Vetnews May 2021: Differential diagnoses and management of hypoglycaemia in dogs and cats

Introduction

Hypoglycaemia is defined as a blood glucose concentration of less than 3.3 mmol/l (60 mg/dl). It is a common complication in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a frequent, but poorly recognised cause of weakness and collapse. In the critically ill or sedated patient, hypoglycaemia is a clinically silent, yet life-threatening, disorder that necessitates swift and decisive treatment to prevent lasting neuronal damage. Weakness, trembling, altered state of consciousness, collapse and seizures are the most frequent clinical manifestations of hypoglycaemia.