Insulinoma :( Low Blood Sugar?

[Tink04]

Thank you all so much. The vet said her blood sugar went down while at the vet, but she was not eating for them. As soon as we got home, she ate and I am I am in The middle of hand feeding how now 😊. She is acting fine, even barking at me for more food right now. ☺️I think she was just stressed out at the vet, and didn't want to eat - she usually naps throughout the day, and I'm sure she didn't there today - and was a little stubborn (she DID eat a nummy (bad for her) sausage they gave her , so I was not too concerned about her not eating). But since we're home and she's eating, I feel better. She needs to eat every 2 hours, and the vet gave me a little blood sugar monitor to check if I think it's low. I am hopeful we will hear from the specialist tomorrow with her results, and they will help find a way to fix her low blood sugar. Thank you all for you your thoughts - we will keep you posted.

[gemy]

Just dropping by to see how you and Tink are doing!

[Tink04]

Thanks for checking in!
We are still awaiting the blood test results... I am REALLY hoping we can get them by today so we don't have to wait over the weekend.
I now have a little blood sugar tester that I can use on her (I tried last night, and could not get any blood, I felt SO bad...) I called my vet this morning, and I went in to get her sugar level (67 - not too bad!! and that's after a cold car ride, and being stressed at the vet for a bit) they told me to administer the blood test (prick her little ear for blood ) every 4 hours if she's eating, and every 2 if she is not eating.
However, her specialist did call me today to check in, and recommended we increase her dosage on Prednisone 2x a day from 5mg to 10mg. AND to only test her blood if I think or suspect it is low (not eating, acting tired, etc.) She said I would just stress her out if I had to do it every 4 hours and myself, which is true, I didn't want to make her little ear bleed every 4 hours. This gave me relief.
I am still feeding her every 2 hours, I'm really lucky to live really close to where I work, and to work for a place that understands my situation.
So, we are still awaiting those blood work results, (GOOD THOUGHTS!) and from there we will have a better way of how to handle it.
She is acting good. I got up every 2 hours to feed her, which she ate with no problem. And when my alarm went off this morning, she got up and ran to the door to potty (YAY - this is good, she's acting like herself!).
I know she is so much more comfortable at home, and I'm SO looking forward to this weekend where I can stay with her 24/7. In the meantime, I'm just focusing on anything I can do to make her happy and comfortable.
Thanks SO SO SO much for your concern, we will keep you posted with any updates.

[gemy]

Fingers crossed for you and Tink. I love her name btw! You are such a very good caregiver, and I really really hope that the blood works comes back only with good news for you both! And that you get it today as well


Know that many of our Yters are thinking and praying for you and Tink.

[Tink04]

Thank you - her name sure does fit her

I am thinking we are not going to hear something by today...
I'm not sure if they would report the results over the weekend or not.

In the meantime, we're going to follow the vet's instructions, and I am going to enjoy this weekend with my baby

Thanks to you all for your concern, still hoping (and praying) the blood work returns with no real issues, with a clear way to manage her sugar levels.

Much love from Tink!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Tink04

Thank you - her name sure does fit her

I am thinking we are not going to hear something by today...
I'm not sure if they would report the results over the weekend or not.

In the meantime, we're going to follow the vet's instructions, and I am going to enjoy this weekend with my baby

Thanks to you all for your concern, still hoping (and praying) the blood work returns with no real issues, with a clear way to manage her sugar levels.

Much love from Tink!

Sounds like a great plan!! Enjoy your weekend.

[Tink04]

I received the results yesterday, they confirm she has insulinoma.

I am so heartbroken... We have decided to not do surgery, as I do not think that is what she would want. We will try to manage with medication, and we have an apt with a specialist oncologist Tuesday. This disease is not fair. It's rare - so why her???

She hasn't eaten since 10:30 this morning, and I had to give her tuna even then because she wouldn't eat her food. She is acting like her belly hurts, and cannot get comfy. I hate watching her not feel good...
My mom is going to make her some ground turkey to see if she will eat. Please pray for Tink...

[ladyjane]

Oh, I am so very sorry. I don't think I would do that surgery either. I agree, life stinks sometimes.

I will keep you and your precious Tink in my thoughts and prayers.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Tink04

I received the results yesterday, they confirm she has insulinoma.

I am so heartbroken... We have decided to not do surgery, as I do not think that is what she would want. We will try to manage with medication, and we have an apt with a specialist oncologist Tuesday. This disease is not fair. It's rare - so why her???

She hasn't eaten since 10:30 this morning, and I had to give her tuna even then because she wouldn't eat her food. She is acting like her belly hurts, and cannot get comfy. I hate watching her not feel good...
My mom is going to make her some ground turkey to see if she will eat. Please pray for Tink...

Oh my goodness, I had so hoped and prayed the bloodwork would tell a different story.


My heart goes out to you and your family and Tink. I do feel that any decision you have made for Tink is in her best interests, not necessarily yours....


