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Hypoglycemia in DogsHypoglycemia in dogs results from a sudden drop in the concentration of blood sugar levels in the body. Dogs that go into hypoglycemia suffer
from weakness, they can collapse, and sometimes go into seizures.
Causes of Hypoglycemia in DogsBlood sugar levels are regulated by a complex interaction of hormones and other bodily processes. Canine hypoglycemia can be caused by abnormal hormonal functions or by the inability of the dog's body to store sufficient amount of blood glucose. These abnormalities in turn can be the result of any of the following: Insulinoma The pancreas produces insulin which causes blood sugar levels to decrease. Insulinomas are tumors of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulinomas can cause an increase in insulin production, resulting in low blood sugar levels. Insulin overdose If an excessive amount of insulin is administered to a dog with diabetes, the dog will suffer from hypoglycemia. Toy Breed Hypoglycemia Some toy breeds (such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Toy Poodles and Pomeranian) are prone to hypoglycemia due to a metabolic disorder. If you have a toy breed dog, it is better to feed her 3 small meals a day to avoid hypoglycemia. Puppy Hypoglycemia
Puppies, especially toy breed puppies less than 5 months of age, are predisposed to developing hypoglycemia because they are less able to store and mobilize glucose.
Also, toy breed puppies have more brain mass per body weight compared to other breeds and therefore need more glucose for brain function.
In puppies, certain situations can bring on a hypoglycemic attack. For example, when the puppy misses a meal, becomes chilled, or is suffering from exhaustion, or anxiety.
Sometimes when a puppy gets older, she will outgrow this condition since canine hypoglycemia mostly affects puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age. However, if the dog is high
strung, or has a lot of nervous energy, she has to be kept in a calm state as much as possible.
Addison's Disease
Addison's disease in dogs is a condition in which there is insufficient secretion of
the corticosteroid hormones from the adrenal glands. One result of this hormonal deficiency is hypoglycemia.
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Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in DogsDogs with extremely low blood glucose usually show the following signs:
First Aid for Hypoglycemia in DogsIf your dog is prone to hypoglycemia, you should always be prepared to deal with the onset of the condition. As mentioned above, hypoglycemia is very dangerous and can kill if left without treatment. Immediately veterinary treatment is essential. However, before getting to the vet, there are several things that you can do to prevent the condition from deteriorating. The first thing to do is to get the blood glucose back to a safe level. This can be done by giving your dog a source of sugar such as syrup, honey, or jam by mouth. Always have corn or maple syrup available. Give one teaspoon of syrup to a small dog, and one tablespoon of syrup to a large dog. If your dog is already unconscious, rub the syrup on the gums and under the tongue. Keep your dog warm because low blood sugar will cause hypothermia. Also, keep in your dog first aid kit some natural remedies for seizures in case your dog has a seizure attack as a result of hypoglycemia.
Related Topics Canine Seizures Canine Seizure Remedies References M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999). http://www.vet.utk.edu/features/hypoglycemia.htm VeterinaryPartner.com TOP of Hypoglycemia in Dogs |
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