What is Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia refers to an abnormal decrease of glucose concentration in the blood, or more simply - low blood sugar levels. A normal blood glucose value for healthy, non-diabetic dogs is 3.3-6.1 mmol/L. Hypoglycemia occurs when excessive glucose consumption depletes the reserves of glucose in the body. Hypoglycemia can be a result of endocrine or hepatic disorders, a higher energy requirement for glucose, lack of glucose due to fasting, or toxicity. Hypoglycemia will leave dogs feeling weak and groggy. If left untreated, unconsciousness followed by death may result.
Hypoglycemia is defined as a low blood sugar concentration. As sugar (in the form of glucose) is the primary energy source in the body, low blood sugar levels will ultimately affect organ and brain function.
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Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Symptoms of hypoglycemia will usually begin with low energy and a delayed response time, if left to progress further these symptoms will develop into more serious signs such as seizures and collapse. Potential symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy (low energy)
- Slow response time
- Unusual behaviour
- Polyuria (increased urination)
- Polydipsia (increased thirst)
- Lack of coordination
- Partial paralysis of hindquarters
- Weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Trembling
- Involuntary twitching
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
Causes of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Hypoglycemia can be the result of underlying endocrine or hepatic disorders, sudden increase in the use of glucose by the body, inadequate amounts of glucose, or toxicity. Causes include:
- Abnormal growth of pancreatic cells
- Cancer in the liver or gastrointestinal system
- Inflammation of the liver
- Portosystemic shunt
- Glycogen-storage disease
- Excessive strenuous exercise
- Overuse of glucose in the body during pregnancy
- Reduced intake of glucose due to starvation or malnutrition
- Delayed time between meals in kittens and puppies (especially toy breeds)
- Overdosing of insulin
- Toxicity from ingestion of artificial sweeteners
Diagnosis of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
When hypoglycemia is suspected on the basis of the above clinical signs and history, the veterinarian will first perform a complete physical exam. This will be followed by a measurement of the current blood glucose value and potential ancillary tests to define the underlying causes of the condition.
The initial blood glucose measurement is assessed using a glucometer (also called a glucose meter) and it is a quick easy test that only requires a small drop of blood from the patient. This is beneficial for hypoglycaemic puppies and kittens as a large sample is not required. The result appears within a few seconds. An ideal blood glucose value is 3.3-6.1 mmol/L, any reading that is lower than this indicates hypoglycaemia.
Additional blood tests may be performed to evaluate organ function (specifically the kidney, liver, and pancreas), electrolyte imbalances, thyroid function, cortisol function, and other blood related conditions. A urinalysis (urine test) may be performed to eliminate urinary infections or disease, as well as evaluate kidney function.
If the cause of hypoglycaemia is suspected to be related to cancer or tumour growth, then an ultrasound may be performed.
Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Initial treatment is aimed at correcting the hypoglycemic crisis by way of raising the blood sugar levels. Depending on the severity and symptoms, this may be initially managed by rubbing glucose or corn syrup on the gums (a treatment which can be started by the owner at home). If more aggressive therapy is required, the dog will be placed on a intravenous fluid infusion containing concentrated dextrose. Blood glucose levels will be reassessed after the initial treatment.
Ongoing treatment will focus on management of the underlying cause of disease. If the hypoglycaemia has occurred due to fasting or over exercise, the condition will be resolved after a period of rest. Dogs will usually be monitored for several hours at the veterinary hospital and then sent home with preventative discharge instructions.
If hypoglycaemia occurred due to a cancer, tumour, or portosystemic shunt then surgery could be necessary. Inflammatory or endocrine disorders may be treated with medical management. Toxicity is usually managed with supportive treatment. Defining and treating the underlying cause is essential or hypoglycaemia will reoccur.
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Recovery of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Once a patient is discharged after a hypoglycemic episode, it is important to continue home monitoring for signs of reoccurrence. Dogs may be sent home with specific surgical discharge instructions or medications to treat the underlying conditions depending on what is performed in clinic.
Special care should be taken in small breed puppies or kittens and highly active dogs to prevent reoccurrence. For puppies and kittens, frequency of feeding should be increased to several small meals per day instead of one large meal. For active dogs, it is advised to feed a moderate meal several hours before activity and to keep snacks readily available. Care should also be taken to monitor dogs closely when there is a requirement for fasting, for example pre-operative periods.
Ultimately, prognosis and the expected time to a full recovery is dependent on the underlying conditions that have contributed to hypoglycemia.
Cost of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Treatment cost will vary greatly depending on the underlying conditions responsible for the hypoglycemic episode. For an initial consultation, blood glucose test, and treatment with glucose syrup, the cost will be approximately $80 - $200. If an intravenous glucose infusion is required this can add an additional $100 - $300. Treatment cost for underlying causes is based on whether surgical intervention or medical therapy is necessary, and will start from $800. Ongoing treatment may be necessary and the total treatment cost can be between $1000 - $8000.
