Low Blood Sugar in Puppies - HYPOGLYCEMIA
Puppies, especially toy breeds, are susceptible to falling glucose levels of Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia which can cause coma, seizures, brain damage and death.
Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia may be suspected when puppies, especially toy breeds such as Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers, show signs of weakness, lethargy, listlessness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Puppies less than 3 or 4 months of age require strong blood sugar levels while their immature systems sometimes lack the ability to regulate glucose.
Triggers for a Hypoglycemic Attack
Good Sources of Sugar for a Quick Boost
Hypoglycemic Puppies Require Vigilant CareIf the puppy does not recover within a few minutes it must be rushed to a veterinarian immediately. When the crisis is over, frequent feedings of a high quality soft food will keep sugar levels up for a longer period of time. If the puppy is not eating on his own, he must be fed frequent, tiny diluted amounts with a syringe.
A puppy with hypoglycemia may need to be fed four or five times a day or as frequently as every hour or so until his system is mature enough to keep glucose levels stable. It’s very important to make sure he is actually consuming the food and water that is offered. If not, he may have to be fed with a syringe. It is also important to keep the puppy warm and discourage too much activity which can lead to exhaustion and depletion of energy reserves.
Prolonged or recurring hypoglycemic attacks can lead to permanent brain damage. A puppy exhibiting signs or experiencing repeated episodes of low blood sugar should see a veterinarian.
Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia may be suspected when puppies, especially toy breeds such as Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers, show signs of weakness, lethargy, listlessness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Puppies less than 3 or 4 months of age require strong blood sugar levels while their immature systems sometimes lack the ability to regulate glucose.
Triggers for a Hypoglycemic Attack
- * Moving into a new home
- * Cold temperatures
- * Intestinal parasites
- * Overactivity
- * Infrequent, inadequate, or poor quality nutrition
- * Digestive upsets that prevent absorption of nutrients
- * Illness diminishing appetite
- * Anything that puts a strain on energy reserves
Good Sources of Sugar for a Quick Boost
- Karo syrup
- Honey
- Sugar water
- Nutrical
Hypoglycemic Puppies Require Vigilant CareIf the puppy does not recover within a few minutes it must be rushed to a veterinarian immediately. When the crisis is over, frequent feedings of a high quality soft food will keep sugar levels up for a longer period of time. If the puppy is not eating on his own, he must be fed frequent, tiny diluted amounts with a syringe.
A puppy with hypoglycemia may need to be fed four or five times a day or as frequently as every hour or so until his system is mature enough to keep glucose levels stable. It’s very important to make sure he is actually consuming the food and water that is offered. If not, he may have to be fed with a syringe. It is also important to keep the puppy warm and discourage too much activity which can lead to exhaustion and depletion of energy reserves.
Prolonged or recurring hypoglycemic attacks can lead to permanent brain damage. A puppy exhibiting signs or experiencing repeated episodes of low blood sugar should see a veterinarian.
