Regulating the Blood Sugar in Dogs

If your dog exhibits symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, vomiting or has sweet-smelling breath, he may suffer from elevated blood glucose levels due to condition such as diabetes mellitus. For a proper diagnosis, a veterinarian will need to perform blood tests and possibly a urinalysis. Dogs with inconsistent blood glucose levels require regular monitoring and the administration of insulin to control the levels and to prevent serious health complications from developing.

  1. Blood Glucose

    • When a healthy dog eats, his body breaks the food down into components such as sugars called glucose that are metabolized by his cells for use as energy. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that is responsible for transporting glucose to cells. If the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for the body or the body does not respond to the insulin correctly, glucose levels become elevated. This can result in serious health conditions such as ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. The most common cause of an elevated blood glucose level in dogs is Type 1 diabetes mellitus, caused by a lack of insulin production.

    Controlling Glucose Levels

    • Consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your pet. You can treat your dog's diabetes and any other conditions affecting his blood glucose levels with vet supervision. A dog with Type 1 diabetes requires insulin shots one to two times per day, usually every 12 to 24 hours. Ideally, the level of insulin should be sufficient to keep the blood glucose levels between 100 and 180 mg/dL, or milligrams of glucose per deciliter of the dog's blood. Coordinate the administration of each insulin injection with mealtimes for your dog, to allow the higher insulin level to coincide with the digestion of nutrients.

    Testing

    • Depending on the severity of your dog's condition and his response to the daily administration of insulin, a brief hospitalization may be necessary to monitor his blood glucose levels every two hours for 12 to 24 hours. This special monitoring is used to form a blood glucose curve, a type of chart that helps to determine if the current doses of insulin are too low or too high to properly regulate the dog's blood glucose levels. Once a correct dosage amount and schedule is determined, you will be required to test your dog's glucose levels at home anywhere from once a day for active dogs to once a week for more sedentary ones.

    Warnings and Considerations

    • Both high and low levels of blood glucose in a dog can be dangerous and lead to health problems including kidney failure, blindness, coma and death. In addition to administering insulin, feed your dog a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates to help control glucose levels. Have a female dog spayed to help control her blood glucose levels, which can be affected by the hormones produced when she goes into heat. Discuss your dog's weight with your veterinarian, as obesity is a contributing factor to the development of diabetes and a poor response to insulin in regulating blood glucose.