How to treat HYPOGLYCEMIA (esp. for home testers)

Your best defense against hypoglycemia is home blood glucose testing. If you’re not already doing so and your cat allows it, I HIGHLY recommend you test before each shot.

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a dangerous condition that must be treated immediately. Also known as insulin shock or insulin reaction, hypoglycemia occurs when there is too much insulin in the body potentially leading to neurological damage and/or death.

Knowing how to respond to a hypoglycemic event whether or not symptoms are present can save the life of your diabetic cat. The following general guidelines are intended for those who home test the blood glucose levels in their cats. These guidelines are not intended to replace the advice given by your Veterinarian. It is very important that you discuss any and all treatment options with your cat’s physician BEFORE an event has occurred.

SYMPTOMS
Cat may meow very loudly, stagger (drunkenness), be glassy eyed, hide in unusual places, be unusually hungry (or in Popcorn’s case, have total disinterest in even favorite foods), be disoriented, show muscle weakness, etc.

VERY LOW NUMBERS – WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
Retest glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if you still get a very low number (under 40 mg/dL or 1.9 – 2.2 mmol/L) administer a tablespoon of Karo Syrup –or- one teaspoon liquid glucose –or- one tablespoon honey –or- one tablespoon of sugar syrup and follow with food until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable levels. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if the cat will eat the mixture. If using liquid glucose, dilute with water to a pourable consistency.

LOW NUMBERS – WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
Retest glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if you still get a low number (40 – 60mg/dL or 2.2 – 3.3mmol/L) give food or treats until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level. If cat refuses food, one half a Lite-Bix (Australia)
Weet-a-Bix (UK) Wheat-a –Bix (Canada) softened in warm water for cat to lap, or, if necessary, can be syringed. Wheat has a high glycemic index (76) and soon raises blood glucose to an acceptable level.

LOW NUMBERS – MILD SYMPTOMS
Give a little Karo Syrup, liquid glucose, honey or sugar syrup followed by food or just food until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level and the symptoms disappear. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if the cat will eat the mixture. If the cat will not eat, dilute further and syringe feed.
IF IN ANY DOUBT, TELEPHONE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

LOW NUMBERS – MODERATE SYMPTOMS
Give a tablespoon of Karo, a teaspoon of liquid glucose, tablespoon of honey or tablespoon of sugar syrup
followed by food and continue doing so until you see the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level and all symptoms disappear. The Karo Syrup or sugar syrup can be rubbed against the inside of the cat’s cheeks or on the gums. Liquid glucose or honey can be used in the same way. You can mix the syrup with wet food or pour over dry if the cat will eat it. Continue to give syrup and food as needed and observe your cat for signs of recurring hypoglycemia. IF IN ANY DOUBT, TELEPHONE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

LOW NUMBERS – SEVERE SYMPTOMS
Rub Karo Syrup, liquid glucose, honey or sugar syrup on the inside of the cat’s cheeks and on the gums.

NEVER GIVE LIQUID KARO OR ANY OTHER SYRUP TO A CAT THAT IS SEIZURING AND COULD CHOKE ON IT! RUSH TO EMERGENCY.

Another option for administering Karo syrup, diluted liquid glucose, honey or sugar syrup to a cat that is seizuring is to fill a needleless syringe with the mixture and insert via the rectum.

ANYTIME YOU CAT IS SEIZURING OR LIMP, RUB KARO, GLUCOSE OR HONEY ONLY ON GUMS OR ADMINISTER RECTALLY AND GET TO EMERGENCY OR YOUR NEAREST CLINIC IMMEDIATELY!!!

Remember that Karo Syrup or any other sugared syrup/preparation will spike the blood glucose ONLY for a short period of time, so food is really important with mild and moderate symptoms. Dry food (high carbohydrates) will keep the blood glucose numbers elevated longer, so it’s a better food to give during a hypoglycemic episode.

After a hypoglycemic episode cats may be more sensitive to insulin, so a reduction in dosage is generally required, especially considering too much insulin – whether due to dosage, inadequate food intake, or the cat’s changing insulin requirements – caused the hypo event in the first place. With moderate to severe episodes, your Vet may have you skip the next injection altogether. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DISCUSS YOUR CAT’S HYPOGLYCEMIC EVENT WITH YOUR VET, SO TOGETHER YOU CAN DECIDE UPON THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION.

Always keep in mind that with low blood glucose and no symptoms, the BG you get is not as important as where it is headed. In other words, if you get a BG of 100 mg/dL or 5.6 mmol/L or less and there are still several hours or more before the insulin peaks, your need to watch your cat (and the numbers) carefully and take appropriate steps. With very low numbers and NO SYMPTOMS, a cat can be fine one moment and seizuring the next.

BE PREPARED! KNOW THE SYMPTOMS AND KNOW THE TREATMENT!

Melissa & Popcorn (GA) & Sushi