Golden retriever laying next to water bowl. Golden retriever laying next to water bowl.
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Diabetes in Dogs

Emergencies
& Dogs With Diabetes

Handling a Diabetes Emergency

Prepare now to know what to do if an emergency occurs. This includes talking to your veterinarian for more information tailored to your dog’s care.

Reasons for Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

The most common side effect experienced with Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) therapy, or other insulin preparations, is low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. If not treated, hypoglycemia can be fatal to your dog.

By knowing the causes of hypoglycemia, you can help avoid occurrences. Hypoglycemia can be caused by:

  • Giving too much insulin
  • Missing or delaying food
  • Change in diet or amount fed
  • Infection or illness
  • Decreased appetite or vomiting
  • Change in the body’s need for insulin
  • Adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid gland diseases, or progression of liver or kidney disease
  • Interaction with other medications
  • Increase in activity

A dog with diabetes may experience hypoglycemia without showing any obvious signs. It is important that pet owners be particularly observant of their dog’s behavior.

If Low Blood Sugar Occurs

These side effects can happen suddenly, and require immediate care:

  • Weakness
  • Depression
  • Behavioral changes
  • Muscle twitching
  • Anxiety
  • Seizures
  • Coma

If your dog is conscious:

  • Administer the treatment recommended by your veterinarian. If unknown, rub a small amount of corn syrup on your dog’s gums. (Pouring it risks it getting in the lungs.)
  • Corn syrup is absorbed very quickly (1–2 minutes), and your dog should be responsive
  • After your dog can swallow, feed a small amount of food
  • Contact your veterinarian immediately for further instructions
  • Your pet may need to be hospitalized for treatment

If your dog is unconscious:

Contact your veterinarian immediately, this is a medical emergency! If your veterinarian is unavailable contact your local emergency clinic.

Keeping Blood Sugar Stable

Managing care with consistency helps prevent low blood sugar emergencies.

  • Keep diet consistent and appropriate
  • Feed at the same times each day
  • Treats and changes should be avoided unless recommended by your veterinarian
  • Your veterinarian will advise on diet based on your dog’s response to insulin treatment
  • Exercise and level of play should not change without consulting your veterinarian
  • Develop a schedule with your veterinarian for regular evaluations

“I keep hearing, ‘consistency is key’ and I’m starting to understand how it helps my diabetes stay under control.”

-SPIKE

Animated character Spike sitting.

Other Side Effects

These are signs associated with loss of effectiveness of insulin. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows signs of the following:

  • Excessive water consumption for more than 3 days
  • Excess urination, including urination that is abnormal for your pet (nighttime for example) or inappropriate (like urinating in the house)
  • Reduced or complete loss of appetite
  • Weakness or seizures
  • Behavioral change or depression
  • Muscle twitching or anxiety
  • Constipation, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Signs of a bladder infection (small, frequent urinations, straining, blood in the urine)
  • Swelling of the head, neck, or insulin injection sites
  • Ketones in the urine

Tracking Results

Woman using diabetes tracker app on her phone.

If you feel your dog is at risk for developing diabetes, consider having your pet tested during a regular veterinary examination at least once a year.

Tracking Tools & Resources

  1. Pet Diabetes Tracker app
    Review and keep important information to manage care.
  2. Blood Glucose Curve Tool
    Easily record blood glucose readings to generate a blood glucose curve.
  3. Helpful Downloads
    Additional resources to understand and manage canine diabetes.
Next Article: About Glucose Curves

Further Reading

Golden retriever being chased with a stick in his mouth by another dog.

Nutrition for Dogs With Diabetes

Golden retriever laying down playing with his red toy.

Managing Diabetes

Golden retriever standing on platform outside.

Monitoring Urine Glucose & Ketones

Golden retriever and cat laying next to each other. Golden retriever and cat laying next to each other.

Talk to Your Vet Today

Find a veterinarian to learn more about pet diabetes, and how cats and dogs can lead a happy, healthy life with proper management.

Find a Vet Near Me

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: 

VETSULIN® and VETPEN® are for use in animals only. Dogs and cats known to have an allergy to pork or pork products should not be treated with VETSULIN®. VETSULIN® is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia. Animals with severe ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy, and/or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy before use. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is essential. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. Progestogen and glucocorticoid use should be avoided. The safety and effectiveness of VETSULIN® in puppies, kittens, breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs and cats has not been evaluated. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause clinical hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to the product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.