A Guide to Detecting & Treating Low Blood Sugar in Your Pomsky

Pomskies, one of the cutest sought-after toy breeds around. Little adorable balls of fluff and energy.

Because of their size, your pomsky may be at greater risk of developing low blood sugar. Due to their minimal fat storage, it can be easy for them to fall below healthy levels.

A pomsky with low blood sugar can quickly spell trouble for any dog owner.

With this increased risk, pomsky owners really need to take extra precautions and know the signs of low blood sugar. Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugars can be life-threatening. The more you know, however, the better it will be for you to manage your pomeranian husky hybrid.

Armed with the knowledge to help your pomsky puppy live a happy and healthy life even with low blood sugar will make both you and your pup that much better.

Pomsky Low Blood Sugar Explained

Hypoglycemia, more commonly referred to as low blood sugar, is a condition where there’s not enough sugar in the dog’s bloodstream due to the body not recovering its glucose, or from lack of food.

Even though it is commonly found in puppies, adult pomskies can also have it happen, especially when it is not properly monitored. Blood sugar is the body’s main source of energy. It is medically known as glucose.

A human brain uses blood sugar for energy. In fact, it is the only source. A healthy blood glucose range for a dog that is not considered diabetic is 3.3 to 6.1 mmol/L (millimoles per liter). With blood sugar being its only source, the brain will no longer function, and the body becomes weak when it falls below this range.

If not treated or dealt with quickly, low blood sugar could be very deadly.

Causes of Low Blood Sugar In Pomskies

Pomskies and other teacup dogs are small, so their bodies cannot hold as much fat or glucose for the body or brain to fuel itself. As their blood sugar falls, they have to find a way to replenish them, either by the liver producing more sugar or reaching into their glucose storage. If there isn’t enough, then your pomsky puppy will go into what’s called hypoglycemic shock.

A pomsky’s tiny size makes it difficult to regulate body temperature while they are also cutting their baby teeth late. A double-whammy effect makes it harder to keep up their food intake as well as their blood glucose levels.

Juvenile hypoglycemia is a condition known to pomsky puppies with low blood sugar. In fact, it is quite common, unfortunately. Juvenile hypoglycemia typically occurs in puppies less than 3 months old. It’s because of their high glucose level needs and doesn’t pair well with their underdeveloped livers. This is a bad combination for your pomsky puppy.

The reason this is a bad combo is that the liver produces more glucose. In adult dogs, this usually works just fine, but in puppies, and toy breeds especially, their tiny livers just can’t keep up.

Even in adulthood, pomskies are still at risk for low blood sugar. A variety of factors comes into play, however, on what can cause your pomsky to have hypoglycemia.

Too Much Exercise

Who would believe in such a thing? In today’s world, no less? Sadly, it is possible to go too far, and for pomskies, any toy breeds, or teacup dogs, too much exercise can be hard on their bodies.

Usually, high-performing sport dogs or even hunting dogs experience this, but it’s just as likely with a pomsky. If your dog goes too far and overexerts themselves, especially for a long time, it will use up a lot of their body’s glucose and energy stores. With a pomsky’s minimal fat storage, its body will likely use whatever sugar it has long before its body can replace it.

This can and will cause a major issue, potentially sending the dog into shock. Keeping things in moderation and avoiding letting your pomsky get too worked up are keys to success in avoiding an episode from exercise.

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infection is never good for anyone, let alone your pomsky. Or for any toy breed. Typical bacterial infections cause trouble in all sorts of ways, but with a pomsky, it is a touch different.

If your pomsky gets almost any bacterial infection, the bacteria from it will consume the glucose in your dog’s body and fuel itself. Infections like distemper and parvovirus will tear through your dog’s sugar stores, resulting in low energy.

This will cause a chain reaction, ultimately causing your dog to have hypoglycemia and no energy to fight the infection. With this combination of effects, it would be hard for anything to recover.

If at any time your pomsky or toy breed is feeling unwell, it is best to look out for a bacterial infection. Catching it early could very well save their life and help keep their blood sugar level in check.

Portosystemic Liver Shunts

A portosystemic liver shunt is when a blood vessel forces blood to go around the liver rather than through it. If this happens, then your pomsky’s liver will not fully develop.

A liver that cannot properly regulate blood sugar will result in toxins building up in the dog’s blood. In a way, the liver acts as a filter, clearing the way for your dog’s glucose to be restored and do the things it needs to do smoothly.

Once toxins build up, there can be a whole slew of other issues coming along with it. Luckily, portosystemic liver shunts can typically be fixed with surgery.

Parasites

In a way, parasites are a lot like bacterial infections, except parasites physically attack the dog’s body. Fleas, intestinal parasites, ticks, and other foreign bodies can hurt your dog.

