Hypoglycemia
- A Common Problem In The Toy Dog
By Connie Limon
One of the main things a new owner needs to take
precautions against is a new puppy developing hypoglycemia
or low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can occur without much warning
and within hours of a puppy going to a new home, missing a
meal, or does not eat full meals, gets chilled, overtired
or exhausted from too much handling or playing. It occurs
more in the toy breeds, but can also occur in larger breeds.
Signs are a depressed affect or mood, weakness, wobbly gait,
jerky, lethargic. The neck may get stiff. The head may appear
to be tilted to either the left or right and teeth may be
clamped tightly together. These are all signs this puppy is
having a drop in their sugar level and if left untreated will
progress to convulsions, seizures or coma and can then be
fatal.
If any of these symptoms are present, take your puppy to the
nearest vet or animal emergency center. If this is not possible
or on the way to the vet, if you have white Karo syrup or
can get this quickly. Mix the white Karo syrup with water
and place on the puppy's tongue with a dropper or just place
some syrup on your finger and rub on the puppy's gums. Do
not put excessive amounts in the puppy's mouth, as the puppy
can choke. Nutri-cal is the best to keep in a household of
canines or puppies. Nutri-cal gives quick results and gets
into the bloodstream within seconds. Dosage instructions is
on the tube. You can give Nutri-cal using a syringe. Take
out the plunger, place the opening of the Nutri-cal tube at
the opening of the syringe and squeeze in the Nutri-cal to
the specified dosage. Then squirt it a small amount at a time
into the puppy's mouth. If your puppy has had a low blood
sugar attack, using Pedyalite instead of water helps with
any dehydration.
Prevention:
Add one tqblespoon of honey or sugar to every 16 ounces of
water. Keep plain drinking water available as well. Leave
food out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a puppy just arriving
home up until at least 12 weeks of age and sometimes beyond
this if the puppy is a very tiny size. Never feed chocolate,
fried foods or milk. Do not allow puppy to become over-chilled
or tired. Let your new puppy rest and become acustomed to
his new home. Give puppy Nutri-cal, about one inch every 6
hours for at least 48 hours in a new home and if you begin
to see puppy acting very lethargic, give Nutri-cal.
What should you have ready
for a new puppy:
- Food breeder had puppy on.
- If you plan to change puppy's food, you still need to have
a small bag of breeder's brand to mix with your brand until
you have weaned puppy off breeder's brand of food.
- Always keep Nutri-cal
- Water Bottles
- A Housebreaking Crate
- Soft Blankets and Quilts
- Non-slip steel bowls (a good brand can be found at Flint
River
Ranch
- Gourmet Dental Treats from HealthyPetNet
- Ear Care Formula (I strongly recommend the formula from
HealthyPetNet) Brushes, combs and a good tearless shampoo.
These are just a few items to have ready for the arrival of
a new puppy. Ask your breeder for anything else he/she would
recommend you have. Most important is to have the Nutri-cal
and to give Nutri-cal especially to the tiny toy breeds.
This article is free to publish with the resource box.
About the Author:
Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com
and sign up for our FREE newsletters. I raise Shih Tzu puppies
in a variety of colors for pet or show at reasonable prices.
Visit our Shih Tzu article collection at http://shihtzuarticles.com
Source: www.isnare.com
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