Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your dog's blood has an abnormally low level of an essential sugar known as glucose. Hypoglycemia is also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose.

Symptoms include lack of energy and strength, head tilting, loss of balance, shivering, disorientation, shock, seizures and coma. However, some dogs with hypoglycemia are asymptomatic and show no signs of affliction.

Hypoglycemia often results from an underlying condition such as portosystemic shunts, advanced Addison’s disease, liver cancer or pancreatic cancer in diabetic dogs. Hypoglycemia can also be triggered by an insulin overdose. Some hunting dogs are also prone to a type of hypoglycemia called hunting dog hypoglycemia which is brought on by excitement or nervousness. Finally, hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in very young puppies, usually toy-sized, who do not yet have the full ability to regulate their blood glucose levels.  

Your vet will take a sample of your dog’s blood to check for glucose levels.

Treatment depends on the severity of your dog’s hypoglycemia. Mild cases can be treated by offering your dog some of his regular food. For severe cases, your vet may recommend giving your dog some corn syrup because it is very high in sugar.

Frequent feeding of small portions can help prevent hypoglycemia. Owners of dogs who are prone to hypoglycemia should always keep corn syrup on hand in case of emergency.

No, you cannot contract hypoglycemia from your dog.