Hypoglycaemia or Low Blood Sugar in Dogs

The Medical term for the critically low blood sugar levels is hypoglycaemia, and is often linked to diabetes and an overdose of insulin. Blood Sugar, or glucose, is the main energy source of the animal’s body, so a low amount will result in a strong decrease in energy levels, possibly to the point of loss of knowledge.

There are other conditions, other than diabetes, which can also cause blood sugar levels to fall to dangerous levels. In most animals, hypoglycaemia is not actually a disease in itself, but it is only an indication of another underlying health problem.

The brain needs a steady supply of glucose to function properly, since it does not store glucose or create it. When glucose levels fall to a dangerously low level, a condition of hypoglycaemia occurs. This is a dangerous health problem and needs to be dealt with quickly and appropriately. If you suspect hypoglycaemia, especially if your dog is predisposed to this condition, you will have to treat the condition quickly before it becomes a threat to life.

– loss of appetite (Anorexia)

– rising hunger

– visual instability, such as blurred vision

– disorientation and confusion

– you can show an apparent inability to complete basic routine tasks.

– weakness, lack of energy, loss of consciousness

– Seizures (rarely)

– anxiety, restlessness

– Tremors / chills

– heart palpitations

These symptoms may not be specific to hypoglycaemia, there may be other possible underlying medical causes. The best way to determine hypoglycaemia is to measure the blood sugar level while the symptoms are obvious.

There may be several causes for hypoglycaemia, but the most common are the side effects caused by medicines used to treat diabetes. Dogs with diabetes receive insulin to help control the disease, but an overdose of insulin, or high doses of insulin given when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, may cause the body to process excess glucose , decreasing blood glucose levels to levels that are too low for the needs of the body. This is when a state of

hypoglycaemia can occur, and if it is not treated quickly, the brain can suffer irreparable damage, leading to death.Hypoglycemia in dogs can be caused by a number of underlying conditions or from exposure to certain substances. It results due to glucose being removed from the bloodstream, an inadequate amount of glucose from diet, or low production of glucose from glycogen stores by the liver.

Additionally, any condition that affects glucose levels could result in hypoglycemia.

Here are several known causes of hypoglycemia in dogs:

• Excessive exercise
• Poor diet, malnutrition, or starvation
• Delayed meal time for puppies
• Overdose of insulin
• Eating artificial sweeteners
• Consuming antifreeze
• Body using too much glucose during pregnancy
• Portosystemic shunts
• Addison’s disease
• Sepsis
• Inflammation of the liver
• Pancreatic tumor
• Certain cancers, especially liver cancer, leukemia, and malignant melanoma

  Treatments For Hypoglycemia In Dogs

  Treatment for hypoglycemia in dogs aims to restore appropriate glucose levels in the blood stream. For dogs who have a hypoglycemic crisis resulting in seizures, a veterinarian might recommend that corn syrup, sugar, fruit juices, or honey be rubbed on the gums, followed up with a small meal once the seizures have stopped.

  A veterinarian might continue to feed a dog small meals as they recover. If a hypoglycemic dog is not capable of eating, then the vet may administer intravenous fluid of concentrated dextrose.

  Further treatment depends on the cause of the hypoglycemia. If it’s related to exercise or diet, then your veterinarian will prescribe lifestyle changes. They may also advise more frequent meals with high amounts of fat, protein, and complex carbohydrates.

  If there is an underlying cause, it must be treated accordingly. Some conditions, such as pancreatic tumors, may require surgery. Others such as Addison’s disease can be managed with medication.

  In cases where the hypoglycemia can’t be treated or managed any other way, a veterinarian may prescribe anticonvulsants or steroids.

  Having an appropriate diet, especially throughout puppyhood, can help prevent hypoglycemia. Therefore, you should make sure your dog is getting the right nutrition, and discuss diet with your veterinarian.