| Hypoglycemia |
| A Chihuahua is similar to a Hummingbird. They both have high caloric needs and with out enough sugar in their system, they cannot survive. My Veterinarian once explained to me the differences between a Chihuahua and a Great Dane (don't laugh, this is not a joke.) Imagine all of the nerves inside of a Great Dane bundled up inside of a little tiny Chihuahua! This explains why Chihuahuas are sometimes a little more nervous and high strung as times. They are an easily excitable breed. They can be more easily stressed out and can catch a chill much faster than many breeds. Due to this fact, they have far different needs than a large breed dog. They are delicate and fragile. They need a proper diet and an observant owner. |
Chihuahuas and Hypoglycemia
HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR)
Hypoglycemia is a syndrome that occurs primarily in toy breeds between 6 and 12 weeks of age. A
hypoglycemic attack is often precipitated by stress.
The typical signs are listlessness, depression, staggering gait, muscular weakness and tremors -
especially of the face. Puppies with a severe drop in blood sugar develop seizures or become stuperous
and go into a coma. Death can follow. The sequence of symptoms just described is not always seen.
For example, some puppies exhibit only weakness or a wobbly gait. Occasionally a puppy that seemed
just fine is found in a coma.
Episodes of hypoglycemia often occur without warning - for example, when a puppy is stressed by
shipping. Other common causes of acute hypoglycemia are missing a meal, chilling, becoming
exhausted from too much play or having an upset stomach. These events place an added strain on the
energy reserves of the liver.
Hypoglycemia can occur in adult hunting dogs as a consequence of sustained exercise and depletion of
liver glycogen. It is important to feed these dogs before hunting and to increase the protein content of
their diets. Hypoglycemia in diabetic dogs is caused by insulin overdose. Unexplained hypoglycemia
that occurs in older dogs is likely to be caused by an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas.
Prolonged or repeated hypoglycemic attacks in Toy breed puppies can cause brain damage. Puppies
with frequent attacks should undergo veterinary testing to rule out an underlying problem such as
liver shunt, infection, or an enzyme or hormone deficiency.
Treatment: The treatment of an acute attack is directed toward restoring the blood sugar. Begin
immediately. If the puppy is awake and able to swallow, give corn syrup or sugar water by syringe, or
rub corn syrup or glucose paste on the gums. You should see improvement in 30 minutes. If not, call
your veterinarian.
If the pup is unconscious, do not give an oral solution because it will be inhaled. Rub corn syrup or
glucose paste on the gums and proceed at once to your veterinarian. This puppy will require an
intravenous dextrose solution and may need to be treated for brain swelling.
Oral glucose paste is sold at pharmacies. If you know your dog is subject to hypoglycemic attacks,
keep this product on hand.
Prevention: Susceptible puppies should be fed at least four times a day. It is important to feed a
high-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet. It is essential that the diet be high quality. Your
veterinarian can recommend appropriate premium food.
Food supplements and table scraps should not exceed 5 to 10 percent of the total daily ration. Owners
of toy puppies should take precautions to see that they do not become excessively tired or chilled.
Many (but not all) puppies outgrow this problem.
HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR)
Hypoglycemia is a syndrome that occurs primarily in toy breeds between 6 and 12 weeks of age. A
hypoglycemic attack is often precipitated by stress.
The typical signs are listlessness, depression, staggering gait, muscular weakness and tremors -
especially of the face. Puppies with a severe drop in blood sugar develop seizures or become stuperous
and go into a coma. Death can follow. The sequence of symptoms just described is not always seen.
For example, some puppies exhibit only weakness or a wobbly gait. Occasionally a puppy that seemed
just fine is found in a coma.
Episodes of hypoglycemia often occur without warning - for example, when a puppy is stressed by
shipping. Other common causes of acute hypoglycemia are missing a meal, chilling, becoming
exhausted from too much play or having an upset stomach. These events place an added strain on the
energy reserves of the liver.
Hypoglycemia can occur in adult hunting dogs as a consequence of sustained exercise and depletion of
liver glycogen. It is important to feed these dogs before hunting and to increase the protein content of
their diets. Hypoglycemia in diabetic dogs is caused by insulin overdose. Unexplained hypoglycemia
that occurs in older dogs is likely to be caused by an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas.
Prolonged or repeated hypoglycemic attacks in Toy breed puppies can cause brain damage. Puppies
with frequent attacks should undergo veterinary testing to rule out an underlying problem such as
liver shunt, infection, or an enzyme or hormone deficiency.
Treatment: The treatment of an acute attack is directed toward restoring the blood sugar. Begin
immediately. If the puppy is awake and able to swallow, give corn syrup or sugar water by syringe, or
rub corn syrup or glucose paste on the gums. You should see improvement in 30 minutes. If not, call
your veterinarian.
If the pup is unconscious, do not give an oral solution because it will be inhaled. Rub corn syrup or
glucose paste on the gums and proceed at once to your veterinarian. This puppy will require an
intravenous dextrose solution and may need to be treated for brain swelling.
