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Insulinoma in Dogs
What is Insulinoma?
Canine insulinoma is a rare disease, yet it is the most common tumor of the endocrine pancreas. Insulinomas receive this name because they affect the endocrine functions of the pancreas, which handle hormone control—including insulin. Most regularly, insulinomas put an excess of insulin into the body. Insulinoma occurs most often in middle-aged and older dogs, averaging nine years in age. They affect both sexes and are more likely in larger breeds. The most commonly afflicted breeds are German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Terriers.
There are two distinct types of pancreatic cancer — exocrine and endocrine. Insulinoma falls into the latter category, affecting the hormone secretion by the pancreas, causing an excess of insulin to enter the body. This excess of insulin induces hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the body, and can result in a number of symptoms, including confusion, weakness, seizures, and collapse, up to and including death. Treatment almost always requires surgery, which can be risky and not always effective. Average life expectancy ranges from 6 to 24 months after diagnosis.Insulinoma Average Cost
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Symptoms of Insulinoma in Dogs
Canine insulinoma affects the endocrine function in a way that an excess of insulin is put out into the body. This excess of insulin induces hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the body. This decrease in blood sugar can result in the following symptoms:
- Lack of coordination
- Confusion
- Lack of alertness
- Changes in behavior
- Weakness
- Disturbance of vision
- Muscle degeneration
- Decrease in reflex of appendages
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Coma
- Death
Types
There are two distinct kinds of pancreatic cancer, both of which have separate symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments.
- Exocrine carcinomas are cancerous tumors that impact the exocrine functions of the pancreas. An exocrine carcinoma impacts the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. Exocrine carcinomas spread quickly to the lining of the stomach, liver, and other organs.
- Endocrine carcinomas are cancerous tumors that impact the endocrine functions of the pancreas. An endocrine carcinoma impacts the hormone production of the pancreas. These tumors can affect other parts of the body through their influence on hormone production. Additionally, they may spread quickly to the liver and lymph nodes.
- Insulinoma is an endocrine carcinoma that primarily affects the production of insulin by the pancreas, causing a decrease in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia.
Causes of Insulinoma in Dogs
As with many forms of cancer, there is no definitive cause for pancreatic cancer. It is believed that there is a genetic component to the likelihood of this cancer occurring, supported by the prevalence of the disease in certain breeds and body types. Ultimately, any definitive causation of pancreatic cancers, including insulinoma, is unknown.
Diagnosis of Insulinoma in Dogs
Because of an insulinoma’s effect, a persistent case of hypoglycemia is very suggestive of the presence of an insulinoma. To diagnose an insulinoma, multiple tests may be conducted, including:
- Multiple blood tests
- Analysis of insulin and glucose levels
- Abdominal ultrasound/x-rays
- Abdominal surgery
In most cases, abdominal surgery is required to definitely diagnose insulinoma. The process involves opening the abdomen so that the surgeon can feel the pancreas for any tumors. In addition, a blue stain is used to mark any insulinoma cells in the pancreas.
Treatment of Insulinoma in Dogs
There are a few initial steps in treatment that can aid in regulating the dog’s blood sugar:
- Feeding the dog small meals through the day
- Medication to help raise blood sugar
- Diazoxide can be used to supplement insulin secretion
It is important to address the hypoglycemia and get it under control before continuing treatment for the insulinoma. Once the hypoglycemia has been addressed, surgery is usually the only successful treatment for insulinoma, and even then the prognosis is poor. During surgery, the dog will be monitored for pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
There are several medications that can aid in suppressing insulinoma and keeping it from spreading, but be aware; they can have toxic side effects.
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Recovery of Insulinoma in Dogs
After surgery, the dog will have a recovery period and will need to be monitored closely for reoccurrence of hypoglycemia. It’s possible that the veterinarian will suggest dietary restrictions and multiple feedings through the day to maintain blood sugar. In the event that hypoglycemia is still present after surgery, this means that part of the tumor is still present in the body. At this point chemotherapy may be required, but the prognosis for survival is not good. On average, survival rates of insulinoma range from 6 to 24 months after diagnosis.
Insulinoma Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $14,000
Average Cost
$8,500
Top
Insulinoma Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Border Collie
Eleven Years
41 found this helpful
41 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Increased Thirst
My dog has insulinoma. She is drinking an absolute ton. We can’t do surgery but we’re trying to keep her here with us for as long as we can. However if she drinks too much at night she’s having accidents. What can we do to let her have what she needs but not so much that she has accidents in the night?
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
41 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It would be cruel to limit water intake for a dog that had an insulinoma, as they are thirsty. They typically cannot keep up with how much water they are losing. There isn't a way to solve that other than let her out more frequently at night, or put her in an area where it doesn't matter if she has accidents. I hope that you are able to arrange her life so that this is not such a problem.
Sept. 29, 2020
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Boxer
Rambo
10 Years
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hypoglycaemia
My dog had surgery to remove insulinoma on August 1st. The surgeon removed what he thought was a nodule from the pancreas as well as two tiny spots on the liver that were paler than the rest of the liver. After surgery his blood sugar remained in the 3’s (mmol/L), and did not increase from where it was before surgery. Biopsy results stated that the nodule from the pancreas was not insulinoma and rather was thickening of pancreatic tissue. The spots on the liver were insulinoma so obviously it has spread to the liver. The source of insulinoma in the pancreas was not found and not removed. His blood sugar is currently being stabilized with prednisone, but the vet said another surgery is an option. To wait for it to get bigger and try to remove it again. My question is, “is it worth it” for lack of better words. What is the prognosis if we did remove the insulinoma Tumor from the pancreas this time knowing that it had previously spread to the liver (even though those two spots were removed from the liver). Would it actually buy him any more real time.
Aug. 23, 2018
10 Recommendations
This is all on a case by case basis, however it would be beneficial to remove any insulinoma if it enlarges but it may just help to stabilise the blood glucose but the overall prognosis wouldn’t be favourable for the long term if there has already been signs of metastasis. Your Veterinarian would be able to tell you more and you should get regular ultrasounds to look for any enlargement in the pancreas, but the best method of detection is feeling for an insulinoma during exploratory surgery. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 23, 2018
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Insulinoma Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $14,000
Average Cost
$8,500
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
