IATROGENIC HYPERADRENOCORTICISM IN A CAT

latrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and secondary hypoadrenocorticism in c ats has only been documented in the past as a sequel to experimental g lucocorticoid administration. To the authors' knowledge, this is the f irst report in the literature of iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and c omplicating factors in the clinical setting. A cat was treated with de xamethasone for 2.5 years for cervical discomfort caused by an unsuspe cted vertebral osteoma at C-7. The cat developed progressive tetrapare sis, and muscle wasting attributed to superimposed glucocorticoid-indu ced myopathy as determined by electromyographic, serum chemistry, and histopathologic testing. Other manifestations of hyperadrenocorticism were bilaterally symmetrical alopecia, thin skin, cutaneous bruising, and bilaterally symmetrical cataracts along the suture lines of the le ns. The cat had adrenal hyporesponsiveness as measured by reduced adre nal cortisol secretion in response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic ho rmone (ACTH). Feline infectious peritonitis was suspected to be a comp licating illness on the basis of histopathologic findings.