Hypoglycemia

What is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, a sudden drop in the level of blood sugar in a Yorkshire Terrier puppy and many small breed puppies. It can mostly occur during the weaning stage until around 4 months of age. Signs of Hypoglycemia are a weakness, confusion, wobbly gait, frothing or drooling from the mouth and sometimes seizure. The gums will be pale, almost grayish in color rather than the normal bright pink. The puppy can go into shock and if not cared for properly and promptly, may even die. A puppy can be playing one minute and in another can experience Hypoglycemia.

Yorkie puppies do not eat alot at one time and can simply run out of fuel. Being chilled, being handled to much, not getting naps and being stressed are some of the reasons for Hypoglycemia. Yorkie puppies can have reoccuring attacks of Hypoglycemia. Yorkie puppies MUST be fed a small amount of kibble several times a day. The Yorkie puppy's food intake must be monitored to make sure that it is eating each time that it is fed.

Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, is a disorder that occurs mainly in small breed puppies between 6 and 12 weeks of age.

It is often precipitated by stress and can occur without warning. It might appear after the puppy misses a meal, chills, becomes exhausted from playing, or has a digestive upset. These upsets place an added strain on it's energy reserves and bring on the symptoms.

Hypoglycemia is a real threat to these tiny puppies, watch for your puppy to become tired or droopy. The first signs are those of listlessness and depression. They are followed by muscular weakness, tremors, and later convulsions, coma and even death. The puppy may appear depressed or may be weak, wobbly and jerky or the puppy may be found in a coma.

IF your puppy has any symptoms of Hypoglycemia you MUST act fast. If the puppy is awake, give Nutrical, Honey or Clear Karo Syrup by mouth. First rub the Karo Syrup on the gums and you should see signs of improvement within 15-20 minutes. Once the sugar level is brought back up, the puppy will need some nurishment or his sugar level can crash back down. If there is no improvement in the puppies condition, then call your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!

Try to prevent Hypoglycemia from happening by allowing only 20 minute intervals of playtime followed by rest or sleep. Do not allow the puppy to overtire at first. SUPERVISE CLOSELY with children to make sure that the puppy is getting enough rest and not being handled too roughly. Keep your puppy warm and don't let it become chilled.

Yorkie Adults and Puppies are a house dog and should NOT be living outdoors!

Work to prevent Hypoglycemic attacks by feeding a high quality kibble diet. Make sure that your puppy eats atleast every eight hours and more often if very small. Keep dry food and water available at all times. You can give a 1/2 teaspoon of Nutrical each morning and night for the first couple of days to help prevent the low blood sugar that can come with the excitement and stress of going to a new home and environment.

Your Puppy may experience one or several of the following signs of a Hypoglycemic Attack:

-- Lack of Energy

-- Weakness

-- Wobbling

-- Shivering

-- Lack of Muscle Coordination

-- Disorientation

-- Very Weak

-- Drooling

-- Lip Smacking

-- Glassy Eyes

-- Sleepiness

-- Unable to Wake

-- Laying or Sleeping in an Unusual Place

-- Acting in a Way that is Not the puppy's Usual Self

-- Seizures

-- Coma

What Causes a Puppy to Experience Hypoglycemia?

More Information About Hypoglycemia...

Quick Review of the Signs of a Hypoglycemic Attack...

This page was last updated: February 18, 2010