Hypoglycemia simply means low blood sugar!
Hypoglycemia tends to be a problem seen most often in toy & tea cup breed puppies, but it can occasionally occur in large
breeds as well. The main cause of low blood sugar is inadequate nutrition; either not enough or poor quality foods! This is
one reason why we do not recommend changing their diets. Your puppy has been eating the food we recommend and is doing well
on this diet. A quick change in diet and he puppy may stop eating! Monitor your puppy’s’ food intake in order
to be sure he/she is eating properly. Feed your puppy several times during the day regardless if at home or out on the town!
At home you may want to provide your puppy with food at all times during the day, we recommend this but ask that you closely
monitor his/hers food intake to insure that the puppy is indeed eating well! Stress or excessive exercise may also cause low
blood sugar. The symptoms of Hypoglycemia include: lethargic behavior, lack of coordination (stumbling, falling, staggering),
the pup may tilt its’ head to one side and the neck may appear stiff; the gums will appear white or gray instead of
pink, and in severe cases coma! If any of these signs occur, YOU MUST ACT QUICKLY!
Your pups’ life may depend on it. The blood level of glucose must be restored immediately! If the pup is conscious we
recommend giving your pup Nutri-Cal. This product is available at most reputable pet supply establishments and we have provided
you with a full tube! The Nutri-Cal is given orally and is absorbed quickly into the blood stream. If you do not have this
product available in an immediate emergency (WHICH YOU SHOULD) Karo syrup or honey are excellent sugar sources.
Rub the syrup in conservative quantities on the pups’
gums or give it a little under its’ tongue. You can also mix a little karo syrup or honey or Nutri-Cal with warm water,
stir to dissolve and give small amounts orally with a syringe or medicine dropper. Your puppy will gladly lick up The Nutri-Cal
from your finger with great desire during most acceptable cases of Hypoglycemia! If you find yourself in a position where
you are force feeding him Nutri-cal, karo, or honey you should already be in route to the veterinarian’s office as quickly
and safely as possible! (This is not a common occurrence for the pup owner who remains
observant of their pup’s behavior!) if the pup looses consciousness it needs to be seen by a veterinarian with great
urgency!
Controlling Hypoglycemia
To reduce the chance of Hypoglycemia or during the
treatment of your typically mild Hypoglycemia, Nutri-Cal is a food supplement we recommend adding to the pups food or giving
orally to the pup. Nutri-Cal contains added calories and vitamins and can and should be used daily is a very small amount!
Pedialite, typically available at your local drug store
is also a great source of energy. You should use this product in the event your puppy stops consuming enough water or is experiencing
even a slight case of diarrhea. To avoid your puppy dehydrating you can restrict his consumption of liquid to a diet of 100%
pedialite during a hydration sensitive period! (Remember to but the non flavored pedialite and your drugstore generic brand
is very acceptable; in addition remember pedialite is only effective for the first 48 hours after the bottle has been opened!
We recommend having one bottle in the house stored for an unforeseen event!
If your puppy stops eating it may be due the stress
of a new environment. If this happens, try offering the pup a small amount of can puppy food mixed with our recommended dry
food. We recommend Cesar puppy food. If the puppy fails to eat the can food mixture try Gerber brand beef and gravy or veal
and gravy they are high in protein and puppies like the taste! They may eat baby food when they refuse to eat anything else.
Since canned foods contain too much moisture, and baby foods are intended for human babies; only use these products if your
pup stops eating the dry food! By feeding your pup these foods as treats or for what you might believe is variety, you are
allowing for the onset of other unstable conditions such as dehydration from the onset of diarrhea! THESE HINTS ARE RECCOMENDED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY! (At this point you should be in direct contact
with us or your veterinarian)
Remember, we are here for you and your puppy, if you
don’t call we can’t help!
Because we care!
