If you are buying a small breed puppy you need to know about the risks of Hypoglycemia.

 

 

Juvenile hypoglycemia is common in puppies because they have not fully developed the ability to regulate their blood glucose concentration and have a high requirement for glucose. Stress, cold, malnutrition, and intestinal parasites are problems that may precipitate a bout of juvenile hypoglycemia. Toy breed dogs less than three months of age are most commonly affected. 

 

Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar levels drop to an extremely low level, usually due to lack of food, or by using up all stored energy without being replenished (playing, running for extended periods of time, shivering out of nervousness or being cold, stressed etc.)

Small puppies less than three months are prone to this because they have such tiny digestive systems and can only store a little bit of food (energy) in their bodies at one time. THEY MUST EAT! It is always easier to PREVENT hypoglycemia than to treat it. Always make sure your puppy is eating every 3-4 hours, even if only small amounts. Hypoglycemia can be a life-threatening, even fatal condition.

 

1. Too much play over a long period of time isn’t good for smaller puppies. They lose their energy very fast and that can cause low blood sugar. Small puppies must replenish their energy more frequently than larger pups! Play with your puppy for a short time, and then let them rest. Tiny puppies tire easily, so be careful not to over-tire them. A puppy may play so much that it gets too tired to eat.

 

1. It is up to you as the owner to be responsible and see that your puppy is eating several times a day and getting enough rest. The most important rule is always have fresh food and water available for your puppy at all times and be sure you actually see them eat! 

It is not a good idea to show your new baby off too much and let him/her be handled allot or travel for long periods with them until they get older. These are babies and must be treated as such. Remember your puppy cannot go for a long period without food! Please have Nutri Cal Puppy on hand at all times.

 

Always make sure that you have a firm grip on your puppy at all times when it is off the ground. Many fatalities or broken bones have been caused by a tiny dog wriggling out of an owner’s grasp, or jumping off a lap, couch, or bed, and breaking their neck, legs, or landing on their head. Also, never leave a small puppy on a chair, bed, couch, or stairs unattended. Remember, a fall from as low as two feet high can be fatal!

 

Signs of Signs of Hypoglycemia: Loss of appetite - Extreme lethargy – Incoordination – Trembling - Muscular twitching Weakness – Seizures - Unusual behavior - Dilated pupils - Apparent blindness - Stupor or coma