Title: Hypoglycemia - A Common Problem In The Toy Dog
Author: 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.staingla
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://shihtzuartic
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