To Vickie and Felicia -
 
        Judging from her signs, an islet cell tumor or insulinoma is definitely
a possibility.  A glucose of 40 is way too low, but the discrepancy from the
lab's value of 80 should be further investigated.  But red blood cells that sit
in a tube too long do not release glucose raising the  level, but they UTILIZE
it, so the level should be even lower than 40.
 
        My suggestion...do one more test inhouse.  If it is less than 70, then I
would suggest an exploratory surgery to take a good look at the pancreas and see
if there is a tumor to be removed.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                 Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1147]