What Is Hypoglycemia
and Why Is It A Concern?
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Everyone seems to want the t-tiny little Poms (some call them T-cups). At Special Angels our smallest
dogs are 4 lbs and we think that's small enough. The tiny breed dogs are very delicate and fragile, very
cute, but not always the best choice for everyone. We prefer the medium size Poms because they just
don't seem to have as many health concerns as the smaller Poms. At Special Angels we strive to raise
good, sturdy, quality pups with a minimum of health concerns so you can enjoy your new baby. Any
small breed puppy is subject to Hypoglycemia and anyone who aquires a small breed puppy should be
aware of the signs, for your puppy's well being.
Hypoglycemia
Stress and low blood Sugar; 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, or even seizures. In fact, in young dogs that
have had what may appear to be an epileptic seizure, low blood sugar is generally ruled out before a
diagnosis of epilepsy is made.
Why are small breeds different? Puppies of very small size and 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, 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’s, 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) until they are 5-6 month old. 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 be purchased at Wal-Mart and is an effective quick remedy for stress & hypoglycemia.
Gatorade or similar electrolyte sports drinks can also be utilized. Even a quick remedy of plain sugar
water or corn syrup can be used, if you do not have anything else available. 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 won't drink on his own
rub a little bit of karo sirup on his gums. Contact your veterinarian immediately if the puppy does
not respond to the Nutrical or Karo syrup.