Insulinoma in a Cat

May 16, 2008

Greene, S. N. and R. M. Bright (2008). “Insulinoma in a cat.” J Small Anim Pract 49(1): 38-40.

Insulinomas are functional pancreatic tumors producing insulin. The abnormal release of insulin drives blood glucose concentrations below normal and produces the typical clinical signs associated with insulinoma (e.g., seizures, weakness, collapse, muscle twitching, etc.). They are uncommon tumours in dogs and cats and are often malignant. Insulinomas are suspected when an adult cat is presented with suggestive clinical signs and persistent hypoglycemia. In this case report, a 14-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with seizures and hypoglycemia. Investigation revealed low blood glucose concurrent with normal insulin levels. Medical and dietary management were attempted without success. At exploratory laparotomy, a well-defined mass was found in the pancreas. The mass was resected and identified on histopathology as an islet cell carcinoma – consistent with an insulinoma. The patient has had no recurrence of clinical signs in over 32 months post-surgery. This case is unique because of the apparent lack of local recurrence and development of metastatic disease, leading to the prolonged survival.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Kraje, A. (2003). “Hypoglycemia and irreversible neurologic complications in a cat with insulinoma.” J Amer Vet Med Assoc 223(6): 812-814.
>> PubMed abstract