Lows & emergencies
Low blood sugar and other emergencies. If you're worried, call your vet now instead of searching.
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
- My diabetic dog is panting or restless at night.3 minCall your vet if your diabetic dog starts panting or can't settle at night, especially if he seems weak or unwell.
- What should I keep ready in case my dog goes low?3 minIt's much easier to stay calm in a low if you've planned it on a good day.
- There's no emergency vet nearby at night. What can I do?3 minMake a night-time plan now, while your dog is well, so you know who to call and where to go.
- How can I tell if my diabetic dog is dehydrated?3 minDiabetic dogs lose a lot of water through peeing, so dehydration can creep up, especially with heat, vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Could my dog go low at night while we're asleep?3 minA low can happen at any hour, including overnight, so learn the signs and make a plan with your vet.
- My diabetic dog had a seizure.3 minThis is an emergency, even if the seizure stops, so contact a vet or emergency clinic straight away. Low blood sugar is one possible cause, but there are others.
- My dog is shaking, wobbly or weak after insulin.3 minThis is an emergency. Weakness, wobbliness, trembling or odd behaviour after insulin can mean dangerously low blood sugar.
- What is DKA, and can a dog survive it?3 minDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious emergency where ketones build up and the dog becomes very ill. It usually needs hospital treatment.
- My dog ate something with xylitol. Is that an emergency?3 minIf your dog might have eaten xylitol, this is an emergency, even if they look fine. Call a vet or emergency clinic now and keep the packet.
- My diabetic dog is lethargic and sleeping all day.3 minIt's easy to put extra sleep down to age, but in a diabetic dog it can matter. New or unusual tiredness, trouble waking up, poor response or weakness needs a call to the vet soon, especially around insulin times.
- I gave honey or sugar. Did I make things worse?3 minIf 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.