Insulinoma :( Low Blood Sugar?

[Tink04]

Hello all,

I just need a place to voice myself, as I am just - not doing well... My 10 year old yorkie, Tink has pancreatitis, which is managed well on Royal Canin Low Fat food.
This past Saturday, I thought it was strange when I woke up realizing she had not woken me up to go potty. When she got out of her bed, I noticed she couldn't quite keep her balance. Her eyes and ears started twitching a bit. It didn't seem that bad, but I knew something was wrong, and we rushed to the vet. Once there, they determined her blood sugar was extremely low (in the 20s!) and they gave her some glucose and some of her canned food, and her blood sugar went back to normal. When we got back home, I fed her more (too much, I think), and she seemed to throw everything she had just eaten (from the vet and home) up. After she threw up, she didn't seem like she felt bad and ate more food a bit later.
Sunday she was fine. Monday when I came home from work I noticed her shaking a bit, it's freezing outside, but just to be sure, I took her to the vet again before feeding her a bit. When she got there her blood sugar was 44, then up to 80 after the glucose. My vet is "strongly suspecting" insulinoma, where tumors affect the pancreas. She is leaning more this way because of her pancreatitis in the past (which has had no issues since switching to Royal Canin Low Fat Food). When I read about insulinoma, the prognosis does not sound good. I have an ultrasound and appointment with a specialist (2.5 hours away, ick) - in order to determine if it is insulinoma. However, with insulinoma there is a risk or chance that the tumor is too small to be noticed with an ultrasound. I am just in pieces... I know she's 10, but I was thinking she would at least live to 14-15. Does anyone else have issues with adult yorkies and recurring low blood sugar, or insulinoma?

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and welcome to YT....I wish it was under better circumstances. I'm so sorry to hear your baby is sick and may have a tumor. The good thing is that you are providing SUCH excellent care for her, so she is in good hands!!! I don't have experience with this issue, but just wanted to offer support and good thoughts. Please keep us posted.

[Tink04]

Hi Wylie's Mom,

Thank you for your reply. We have an appointment at 1:00 today with the specialist for the ultrasound. I'm just hoping for good things, I just want her to be comfortable and happy. I will keep you posted, thanks again!

[ladyjane]

So sorry about your baby.

I have never had a pup with this condition. I am assuming your vet did other blood work? Has he ruled out liver issues? If not, I would definitely have more blood work done to see if that could be the cause of the blood sugar instability as it is very common in conditions in the liver that can be quite manageable.

It is just that you said the pancreatitis is controlled that makes me wonder .. the fact it came on suddenly like this. Kind of makes me wonder.

Good luck with the specialist. Please keep us posted. I will pray for Tink and that it is not something as scary as you are thinking.

[Amazing Yorkies]

Praying for Tink!
I've never heard of this. I'm hoping your appointment will give you peace of mind and Tink gets better quickly!

[Tink04]

I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts SO much. Her appt today from the ultrasound no visible tumors (insulinoma) or visible liver issues. The specialist did a type of blood test that will confirm the insulinoma for sure (tumors) and I should know the results (as well as other possible issues) within 3 days. The vet stated that surgery would be suggested for the insulinoma to remove a part of the pancreas or exploratory surgery (which I'm not crazy about... and will probably not do...) if no real issue can be found from the blood work.
I just don't know how I feel about the possibility of surgery... She will be 11 in a few months, and I just don't want to do anything to make her uncomfortable. However, the vet did state some past older dogs who did the surgery and lived 1-2 more years after the surgery. I'm not sure on the outlook if no surgery is performed.
In the meantime, she is now on prednisone 2x a day to regulate her blood sugar. I am so hopeful this will ease some worry and help her little body. I've had her .since I was 16, and she is my little loyal shadow. I love her so much and just want her to be well. Thank you all SO SO much - we will keep you posted!

[Buster Brown]

Hi and welcome to YT so sorry to hear about Tink not feeling well. Sending prayers.

[ladyjane]

Prayers for you and your Tink. She is so lucky to be so loved.

I hope she does well with the medication. Please keep us posted.

[Tink04]

Hello all,

I just don't know what to do... When I woke up this morning, she did not want to get up, and I noticed her little leg and eye twitching a bit (not bad - very subtle), but I knew I was going to take her in to the vet just in case so they can monitor her while I'm at work.
I'm awaiting the blood test results from the appointment with the specialist yesterday, that I'm hopeful I can get soon. (Yesterday they said 1-3 days). In the meantime, her vet is going to monitor her, and take her blood sugar level reading every 2 hours. I'm just so torn, I know that going to the vet stresses her out, and she would much rather be at home, warm, and sleeping. But I just couldn't chance it this morning, any kind of inclination I get that she isn't 100%, I take her to the vet. I was also worried about the medication she started yesterday (prednisone) - but the vet seemed to say the only real side effects are increased urination/eating - which I can definitely live with.
I just laid in bed last night bawling, staring at her peaceful sleeping little body. I just cannot imagine my life without her, and I just want her to be comfortable and happy. I have not eaten or really slept in 4 days, and cannot stop crying - I just feel like my whole world is slowly being taken away from me. Anything I've read online regarding adult dogs with hypoglycemia (recurring low blood sugar) is not positive. I'm just so worried... thank you all for caring so much, the support from you all is what is keeping me going.
Much love from Tinkerbell

[gemy]

Sending prayers out for you and Tink. Will keep fingers n toes crossed that it is not this insulinoma - Friday the blood work should be back?