Oral glucose paste is sold at pharmacies. If you know your dog is subject to hypoglycemic attacks,
keep this product on hand.
Prevention: Susceptible puppies should be fed at least four times a day. It is important to feed a
high-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet. It is essential that the diet be high quality. Your
veterinarian can recommend appropriate premium food.
Food supplements and table scraps should not exceed 5 to 10 percent of the total daily ration. Owners
of toy puppies should take precautions to see that they do not become excessively tired or chilled.
Many (but not all) puppies outgrow this problem.
| The above reading was directly quoted from pages 456 & 457 of "The Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook", All New 3rd Edition. Written by James M. Giffin, MD & Liisa D. Carlson, DVM and published by HOWELL BOOK HOUSE in the year of 2000. *This book is a "Must Have" for all dog owners! Take it from someone who knows, this is like the dog "Bible". Everyone who owns a dog should buy a copy. This book can be purchased in most large pet stores and it is invaluable!* |
| Things to Remember! Hypoglycemia left untreated can result in DEATH. Please NEVER EVER forget this! Frequent and prolonged episodes can cause irreversible brain damage. Hypoglycemia is a syndrome. Hypoglycemia is NOT inherited. I am NOT responsible for puppies, vet bills, or the death of puppies suffering from hypoglycemia after they leave my care due to negligence of the owner. Do NOT buy a Toy breed if you can not accept this! Hypoglycemia can "strike" when you LEAST expect it! Don't ever be too sure or feel that "this won't happen to MY puppy". Hypoglycemia can happen, unfortunately, even to people who Love their puppies and feel that they are doing the best they can to take great care of him/her. Prevention is the Number One way to avoid this from happening to your puppy. Don't let your puppy become too exhausted from play, training, car rides, etc. Don't let your puppy become chilled or whatever else could cause undo stress! I recommend all Toy breed owners have a tube of Nutrical on hand at all times. Nutrical can be purchased at most pet stores and veterinarians. Nutrical comes in a gel base that is easy to administer and safe for puppies and adults and is high in calories. Nutrical is the number one remedy we use for hypoglycemia. Ask your veterinarian what the proper dosage and method of administration is for your puppy. I use about 3cc every half hour for puppies when needed. Don't let your puppy miss a meal, if he/she is not eating, make sure to do what ever is in YOUR power to ensure your puppy is consuming enough calories! Even if it means a phone call or a trip to your veterinarian! Keep your veterinarians phone number and their emergency numbers and my phone number posted in a well known visible place in your home. For those out there who are set on buying a tiny "Tea Cup" puppy, do your research beforehand because they are highly susceptible to hypoglycemia and often times many things much worse than this. They are not a dog for the faint of heart. Very small Chihuahuas often come with very BIG health concerns, irregardless of how diligent and respected of a breeder you choose to buy a tiny puppy from. Dogs are not always problem free. I do my best to breed only for the highest quality and healthiest puppies possible and place puppies only into loving and secure homes. If you have ANY Questions or concerns - DO NOT hesitate to call me! I am your puppies breeder and this is what I am here for! If you cannot reach me and you feel that your puppy needs help immediately - DO NOT delay in calling your veterinarian! Your veterinarian will know what to do! If your puppy is known to have a pattern of hypoglycemic episodes, you must NOT leave your puppy unsupervised for extended periods of time. No questions asked! Remember hypoglycemia can "strike" when you LEAST expect it! If you feel that you can not properly care for a puppy with hypoglycemia, please contact me immediately. I am experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with hypoglycemic puppies. I am not responsible for hypoglycemia and/or negligence of the new owner(s). I am willing to take back any puppies that are not able to be cared for properly or become a burden to their new owners. You may have bought your puppy from me - but they will always be my "babies". I am NOT a veterinarian! I cannot replace your veterinarians advice! This information is provided ONLY as a learning tool and to alert people of the dangers of Hypoglycemia. However, I have years of experience in dealing with hypoglycemia and other health concerns and issues. I have been told by more than one vet clinic over the years that I am MORE knowledgeable in several aspects of the breeding, whelping, rearing and breed specific care of the Chihuahua than many veterinarians. Veterinarians treat a wide variety of breeds and species and it is not too common to find a veterinarian that is a true expert in the Chihuahua breed. This of course does not mean that I know more than the average veterinarian! Just that I may know more about one specific area than some. Your vet, and mine, are very important and no book or breeder can replace their realm of knowledge and years of training and experience! Now that you know that this is a possibility, and if you feel that this is something that you can NOT "live" with - DO NOT buy a Toy breed puppy! For those of you who, after reading the above, are still set on getting a Chihuahua puppy, take your new responsibilities to heart and make a commitment to love and take the best care possible of your loving and trusting little friend for their entire life. |
| My phone number is 715-685-4435, DON'T lose it! |
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