Cat with Primary Hyperaldosteronism

Diane Maschelle

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Has anyone had a cat with the above disease also called Conn's disease? The vet specialist is wanting to put my cat, Sophie, on spironolactone and I wanted to see if anyone has had a cat that has taken this drug before. I am giving her Renal-K now to increase her potassium since this disease lowers your potassium. I love her so much and I just want to do what is best for her. I would sincerely appreciate any input. Thanks!
 

fionasmom

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https://thecatsite.com/search/1946528/?q=conn's&o=relevance

This is another TCS search with some personal experiences.

My experience with two Cushing's dogs (another endocrine condition) is that you need a vet who is experienced with treatment of these conditions and who is willing to stay current with research. Are there any specialists or referral hospitals in your area? You may not find an endocrinologist, but could probably find an internist.

I know that spironolactone is considered standard treatment, but have no experience with it. If this works anything like Cushings, it will require careful monitoring of levels of medication.
 
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Diane Maschelle

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https://thecatsite.com/search/1946528/?q=conn's&o=relevance

This is another TCS search with some personal experiences.

My experience with two Cushing's dogs (another endocrine condition) is that you need a vet who is experienced with treatment of these conditions and who is willing to stay current with research. Are there any specialists or referral hospitals in your area? You may not find an endocrinologist, but could probably find an internist.

I know that spironolactone is considered standard treatment, but have no experience with it. If this works anything like Cushings, it will require careful monitoring of levels of medication.
Thank you so much! Sophie is going to a vet specialist at Blue Pearl who my primary vet referred me to because she has no experience with this disease. She is doing so well on the potassium supplement alone that I am hesitant to put her on spironolactone. But this forum has helped me a lot with the articles and answers that have been given. Thank you!!
 
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Diane Maschelle

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fionasmom

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That is a very good move to find a specialist for this. Your vet is to be given credit for admitting that they did not feel comfortable handling this on their own.
 

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I've read this thread late, I'm sorry.
I hope your Sophie is doing fine with the Potassium supplement.

My cat Lola, in my profile photo, was diagnosed with hyperaldosteronism in April 2016. The signs I was seeing were she was so weak and wobbly on her legs, to the point she couldn't even stand, walk, or move.
She would do her... needs in her bed.

After the diagnosis she was put on spironolactone, pills, can't remember the dosage.
This was the therapy, waiting for her to regain some strength and weight in order to proceed with the surgey, the removal of one of her adrenal glands. This gland had gone crazy and was enlarged, about ten times bigger than the average size.

I would supplemented her with Potassium pills twice a day, for over two months, though just a week into the supplementation her potassium was fine, and I could tell it by looking at her. She was able to go to the litter box, eat, walk and jump and usual.

Anyway, I was told that the spironolactone was key in the process of the treatment, and couldn't be overlooked.
 
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Diane Maschelle

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Thank you so much for your reply! It sounds like you were a wonderful mother to Lola! Sophie is doing great and feeling good. I give her the potassium supplement by syringe every day and she does very well with it. She has not gone on the spironolactone yet. I am going to get her tested around every month or two to make sure her potassium level does not go below 3. She has had this for a while but we didn't know what it was, although my vet prescribed potassium for her quite a while back. She has now seen a vet specialist and has been diagnosed. She will soon be 14 and it is such a blessing to have her doing so well!! Thank you again for your response and for your kind heart!
 

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What I know is the spironolactone is necessary to keep the aldosterone at bay.
This hormone is what deplete the potassium, along with other symptoms. So, giving Sophie the spironolactone will help her to keep the hormone level to normal.
May I ask you if there's any reason for not giving her this med now?

My Lola was diagnosed with hyperaldosteronism in April 2016, at the age of 16, after at least 2 months of tests and visits. The vets advised me for a surgery, but by the time of the surgery, Lola's body conditions were so low that it would have killed her, so we treated her with the spironolactone and potassium, until she was operated in July 2016.
 
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