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Hypoglycemia in Dogs
The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and must not be taken as “medical advice”.
The information and directions in these writings and subsequent emails, individually and collectively, are in no way to be considered as a substitute for consultations with a duly licensed Veterinarian regarding diagnosis and/or treatment of disease and are not intended to diagnose or treat your dog.
Please consult with your Veterinarian for this advice as well as for any Medical Emergency.
Hypoglycemia is defined as an abnormally low level of the simple sugar, glucose, in an animal’s bloodstream. The body works hard to maintain balanced blood sugar because blood sugar develops when the body’s intricate blood-sugar balancing mechanisms malfunction for one reason or another. This can occur mainly because of poor commercially prepared diets. Although older and larger dogs rarely get hypoglycemia, small dogs are more susceptible and may get the condition because of degenerative liver disease.
Glucose is the end product of carbohydrate digestion. Carbohydrates in food are an important and immediate source of energy for most animals. The main sources of dietary carbohydrates are the starches and sugars that come from plants and fruits. Protein does not produce glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the cells and tissues of dogs.
When there is more glucose in circulation (from dietary intake) than is needed for the dog’s energy demands, it is stored in liver and muscle cells in the form of glycogen, for future use. If the liver and muscle cells become saturated, glucose is converted into fat and stored as adipose tissue. Circulating blood sugar levels depend upon the amount of glucose that is: 1) taken in through a dog’s diet, 2) produced by the liver from glycogen stores, and 3) utilized by the dog’s body. Abnormalities in any of those areas can contribute to hypoglycemia. Furthermore, if adequate carbohydrates are being eaten but not broken down well in the digestive tract, this can contribute as well.
Most glucose originally enters a dog’s system through its diet. Eating a meal stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, which in turn promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood into bodily cells and tissues. When a dog has inadequate levels of carbohydrates in their diet to meet its body’s metabolic demands, it will have low circulating dietary blood sugar levels. When that happens, the liver normally starts producing glucose to provide the dog with a source of energy. Under these circumstances, if the liver is functioning properly, it will convert glycogen (the form of glucose that is stored in liver and muscle cells) into glucose. If the liver is damaged or diseased, it will not be able to make enough glucose to compensate for the dog’s inadequate dietary glucose supply. As a result, the dog will become hypoglycemic, meaning that it will have low levels of circulating blood sugar.
Treatment of hypoglycemia should emphasize control of blood glucose through a healthier real food diet, use of supplements, and regular physical activity. Hypoglycemia may be a sign of an overburdened liver and may disappear as you help your dog’s liver become healthier and function properly. It is often suggested that the dog with hypoglycemia eat more often. It is critical that the right foods are eaten so as to promote a healthy liver.
Recommended microalgae is packed with easily digested vegetable protein and is a direct source of glycogen. Digestive enzymes therapy is used to improve the digestion of food and normalize carbohydrate metabolism, thereby normalizing blood sugar levels. Digestive enzymes can reduce stress on the gastrointestinal mucosa, help maintain normal pH levels, detoxify the body, and promote the growth of healthy intestinal body’s pancreatic enzymes, leaving the pancreatic enzymes free to perform other functions in the body.
Systemic enzyme therapy works at the cellular level and in organs to improve overall health by stimulating the immune system, improving circulation, helping speed tissue repair, transporting nutrients throughout the body, removing waste products, and enhancing wellness.
Acidophilus and other probiotics, such as bifidobacterium micro blended with a mineral rich food such as microalgae that includes proteolytic enzymes can stimulate enzyme activity, improve gastrointestinal function needed for production of biotin, niacin, folic acid, and pyridoxine-coenzymes important for normal metabolism.
Nutrient and enzyme deficiencies can affect organs that participate in blood sugar level maintenance, such as the liver, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Therefore, enzyme-rich whole foods should be part of a total therapy program. For dogs, this will be raw organic zucchini, celery, squash and other vegetables.
