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Crowe's avatar
Crowe
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014

Can dogs have hypoglycemia?

Can dogs have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)? If they can have diabetes, can the have the opposite? KampingKris' comments about her dog being unpredictable at times got me thinking of some dog's behavior occurs when they are experiencing low blood sugar. I know what I'm like when it happens to me! (No, I don't bite!). Just curious if this could be the cause of some erratic behavior.

6 Replies

  • MainerBob's avatar
    MainerBob
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    After our Standard Poodle had two serious episodes of hypoglycemia including seizures she was diagnosed with Atypical Addison's Disease. 8.3% of Standards have it and it is hereditary. The adrenal glands stop secreting glucocorticoids which control blood sugar and therefore insulin secretion. With low blood sugar seizures occur. She now gets predisone every morning and we keep honey or maple syrup close by in case of a seizure. We just put some under her tongue and off to the vet. Eventually the adrenals will also stop secreting mineralocorticoids as well and there is an injection for that. Meanwhile she is 8 and wonderful and we love her.

    MainerBob
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2014
    Yes, and that is why any change in behavior needs a good exam by a vet.
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Mar 26, 2014
    Very common in small, toy, miniature breed very young puppies. Not very common in older animals unless some medical condition exists.

    Doug, DVM

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