Hypoglycemia

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is the technical term for low blood sugar. Tissue such as a muscle receives glucose from the blood to use as energy. Animals that become hypoglycemic have used up all the glucose in the blood and become weak, comatose, and. And may even die. It is not a disease but simply the body’s response to a lack of glucose or to a stressful situation.

Which puppies are more likely to suffer from hypoglycemia?

Any puppy will become hypoglycemic if it quickly burns up more energy than it is consuming. The puppies that are at risk are miniature and toy breeds such as: Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, and Toy Poodles. Their small bodies have very little energy stores and they cannot eat enough in one meal to keep active all day. Puppies can also become hypoglycemic from stress. Whenever their environment is disrupted by moving, vacationing, etc. a puppy stands a good chance of becoming hypoglycemic from the stress involved in such situations.

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

At first the puppy will become weak, may stagger or lie down, and not want to move. Unless action is taken to correct the low blood sugar, symptoms will become progressively worse. The puppy will have a vacant, staring expression and will become unresponsive to stimuli such as calling its name or hand clapping. The puppy will feel cool to the touch as its body temperature begins to drop. Finally, it will be become comatose and die.

What should I do if I suspect my puppy is hypoglycemic?

If your puppy shows signs of weakness, you should suspect hypoglycemia. If it is still alert and responsive, feed it a small meal and allow it to rest. If it is already staring or it is unconscious, IMMEDIATELY rub some Nutri Cal on its gums, (in a pinch, Karo syrup can be substituted for Nutra Cal, but Nutri Cal is preferred).

How can I prevent my puppy from becoming hypoglycemic?

Puppies are like children. They are very active and burn up a lot of energy. Because a puppy is small, it cannot possibly eat enough in one meal to fuel its active body for an entire day. Puppies should have feed in front of them all day. This helps maintain their blood sugar level at a fairly consistent level. In addition to that, miniature and toy breed puppies should receive snack before bedtime, like food soaked in water and raw honey. 

Hypoglycemia is a serious condition brought on by too much activity and too much stress. Left untreated it can kill your puppy in a matter of hours. Fortunately, it can be prevented by feeding it correctly and by not allowing the puppy to over exercise. It is also a good idea to treat your puppy as you would an infant keep it confined to a small space (such as a crate). Small breed puppies need never experience hypoglycemia if their owners are attentive and provide for the small puppies’ special needs.

All puppies must eat!! 

Royal Canin Starter Puppy Food small bites

To support your pet’s healthy growth, I recommend continuing to feed Royal Canin at home. I chose Royal Canin for you because they have tailored nutrition for each stage of your puppy’s development. As your puppy grows, you’ll be able to find more products for their changing nutritional needs.