Introduction
If you're curious about what diseases, conditions, and illnesses can plague your pup, fear not! We've got you covered. This time around, we're talking hypoglycemia. Can your pooch get it?
The short answer is that yes, your pooch could be at risk for hypoglycemia! We want to ensure that you can tell all the signs your pooch may be showing you to identify a problem or an ailment.
So, what exactly is hypoglycemia? This refers to a condition where your pooch (or a person) has abnormally low levels of sugar (glucose) in their blood! So, how can you tell if your pooch is hypoglycemic? We're here to give you the details you need to stay in the know!
Signs that May Indicate Your Pooch is Struggling With Low Blood Sugar
If you notice that your canine companion has a significant change in their diet, then you should definitely start to be wary. We're not talking about a skipped meal every once in a while, we mean if your pooch has an entire loss of appetite, or alternatively, becomes a ravenous eater who can't get enough supper, it might be a good idea to bring him to the vet.
You also might notice some disorientation, some visual instability - like blurred vision -, and tremors and shivering. Keep another eye out for weakness, tiredness, loss of energy, and loss of consciousness. In rare cases, your pup might even exhibit seizures and heart palpitations, so make sure you're watching for that!
Body Language
- Shaking
- Weakness
Other Signs
- tremors & shaking
- visual impairment
- ravenous diet
- disorientation
- anxiety
- loss of appetite
Have Pups Always Been Hypoglycemic?
For example, in a case from a study at the Iowa University, doctors found hypoglycemia in a female German Shepherd dated back to 1969. Some of the symptoms? Weakness, fatigue, immature cataracts, and a high temperature. But you don't just find hypoglycemia in large dogs. Small pups can also fall victim to it. In another case, a small, male Shih Tzu cross dog was brought to a vet for a severe loss of appetite, one of the most common symptoms.
What is Hypoglycemia, Anyway?
Because the brain needs a steady supply of glucose and can't store or create glucose itself, if your pup doesn't have an ordinary amount or if it drops a significant amount, your pup's brain activity won't be normal! Technically, if your canine's blood glucose concentration is below. 3.3mmol/L, he is hypoglycemic.
There could be many causes for hypoglycemia, but most often, you will find that your pup can develop this issue as a side effect from giving him other drugs to treat other illnesses. This is especially common with diabetic pups and in young puppies who aren't eating enough food or have a poor diet.
How to Train Your Pup To Cope with Hypoglycemia
We also suggest you teach your pup to get used to treatment processes like rubbing glucose or corn syrup on their gums to help balance their glucose, or taking pills that help balance their levels.
How to React If You Think Your Dog Is Hypoglyemic
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If your pup needs immediate care before you can take him to the vet, provide the care by selecting a sugar source and feeding it to him
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Take them to the vet if you notice symptoms
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Keep an eye on your pup's diet