Case report: insulinoma in a dog
The objective of this study was to describe the use of a low dose dexmedetomidine infusion as preoperative treatment for hypoglycemia secondary to a functional pancreatic tumor in a dog.
An 8.7-year-old castrated male Hungarian Vizsla presented for further evaluation of persistent hypoglycemia after the referring veterinarian established a tentative diagnosis of insulinoma. This was based on paired insulin and glucose measurements. According to the study, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography found evidence of a pancreatic mass with possible hepatic metastases.
Attempts to aspirate the lesions under ultrasound guidance were unsuccessful, and the dog was hospitalized overnight for planned surgical resection of the presumed pancreatic tumor and biopsy of the hepatic lesions.
In response to a progressive increase in patient anxiety and agitation, the veterinarian prescribed trazodone and gabapentin. As the dog continued to remain anxious, dexmedetomidine at a dose of one mcg/kg was administered intravenously immediately followed with an infusion of dexmedetomidine at one mcg/kg/h.
The anxious behaviors were successfully controlled with minimal cardiovascular side effects. Serial blood glucose measurements obtained during this time demonstrated euglycemia. The dog remained euglycemic while receiving dexmedetomidine for the remainder of the pre-operative period and for duration of hospitalization following surgical resection and biopsy.
This case report demonstrates a possible role for dexmedetomidine to counteract hypoglycemia in dogs with insulinomas.
Randolph Green, et al. “Case report: Low dose dexmedetomidine infusion for the management of hypoglycemia in a dog with an insulinoma.” Front Vet Sci. 2023 Apr 6; 10:1161002. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1161002.
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