GotoAID Dogs - Hypoglycemia

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Hypoglycemia - Low Blood Sugar

Young animals with little body fat recovering from stress, illness, or surgery and older animals with underlying medical problems such as diabetes can be prone to hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes. Some animals with prolonged low blood sugar will have a seizure. Animals also being treated with too much insulin can also have a hypoglycemic crisis.

Symptoms

Weakness	Glassy-eyed
Lethargic	Twitching
Sleepy	Shaking
Disoriented	Seizure
Wobbly

Steps

In mild cases of low blood sugar (e.g. weakness or lethargic), give your dog something to eat like a couple of tablespoons of canned food. (Only do this is if your dog is still standing and able to eat and swallow normally.)

To quickly return your dog's sugar level within 5-15 minutes is to give Karo syrup, honey, or pancake syrup 1 teaspoon for dogs under 50 lb 2 teaspoons for dogs 50 lb - 80 lb 2 1/2 teaspoons for dogs 80 lb - 120 lb 3 teaspoons for dogs greater than 120lb

In severe cases such as collapse, extreme lethargy, shaking, rub 1-2 drops of Karo Syrup or

Be prepared to give artificial respiration by closing your dog’s mouth with your hands

Give 2 quick breaths into his nose and see if his chest rises

Give 15 – 20 breaths per minute, while gently pressing on the chest after each breath to help him exhale

Keep breathing for your dog until he starts breathing or until you reach the vet

If your dog's heart stops perform CPR immediately while someone drives you and your dog to the animal hospital

Warnings

Provide plain water before sugar syrup to make sure that your dog can swallow it

If your dog can not lap up the sugar syrup you can rub it on his gums and lips and take care not to get bitten

Make sure to call your vet immediately

Tips

If your dog is having seizures, make sure that he is not restrained in anyway and that is head is protected away from sharp or hard objects.

If he is in shock you will notice him act woozy, weak, eyelids droop, pale tongue or gums, rapid breathing, and collapse

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