Hypoglycemia

This product is frequently provided by both veterinarians and breeders for use in toy breed puppies. It consists basically of a malt-flavored paste with sugar and vitamins. Some puppies will readily lap it off fingers, and others will only take it if it is smeared on the roof of the mouth.

Mix Karo syrup in the drinking water for the first 5-7 days. Water should be changed daily to avoid bacteria growth.

Lack of energy, sleepiness, unable to wake, glassy eyes, head tilting, wobbling, restlessness, shivering, weakness, acting listless, lack of muscular coordination, laying or sleeping in an unusual location, acting in an unusual manner, drooling, disorientation, lip smacking, getting stuck in a place the animal can normally get out of, seizures, coma

If caught in the early stages, treatment is simple. Rub Nutri-Cal (Caro syrup will do if you have no Nutri-Cal) on the puppy's gums, under the tongue, and on the roof of the mouth. (Caution: do not use honey.) Get a heating pad or heating blanket and slowly warm the puppy to proper body temperature. If the puppy responds, all is well. Feed a quality canned food right away (you may want to mix it with egg yolk) and then monitor the puppy to be sure that the condition does not recur. Be sure to eliminate the stress that caused the episode if at all possible. If caught in the more advanced stages, treatment is more complicated. Always assume that the puppy is alive. Rub Nutri-Cal or karo in the mouth. Slowly warm the puppy to normal body temperature (101-102 degrees F) and keep him warm continuously with light heat. If the puppy still does not respond, carefully eye dropper karo water into the mouth, a little at a time. Call your veterinarian and inform him that you have a hypoglycemic puppy. Your vet will likely recommend a prescription canned food such as a/d to give as your puppy recovers. You can finger feed the a/d 'as is' from the can and add Pedialyte to the drinking water. 

You must also keep the puppy warm at all times. Do not overheat, or dehydration will occur. In severe cases, you may need to force feed a/d for a time. As your puppy improves, he will begin to eat in his own, and then you can gradually phase back in his regular food.

Hypoglycemic incidents are almost always preceded by a stress of some kind. Some examples of common stresses include: weaning, teething, vaccinations, a change in environment, over-handling. Many puppies simply play too hard and stress their system or forget to eat. 

Tiny dogs often do not have the fat reserves to supply adequate glucose in times of stress or when they do not eat regularly. Hypoglycemia most often occurs when the puppy has not eaten for several hours. It is important to "free feed" toy puppies a high quality Food. Toy puppies simply have too high of an energy level to be restricted to scheduled Feedings. Most do fine if switched to scheduled feedings when they reach adulthood, but They must have access to food and water at all times when they are puppies When your puppy comes home again after a hypoglycemic episode, it is important to watch food intake and be aware of any changes in energy level. As the puppy gets bigger, risk factors diminish. Teeth get stronger, body fat stores develop, and the immune system matures. Eventually, hypoglycemia risks become minimal, and the puppy can continue life as any other puppy, playing, chewing things up, and learning the behavior control necessary to be a good house pet.