Hypoglycemia in Dogs: What It Is, Symptoms, & Treatment Methods

Hypoglycemia, aka low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels dip too low — typically below 3.3 mmol/L (millimoles per liter).¹ Glucose is sugar that comes from food and is the body’s primary energy source. If glucose levels drop too low, your dog’s body may not have enough energy to function normally and may require immediate medical attention.¹

Learn how to spot the signs of hypoglycemia in dogs and what to do if you think your dog’s blood sugar is low. 

Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs

According to the Canadian Veterinary Journal, the signs of hypoglycemia can vary from dog to dog. However, the most common clinical signs of hypoglycemia in dogs are as follows:¹

• Altered behavior
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Muscle twitching or tremors
• Drowsiness
• Refusing to exercise
• Collapsing
• Impaired coordination
• Weakness
• Impaired vision

Dogs can also experience hypoglycemia unawareness. In other words, if a dog has low blood sugar episodes often, they might appear completely normal — even when their blood sugar is low.¹

How Low Blood Sugar in Dogs Is Diagnosed

If you’ve observed any of the above signs and symptoms, and feel your dog may be hypoglycemic, the next step is contacting your veterinarian to determine an official diagnosis.

A vet will perform a physical exam and ask about your dog’s health history. Diagnostic tests may be ordered to get a better idea of what’s going on and to rule out other health conditions.

These tests could include:²

• Measuring blood glucose levels and electrolytes
• Urinalysis
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Tests to evaluate liver and kidney function
• Imaging tests, like ultrasounds or X-rays

Causes of Hypoglycemia in Dogs

Hypoglycemia isn’t a disease — it’s a symptom. If your dog experiences a low blood sugar episode, it’s important to dig deeper and find the root cause so you can prevent it from happening again.

Your dog’s hypoglycemia could be caused by several other health issues and risk factors. These might include:^1,2

• Severe liver disease
• Malnutrition or starvation
• Congenital portosystemic liver shunts
• Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)
• Severe bacterial infection (sepsis)
• Extreme fatigue from exercise (e.g., hunting dogs)
• Over-treatment of diabetes (e.g., too much insulin)
• Some types of tumors, especially insulinoma (a tumor of the pancreas)
• Xylitol toxicity from eating certain sugar-free foods (e.g., gum, candies, peanut butter)
• Pancreatitis

Low blood sugar can be especially dangerous in puppies and toy breeds. Puppies less than three months of age may experience juvenile hypoglycemia.^1,2

Your veterinarian is the best person to discuss hypoglycemia prevention strategies for dogs. They’ll help ensure your dog’s underlying health conditions are controlled and managed as well as possible.

How to Treat Hypoglycemia in Dogs

If you think your dog might be hypoglycemic and are wondering how to treat low blood sugar in dogs at home, there are a few options.

The goal is to adjust your dog’s blood glucose levels as quickly as possible. If your dog has a hypoglycemic episode, once any seizures have stopped, you can rub corn syrup, 50% dextrose, or honey on your dog’s gums.¹ Additionally, your vet may give your dog glucose supplements, either orally or intravenously.²

As mentioned above, diagnostics are needed to determine any underlying causes of why your dog’s blood sugar is low to help avoid future hypoglycemic episodes. If you know your dog is diabetic or prone to low blood sugar, ask your vet what to do ahead of time.

Costs of Treating Canine Hypoglycemia

According to MetLife Pet Insurance claims, the cost to treat hypoglycemia in dogs can range from $50 – $2,500 for exams, diagnostics, and hospitalizations — though some cases may require more extensive care. Some underlying causes of hypoglycemia could also require surgery. For example, a portosystemic liver shunt procedure generally starts at around $1,500.³

The price of treatment will vary, but these examples provide a look at the costs you could face when treating low blood sugar in dogs.

Exam costs

When Eleven, a Yorkshire terrier puppy, appeared to be having a hypoglycemic episode, her owners took her to the vet. The exam alone cost $2,300. But because her pet parents had a MetLife Pet Insurance policy, they were reimbursed nearly $2,100 of the costs.⁴

Hospitalization costs

Then there’s Stormy, a toy poodle puppy whose hypoglycemia resulted in her being hospitalized. The bill for her hospital stay was $3,100, but her pet parents got about $2,400 back with their MetLife Pet plan.⁵

Diagnostics costs

Cavapoo Ethel had to get some testing done to confirm a hypoglycemic diagnosis and look for underlying health issues. The cost for the diagnostic tests was about $60, and MetLife Pet reimbursed Ethel’s owners $55.⁶

MetLife Pet Insurance Can Help With Hypoglycemia Costs

Hypoglycemia in dogs can be caused by numerous factors, and it can happen to any dog. A hypoglycemic episode can also be really scary, especially if it results in your dog fainting or having a seizure.

We know how much you love your dog(s), because we love ours, too. Fortunately, a dog insurance policy can help manage the costs of preventive care and treatment for conditions like hypoglycemia, allowing you to focus on your pet’s health instead of worrying about vet bills.

Get your free quote today to see how a pet insurance policy can make taking care of your dog’s health less financially stressful.