IGF-1 levels correlate very closely with Growth Hormone (GH) secretion and this enables an estimation of the GH status to be made in dogs and cats. IGF-1 is very stable and no special sampling procedures are required. IGF-1 may be used to diagnose pituitary dwarfism and acromegaly in cats and dogs and in monitoring dietary sufficiency (objective documentation of malnourishment).

When sending samples for pituitary dwarfism it is advisable to submit samples from siblings as well for comparison. This is especially important when sampling small or “dwarf” breeds of dogs and cats.