What they all have in common, however, is that they will steal your pomsky’s glucose for themselves, leaving your pup without enough for itself to keep their body and blood sugar going.

Making sure your pomsky is well-treated and armed against parasites will be the best defense to avoiding this scenario. Regularly checking your dog, especially if they like being outside, going swimming, or anywhere these things can be present is a good idea.

And let’s face it, parasites are everywhere.

Meal Times

Just as food fuels our bodies, it does the same for our dogs as well. It makes sense the longer they go without eating, the less energy and fuel they will have, just like us.

The difference is in their small bodies and how quickly their level can drop to not only improperly power their brain, but also major bodily functions. This can happen even to us as humans. It would just take days rather than hours.

If your pomsky goes too long without eating, then their blood sugar may drop too low, and with no fuel left in their tank, hypoglycemia will become very real, very fast.

Xylitol Toxicity

Xylitol is known as a sugar alcohol that has a very low glycemic index. It is known for its; benefits to the oral health of humans.

Unfortunately, xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, and even a small amount can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia or even serious liver damage. Both of these can be fatal.

Xylitol appears in a great number of products. As the world becomes more conscious of the amount of sugar in foods, many manufacturers are responding by adding alternative sweeteners, including sugar alcohol. This can eliminate some or all the sugar.

Xylitol is technically not an artificial sweetener, as it is a sugar alcohol. This allows products to be labeled as “naturally sweetened”.

Some products that can contain xylitol are obvious, such as sugar-free gum, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Some foods that may not be so obvious are baked goods and peanut butter. Is there a dog alive that doesn’t love peanut butter?

This stuff can even show up in medication, especially the ones called “meltaways” or “fast melts” as well as chewable vitamins. Foods that contain xylitol include baked goods, peanut butter, drink powders, candy, pudding, ketchup, barbecue sauces, and pancake syrups.

If your dog does eat xylitol, it could cause a surge of insulin. We’re talking about a surge that is 2.5 to 7 times greater than a natural glucose release. This massive increase can also cause hypoglycemia in dogs and even lead to liver disease.

As great as xylitol can be, dog owners should read all labels carefully, especially pomsky and toy breed owners. Xylitol isn’t always listed as an ingredient, and it isn’t required to be!

Xylitol is just one of several sugar alcohols used in foods and other products, and often “sugar alcohol” is the only ingredient listed on a package. This means that several ingredients could have been used, and there is no way to know how much xylitol is included.

Stress

We’ve all been there and dealt with stress. It’s enough to make it difficult for anyone. When it comes to your pomsky, however, it can make it extremely difficult. Fear and anxiety are also forms of stress.

Any type of stress on your pomsky will make bodily functions that much harder, requiring more glucose to operate. Things that could cause stress include moving to a new home, new places in general, new addition or change to the household environment, or even a weird noise outside. Pomskies that are sensitive to fireworks are also at increased risk of extra stress.

All of these things can pose a serious risk to your dog’s blood sugar levels, especially in puppies. You can help manage these things but keeping an eye for them will only be half the battle.

Be sure to also talk to your veterinarian about possible stress factors for your pet. Sometimes, what we don’t see as stressful for an animal can be determined and explained by a professional.

How Low Blood Sugar Can Affect Your Pomsky

Low blood sugar can affect your pomsky in a couple of ways, but none more seriously than being life-threatening. For pomskies, as their blood sugar drops, their energy levels quickly follow, and they lose brain function.

Hypoglycemia can happen extremely quickly, and no thanks to your pomsky’s small size, almost at any time. Your dog could lose consciousness and only fast action can prevent permanent brain damage. It is also very important to recover the dog quickly as low blood sugar can be fatal.

As long as you monitor and keep your pomsky’s blood sugar in check, it will only affect their life marginally. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to enjoy many of the sweet things life has to offer, but as long as you are careful and keep a close eye, a little treat now and then never hurt anyone, and we won’t tell either.

Life Expectancy of a Pomsky With Low Blood Sugar

Your pomsky’s life expectancy with low blood sugar will depend on how you decide to approach it. Your actions, especially during a hypoglycemic episode, can quickly determine a normal, happy life and an unfortunate short one. Without quick treatment, low blood sugar will be fatal to your pomsky.

If you did act quickly to raise your dog’s blood sugar, then they should be alert within 10-15 minutes. Once this is accomplished, you must find out what caused the low blood sugar in the first place.

If the hypoglycemic episode was caused by too much exercise then limiting their playtime may be in order. If it’s due to their food, such as too little, then they should be ok again after they eat and rest a bit. Remaining aware of how your dog acts, what is normal and what is not, will be your best defense in keeping your pomsky’s life expectancy normal.

