How can I check if my pet has low blood sugar?
Hypoglycemia, typically referred to as low blood sugar, may result from several different diseases or infections in both dogs and cats. The term "low blood sugar" refers to a deficiency of glucose in the blood and can result in weakness, lack of energy, collapse or even seizures in pets affected by it.
Pets may experience low blood sugar for a variety of reasons. For example, severe liver disease, Addison's disease in dogs, bacterial infections, pancreatic tumors, and inadequate nutrition in young small breed puppies or kittens can all result in low blood sugar. If your dog or cat is showing any of the clinical signs of this problem, VCA Animal Hospitals recommends that you take the animal in to a veterinary clinic to have testing for low blood sugar.
A blood glucose measurement on a serum biochemistry profile will reveal to the veterinarian exactly how much glucose is in your pet's blood. It is important to document several readings to confirm the diagnosis of persistent hypoglycemia before making a confirmed diagnosis and starting a thorough diagnostic workup. Since the presence of low blood sugar is usually related to an underlying medical problem, the workup usually involves full bloodwork, xrays or possibly ultrasound and other specialized blood tests depending on your pets other clinical signs and your vets suspicion of the underlying cause.
