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Abstract Background Pituitary apoplexy refers to hemorrhage or infarction within the pituitary gland resulting in acute neurological abnormalities. This condition is poorly described in dogs. Objectives To document presenting complaints, examination findings, endocrinopathies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), treatments, and outcomes of dogs with pituitary apoplexy. Animals Twenty‐six client‐owned dogs with acute onset of neurological dysfunction. Methods Retrospective case series. Dogs were diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy if MRI or histopathology documented an intrasellar or suprasellar mass with evidence of hemorrhage or infarction in conjunction with acute neurological dysfunction. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and imaging reports. Results Common presenting complaints included altered mentation (16/26, 62%) and gastrointestinal dysfunction (14/26, 54%). Gait or posture changes (22/26, 85%), mentation changes (18/26, 69%), cranial neuropathies (17/26, 65%), cervical or head hyperpathia (12/26, 46%), and hyperthermia (8/26, 31%) were the most frequent exam findings. Ten dogs (38%) lacked evidence of an endocrinopathy before presentation. Common MRI findings included T1‐weighted hypo‐ to isointensity of the hemorrhagic lesion (21/25, 84%), peripheral enhancement of the pituitary mass lesion (15/25, 60%), brain herniation (14/25, 56%), and obstructive hydrocephalus (13/25, 52%). Fifteen dogs (58%) survived to hospital discharge. Seven of these dogs received medical management alone (median survival 143 days; range, 7‐641 days) and 8 received medications and radiation therapy (median survival 973 days; range, 41‐1719 days). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with pituitary apoplexy present with a variety of acute signs of neurological disease and inconsistent endocrine dysfunction. Dogs that survive to discharge can have a favorable outcome.

ObjectiveTo describe the use of a low dose dexmedetomidine infusion as preoperative treatment for hypoglycemia secondary to a functional pancreatic tumor in a dog.Case summaryAn 8.7-year-old castrated male Hungarian Vizsla presented for further evaluation of persistent hypoglycemia after the referring veterinarian established a tentative diagnosis of insulinoma based on paired insulin and glucose measurements. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography demonstrated evidence of a pancreatic mass with possible hepatic metastases. Attempts to aspirate the lesions under ultrasound guidance were unsuccessful, and the dog was hospitalized overnight for planned surgical resection of the presumed pancreatic tumor and biopsy of the hepatic lesions the following day. In response to a progressive increase in patient anxiety and agitation trazodone was prescribed ~5 mg/kg orally every 8 h and gabapentin at ~7 mg/kg every 8 h. As the dog continued to remain anxious dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 mcg/kg was administered intravenously immediately followed with an infusion of dexmedetomidine at 1 mcg/kg/h. The anxious behaviors were successfully controlled with minimal cardiovascular side effects. Serial blood glucose measurements obtained during this time demonstrated euglycemia. The dog remained euglycemic while receiving dexmedetomidine for the remainder of the pre-operative period and for duration of hospitalization following surgical resection and biopsy.New or unique information providedThis case report demonstrates a possible role for dexmedetomidine to counteract hypoglycemia in dogs with insulinomas.