Click here so I can help your dog
Click here to read stories of dogs that have been helped
Click here it return to the Home page
The information and directions in these writings and subsequent emails, individually and collectively, are in no way to be considered as a substitute for consultations with a duly licensed Veterinarian regarding diagnosis and/or treatment of disease and are not intended to diagnose or treat your dog.
Please consult with your Veterinarian for this advice as well as for any Medical Emergency.
Hypoglycemia is defined as an abnormally low level of the simple sugar, glucose, in an animal’s bloodstream. The body works hard to maintain balanced blood sugar because blood sugar develops when the body’s intricate blood-sugar balancing mechanisms malfunction for one reason or another. This can occur mainly because of poor commercially prepared diets. Although older and larger dogs rarely get hypoglycemia, small dogs are more susceptible and may get the condition because of degenerative liver disease.
Glucose is the end product of carbohydrate digestion. Carbohydrates in food are an important and immediate source of energy for most animals. The main sources of dietary carbohydrates are the starches and sugars that come from plants and fruits. Protein does not produce glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the cells and tissues of dogs.
When there is more glucose in circulation (from dietary intake) than is needed for the dog’s energy demands, it is stored in liver and muscle cells in the form of glycogen, for future use. If the liver and muscle cells become saturated, glucose is converted into fat and stored as adipose tissue. Circulating blood sugar levels depend upon the amount of glucose that is: 1) taken in through a dog’s diet, 2) produced by the liver from glycogen stores, and 3) utilized by the dog’s body. Abnormalities in any of those areas can contribute to hypoglycemia. Furthermore, if adequate carbohydrates are being eaten but not broken down well in the digestive tract, this can contribute as well.
Most glucose originally enters a dog’s system through its diet. Eating a meal stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, which in turn promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood into bodily cells and tissues. When a dog has inadequate levels of carbohydrates in their diet to meet its body’s metabolic demands, it will have low circulating dietary blood sugar levels. When that happens, the liver normally starts producing glucose to provide the dog with a source of energy. Under these circumstances, if the liver is functioning properly, it will convert glycogen (the form of glucose that is stored in liver and muscle cells) into glucose. If the liver is damaged or diseased, it will not be able to make enough glucose to compensate for the dog’s inadequate dietary glucose supply. As a result, the dog will become hypoglycemic, meaning that it will have low levels of circulating blood sugar.
Treatment of hypoglycemia should emphasize control of blood glucose through a healthier real food diet, use of supplements, and regular physical activity. Hypoglycemia may be a sign of an overburdened liver and may disappear as you help your dog’s liver become healthier and function properly. It is often suggested that the dog with hypoglycemia eat more often. It is critical that the right foods are eaten so as to promote a healthy liver.
Recommended microalgae is packed with easily digested vegetable protein and is a direct source of glycogen. Digestive enzymes therapy is used to improve the digestion of food and normalize carbohydrate metabolism, thereby normalizing blood sugar levels. Digestive enzymes can reduce stress on the gastrointestinal mucosa, help maintain normal pH levels, detoxify the body, and promote the growth of healthy intestinal body’s pancreatic enzymes, leaving the pancreatic enzymes free to perform other functions in the body.
Systemic enzyme therapy works at the cellular level and in organs to improve overall health by stimulating the immune system, improving circulation, helping speed tissue repair, transporting nutrients throughout the body, removing waste products, and enhancing wellness.
Acidophilus and other probiotics, such as bifidobacterium micro blended with a mineral rich food such as microalgae that includes proteolytic enzymes can stimulate enzyme activity, improve gastrointestinal function needed for production of biotin, niacin, folic acid, and pyridoxine-coenzymes important for normal metabolism.
Nutrient and enzyme deficiencies can affect organs that participate in blood sugar level maintenance, such as the liver, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Therefore, enzyme-rich whole foods should be part of a total therapy program. For dogs, this will be raw organic zucchini, celery, squash and other vegetables.
Click here so I can help your dog
Click here to read stories of dogs that have been helped
Click here it return to the Home page
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