Hypoglycemia is characterized by a sudden drop in normal blood sugar levels that is normally seen in underweight puppies or caused when puppies fast too long between meals.
It is important to realize that just because a new puppy may experience an episode of hypoglycemia, that this does not imply that the particular puppy is actually “hypoglycemic.” Hypoglycemia is a persistent ailment brought on by the overproduction of insulin from the pancreas.
While hypoglycemia is a condition more commonly seen in puppies between the ages of 5 to 16 weeks, that they usually grow out of, it can also occur in mature toy breeds when they are subjected to stress.
While all small or toy dog breed puppies can suffer from hypoglycemia, and even some working breed dogs who work in cold conditions for many hours without replenishing their reserves, very tiny, undersized Yorkshire Terrier puppies are especially prone to hypoglycemia because their lack of muscle mass makes it difficult for their bodies to store glucose and regulate blood sugar levels.
Every article written about small-sized breeds can hardly fail to mention the very common occurrence of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause brain damage, seizures and ultimately death, if not noticed in time and carefully monitored. The good news is that hypoglycemia is 100% preventable.
Causes
There are many causes that could trigger hypoglycemia in a Yorkie puppy, with stress being a considerable contributing factor because it can often lead to the puppy refusing to eat.
Education and being aware of the many causes that could lead to hypoglycemia in your small breed puppy is the first step toward prevention. Following is a list of the causes that may more commonly induce a hypoglycemia episode, including:
1. Over-handling of your puppy and strenuous play sessions;
2. Preventing your puppy for receiving adequate rest and sleep time;
3. Loss of appetite and missing meals;
4. Nutritionally poor diet or change of diet causing diarrhea;
5. Travel (limit travel plans until your puppy is 5-6 months of age);
6. Changes in the home environment;
7. Visits to the vet or groomers;
8. Vaccinations;
9. Loss of body heat from being chilled through exposure to cool temperatures. The optimal environmental temperature for Yorkies is 70 to 74 degrees;
10. Bacterial infections or intestinal parasites*.
* Coccidosis is an intestinal parasite that many puppies and adult dogs carry and which usually remains dormant until the puppy or dog is subjected to stressful situations. The symptoms most commonly cause watery, mucus-based diarrhea. Diarrhea can then lead to dehydration which leads to loss of crucial minerals your puppy needs to stay healthy.
When a puppy or adult Yorkie under stress loses their appetite, they will not ingest the daily nutrition they require to remain healthy. This results in the weakening of the puppy’s natural immune system which then allows Coccidia parasites to rapidly multiply in the intestinal track. If left untreated, this can trigger hypoglycemia and cause damage to the lining of the puppy’s or dog’s intestinal tract.
Symptoms
A Yorkie puppy displaying signs of suffering from hypoglycemia will become drowsy, limp and lifeless, with glassy unfocussed-eyes.
They may froth or drool at the mouth, vomit greenish or clear bile, display confusion and be shaky or wobbly and uncoordinated when walking because the brain relies upon adequate amounts of sugar in order to function correctly.
Also, the puppy’s temperature may drop below normal which will cause shivering and trembling.
As well, the puppy’s gums and tongue will appear very pale or grey in color and at this time the puppy may require force feeding and possibly injecting fluids as they may also be dehydrated.
In extreme cases of hypoglycemia, the puppy may have convulsions or a seizure that could result in a coma.
A puppy or dog displaying these symptoms should be given sugar in the form of corn syrup or honey and prompt veterinary treatment as prolonged hypoglycemia can cause permanent brain damage or even death.
Tips for Preventing Hypoglycemia
1. Ensure your puppy receives adequate sleep;
2. Ensure that the temperature of their environment is kept between 70 and 74-degrees;
3. Add a few Honey Nut Cheerios to your Yorkie puppy’s food bowl. The honey will assist in keeping their blood sugar at an acceptable level;
4. Feed your Yorkie puppy high quality, high-carbohydrate, high-protein and or fatty food small meals at least four times a day, containing food they really like, because if they don’t like it, they are much less likely to eat it;
5. Feed a small amount of Karo syrup several times a day with a oral syringe, especially with very young puppies;
6. Put a small amount of honey or syrup in their regular drinking water;
7. If they are being picky about eating their food, sprinkle it with parmesan cheese;
8. Do not give a young Yorkie puppy complete access or free range of your home, because they can forget where their food and water are located.Confine them in a small area, such an inside a pen, where you can always keep an eye on them until they are old enough to be able to memorize where their food and water bowls are located.
Treatment
If your puppy is suffering from hypoglycemia, their glycemic or blood sugar level must be immediately increased and any cause of stress eliminated.
The treatment of an acute hypoglycemic attack is aimed at restoring the blood sugar as quickly as possible.
If your puppy is awake and able to swallow, ensure they are kept warm and immediately give corn syrup or sugar water by syringe, or rub corn syrup, honey, or glucose paste on their gums and keep them warm.
You could also rub Nutri Cal paste on the roof on their mouth at ten minute intervals.
If you do not see noticeable improvement within 30 minutes, proceed at once to your veterinarian.
Do not give an oral solution by syringe if your puppy has become unconscious because it will be inhaled. Instead, rub corn syrup, honey, glucose paste or Nutri Cal on your puppy’s gums and immediately proceed to your veterinarian’s office for emergency treatment.
Your puppy will require an intravenous dextrose solution and may also need to be treated for brain swelling.
Hypoglycemia First Aid Kit
Syringe
White Karo Syrup
Honey
Oral Glucose Paste (sold at pharmacies)
Nutri-Drop supplements
Nutri Cal Paste (high calorie dietary supplement)
Pedialyte (restores lost fluids and electrolytes after dehydration)
Heating pad