Help with Insulinoma...

[brunosmom]

Hi....my friend has a 8 yr. old boxer that was recently diagnosed with insulinoma (pancreatic cancer)...basically she has been told by her vet that it is the opposite of being a diabetic as far as insulin levels are concerned. She has changed his diet to a high fiber, high protein and complex carbs. with Royal Canine for diabetic dogs...dry & canned mixed. She needs to feed him every 3 hours to keep his sugar levels stable. Reduced exercise too, as he has no energy and it could cause him too have a seizure. The vet has given him 4-8 months to live. He is on steroids and also another medicine..I can't recall the name. She is heartbroken by the news and is looking for any info that would help her to have more time with him...it is a rare disease...so if anyone could help it would be grately apperciated..

 

[whatszmatter]

I don't know about pancreatic cacner in dogs, but in humans, the prognosis is never very good. I feel very bad for your friend. Her time should be spent just loving the dog and having as much fun as she can.

 

[brunosmom]

Thank you for your concern....her dog was given 4-8 months....she is trying anything for more time with him..I was hoping anyone had any experience with this as there is little info about it. Thanks again whatszmatter ..I have a feeling that is all she can do know too..

 

[gamecockgirl]

My ferret was just diagnosed with insulinoma a few months ago. I don't know if it's the same for ferrets and dogs, but since my ferret started the steroids, he has been acting 100% better.

Before he was diagnosed, he never wanted to play, stopped eating, and lost a lot of weight. Now he's back to running all over the place, eating a normal amount, and gaining some weight back.

Again, I'm not sure if dogs and ferrets would be the same, but my vet said he could live another 2 years with this condition. He's 5 1/2 now, so an extra 2 years is a really long time considering the lifespan of ferrets is usually only 6-8 years.

I don't really know what else to tell you about it, but if you have any specific questions I can probably help

 

[brunosmom]

Hi Gamecockgirl...yes it is the same as in ferrets...a tumor producing too much insulin...the steroids have helped him also...but before them he was very sluggish, always hungry..just not himself...with the diet change and restricted activity..he has improved...my friend is just looking for any other info that might help increase her time with him..she knows the prognosis isn't good...but as anyone else would do...keeps looking for any answers..I am sorry about your ferret..while finding info for her...I have read that the BARF diet is the good choice for ferrets with this condition..is that what you are feeding? My friend has alway feed dry dog food...so she has switched to the royal canine brand and also added mixing the canned and dry together as recommended by her vet...which seems to be working...but she can't seem to do the BARF diet as it's not for everyone....Thanks for your reply...hope your ferret is doing better too....