Hypoglycemia in Dogs

Category
Metabolic
Breeds documented
4
Published sources
2

Overview

When blood sugar drops too low, the brain may not receive the energy it needs. This is called hypoglycemia, and signs can range from mild weakness to seizures and collapse. Young puppies, especially very small ones, are vulnerable because their energy reserves and blood sugar control are immature. Other causes include serious liver disease, infection, hormone disorders, and some tumors.

Signs to watch for

  • Unusual sleepiness or weakness
  • Shaking or muscle twitching
  • Stumbling or poor coordination
  • Confusion or unusual behavior
  • Seizures
  • Collapse

Toy-breed puppy hypoglycemia occurs during the first 6 months of life; other causes affect older dogs.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog collapses.

Diagnosis and tests

The vet measures blood sugar and may repeat the test to confirm a genuinely low result. A review of the dog's age, recent activity, food intake, and medical history helps identify possible causes. Further blood and urine tests check for underlying illness. Depending on those results, hormone testing and imaging may be needed.

Breeds with documented risk

4 breeds

By breed size
  • 4 Toy

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. msdvetmanual.com