Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is difficult to diagnose even for veterinarians. Many puppies are lost unnecessarily simply because breeders know too little about hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia Can be Fatal

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.

The typical signs of hypoglycemia are listlessness, depression, staggering gait, muscular weakness, and tremors-especially of the face. Puppies with a severe drop in blood sugar develop seizures or become stuporous and go into a coma. Death can follow. This particular sequence of symptoms is not always seen, though. For example hypoglycemia in some puppies exhibit only weakness or a wobbly gait. Occasionally a puppy who seemed just fine is found in a hypoglycemic coma.

Puppies are subject to hypoglycemia as well as mature toy breeds. In the mature dog, hypoglycemia occurs usually when it is subjected to STRESS. It usually occurs in puppies from 4 to 5 months of age. Hypoglycemia can be brought on by stress or shock of some form.

Some Hypoglycemia Stressful Conditions:

1. Exposure to low room temperatures for a period of time or sleeping in drafts.
2. A puppy refuses to eat for over a period of 8 hours due to change of home and/or food.
3. Over-handling of young puppies and not letting them get enough rest/sleep.

Signs of Hypoglycemia

1. Puppy will appear limp and lifeless with the gums and tongue grayish blue in color
2. Often the eyes of a dog with hypoglycemia are unfocused and barely open. They may appear to be slightly sunken in.
3. Temperature will be sub-normal and may shiver or tremble in the early stages of hypoglycemia.

As the Hypoglycemia Conditions Worsens:

1. Puppy either goes into a coma or convulsions.
2. Unless hypoglycemia is properly diagnosed and cared for immediately, death will result.

A Veterinary’s Recommendations for Hypoglycemia:

1. 5-10 cc of a 5% solution of dextrose with added B-12.  This is given subcutaneously as it provides a longer lasting action.  Sometimes an injection for shock and stress may be given. Many Vets use a form of cortosteroid for the stress factor.  It is produced under many trade names, but your Vet will be sure to have it on hand.
2. When injections for hypoglycemia 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 watch for proper eliminations.

The bowels can move without help, but an older puppy may struggle to try and stand to eliminate. Check carefully for the urine, because the puppy could be in trouble if the kidneys cease to function. Make sure you keep the area clean. Use a cotton ball soaked with warm water if the puppy is comatose.

Keep a Glucose Solution of honey, sugar or corn syrup with equal amounts of water ready to feed with a syringe – 10 cc, 4 times a day in treating hypoglycemia.

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.

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