HYPOGLYCEMIA IN 4 DOGS WITH SMOOTH-MUSCLE TUMORS

Tumor-associated hypoglycemia has been reported in dogs with pancreati c p-cell tumors, hepatic tumors, and, rarely, with other neoplasms. Th is article describes 4 dogs with marked hypoglycemia associated with s mooth muscle tumors (jejunal leiomyoma, gastric leiomyoma and leiomyos arcoma, and splenic leiomyosarcoma). Presenting clinical signs include d grand mat seizures, lethargy, weakness, ataxia, and, in 1 dog, polyu ria/polydipsia. The serum insulin concentration was low in 1 dog and n ormal in the other dog evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining for ins ulin was negative in the 4 tumors; the 3 tumors arising from the stoma ch and jejunum stained diffusely positive for glucagon. Blood glucose concentrations rapidly returned to normal after complete surgical rese ction of the tumors, and clinical signs associated with hypoglycemia r esolved. Long-term follow-up available in 3 of the 4 dogs found no rec urrence of clinical signs related to hypoglycemia at 15, 31, and 38 mo nths after surgery, respectively. (C) 1995 by the American College of Veterinary Infernal Medicine.