Dogs
Insulinoma is a rare form of tumors that grows inside the pancreas of dogs. It results from abnormal growth of the beta cells present in their pancreas. It is these beta cells that are responsible of secretion of insulin and many more hormones in their body. When the number of these cells increase rapidly, then larger amount of insulin is released into the body. The main function of insulin hormone is to control glucose level in the blood. Therefore, rise in insulin hormones causes drop in the blood glucose. This condition of low glucose is known as hypoglycemia. Insulinoma is mostly found in dogs who are old or middle aged.
Symptoms
When there is low level of glucose in the bloodstream, then it makes your pet feel extremely weak. Apart from that, it can have a serious impact in overall dog health. Some of the identifiable symptoms are:
When you take your dog to the vet after a collapse or observing other symptoms, then physical examination and medical history of the pet is studied first. Seizures in dogs is treated in medical emergency. Glucose need to be administered intravenously to control the seizure. A blood sample test is then conducted to check the glucose level. If it is found to be low, then multiple blood sample tests are performed to examine whether the glucose concentration remains persistently low. The blood tests are then followed by ultrasound, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging to ascertain the size of the tumor.
Surgery is mostly recommended for cancer. If it is a single tumor, then its removal is going to resolve the issue. Sometimes, part of the pancreas is also removed. However, if the tumor has spread to other internal organs of the pet's body, then it cannot be removed completely. In that case, surgery is only a temporary solution. It has to be accompanied by proper medical treatment that involves use of medicines and proper diet. Steroid medicines like prednisolone is prescribed as it promotes production of glucose in the pet's body. Then there are other medicines including chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of dog cancer.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to administer these medicines to the dog at the right time. Never stop the medicine in between without consulting the vet. The dog should be provided with a quiet place at home where it can take some good amount of rest without any disturbance. In case of sudden seizures, you can give some corn syrup which can instantly increase the glucose levels. Diet is vital part of treating this dog illness. You have to provide them with a constant supply of calories. High protein, fat and complex carbohydrates are most suitable in this condition. Prepare a diet plan after consulting the vet and feed the dog small meals after frequent interval of time.
With proper treatment and dietary restrictions, the intensity of symptoms of insulinoma in dogs can be controlled. However, regular check-ups along with blood test should be continued to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia.
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Dogs
Insulinoma in Dogs
Insulinoma is a rare form of tumors that grows inside the pancreas of dogs. It results from abnormal growth of the beta cells present in their pancreas. It is these beta cells that are responsible of secretion of insulin and many more hormones in their body. When the number of these cells increase rapidly, then larger amount of insulin is released into the body. The main function of insulin hormone is to control glucose level in the blood. Therefore, rise in insulin hormones causes drop in the blood glucose. This condition of low glucose is known as hypoglycemia. Insulinoma is mostly found in dogs who are old or middle aged.
Symptoms
When there is low level of glucose in the bloodstream, then it makes your pet feel extremely weak. Apart from that, it can have a serious impact in overall dog health. Some of the identifiable symptoms are:
- The first observable symptom in this condition is lethargy or lack of energy. As the blood sugar level goes down, they feel sluggishness all the time. They refuse to play or do exercise. Even if they start playing, they get tired very easily.
- Noticeable increase in appetite. Most dogs start excessive consumption of food when they are suffering from pancreatic insulinoma. Even after eating a full meal, they ask for more. It is assumed that they try to keep the blood sugar level normal by eating more and more food.
- Increase in body weight. This symptom is not at all related to excessive hunger. It is just that due to rise in insulin level, their body reacts to various nutritional components of the food differently. Moreover, lack of body movements and lethargy can be responsible for additional weight gain.
- When there is a constant fluctuation in blood sugar level, the dog may collapse or faint all of a sudden. It mostly happens when they have not eaten for a long time which results in a sudden drop in blood sugar levels.
- Muscle tremors is a common occurrence in this condition which make them shaky in legs. It is often accompanied by lack of coordination.
- Low blood sugar may affect brain activity which result in unusual behavior. Seizure, dilated pupils, impaired vision, depression are the other signs of pancreatic insulinoma in dogs.
When you take your dog to the vet after a collapse or observing other symptoms, then physical examination and medical history of the pet is studied first. Seizures in dogs is treated in medical emergency. Glucose need to be administered intravenously to control the seizure. A blood sample test is then conducted to check the glucose level. If it is found to be low, then multiple blood sample tests are performed to examine whether the glucose concentration remains persistently low. The blood tests are then followed by ultrasound, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging to ascertain the size of the tumor.
Surgery is mostly recommended for cancer. If it is a single tumor, then its removal is going to resolve the issue. Sometimes, part of the pancreas is also removed. However, if the tumor has spread to other internal organs of the pet's body, then it cannot be removed completely. In that case, surgery is only a temporary solution. It has to be accompanied by proper medical treatment that involves use of medicines and proper diet. Steroid medicines like prednisolone is prescribed as it promotes production of glucose in the pet's body. Then there are other medicines including chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of dog cancer.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to administer these medicines to the dog at the right time. Never stop the medicine in between without consulting the vet. The dog should be provided with a quiet place at home where it can take some good amount of rest without any disturbance. In case of sudden seizures, you can give some corn syrup which can instantly increase the glucose levels. Diet is vital part of treating this dog illness. You have to provide them with a constant supply of calories. High protein, fat and complex carbohydrates are most suitable in this condition. Prepare a diet plan after consulting the vet and feed the dog small meals after frequent interval of time.
With proper treatment and dietary restrictions, the intensity of symptoms of insulinoma in dogs can be controlled. However, regular check-ups along with blood test should be continued to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia.
- Canine Diabetes: Four Symptoms To Watch For
By Linda Cole Just like people, dogs can suffer from a variety of diseases. Some are more severe than others. Since our pets can't tell us when they don't feel well, it's up to us to be able to see when there's a change in their routine,...
- What If My Dog Has Diabetes?
Just like humans, dogs can also acquire Diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a result of a deficiency in insulin- an enzyme that helps body tissues absorb blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar or glucose will not be able to enter the cells and will remain in...
- Symptoms And Treatment For Diabetes In Dogs
Canine diabetes is one of the major dog health problems, caused due to improper insulin production or insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone, secreted by the beta cells of pancreas, responsible for maintaining blood glucose level. Insulin causes...
- Choosing The Diabetic Dog Food
Many of the pet dogs are at a risk of suffering from diabetes. In fact, canine diabetes is reported as an important chronic disease of dogs. This commonly reported dog health problem is resulted due to improper insulin metabolism in the body. As...
- Treating Low Blood Sugar In Dogs
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is a condition in which the glucose level of the blood drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter. But, usually symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs develop as the blood sugar level drops to 50 milligrams per deciliter. This...