Hypoglycemia is an extremely serious central nervous system disorder
caused by low blood sugar. It occurs mainly in Toy breeds between the age of
six and twelve weeks, and is precipitated by stress, such as weaning
vaccinations or being placed in a new home. Hypoglycemia is not
necessarily a disease, but it is a symptom.
Puppies that are weaned suddenly at an early age (less than 8 weeks) will
have a tendency to have low blood sugar. They aren't given enough time to
adjust to solid food, and suddenly removed from their mother without a
thought as to how it is affecting the babies. Usually this is done out of greed
and not wanting to take care of the puppies any longer that necessary. A
responsible breeder will take the time necessary to see that the puppies are on
solid food long enough to avoid upsetting their digestive system before they
let them go to a new home. Since they can't tolerate a sudden change in their
food, their digestive tract becomes upset, they do not get the full value of their
food, then their blood sugar drops.
Hypoglycemia in a healthy puppy can be prevented, new owners should not
allow the puppy to be handled by everyone they come in contact with.
Puppies become body sore, just like human babies do. Common sense tells us
that a human baby can't tolerate a lot of activity, handling, and constant
playing. Neither can a puppy. Always make sure you see your puppy eat
every 3-4 hours and has fresh water available at all times. I highly
recommend giving 1-3 pea sized globs of Nutri-cal 3-5 times a day especially
first thing in the morning and right before bedtime.
Most neonatal puppies have very little subcutaneous fat. Energy is supplied
through frequent feedings, and reserve energy is supplied by glycogen in the
liver. The liver is the last organ to grow in size, it usually matures about 12
weeks, while the brain consumes the most energy. Puppies in the six to twelve
week age group have a liver too small to produce the glycogen needed to fuel
the brain without frequent feedings.
ANY TIME A PUPPY IS NOT FED FREQUENTLY, BECOMES
TIRED, GETS TOO COLD, HAS A DIGESTIVE UPSET, OR HAS A
PARASITE OVERLOAD, HE IS HEADED FOR TROUBLE, IN THE
FORM OF HYPOGLYCEMIA.
The gums of a normal puppy will be bright reddish/pink just like human
gums. Your puppy might exhibit one or more of these signs. Gums that are
pale in places or light pink mean the blood sugar is dropping. If the gums
are white...your pup needs quick attention to avoid a hypoglycemic coma. If
they are white I recommend light Karo corn syrup on the tongue (1tsp) every
10 minutes until the gums return to normal and your puppy is acting
normal. If they are pale pink or pale in spots, Nurti-cal (5-6 pea sized globs)
works to restore blood sugar levels quickly. Also 5-8 drops of honey on the
puppy's tongue will bring them around in about 10 minutes. Another sign
that is usually seen is vomiting on an empty stomach (clear liquid or bile) or
saliva (foamy at the mouth). If your puppy hasn't eaten in awhile give them
food or Nuri-cal immediately. The puppy may seem weak, or
uncoordinated, unable to stand or walk, with appearance of being drugged,
or wobbly and jerking. In extreme cases laying on their sides and are totally
unresponsive. If the puppy is not given a quick form of nutrition (by prying
their mouths open) like Karo corn syrup, honey, sugar water, or Nutri-cal to
raise the blood sugar quickly, coma and death will result. Do not allow
puppy to get chilled during an episode of "Sugar Shock", wrap the puppy in
a towel or blanket out of the clothes dryer.
Hypoglycemia can occur without warning when a puppy is placed in a new
home, or while being shipped to a new home. Symptoms may appear if
anything upsets his feeding and rest routine, if he plays too hard and too
long, or when his diet is changed. It can happen within 72 hours after he has
had vaccinations.
Treatment consists of restoring blood sugar levels to normal as quickly as
possible to avoid brain damage. If no signs of improvement or responsiveness
RUSH to the NEAREST vet for glucose by injection or I.V.
NOTE: BREEDER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HYPOGLYCEMIA!
Hypoglycemia
I have found the information included on this
page helpful to me. I am not a veterinarian, nor
do I portray myself to be one, if you have any
medical questions contact your vet.