In 10/05 Merlin, our 13 year old kitty, was diagnosed as having diabetes. Thus began a new journey for my husband and me. We found the Feline Diabetes Message Board, Sweet Talk, and Gorbzilla - all sites on how to care for cats with diabetes. Being a nurse I wasn't too overwhelmed at first with the diagnosis but gradually I learned there was alot I didn't know. We tried different insulins and different diets - never meeting with the success others I met had with their cats. In August 2006 we found Dr Hodgkins site and her protocol. We had such high hopes. But gradually we saw increasing insulin needs for Merlin.

To make a long story short I suspected acromegaly for almost a year before he was finally diagnosed. There were just subtle hints but our vet felt Merlin didn't fit the picture. Finally in Jan 2007 I begged for the blood test (IGF-1) - I needed to know for my own sanity. It came back positive on January 30,2007. In some ways it has helped me relax and not constantly wonder what I'm doing wrong that I can't get Merlin regulated. In other ways - it has been a very sad time for me.

So for those who might want to know - acromegaly is a pituitary brain tumor that leads to increased levels of growth hormone circulating which interferes with the insulin receptor sites and leads to very high glucose levels.. At times - it doesn't matter how much insulin you give - it won't work. Othertimes, the GH level decreases and he can respond to the insulin and have more normal blood glucose levels.

As far as those subtle hints I mentioned: I had noticed about 1 1/2 years ago Merlin's face looked bigger and he had a bump on his nose that I'd never noticed before. No one else seemed to notice any of this tho. So I thought - well he's getting older and maybe it has to do with that. Interesting enough one of the symptoms that is always mentioned is a big head. However in picures of Merlin thruout the years it's still hard to see. The biggest symptom tho was the high doses of insulin he required.

I have had to accept the fact that I am not going to be able to keep Merlin within normal glucose levels for a kitty (40-70 is normal). Our goal now is to keep him below 250 which is the level at which his kidney function can be affected. Here is a link to his profile containing all his blood glucose levels (BG) and the insulin doses he has required.
http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=468

There are several of us now who frequent the various feline diabetes boards that are facing this diagnosis. Because so little is known about this disease and how to treat it a new board has been set up
cat acromegaly: http://catacromegaly.com/
Most of it is still under construction but we hope that between the board and all of us setting up blog sites to tell our kitties stories - that in the future this may help others with this diagnosis.

Like the others who are faced with this, we have done lots of research as to what treatment is available. The Royal Vet College in London is doing research but here in the USA there is none being done. Mainly the treatment is directed at the symptoms that arise. Radiation can be done to the tumor but results are mixed and the cost is extremely expensive. Prognosis in various journals is said to be guarded to poor.

Merlin will be 15 years old this August. He is a most loved kitty (and one of 7 in our home along with 2 dogs). For now he looks good - we say he has his 4 B's - big, bad, black, and he bites. His kidney function tests are all normal and he shows no signs of heart disease. Those are the 2 organs that are most affected by this disease. His liver function tests are also all normal. He loves to eat. I do notice his hind legs are abit weak but is that because he's older or due to the diabetes - I don't know but we do have him on methylcobalamin to help with any neuropathy.

I try to stay positive for Merlin but there are days I am overwhelmingly sad. Dr Hodgkins and our vet said to me to remember that Merlin doesn't know he is sick and he lives in the here and now. I am trying so hard to do that.

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