Health
Handling a diabetes emergency
If you’ve got a diabetic pet, here’s how to be prepared if an emergency arises.
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Emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s best to be prepared and know what to do if an emergency occurs. Talking with your veterinarian is a crucial part of being informed and prepared to handle emergencies.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
The most common side effect experienced with insulin therapy is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused by:
- Giving too much insulin.
- Missing or delaying food.
- Change in food, diet, or amount fed.
- Infection or illness.
- Change in the body’s need for insulin.
- Diseases of the adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid glands, or progression of liver or kidney disease.
- Interaction with other drugs (such as steroids).
- Change (increase) in exercise.
Signs of hypoglycemia may occur suddenly and can include:
- Weakness
- Depression
- Behavioural changes
- Muscle twitching
- Vocalisation
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
What to do
If your pet is conscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup on his or her gums. When your pet is able to swallow, feed him or her a usual meal and contact your veterinarian. If your pet is unconscious or having a seizure, this is a medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian right away.
In the meantime, you should immediately treat your pet rather than delay management. Pour a small amount of a sugar solution (e.g., corn syrup) onto your finger and then rub the sugar solution onto your pet’s gums. The sugar is absorbed very quickly and your pet should respond in 1 to 2 minutes. The sugar solution should never be poured directly into your pet’s mouth since there is a risk that the solution will be inhaled into the lungs. Once your pet has responded to the sugar administration and is sitting up, it can be fed a small amount of its regular food. Once the pet has stabilised, it should be transported to your veterinarian for evaluation.
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