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Insulinoma a tumour of the pancreas that results in LOW BLOOD SUGAR &
HIGH INSULIN PRODUCTION.
Males & Females
are affected at the same
frequency.
The signs/symptoms tend to be vague initially but they become more
severe and frequent as time progresses.
Fasting, excitement
and exercise increase the risk of
hypoglycaemia and cause the symptoms to develop.
Insulinoma is a tumour that frequently, & rapidly, spreads (the term
used is metastasizes) Recurrence of this type of tumour EVEN
FOLLOWING SURGICAL procedures to remove the tumour (s) is common.
Prior to ANY surgical procedure,it should be ascertained that the
tumour has NOT already spread (Chest X Rays; abdominal X-Rays) or
ULTRASONOGRAPHY.
Surgery MAY increase the lifespan of the dog because it will
assist in reducing the amount of excessive insulin being produced by the
tumours but this will only be temporary.
The average interval between the return of clinical signs following
surgery is around 6/8 months IF there is already visible metastases
at time of surgery and about 14mths /2 years if NO metastases were
detected at the time of surgery.
With a combination of medical & surgical therapy, lifespan of around 2
years have been recorded for patients following a diagnosis of this
type of tumour.
Surgery for
insulinoma should always be undertaken by experienced veterinary
surgeons, preferably where 24 hour care & back up is provided
as these dogs will require essential
monitoring of IV/dextrose saline infusions, plus regular monitoring of
their blood glucose in the immediate post-operative period.
Following surgery, when hypoglycaemia returns as a problem, medication on
specific drugs and careful monitoring with diet will work for a while to
control clinical signs.
Medical therapy includes the dog being fed small meals at frequent
intervals;
The administration of PREDNISILONE and the use of DIAZOXIDE.
It is possible to use medical therapy without performing any surgery but
surgical removal of as much as the tumour as is possible will help more than
anything else in extending the lifespan of dogs with an Insulinoma.
Diazoxide IS an
expensive drug but it has been the standard treatment for hypoglycaemia
associated with this specific tumour for sometime.
It can be used in
combination with prednisilone or on its own when prednisilone fails to
achieve satisfactory results.
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