Pancreatic mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma in a dog

A 10.5‐year‐old crossbreed dog was presented with a history of hypoglycaemic episodes and elevated serum insulin concentration. A pancreatic mass was removed at surgery along with an enlarged draining lymph node. An unresectable hepatic nodule was also present. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the pancreatic and lymph node masses as functional mixed acinar‐endocrine carcinoma, previously unreported in domestic species. Persistent hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia post‐operatively was highly suggestive of the hepatic mass being a functional metastasis. The dog was managed on prednisolone and remained asymptomatic 9 months post‐operatively. This tumour type has only been rarely reported in human patients and may highlight the need for more rigorous immunohistochemical staining of pancreatic masses in veterinary species to identify the prevalence of this tumour type.     

Pancreatic beta-cell carcinoma with renal metastasis in a dog

Severe hypoglycemia associated with a metastatic pancreatic beta-cell carcinoma was found in an adult female American Eskimo dog. Metastatic tumor was found in the renal glomeruli as opposed to the more common hepatic metastatic site.     

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma with intracranial metastasis in a dog

This report concerns a case of pancreatic carcinoma with widespread metastases to many organs including intracranial metastasis. An eleven-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog showed emaciation, ataxia, and multiple visible tumors within the neck. A MRI examination of the patient was conducted because of ataxia, and it was found that the intracranial invasive growth had resulted in compression of the brain stem. Necropsy was performed after the patient died. Based on gross and microscopic examination, the primary tumor cells were located in the left lobe of the pancreas and widespread metastasis was found into various organs, including the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, tonsils, serosal surface of the esophagus, and submandibular, pulmonary hilar, mediastinal, and mesenteric lymph nodes. This case indicates that pancreatic adenocarcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis list when cervical neck masses are detected.     

Pancreatic insulin-secreting neoplasia in a 9-year-old Afghan hound

An Afghan hound was presented with recurring episodes of weakness progressing to seizures after exercise. Insulinoma was diagnosed by demonstrating excessive insulin secretion in the presence of hypoglycemia. A pancreatic mass was identified and removed during an exploratory laparotomy. Surgical and pathological findings, diagnosis, and clinical management are discussed.     

Unique radiographic appearance of bone marrow metastasis of an insulin-secreting beta-cell carcinoma in a dog

A9-year-old, neutered male Border Collie—mix dog presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics (LSU-VTH&C) for evaluation of chronic, intermittent vomiting of 6 months' duration. The episodes of vomiting, along with decreased appetite and lethargy, had occurred sporadically during these 6 months. One day before referral, episodes of acute collapse and weakness in the pelvic limbs were noticed. A CBC and serum biochemistry had been performed on several occasions during the previous 6 months by the referring veterinarian and each time, high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was found. An ACTH stimulation test also had been performed 8 weeks before referral and results were normal. On 2 separate occasions, therapeutic dietary trials^{a, b} and symptomatic treatment with metoclopramide^c (0.5 mg/kg PO q8h) did not improve the clinical signs. In addition, the dog had lost 6 pounds of body weight over the 6-month period     

Pancreatic islet cell carcinoma in a dog treated with streptozotocin.

After surgical removal of the primary tumor and recurrence of hypoglycemia, a dog with metastatic pancreatic islet cell carcinoma was treated with streptozotocin. Nephrotoxicosis resulted after a single administration of streptozotocin.     

Pancreatic torsion in a dog

A 6-month-old male intact Cane Corso mastiff dog was presented for a recent history of vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy. A diagnosis of pancreatic torsion was made during abdominal exploratory surgery and was confirmed with histopathology. The dog underwent partial pancreatectomy and recovered with no complications.     

Chronic hypoglycaemia in a hunting dog clue to secondary hypoadrenocorticism

A six-year-old neutered female pointer was referred for evaluation of seizures that occurred only in association with exercise. A tenacious ocular discharge was also evident and tear production was decreased bilaterally. Diagnostic testing revealed severe hypoglycaemia caused by secondary hypoadrenocorticism. Treatment was instituted with prednisone (5 mg, orally, once daily) and the seizures ceased. Tear production returned to normal without additional treatment. Glucocorticoid deficiency should be considered a cause of hypoglycaemic seizures once other, more common, causes have been ruled out.     

Pancreatic insulin-secreting neoplasm (insulinoma) in a West Highland white terrier.

A West Highland white terrier was evaluated because of persistent hypoglycemia and an acute episode of collapse. A pancreatic insulin-secreting neoplasm (insulinoma) was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs, serum glucose levels, serum insulin levels, abdominal ultrasonography, and exploratory laparotomy with histologic evaluation of neoplastic tissue.     

Pancreatic carcinoma in a cockatiel

A female cockatiel was examined because of abdominal distention, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Although abdominocentesis, bacteriologic culture, radiography, and ultrasonography were performed, the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was obtained only after exploratory laparotomy and histologic examination. The resected abdominal mass was pancreatic carcinoma. The bird survived for 56 days after surgery. Necropsy confirmed abdominal metastatic pancreatic carcinoma.     

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a dog with a maldigestion syndrome

Maldigestion caused by a pancreatic enzyme insufficiency was diagnosed in a 10-year-old Scottish Terrier on the basis of clinical signs and gastrointestinal function test results. The histologic diagnosis was pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Maldigestion is an unusual manifestation of this malignancy, particularly in the absence of other clinical signs. However, pancreatic neoplasia should be considered in aged dogs that develop exocrine insufficiency.     

Pancreatic pseudocyst causing extrahepatic biliary obstruction in a dog

A 3-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback was examined because of recurrent pancreatitis of 2 months duration. The dog had signs of abdominal pain and jaundice. Blood biochemical findings were consistent with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, but on abdominal ultrasonography no cause of obstruction was identified. At surgery a pancreatic pseudocyst was found in the body of the pancreas. Cystoduodenostomy, cystic omentalisation and biliary diversion resulted in excellent long-term recovery.     

Gastric carcinoma in a dog

An 8–year-old castrated male Bassett hound had been vomiting intermittently for 3 weeks. In addition, clinical signs of anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, depression and anterior abdominal pain were noted. Gastro-scopic and radiographic examination revealed a mass at the pyloric region of the stomach. Clinical remission followed surgical excision of gastric carcinoma, with recurrence of vomiting 4 months after surgery. At necropsy, the pyloric region of the stomach was markedly thickened, rigid, scirrhous and had an excavated ulcer. The pathological diagnosis was a poorly differentiated, diffuse gastric carcinoma with metastasis to regional lymph nodes.