Dogs rely on glucose to fuel their brain and body, just like humans do. If your pup’s blood sugar is too low, it can lead to several problems, including low energy, restlessness, seizures, and collapse. The good news is that you can manage hypoglycemia in dogs with proper care, but the first step is knowing what to do.
Puppies and dogs with certain underlying health conditions might be at an increased risk for hypoglycemia. However, any dog can experience low blood sugar. Therefore, it’s critical to understand what hypoglycemia is, the signs to look for, and what to do if your pet is experiencing problems.
What Is Hypoglycemia in Dogs?
Glucose is the top energy source for your dog, helping keep everything in their body working properly. Imagine if your dog were a car; then glucose would be the gas, fueling everything from the brain to the muscles. It helps your pup play, run, think, and carry out everyday bodily functions.
Now think about this: when your car runs low on gas, it won't operate as efficiently. The same goes for your dog. As your dog’s blood sugar drops too low and hypoglycemia develops, they may seem shaky, weak, tired, uncoordinated, hungry, confused, or worse.
It’s important to act fast because if your pet’s blood sugar continues to decrease, their brain won’t get what it needs to function properly. Eventually, your dog may experience seizures, collapse, or even a coma. In other words, hypoglycemia can turn into a medical emergency for your dog very quickly.
When determining how serious your dog’s condition is, you need to consider two primary factors. First, how low does your dog’s blood sugar dip, and second, how fast does it drop?
A more drastic decrease or a sudden drop is typically more dangerous and requires immediate veterinary attention. If left untreated, your dog could end up experiencing severe consequences, like brain damage, or in worst-case scenarios, even death.
Different Causes of Low Blood Sugar in Dogs
Various factors can affect your dog’s glucose levels and lead to low blood sugar.
Some potential causes of hypoglycemia are physiological.
- Exercise-induced hypoglycemia can occur in adult dogs after prolonged intense exercise.
- Puppies or toy dog breeds could be more susceptible due to limited fat and muscle mass. Very small puppies are especially prone. In addition to having less fat and muscle mass, their livers are immature, preventing them from storing enough glycogen (which is broken down into glucose). As they deplete their available glucose between meals, their bodies don’t have enough stored to replace it.
- Ingesting certain substances or medications could lead to oversecretion of insulin and glycogen overuse, which depletes glucose. Causes include xylitol, beta blockers, and insulin overdose.
- Starvation and insufficient nutrient intake are other potential causes of hypoglycemia in dogs, although it is relatively uncommon.
Other causes of hypoglycemia are pathological, either causing minimal glycogen release, excessive release, or inhibiting the conversion of glycogen into glucose. These conditions include:
- Severe liver disease
- Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)
- Hypopituitarism
- Insulinoma
- Islet cell hyperplasia
- Chronic kidney failure
- Pancreatitis
- Tumors affecting the pancreas
- Some infections, including sepsis, babesiosis
- Glycogen storage disease
- Diabetes
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
It’s important to recognize that some signs of hypoglycemia can be subtle, especially when the drop in blood sugar is small. Plus, some early signs can mimic other issues, making them easy to overlook. For example, you might think your dog is simply tired or hungrier than usual because they had an extra-long walk.
However, whenever your dog is acting outside their normal behavior, the best thing to do is address it. Hypoglycemia symptoms can develop suddenly and worsen rapidly. Therefore, it’s essential to act quickly if you suspect something is off with your pup.
In a nutshell, if you notice early signs of hypoglycemia, don’t wait to respond. It’s best to act fast rather than wait and see or assume something isn’t “that bad.” Responding promptly to a minor issue can prevent it from ballooning into a life-threatening emergency.
Early Symptoms
Here are the common signs of low blood sugar you may notice first.
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Hunger
- Shaking or trembling
- Restlessness
- Unsteady on feet
Advanced Symptoms
If you notice your dog showing the following more advanced signs of hypoglycemia, it could be that their sugar has dropped dangerously low.
- Confusion
- Glassy eyes
- Loss of coordination
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
What Should You Do If You Think Your Dog Has Hypoglycemia?
So what should you do if you notice early signs of hypoglycemia in your dog when they're awake?
If Your Dog Is Awake
- Offer your dog a small amount of food if they can eat safely.
- Keep your dog calm and warm.
- Rub a small amount of honey or maple syrup on your dog’s gums if instructed by a veterinarian. There are a few nuances with this suggestion.
- See a vet as soon as possible. These are doggy first-aid tips, not a substitute for medical attention.
Giving Honey or Syrup to a Dog That’s Hypoglycemic
Puppies and dogs with certain conditions that compromise their immune systems shouldn't have honey because of botulism spores. (Similar to why human babies aren't supposed to have honey.)
If you give your dog syrup, make sure it's 100% maple syrup, which is non-toxic to dogs. However, avoid sugar-free or artificial syrups, which can include potentially hazardous ingredients for dogs, such as xylitol.
It's a good idea to discuss with your vet whether to give your dog syrup or honey if their blood sugar is low. Ask them during a checkup so you’re ready to act if and when the time comes. If they agree, verify the proper amounts, and keep in mind that this is best for drastic drops when you can't seek immediate medical care.
If Your Dog Is Showing Advanced Signs, Having a Seizure, or Is Unconscious
- Do not force your dog to eat or drink.
- Rub a small amount of syrup on the gums if you can do so safely.
- Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. If your dog is getting recurrent bouts of hypoglycemia, there could be an underlying medical condition present.
How Do Veterinarians Diagnose and Treat Hypoglycemia?
Your vet will examine your dog and order labs to check blood glucose and identify or rule out any potential underlying causes. Treatment might include IV dextrose, fluids, or possibly hospitalization. Care may also include addressing any underlying conditions.
Smart Tips to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Dogs
- Feed puppies frequent meals.
- Never skip meals in diabetic pets.
- Give insulin exactly as prescribed.
- Monitor diabetic dogs closely.
- Manage underlying medical conditions.
- Avoid excessive exercise without proper nutrition.
- Keep emergency glucose sources available if recommended by your veterinarian.
Is Your Dog's Blood Sugar Low?
If you notice your dog trembling, lethargic, or out of it, a drop in blood sugar could be to blame. It's important to know the early warning signs so you can act quickly and prevent the situation from worsening.
Discuss treatment protocols with your vet if your dog is prone to hypoglycemia. Responding quickly can make a huge difference in the outcome, keeping your pup healthy and safe.
Check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog for more helpful pet-parenting tools and tips!