Endocrine disorders: Hypoglycemia

Question 1

What are some common causes for hypoglycemia in small animal patients?

Answer 1

Excess insulin = paraneoplastic syndrome, toxins (xylitol), insulinoma

Excess glucose utilization = sepsis, polycythemia, leukocytosis, pregnancy

Decreased glucose production = neonatal hypoglycemia, hepatic dysfunction

Question 2

Patients with a suspected insulinoma often display what clinical signs? What does treatment include?

Answer 2

Weakness, collapse, and severe hypoglycemia

Treatment includes small, frequent feedings of food low in sugar, glucocorticoids, and diazoxide

Question 3

A bolus of ____ to ____ ml/kg of 50% dextrose can be diluted to 1:2 or 1:4 and given intravenously over ___ minutes.

Are corticosteroids contraindicated for treatment of hypoglycemia?

Answer 3

0.5-1 ml/kg
5 minutes

Not if they are being used for treating paraneoplastic or endocrine-induced hypoglycemia (1-2 mg/kg IV initially, 0.05 - 1 mg/kg IV BID after)