[Buster Brown]

Tink is lucky to have a wonderful caring owner. Sending hugs to you during this difficult time and prayers for Tink.

[Ieprnt]

I am so sorry to hear about Tink. I lost my Abigail a few years ago and - like you - couldn't imagine life without her. We went through other issues but lost her over the course of about 2 weeks. I pray they find a cause and effectual treatment for your Tink.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Tink04

Hello all,

I just don't know what to do... When I woke up this morning, she did not want to get up, and I noticed her little leg and eye twitching a bit (not bad - very subtle), but I knew I was going to take her in to the vet just in case so they can monitor her while I'm at work.
I'm awaiting the blood test results from the appointment with the specialist yesterday, that I'm hopeful I can get soon. (Yesterday they said 1-3 days). In the meantime, her vet is going to monitor her, and take her blood sugar level reading every 2 hours. I'm just so torn, I know that going to the vet stresses her out, and she would much rather be at home, warm, and sleeping. But I just couldn't chance it this morning, any kind of inclination I get that she isn't 100%, I take her to the vet. I was also worried about the medication she started yesterday (prednisone) - but the vet seemed to say the only real side effects are increased urination/eating - which I can definitely live with.
I just laid in bed last night bawling, staring at her peaceful sleeping little body. I just cannot imagine my life without her, and I just want her to be comfortable and happy. I have not eaten or really slept in 4 days, and cannot stop crying - I just feel like my whole world is slowly being taken away from me. Anything I've read online regarding adult dogs with hypoglycemia (recurring low blood sugar) is not positive. I'm just so worried... thank you all for caring so much, the support from you all is what is keeping me going.
Much love from Tinkerbell

I am so sorry.....I do understand how hard it is to have a sick baby. Maybe the prednisone just has not started working for her yet. Try to think positive...I know it is hard but so far nothing horrible has shown up! I sometimes have to stop reading on the internet...it can really do a number on you.

I will say extra prayers for Tink...and also for you. Let us know how her day went.

[Tink04]

Thank you so much for your kind words...
What bothers me the most is that she doesn't act THAT sick... but with a blood sugar that low, there is obviously something not acting quite right in her little body.
Even after being in the car for 5 hours (the specialist is 2.5 hours away) last night she just wanted to eat, and take it easy, so I went to bed early with her last night. She just doesn't act that sick. The only thing that has worried me was that she seemed a bit weak, or twitchy...
When I dropped her off this morning, her blood sugar was the highest it's been today... so could this mean her blood sugar drops when stressed? I just never anticipated these types of issues...
I received a call from my vet's office where she is until I get off work, and they said they couldn't get her to eat. THIS is what scares me, as she is always all about eating - especially her yummy wet food. However, I'm wondering if she is just stressed. She had to go to the vet Saturday, Monday, yesterday was a long day driving and at the specialist, and now today I had to leave her there again. So, she could just be kind of tired, and stressed. I am hoping when I get off work to the vet she perks up, and we go home and she wants to eat. I just really want to know the results from her blood work, I wish I could just go to sleep, wake up, and receive the phone call first thing in the morning with GOOD news.
Thank you ALL

[Ieprnt]

Originally Posted by Tink04

Thank you so much for your kind words...
What bothers me the most is that she doesn't act THAT sick... but with a blood sugar that low, there is obviously something not acting quite right in her little body.
Even after being in the car for 5 hours (the specialist is 2.5 hours away) last night she just wanted to eat, and take it easy, so I went to bed early with her last night. She just doesn't act that sick. The only thing that has worried me was that she seemed a bit weak, or twitchy...
When I dropped her off this morning, her blood sugar was the highest it's been today... so could this mean her blood sugar drops when stressed? I just never anticipated these types of issues...
I received a call from my vet's office where she is until I get off work, and they said they couldn't get her to eat. THIS is what scares me, as she is always all about eating - especially her yummy wet food. However, I'm wondering if she is just stressed. She had to go to the vet Saturday, Monday, yesterday was a long day driving and at the specialist, and now today I had to leave her there again. So, she could just be kind of tired, and stressed. I am hoping when I get off work to the vet she perks up, and we go home and she wants to eat. I just really want to know the results from her blood work, I wish I could just go to sleep, wake up, and receive the phone call first thing in the morning with GOOD news.
Thank you ALL

I hope you got home and all is better. Please make sure to keep us posted.