HYPOGLYCEMIA *(Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia definition:
Hypoglycemia is a sudden fall in the concentration of blood glucose (sugar) levels in the bodies blood volume below normal levels The body uses glucose as its primary energy source. An example is the brain which is completely dependent upon glucose to function and unlike many other body parts the brain has a very limited ability to store glucose. The dropping of blood glucose can cause seizures in dogs.

Production of glucose:

The pancreas makes the hormone insulin, when too much insulin has been produced
your dog will develop hyperglycemia and the production of not enough insulin will produce hypoglycemia. The liver is responsible for manufacturing glucose (sugar) and for storing it in this usable form. Glucose can be stored in fat and muscle. Fat is the first preference of the body for the storage of glucose. Then the body will use the muscles for extra storage of glucose. When the body requires energy the body will first convert the body’s stored glucose in the fat. After the body has used up all of that supply of glucose then the body will start to attack the muscle for it's storage of glucose.

Diabetes mellitus (DM):
This is a disorder whereby the body is unable to regulate glucose (blood sugar) levels. Regulating the diabetic dog so that their blood glucose levels are as normal as possible is vitally important.  A diabetic dog may even have the presence of sugar (glucose) in their blood stream but something interferes with the body’s ability of glucose (sugar) to enter into the body's cells where it is required for the life sustaining energy of those cells.  With no sugar in the cells, the cell dies in a very short period of time.

Hypoglycemia in small dogs:
Hypoglycemia is a common problem in small breed dogs like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire
Terriers, Maltese, Toy Poodles and Pomeranian. Some toy breeds suffer from hypoglycemia as a metabolic disorder. Sometimes in hunting dogs hypoglycemia occurs at the beginning of the hunting season, and is usually the result of poor conditioning and can also be related to poor nutrition.

Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia can be brought on by fasting and can usually be
seen in puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age. Sometimes a dog will outgrow this condition. A dog that is high strung, or has a lot of nervous energy will need to be watched carefully. Keeping these pups in a calm state as much as possible avoiding any extra added stress. A pup born with a low bodily temperature, a pup that has received poor nutrition, or may have had a sudden change in feed, water or their normal scheduled patterns may have increased their chance of developing hypoglycemia. Infections and premature birth may also be linked to the onset of hypoglycemia. The toy breeds runts may have insufficient muscle mass and that may make it difficult for the body to store the glucose and keep its blood sugar properly regulated.

“Puppy Hypoglycemia” is seen in toy breed dogs less than 5 months of age. These
dogs have more brain mass per body weight compared to other breeds and therefore
need more glucose for brain function.

Signs of hypoglycemia:
The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar regardless of the cause:
Confusion, disorientation, becoming drowsy at unusual times, shivers, and/or staggering
about.  Lethargy (lack of energy), weakness, head tilting, hunger, restlessness, stupor,
convulsions, seizures,  or coma and even death. The occurrence of the above signs depends on how far the blood glucose has dropped and on how fast the blood glucose drops.  Hypoglycemia reactions are thought of as "mild," "moderate," or "severe." If untreated, the early mild symptoms of hypoglycemia can become moderate or severe. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative, as recurrence of, or prolonged attacks, can cause permanent damage to the brain.

Treating Hypoglycemia:
If you see one or more signs of hypoglycemia in your dog. Feed it immediately. The
first priority is to get its blood glucose back to a safe level. If the dog will not take food then try giving it a quickly absorbing source of sugar such as syrup, honey, or jam by mouth.  

Be Prepared:
Always have corn syrup available or maple syrup that can be absorbed quickly into the
dogs bloodstream. Give one teaspoon of syrup to a small dog, and one tablespoon of
syrup to a large dog. The effect of syrup does not last long, but it works quickly to reverse a low blood sugar situation.
If your pet is unconscious rub the syrup on the gums and under the tongue.
If your pet is not unconscious and can swallow you can give the sugar with a needle-less
(no needle) syringe. Keep on hand a filled 1mL syringe (no needle) with corn syrup, and
carry it on trips in case it is needed. If your pet’s blood sugar drops it may also begin to
suffer with hypothermia, so you'll need to help keep your dog warm with a hot water bottle and blankets. A milk jug filled with steaming hot water makes a good hot water bottle in a pinch. This treatment can also work with puppies who are failing to thrive.
Do not pour the syrup into the dog's mouth. Simply lift one side of the dog's lip and rub
the syrup into that area.

Additional information: If you own a toy breed dog you should feed 3 small meals a day
to help avoid hypoglycemia. Some owners mix syrup in the drinking water, if you do
this the water should be changed daily to avoid bacteria growth. Hypoglycemia is very
dangerous and can kill if left without treatment. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative.