAL Clinical Features of Hyperadrenocorticism in Cats
EXAMINATION FINDINGS
Clinical Signs
Hyperadrenocorticism is a disease of older (average age, 11
years; range, 5-7 years) mixed-breed cats. A strong correla- Polyuria, polydipsia*
tion has been noted between hyperadrenocorticism and dia- Polyphagia*
betes mellitus and almost all cats are diabetic or prediabetic Patchy alopecia*
at the time hyperadrenocorticism is diagnosed. The most Unkempt haircoat*
common initial clinical signs of feline hyperadrenocorticism Symmetric alopecia
(i.e., polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia) are more likely caused Lethargy
Thin, easily torn skin (feline fragile skin syndrome)*
by diabetes than by hyperadrenocorticism. Other clinical Weight loss*
signs and physical examination findings are not as frequently Drooping of pinna
observed in cats as in dogs and tend to be very subtle in the
early stages of the disease (Box 50.6 and Fig. 50.17). Additional Physical Findings
A frequent clue to the existence of hyperadrenocor- “Pot-bellied” appearance*
ticism in cats is the presence of diabetes mellitus that is Hepatomegaly*
difficult to control and ultimately progresses to severe Muscle wasting*
insulin resistance. Initially, clinical signs of hyperadreno- Skin infection
corticism are mild, and tests of the pituitary-adrenocortical
axis are often inconclusive and difficult to interpret in the *Common.

A B

C D

FIG 50.17
(A) and (B) A 9-year-old cat with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and
insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus. Note the relatively normal physical appearance of the
cat in its normal posture (A). Abdominal enlargement and inguinal alopecia are evident
on physical examination (B). (C) and (D) A 16-year-old cat with PDH and insulin-resistant
diabetes mellitus. Note the relatively normal appearance of the cat and the alopecia and
ulceration in the dorsal cervical and anterior thoracic regions in the area of a collar worn
by the cat. Alopecia was also present in the ventral region of the neck.