HYPOGLYCEMIA: (LOW BLOOD SUGAR)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a disorder of the central nervous system and is a direct response to the lack of adequate food. “Dehydration” comes from the lack of water. Hypoglycemia can occur without warning when a puppy goes to a new home, misses a meal, or doesn’t eat full meals, becomes chilled, over tired, or exhausted from too much handling or playing. It occurs mostly in toy breeds, but it can also occur in the larger breeds as well.
Signs to look for are depression, weakness, being wobbly or jerky, the head appears to be tilted to either the left or right side, the neck appears stiff and in a locked position, the body may soon appear the same way, and the teeth may be clamped tightly together; convulsions, seizures, or coma which can result in death!
Treatment: Once a puppy’s sugar drops, you must act fast!! The blood levels of glucose must be restored IMMEDIATELY! DO NOT HESITATE! YOUR PUPPY’S LIFE IS AT RISK! Treatment by oral administration of certain glucose containing electrolyte fluids is very important. I use Nutri-Cal. It gives quick results and gets into the bloodstream within seconds with a 99% utilization rate. When given, the usual dose is about ¼cc per ounce of body weight. If you don’t have that on hand, you may mix white Karo syrup with water and place on the puppy’s tongue with a dropper; or just place some on your finger and rub on the puppy’s gums. DO NOT put excessive amounts in the puppy’s mouth, as the puppy can choke.
If the puppy does not improve within (10) ten minutes, contact your Veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!! This is NOT something that can wait until the Vet opens the following morning! I always recommend if you ever have any concerns, questions or worries don’t hesitate to call your Veterinarian even if the puppy is doing better. Once a puppy’s sugar level drops, it is much more likely for him to have another episode. It can take weeks to build back up afterwards. Make sure your puppy is eating and drinking OFTEN. First stages baby food beef, turkey or chicken can be fed—they think It’s “Tasty”, or boil chicken and tear into bits if he won’t eat anything else!
Prevention: I add 1-2 teaspoons of honey or white Karo syrup to cool fresh drinking water every day. Leave dry food out 24/7. Never feed you puppy “people food”, especially chocolate, fried foods, milk, onions, grapes or raisins! Do not allow your puppy to become over-chilled or tired. Let you puppy rest and become accustomed to his new home. Remember this is only a puppy. Compare it to an infant child, which requires extra care. You would not wake your baby up to show your friends or neighbors. So do not wake your puppy up, as it needs rest too. This is important to your puppy’s health.
Read this article several times and become familiar with it. Your puppy needs your tender loving care. In return, your puppy will give you a lifetime of love and enjoyment! Remember your puppy depends on you completely!