 | ||||||
Chewy @ 10 wks (7oz.)
Highly susceptible to Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
This is a central nervous system disorder caused by low blood sugar. It occurs mainly in toy breeds between 6-12 weeks of age. Often it is precipitated by stress and can be multiple other things.
Toy-breed dogs particularly can be susceptible to stress, which can cause a condition of low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. Puppies under 10 weeks of age are more prone to get hypoglycemia. In small breed puppies from post-weaning to 4 months of age, the most common form of hypoglycemia is called Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia: "Transient" because the symptoms can be reversed by eating; "Juvenile" because it is seen in young individuals. Glucose is the "simple" sugar that the body uses for "fuel" to run its various functions. Table sugar, or sucrose, is made up of two simple sugars, glucose and fructose, and can be broken down rapidly after eating. All sugars are carbohydrates. Grains are also carbohydrates but are considered "complex" carbohydrates because they have many more components and take longer to be broken down. The body uses glucose as its primary energy source. All the parts of the body except the brain can, if needed, use alternate energy sources--fatty acids, for example, which the body accesses by breaking down fat stores. The brain, however, is completely dependent upon glucose to function.
If the glucose in the blood is lower than normal, the brain function is the first to show signs. In dogs, these signs may be seen as weakness, behavior changes, confusion, wobbly gait, Lethargic, non-responsive or even seizures. Toy breeds of dogs have characteristics that make them more prone to the development of Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia, which is brought on by fasting. Pups of any breed are more likely to develop hypoglycemia than adults are, because their skeletal muscle mass and liver size are smaller and brain size, larger, in proportion to the rest of their body. Therefore, there is less glucose being put out into the blood and more being used by the brain, which is dependent upon adequate glucose in order to function. In small and toy breeds, this discrepancy is more pronounced. Even a brief period of fasting in a toy breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack."
As discussed, one of these attacks may appear as weakness, confusion, wobbly gait, as if drunk or seizures. If your puppy is lethargic, listless, or not interested in eating, stress and low blood sugar may be the cause. Eating food that is readily digested and metabolized will reverse minor signs, but intravenous glucose administration is required for severe cases. Puppies with Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia have normal liver size and function, but inadequate glucose precursors or glucose in its stored form. Therefore, any significant stress, such as a routine trip to the vet’, which occurs in the absence of a recent meal, can cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels. Low environmental temperatures, infections, vaccinations, strenuous exercise, worming, and inadequate nutrition increase the risk even further. Feeding recommendations for puppies at risk for hypoglycemia include frequent (4 - 5 times a day) feedings of high-carbohydrate, high-protein and /or high-fat foods. Normal feeding schedules will be 3-4 times per day. Our puppies are free fed (food always available in dish) 24 hours. Make sure that Water is available at all times!
Stress and hypoglycemia can cause dehydration and can lead to death. If your puppy shows signs of stress, you can use a quick remedy for this: Pedialyte (or generic electrolyte replacement formula) can purchase at Wal-Mart and is an effective quick remedy for stress & hypoglycemia, Karo, Gatorade and/or any similar electrolyte drinks will work. If you do not have anything else, available any type of sugar and most times you will have to force it... If he will drink the fluids on his own, allow him to do so! Improper administration of fluids by syringe or any other means can result in choking or aspiration and can lead to aspiration pneumonia. If puppy will not drink on his own, rub a little bit of Karo syrup on his gums. Contact your veterinarian immediately if the puppy does not respond to Nutria-cal or Karo syrup.
The first signs are those of listlessness and depression. They are followed by muscular weakness, tremors, (especially in the facial muscles) and later convulsions, coma and death. The entire sequence is not always seen. The dog may simply appear to be depressed or he may be weak, wobbly and jerky or may be found in a coma.
Hypoglycemia can occur without warning when a puppy is placed in a new home, or while being shipped. It might appear after a puppy misses a meal, chills, becomes exhausted after too much playing, or has a digestive upset. The upsets place and added strain on the energy reserves of the liver and bring on the symptoms.
Puppies who are weaned on rice and hamburger are more likely to develop hypoglycemia. Their diet is deficient in certain ingredients needed to sustain the liver.
TREATMENT:
Treatment is directed in restoring blood levels of glucose. Begin at once. Prolong or repeated attacks can cause permanent damage to the brain. If the puppy is awake, give the puppy karo syrup or honey by the mouth is the fastest way to bring them back... The puppy will begin to improve within 30 minutes or less. If the puppy is unconscious, it will need to be taken to the vet immediately to be given Dextrose intravenously. It may be necessary to treat for swelling of the brain. I recommend keeping Nutri-Stat on hand the first couple of weeks after the puppy arrive at its new home. You can find this at any pet store. Giving the puppy Nutri-Stat everyday until the puppy is comfortable with its new surroundings should prevent the puppy from going into a sugar low shock.
Prevent recurring attacks by feeding high quality/protein food. Trust your instincts when they tell you your puppy is not acting right. Karo will not hurt them so if you think something might be wrong just give them some karo and watch them..
Hypoglycemia is totally preventable but if no action is taken and/or the signs are not noticed Hypoglycemia can be deadly. Hypoglycemia is not (NO EXCEPTIONS) covered in any of my contract, health guarantee etc.. Why because it is preventable and easily treated if you have the knowledge and you have a copy of this exact page that you take with you and your new puppy and it's on my website and both are very clear. So for that reason it is important that you read this documentation and a requirement for SpecialtyPoms and you will sign that you read and completely understand. You may also print it at top of page.
SEE THAT THE PUPPY/DOG EATS AND DRINKS REGULARLY. DO NOT ASSUME THE PUPPY ATE, KNOWS IT!
I have read this document on Hypoglycemia and completely understand the hypoglycemia condition and that as it states in SpecialtyPoms Contract, Hypoglycemia is NOT cover under any circumstance due to the fact that it is completely preventable and explained very clearly on my web site and within this document. I am signing this stating that I have read and completely understand its content.
DATE: _______________________________
SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________
Buyer of Pomeranian Puppy
If you buying over the Internet you will have to print the Sale’s Contract, Deposit Contract and the Hypoglycemia documentation sign them and fax and/or mail them to me (via-US mail or e-mail). Those things have to be signed and payment in full before puppy is shipped and/or picked up.
Do not ship puppies until 14 wks of age for safety/health reasons and in certain case's at a older age. I.E very small
| ||||||
Chewy and her littermate'a @ 5 weeks old....Her littermate's were normal size and healthy...
Visit this Dog Website: |
 |
Hypoglycemia
Common Toy Breed Health Problem
Required to read and sign stating that you have read the hypoglycemia document and the buyer understands.
| ||||||
Mitzi & Zorro's Puppy SOLD
SpecialtyPoms.net
We breed & Sell quality pure breed Pomeranians as pets
