Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
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Hypoadrenocorticism in a 1-Year-Old Korean Shorthair Cat

  • Jung, Hansol (Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Jeong, Yunho (Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Yoonhwan (Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Choi, Sooyoung (Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Park, Inchul (Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Ahn, Jin-Ok (Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University)
  • Received : 2022.03.01
  • Accepted : 2022.04.25
  • Published : 2022.06.30
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Abstract

A one-year-old spayed female Korean Shorthair cat presented to Kangwon National University Veterinary Hospital with vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, and polyuria that lasted for more than two weeks. The body condition score, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature were abnormally low, and the physical examination findings were consistent with moderate dehydration. Hematological and biochemical tests demonstrated mild azotemia and a low Na:K ratio. Additional abdominal ultrasound imaging revealed reduced size of both adrenal glands. The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test showed decreased post-ACTH cortisol and aldosterone levels and increased endogenous ACTH levels, confirming a diagnosis of primary hypoadrenocorticism. The cat was treated with subcutaneous injections of desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) and oral prednisolone supplementation, and subsequent electrolyte analysis showed a normal Na:K ratio. Clinical symptoms were also improved in response to treatment. Hypoadrenocorticism in cats is a very rare disease, but it should not be excluded as a potential diagnosis in favor of kidney diseases or other conditions, especially when the Na:K ratio is low. In addition, the prognosis for the disease and the response to DOCP treatment should be further evaluated in cats.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by 2019 Research Grant from Kangwon National University and by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science (No. NRF-2020R1C1C1007282).

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