Family Pets Hospital: (410) 529-7297

Owings Mills Animal & Bird Hospital: (410) 363-0393

VCA Animal Hospital at Centre Park: (410) 955-9077

VCA North Rockville Animal Hospital: (301) 340-9292

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the most common disorder of metabolism seen in small, young puppies. Puppies are at a greater risk to develop hypoglycemia than adult dogs because puppies have a smaller liver, less muscle and a larger brain in proportion to the size of their body and therefore cannot store very much sugar in their muscles and liver for later use. Very young puppies cannot tolerate more than a few hours of going without food. A common form of hypoglycemia is called juvenile hypoglycemia because it occurs in puppies less than three months of age.

COMMON SIGNS

The common signs of hypoglycemia are: weakness, dizziness, confusion, fainting and seizures (convulsions). These problems are mostly likely to be seen first thing in the morning, after the puppy has gone without food all night. Another frequent time that these signs may occur in tiny puppies is after a long period of playing, after a long, stressful car ride or a visit to your veterinarian.

PREVENTION

Feed several meals a day consisting of high calorie, high fat and high protein puppy food. This should include a middle of the night feeding in tiny, toy puppies. Dry food is generally best for puppies, but small puppies may prefer canned food. If the puppy is not eating, try offering canned food. Puppies less than 3 pounds should be feed four (4) to five (5) times daily. Don't subject a tiny puppy to additional stress. Limit playtimes to ten - fifteen (10 - 15) minutes. Tiny puppies may not travel well and should be kept home as much as possible. Before a play session and an hour before a car ride or veterinarian visit, feed a small meal or give an inch or two (2) of Nutrical paste.

EMERGENCY TREATMENT

At the first sign of weakness or loss of coordination, give the puppy a teaspoon or so of Karo Syrup or Nutrical. Put this on the puppy's tongue so it will dissolve or have the puppy swallow if it is alert enough. You should see the puppy return to normal within a few minutes. Try this again, if there is no improvement; contact a Just Puppies veterinarian above.

• Just Puppies does not recommend purchasing a toy breed puppy in environments where they will be exposed to children under the age of seven (7) and dogs over fifteen (15) pounds.
• Toy breed puppies may require several feedings a day, including night time feedings, and should not be left alone for more than two-three (2-3) hours.

No refunds will be given for hypoglycemia.