But a second study, presented by Los at the recent meeting of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans, found that although the dogs do appear to detect low blood sugar, they also often alerted owners when they didn't have low blood sugar, and were usually slower than a CGM to alert to actual low blood sugar.
Not enough glucose can impair the brain's ability to function. Severe or long-lasting hypoglycemia may cause seizures and serious brain injury.
When levels of glucose drop too low, the body's cells may not have enough energy to function properly. In dogs, hypoglycemia is most commonly seen in puppies, small breed dogs, and senior dogs. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures or even death if not treated promptly and properly.
CPL diabetes alert dogs are trained to detect low blood sugar levels in their early stages, before the blood sugar levels become too dangerous. The dogs are able to do this through smell. There are distinct odors that accompany different blood sugar levels.
Signs of hypoglycemia are loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, lack of coordination, trembling, muscle twitching, weakness, seizures, and discoloration of skin and gums. Most dogs will not eat or drink when they are in low sugar shock.
Your veterinarian will need to do a complete blood profile, a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, recent diet and any medications you have been giving to your dog.
Dextrose is essentially concentrated glucose that will quickly cause the blood glucose to rise. Dog owners can apply corn syrup or honey to the animal's oral mucous membranes during a hypoglycemic crisis at home before transporting it to their veterinarian.
What causes hypoglycemia in dogs? Hypoglycemia can be caused by exposure to excessive amounts of insulin, excessive glucose consumption by the body, or decreased glucose production.
If your pet is showing signs of hypoglycemia and is able to eat, feed him a meal. If he is not alert, hand-feed him corn syrup or honey until he is alert enough to eat his normal food. At that time, feed a meal of his normal food. If your pet is unconscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on his gums.
Clinical signs may include altered mentation and behavior, seizures, syncope, muscle twitching/fasciculations, somnolence, exercise intolerance, muscle tremors, collapse, ataxia, weakness, and impaired vision.
Hypoglycemia will leave dogs feeling weak and groggy. If left untreated, unconsciousness followed by death may result. Hypoglycemia is defined as a low blood sugar concentration.
Two new studies add scent to the trail. One, published in the journal Diabetes Care, suggests that the dogs may be smelling a particular substance in the person's breath that rises as blood sugar falls.
Treatments For Hypoglycemia In Dogs For dogs who have a hypoglycemic crisis resulting in seizures, a veterinarian might recommend that corn syrup, sugar, fruit juices, or honey be rubbed on the gums, followed up with a small meal once the seizures have stopped.
They include administering Karo syrup, cake icing, honey, fruit juices, colas, vanilla ice cream or Gatorade. About 1 teaspoon of these 'quick sugars can be given to small dogs; 2-3 teaspoons for medium dogs; and 2 Tablespoons for larger breeds.