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
Boxer
Rambo
10 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hypoglycaemia
My 10 year old boxer was just diagnosed with insulinoma via blood test. (We had taken him to the vet one morning about 1.5 weeks ago because he was very lethargic, unstable and not eating. Found out his sugar was very low. They leveled out his sugars and tested for insulinoma). Two days after diagnosis we did an ultrasound and X-ray which both came back clear (could not see the insulinoma either but that was expected) so we are hopeful it has not yet spread. His activity level returned to normal after the initial vet visit once we started feeding him every 3-4 hours. You would not know anything was wrong other than his pre-existing conditions (idiopathic epilepsy which has been controlled with medication and hypothyroidism).
The plan is to go through with surgery and I’m meeting the surgeon tomorrow for a consult. But I’m wondering what I should expect for longevity? I hear these almost always come back. Also, will I be able to return to a normal feeding schedule? (3x/day instead of 6) and will he need to go on any medications after or should the surgery in theory clear up this problem for a while?
July 30, 2018
4 Recommendations
Firstly we need to confirm that there is an insulinoma, sometimes they are only visible during exploratory surgery and visual observation is the best diagnostic method as they don’t always show on ultrasound. If there is a single insulinoma then life expectancy is longer (around 18 months) than for dogs with multiple masses; any aftercare would depend on Rambo’s recovery and blood glucose levels after surgery as some cases result in hyperglycemia due to a drop in insulin production, each case is different and there is no reliable way to know how Rambo will be afterwards. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.acvs.org/small-animal/insulinoma
July 31, 2018
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Silky Terrier
Oscar
9 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog recently went in for preop blood work for a potential dental cleaning. Results came back with a glucose of <10 and vet was almost certain it was a false reading. They said he didn't need another glucose reading but that I could get a quick one in house if I want it to so I did I went in around 7 p.m. before he had any dinner and he last ate in the morning around 9 a.m. and got a reading of 57. They said the low end was 60 so this is a toddler but they didn't seem concerned and did not offer any other testing. They said he could just have a low range. Should I be concerned or push for more testing or another glucose check? My dog is otherwise behaving normal and his activity level seems to be about the same.
July 27, 2018
2 Recommendations
Reference range for glucose is around 75-120mg/dL depending on the equipment and calibration; however if there is any doubt a fructosamine test should be done since this is a reliable indicator of blood glucose level over the past few weeks. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 27, 2018
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Chocolate labrador
Brody
7 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seziures, Sugar Level Drops
I gave a family a lab as a service dog for their child 4 days later they called the dog passed away, I gave this family another puppy this puppy was rushed to the vet within 24 hrs. The only think she did the same as the other puppy was feed it the same puppy food. She save the puppy food. The puppy is now 7 months old. The puppy is being diagnosed with insulinoma pancreas. Can you please tell me if the dog food has poison in it could this cause this puppy to have all the symptoms of Insulinoma. All other puppies from this litter ae healthy. I JUST FIND IT ODD 2 puppies left my home healthy to the same family and this happens I'm puzzled and hurt. They have the puppy at the vet. Can't keep sugar up? They may be putting the puppy to sleep.
July 26, 2018
2 Recommendations
Generally we see hypoglycemia in cases of insulinoma (unlikely in two pups from the same litter especially at this age), poisoning (xylitol from chewing gum or toothpaste), poor diet (would take longer than four days) among other causes; I cannot say whether it is the dog food and since you didn’t mention the type of dog food I cannot check for recalls (you can check the list below) but also check that neither dog has their teeth brushed with human toothpaste or got into something like chewing gum. Also, if an insulinoma is suspected an ultrasound should be performed to confirm and a necropsy on the deceased pup. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.avma.org/News/Issues/recalls-alerts/Pages/pet-food-safety-recalls-alerts.aspx
www.avma.org/News/Issues/recalls-alerts/Pages/pet-food-safety-recalls-alerts-fullyear.aspx
www.acvs.org/small-animal/insulinoma
July 27, 2018
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Boxer
Rambo
10 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hypoglycaemia
I asked a question previously about my dog Rambo who may have insulinoma. I am still waiting on test results to come back but I have been testing his blood sugar and he seems to have reactive hypoglycaemia. His blood sugar drops after eating instead of raising. For instance, today before eating he was 3.9. I fed him then retested an hour later and it was 3.2. An hour after that it went back up to 3.6 and then at the 3 hour mark right before I fed him again it was 3.4. I’ve tested him before a meal and then after (between 30min to an hour after) and every time his blood sugar has dropped. What does this indicate? Does it fall in line with insulinoma?
July 20, 2018
1 Recommendations
Some cases of insulinoma may show postprandial hypoglycemia, but it isn’t a characteristic of insulinoma enough to base a diagnosis on; you should wait for the test results to come back and consider having an ultrasound done to see if an insulinoma can be identified. However the main reliable method of diagnosis is visualisation during an exploratory laparotomy (celiotomy). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 20, 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.
