CANINE CLINICAL PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH PANCREATIC-ISLET CELL-CARCINOMA

The medical records of three dogs with histologically confirmed pancre atic beta-islet cell tumors were reviewed. All three dogs presented wi th tetraparesis and a history of prolonged serum glucose levels less t han 50 mg/dL. All dogs had similar neurologic examination abnormalitie s including tetraparesis (two dogs non-ambulatory), muscle atrophy, ap pendicular hyporeflexia to arefiexia, and a normal mentation status. T hyroid (TSH) and adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) stimulation tests were nor mal in all dogs. All dogs had similar histologic findings on muscle an d nerve biopsy including angular atrophy of both myofiber types, axona l degeneration, and secondary demyelination indicative of a polyneurop athy. Further electrodiagnostics in two dogs ruled out tick paralysis, botulism, and polyradiculoneuritis as likely differentials. The etiol ogy of insulinoma associated polyneuropathy in dogs is unknown at this time. The authors believe a paraneoplastic etiology for this conditio n is possible and that insulinoma should be included in the differenti al list of canine peripheral polyneuropathy.