However, in a young puppy, or a very tiny
toy dog, this condition is usually hypoglycemia,
brought on by stress or shock in some form. Also,
it usually occurs in puppies from 4 to 5 months of
age but CAN occur in mature toy breeds when they
are subjected to STRESS.
The stress usually causing this condition
is:
1-Overhandling 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 or sleeping in drafts..
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. They may appear to be slightly sunken in.
Temperature will be sub-normal and the puppy
will 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.
My Vet recommends an injection of 5-10 cc
of a five percent solution of dextrose with added
B-12. He gives this 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, my Vet also
gives an injection for shock and stress. He says
that 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 consciousness promptly. If the
seizure is bad or not CARED FOR IN TIME, the
puppy may REMAIN IN A COMA FOR DAYS.
When this happens, you must feed him, keep him
warm and quiet and see that he has proper eliminations.
Usually the bowels will move without help,
but an older puppy may struggle to be supported
erect on his feet for elimination. Check carefully
for urination as the pup is in trouble if the
kidneys cease to function. Wash genital area with
cotton soaked with warm water if the puppy is
comatose. If partially mobile, put his feet on a
towel at the edge of a wash basin. Support him
with one hand and turn the water on in the basin.
Hearing the running water usually makes them
urinate.
Also, Mix the Glucose Solution shown in
"Whelping Supplies" or Mix Honey, Sugar or Corn
Syrup with equal amounts of water and feed with
syringe 10cc four times a day.
When hypoglycemia is caught in time,
there is no reason why a puppy won't come out of it
and never have it 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.