Hypoglycemia in Dogs: Causes, Management, and Diagnosis

Overview

Journal Can Vet J

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2018 Jun 19

PMID 29910479

Citations 15

Authors

Olutunbi Idowu

Kathryn Heading

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hypogylcemia in dogs is defined as a blood glucose concentration of less than 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL) and is a relatively common problem encountered in veterinary practice. This metabolic disorder can have an array of clinical signs, ranging from subtle abnormalities to a life-threatening emergency. Hypoglycemia can be due to several physiological processes or etiologies. It is imperative that the clinician is astute in diagnosing hypoglycemia, proficient in providing rapid symptomatic treatment (if indicated) and has a clear diagnostic plan to elucidate the underlying cause. This article reviews the pathophysiology, most common etiologies, and emergency management of hypoglycemia, and presents a diagnostic approach for this problem.

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