Immediate effect of transmucosal application of corn syrup or 50% dextrose solution on blood glucose concentrations...

Evaluate and quantify the effects of mucosal corn syrup and 50% dextrose application on blood glucose concentrations in healthy dogs, to assess the effectiveness of a widely used practice for treatment of hypoglycemia.

Randomized controlled trial.

University teaching hospital.

Twelve client-owned dogs that were healthy, >1 year of age, weighing >5 kg, and had normal physical exam and biochemical profiles.

Dogs were fasted overnight for a minimum of 12 hours. Once normal physical exam and biochemical profile were confirmed, an IV catheter was placed in a peripheral vein for serial blood sampling. Each dog served as their own control and received each of 3 treatments, the orders of which were randomized for each dog. Treatments included mucosal application of commercially available corn syrup (Karo light syrup), water (control), and 50% dextrose solution, each at a dose of 1 mL/kg of body weight. Blood glucose was measured using a point-of-care glucometer. Samples were taken immediately prior to each treatment and at 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, and 60-minute intervals.

All treatments were well tolerated and no adverse events were observed. A statistically significant increase in blood glucose was observed at the 15-, 20-, 30-, and 60-minute time points in the corn syrup and 50% dextrose groups as compared with the control.

A significant effect on the blood glucose concentrations of the treated animals was not observed until 15 minutes after application of concentrated glucose solutions. These findings suggest that, in more severely hypoglycemic patients, parenteral glucose administration may be necessary.