Malignant insulinoma in dog: Case report

Abstract

In this case report, a malignant insulinoma is described in a thirteen-year old male dog of the Yorkshire breed. Clinical examination revealed weakness and food intolerance manifested by nausea and diarrhoea. Biochemically, hypoglycaemia with hyperinsulinemia, elevated concentrations of selected liver enzymes, as well as lipase and continuously increasing urea concentrations were also found. Ultrasonography of the pancreas proved the presence of a severe hypoechoic, homogenous lesion approximately 1 cm in diameter; the liver was diffusely heterogeneous with the occurrence of small hypoechogenic lesions in the parenchyma. With regard to history, clinical symptoms, USG and laboratory findings, insulinoma was diagnosed. Post-mortem findings showed a large, multifocal greywhite tumour in the right pancreatic lobe and enlargement of the liver, with the occurrence of many miliary foci. The corresponding lymph nodes of the pancreas and liver were also enlarged. Histopathological examinations of the pancreas and liver revealed malignant insulinoma.