Hypoglycemia| Hypoglycemia |
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It is my desire that you are aware of this condition, know the symptoms to watch for and be equipped to take care of it. In a very tiny toy dog hypoglycemia is usually brought on by stress or shock in some form. It usually occurs in puppies from 3 to 5 months of age but CAN occur in mature toy breeds when they are subjected to STRESS. Some examples are: 1-Over-handling young puppies and not letting them get enough rest and sleep. 2-A puppy refuses to eat for over a period of 8 hours due to change of home and/or food. 3-Exposure to low room temperatures for a period of time. The puppy will appear limp and lifeless with the gums and tongue usually grayish blue in color. Often the eyes are unfocused and barely open. Temperature will be below normal and the puppy could be shivering and trembling in the early stages. As condition worsens, the puppy either goes into a coma or convulsions. Hypoglycemia is a metabolic disorder and death will result, unless properly DIAGNOSED AND CARED FOR IMMEDIATELY, if the case is severe. The level of the blood sugar must be raised at once and the stress condition treated. I recommend corn syrup and water mixed in equal parts given until the puppy is back to normal, sometimes this is 10cc. You will need to go see the vet and he may want to give dextrose subcutaneously as it provides a longer lasting action and, also, it is almost impossible to locate a vein in a tiny puppy. With this dextrose or glucose, you can also give an injection for shock and stress. Many Vets use a form of cortosteroid for this stress factor. It is produced under many trade names but your Vet will be sure to have it on hand. When these injections are given in time, the puppy may regain conscieousness promptly. When Hypoglycemia is caught in time, there is no reason why a puppy won't come out of it and never have again if the stress factor is eliminated. Even if this never occurs to your puppy, or adult, it is important that you know about this to aid your Vet in diagnosing the problem. This usually affects Tiny Toy Breeds and Most of them outgrow this danger by 6 months of age. However, it can happen to a tiny dog even as an adult and careful attention must be paid to the diet of any TINY TOY DOG. |