As long as this happens, you can expect your pomsky to live a nice, normal life; somewhere in the region of 13 to 15 years. Low blood sugar is only an obstacle for you and your pomsky, not a roadblock.

Life Expectancy With Portosystemic Liver Shunts

Portosystemic liver shunts are very serious and should be treated right away. If it is discovered early enough, this serious medical condition has a good prognosis for dogs.

For example, if your pomsky has a single shunt, it can be corrected with surgery. Once it is gone, your pomsky should be back to normal in 4-8 weeks and become what’s considered “clinically normal,” a fancy way of saying your pomsky will live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, if there is more than one shunt, the best treatment options are proper diet and medication. There isn’t much that can be done in these scenarios, and only about one-third of treated dogs go on to live long lives. Over half develop neurological symptoms that ultimately lead to euthanasia, typically within ten months of diagnosis.

This may not be a happily ever after for them, but knowing this will allow you to give them the best life possible leading up to the inevitable. In the end, it is better to have been loved and be loved than to not be loved at all, and if you’re reading this, then your dog is surely loved by you.

Life Expectancy With Xylitol Toxicity

If xylitol poisoning is discovered quickly enough and treated by your vet, especially before clinical signs develop, then it’s a positive sign. Hypoglycemia can be reversed, and your pomsky will recover just fine

However, if the xylitol poisoning is not treated quickly enough, then it can lead to liver failure or even liver disease causing your dog to need longer treatment. This will certainly affect your pomsky’s overall life expectancy as well.

If xylitol toxicity is discovered then it would be wise to also take a close look at everything you’ve given your dog. Anything from treats to medication you have given your pomsky can contain this sugar alcohol and should be removed from your lineup immediately to prevent further exposure.

Once the xylitol toxicity is treated, things will return to normal, and you and your dog can go back to enjoying your happy life together.

Signs That Your Pomsky Might Have Low Blood Sugar

Typically if your pomsky has low blood sugar then the first symptoms are lower energy and delayed responses. Pomskies will be slow or lethargic, disoriented, confused, and maybe even glassy-eyed because their glucose levels are so low that the brain isn’t getting enough energy.

This can quickly develop into other neurological problems and symptoms such as seizures, a lower body temperature, and eventually losing consciousness. Their heart rate and breathing will be soon to follow as they start slowing down, leading to death.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite, increased urination (also called polyuria), increased thirst (also called polydipsia), weakness, trembling, and twitching.

One or more of these signs could also indicate other things, but if you detect any of them or something just seems off, it is best to double-check with your vet. Playing it safe could mean the difference between a hypoglycemic episode that is recovered from and a total body shutdown.

How To Care for and Treat Your Pomsky for Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar in your pomsky cannot be reversed but it certainly can be managed. By keeping an eye on how your dog plays, acts, eats, and lives, you can watch for any signs that may be your first indicator of a blood sugar problem in this breed.

Keep in mind it is mainly your pomsky’s small body and liver that can be the main reason for their lower glucose levels. Even adult dogs can have issues with blood glucose levels as well.

Avoiding artificial sweeteners such as corn syrup and even ones like xylitol will be important when trying to keep their blood glucose levels within normal ranges.

Monitoring their activity so they don’t overdo things will be helpful, as well. Should their blood sugar drop too low, you’ll be able to recognize the change in their physical and exercise habits to respond quickly.

By providing your pomsky with quality and controlled food, regular vet checkups, planning together, and the right amount of playtime, there is no reason your dog won’t live a long and healthy life.

Always remain prepared should your dog indeed drop in blood sugars. Having dog food or treats nearby that can quickly raise it back up could very well be a lifesaver.

How To Help Your Pomsky Live a Fulfilling Life With Low Blood Sugar

Caring and loving your pomsky doesn’t have to be intimidating if their life includes low blood sugar. Toy breed puppies of all shapes and sizes can also enjoy life just as much.

Instead of long jogs, maybe you and your pup roll around in the backyard instead. Or perhaps you have to keep an eye on their food, so you learn to read nutrition labels, which not only helps your dog but can help you in the long run.

Living a healthy life yourself will only further help you provide one for your pomsky. As you learn what is good for them and what’s not, you surely notice that their diet isn’t too different than most humans.

Good quality food and great rest is a recipe for success for your pomsky and you. This will allow your pomsky to thrive and be happy for all of the years it can.

Just remember that with careful monitoring and doing your part that everyone deserves a nice treat sometimes. So if you cheat and give your pomsky something extra, well that just makes you a great pet parent, and there’s no harm in that once in a while.