Hypoglycemia in four dogs with smooth muscle tumors

Tumor-associated hypoglycemia has been reported in dogs with pancreatic beta-cell tumors, hepatic tumors, and, rarely, with other neoplasms. This article describes 4 dogs with marked hypoglycemia associated with smooth muscle tumors (jejunal leiomyoma, gastric leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, and splenic leiomyosarcoma). Presenting clinical signs included grand mal seizures, lethargy, weakness, ataxia, and, in 1 dog, polyuria/polydipsia. The serum insulin concentration was low in 1 dog and normal in the other dog evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining for insulin was negative in the 4 tumors; the 3 tumors arising from the stomach and jejunum stained diffusely positive for glucagon. Blood glucose concentrations rapidly returned to normal after complete surgical resection of the tumors, and clinical signs associated with hypoglycemia resolved. Long-term follow-up available in 3 of the 4 dogs found no recurrence of clinical signs related to hypoglycemia at 15, 31, and 38 months after surgery, respectively.