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Hypoglycemia Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 - $8,000
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Hypoglycemia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Chihuahua
Bella
1 Year
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
I have a brindle Chihuahua who is over a year old. Every once and awhile she gets very lethargic, falls over herself, doesn't want to eat or drink, goes under the covers and stays..when you pick her up she is almost unresponsive but just looks around and shakes. It happens at least three to four times a year. I don't know what is wrong with her..sometimes she doesn't want anything to do with food but I have seven dogs so if she doesn't eat her food it gets swiped. I came home from work tonight and she was having one of her weird fits..I gave her some honey and syrup in case of low blood sugar? Is that right? I thought after a year you did not have to worry about hypoglycemia? How long should it take her to bounce back? What kind of advice can you give. I feel like every article is telling me the same things. I am sick of this happening to her.
Sept. 7, 2017
2 Recommendations
Hypoglycemia may occur to a dog at any age and may be brought on by internal and external factors; if you see Bella pick up within an hour of corn syrup and honey, then hypoglycemia is a likely culprit, if not then the cause is due to another condition. A physical examination and round of blood tests would be the first step, but ideally during one of these episodes; hormonal issues, poisoning, blood glucose and other causes may all cause similar symptoms. Other deficiencies like calcium may also cause weakness. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 7, 2017
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Chihuahua
Min min
4
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I have a 4 year old female chihuahua who gave birth to 6 puppies , one was still born @ 2 pm yesterday. This morning I found her seizing , urinating on herself and drooling @ 6 am this morning. I gave her corn syrup. She was still pretty out of it so I rushed to emergency vet thinking she may have preeclampsia which the vet agreed that's what it looked like. Ran her calcium levels, it was normal. Ran her blood sugar , normal. So. We went a head an ran further blood tests everything was fine. By 12pm she was pretty much back to normal. Now is it possible she did have low blood sugar and the corn syrup brought her levels back up and all she needed was time to recover from the seizure?? Vet checked her with an ultra sound to see if she maybe was bleeding or had something stuck. But she was all good.
Sept. 2, 2017
0 Recommendations
It is possible that Min Min had a hypoglycemic event which brought on a seizure, your quick thinking with the corn syrup may have been enough to balance things out. Hypocalemia is also a concern postpartum but it seems thankfully that everything is now fine which is a relief. Now is it important to ensure that Min Min’s dietary intake is increased due to nursing and to help her recover from pregnancy. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 2, 2017
I have a 14 year old female dog, she went about two days without her insulin but was eating, it was not until yesturday that she started getting weak. At this point she would not eat for me to give her insulin. So, now I am trying to get her sugar uo with honey and sugar water. I am sorry this sounds so bad but, we are homeless in a hotel and could afford to get it. She was fine until yesturday. She is lathargic now and quiet, still no eating, trying force feed her. If I am able to get a small amount, shoukd I give her, her insulin the full dose or half? Still walking stumbly like. What else can I do for her?
Sept. 30, 2017
Laura D.
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German Shepherd
Marlowe
7 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Seizures
Weakness
Wont Eat
After my puppy had a seizure at 7 weeks old, we rushed her to the vet and found out she had hypoglycemia. They gave her some fluids and prescription food that we have to syringe feed her...she will not eat anything on her own and never wants to play or move like a puppy that age should. Is this level of hypoglycemia treatable and what can we do to help her in the long run? We found out this morning another puppy from the same litter crashed yesterday and had to be euthanized for the same problem. Also, what could have caused this is two pups of the same litter?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for hypoglycemia in a puppy including liver disease (preventing glycogen storage), intestinal disorders, insulin levels or nutrition; also lack of food and increased activity may lead to hypoglycemia. Marlowe’s glucose levels should be checked regularly and an investigation should be made to see if there is a correlation between food consumption and glucose levels over time. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment or management may be required; you would need to speak with your Veterinarian about this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Shih Tzu
Marsha
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness
Lethargic
I have a 3 years old female shih tzu, she had 3 puppies, gave birth safely last year. Today , she was fine and active from morning to about 3 pm, and suddenly she lost conciousness, not fully but she is very lethargic and she doesn't want to open her eyes and move. then i started giving her honey and she is better but then she is lethargic again. I called my vet and he said the she is having low blood sugar, and now i keep feeding her small amount of food frequently and she can eat, also honey and goat milk (meyenberg) to give her some energy, she is slightly better but she still look weak, the difference is too drastic from morning to when the incident happened. what should i do? what kind of test should I do? and if she is hypoglycemia how to maintain her diet, Lack of nutrition is for sure not in the list because i make sure she had enough calories intake as well as vitamin,
please advice, I'm vert worry
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
This level of hypoglycemia is very severe by your description and simple dietary management probably wouldn’t be enough. The best course of action would be to have Marsha at your Veterinarian’s Clinic and to have them plot a glucose curve against time to see how her blood glucose changes over time and the effect of her food on her diet. After this, your Veterinarian would have a better understanding of the severity of the hypoglycemia and would be able to advise you accordingly. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
I have a 5 year old dachshund. Healthy and very active. From a routine checkup we found that he has hypoglycemia. First time 55mg/dl. He shows no signs of hypoglycemia. In two weeks time we rechecked, it was 48.
Dr asked us to get a glucometer. We checked his glucose levels 5 hrs after eating. It was 55.
What should we do next?what's the next step in management?
July 26, 2017
Peyaley K.
Peyaley how is your doxie now? I have recently had an extremely similar situation with my male doxie the same age.
Jan. 19, 2018
Telica B.
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Hypoglycemia Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 - $8,000
Average Cost
$4,000
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