You can try a smidgen of grated parmesan cheese to entice her to eat. When my Zoey had cancer, I home cooked all and everything for her to eat; salmon, steak, roast beet, chicken, what-ever that might encourage her appetite. There is also an appetite stimulant you can ask for from your oncologist as well.


We will be here for you as you and Tink go through this. Please share what-ever you feel comfy in sharing.


While the days ahead will no doubt be hard days, they also can be days of happy touch, special times together, until the final bell has rung.




((((((Hugs to you, your family, and Tink))))))))))

[joyce evans]

I am so so sorry to hear about Tink. Please try to stay upbeat and positive in front of her as she will react to your feelings. Long story short I just went through melanoma with one of my girls and now lymphoma with my boy. My heart really goes out to you and Tink. I don't know anything about Insulinoma but will pray for a cure for your baby girl!!

[lisaly]

I'm so sorry to read about Tink's test results. Your love for her is so heartfelt, one that will last forever. I hope the appointment with the oncologist brings you hope.

[Tink04]

Thank you all for your kind words... I'm really struggling, but I DO need to remember to stay positive, as she is very in touch with me.
I have got to make any time she has positive, and happy - and to remember I need to reflect that for her.

I'm worried as she is not eating, and I'm having to force feed her every 4 hours. It appears her tummy is bothering her, but she has to eat every 4 hours in order for her blood sugar to stay within the normal range. I feel awful, I couldn't force her canned food in her mouth, she kept spitting it out. So I put her canned food in water to dilute it, so I can insert it into her mouth via syringe. It's not much better, but I have to be sure she is getting some food every 4 hours. I'm wondering if the prednisode she is on could be bothering her. She seems like her tummy bothers her, and she is quite restless - not being able to stay comfortable. Yesterday evening, I was instructed to start doubling the dose from 5mg to 10 mg 2x a day, which seems quite high. However, my mom came over today to help me do a blood sugar reading and it was at 105 - even after she hasn't eaten for awhile, so this is good. This is high compared to what it has been, so I think the specialist just wants to make sure her blood sugar is staying in the normal range. I hope this medication isn't making her miserable...

In the meantime, I hope she starts to feel better, and start wanting food on her own. It's when she doesn't want to eat is when I worry. But, she's on a new (increased) medication, so I'm sure that is a little hard on her body.

I want to thank you ALL for your support. I need to stay positive, and be thankful for all the time and memories I have had (and will continue to have). We will keep you posted, I'm going to try and get some pics of my little lady on here.

[ladyjane]

Oh, she is so precious. Yes, you do need to stay as upbeat as you can. It's so hard to do..I know.
Did they suggest Nutrical for her? That could work in between meals and for times she won't go near food. Also, A/D food by Hill's is a recovery food that many of the sick pups really like.
If her glucose is holding now, at least that is an improvement. If it starts dropping, I would get some Nutrical.
Keeping you and Tink in my prayers...

[wemple2]

Oh wow, I am just now reading this...I am so very sorry to hear of Tink's diagnosis. This is what my vet suspected was wrong with Winston. Might I ask what blood test was done to diagnose this? I was told Winston would need a liver biopsy to check for glucose storage. I see you are also from Illinois, where are you located, where is your specialist? I am so interested to learn as much as I can about this...my thoughts and my prayers are without a doubt with you and Tink.

[Tink04]

Hi Wemple2,

I live in Southern Illinois (Carbondale) - and the specialist we have been going to is MVRC in Chesterfield, MO. We have an appointment Tuesday with the oncologist there to determine the best type of medication.

The blood test to determine the insulinoma was a blood/glucose ratio test, which I was told would determine whether or not she had the insulinoma. We did an ultrasound, and nothing was found, but when I look online, it says only 35-50% of the tumors are detected by the ultrasound.
They said surgery or medication are the options, I just can't see myself sending her to surgery, as the insulinoma will always eventually come back. I'm worried she wouldn't be able to recover well, and the surgery would stress her and her body out. My heart is telling me she would not want to go through surgery.


Since Friday evening, she is on 10mg of Prednisone 2x a day. I'm concerned this is why she feels bad, as I cannot get her to eat on her own, and she is very sleepy. She didn't get to sleep last night until around 6 am - until then, she was moving from spot to spot constantly. I think it may affect her tummy. However, she is at least sleeping comfortably now, I'm thinking shes so tired now because she didn't get a good rest yesterday at all.
I hate having to force feed her... I have been taking her canned food and soaking it in water so I can syringe it into her mouth. She did take a tiny bit of food off my finger today, so I really really hope she will start to want to eat today. If not, I don't know whether I should continue to force feed her, or take her to her vet. If she does not start eating on her own today, I will call them tomorrow morning and see what they say. She gets so stressed at the vet, and I just want to keep her stress levels as low as possible. She has been through a lot this past week.

I just really hope she comes around today wanting to eat on her own. It's very hard knowing she doesn't feel good...

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, I really hope on Tuesday we can find a medication that can help her get back to her self.

I'm trying to stay positive, and remember that I am lucky for the time I have had with her. She will be 11 in February, and not all dog owners are lucky enough to have that much time with their pup.

Much Love,
Tinkerbell