How much sugar should I give if my diabetic dog goes low?

What I can't help with here

I won't say teaspoons, sachets or 'a little on the gums' as if that were a dose. Even copying an amount from a guideline would be me dosing a dog I haven't seen.

I also can't tell you a low is mild enough to handle at home. Your vet has to make that call.

What to do instead

• Call your vet or an emergency clinic now if he is weak, wobbly, trembling, vacant, or worse.
• Follow the low plan already in your house if they gave you one.
• Only check his sugar if it won't delay the call, and only with the meter your vet is happy with.
• Once he's safe, ask the clinic to write down a plan for lows, so next time you're not searching online in a panic.

What the signs are

Signs of a low include weakness, walking strangely, trembling, a seizure, collapse, vomiting, or not eating around insulin time. You don't need to see all of them. One is enough to call.

I gave honey or sugar. Did I make things worse?

If you gave honey or sugar because you were scared your dog was going low, you were trying to help. Tell the vet exactly what you gave and when. Follow your vet's plan for anything more, and don't take a quick improvement as a sign it's all over.

Call the vet for the next step and keep the packet handy in case they ask. Don't give more insulin to bring down a high reading later. Never force food or liquid into a dog who can't swallow properly. If your dog is still weak, wobbly or having a seizure, get emergency care now.