Syndromes Secondary to Prolonged Hypoglycemia. ∗

Abstract

In an attempt to study the effects of prolonged hypoglycemia dogs and cats were injected with insulin and subjected to coma for varying periods. The duration of the coma was frequently extended as long as possible compatible with life. The symptomatology, which subsequently developed, occurred despite a blood sugar raised to normal levels or higher by the administration of sugar. The post hypoglycemic syndromes are characterized by their variability. For example, dog No. 4, which received insulin for 4 days and was intermittently in coma for approximately one-half of that time, became totally blind in his left eye and retained only light perception in his right one. He was continually moving about and in his aimless restlessness would bump into any object that might confront him. When food was placed in his mouth he showed no inclination to swallow it, but kept it there indefinitely. Another animal, cat No. 2, remained in a fixed position, an awkward one, standing on his hind legs and leaning upright against the side of the cage for at least 12 hours, though the blood sugar was raised to normal levels throughout this period.

Cat No. 6 displayed the crossed extensor reflex and spasticity of the posterior extremities. In cats the temperature regulation is frequently impaired after prolonged hypoglycemia. Cat No. 3 became to a great extent poikilothermic. After recovery from a 7-hour period of hypoglycemia his temperature was only 36.6° despite torrid weather. The next morning his temperature was 38.7°, but after remaining in the ice room for 15 minutes his temperature fell to 38° and 20 minutes later to 36.3° with no shivering. Four hours after removal from the ice room the animal's temperature rose to 39° and his response to temperature was not tested again.