Hypoglycemia in puppies

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is very common in small breed puppies. Its a condition that occurs when the blood  sugar drops due to stress, change of environment, too much activity, or lack of food/water. If your puppy plays too much, it burns calories quickly and does not know when to stop and eat food. Young puppies of small breeds need to eat regularly throughout the day to maintain their blood sugar levels.

Your puppy should be monitored for the first three days after arriving to it’s new home. It is important to keep an eye on your puppy and to look for signs. Learn what to look for and know how to prevent it because most breeders do not guarantee against hypoglycemia.

Here are some signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia:

  • Drooling, clenched teeth
  • Lethargic, unable to stand, weak and lifeless. Can have wobbly gait.
  • Staring as in a trance
  • Seizure or stiffness in body, shaking and body tremors

If your puppy displays any of these behaviors, you must act immediately. I am listing some items you should keep available if you have adopted a tiny puppy:

  • Karo syrup 
  • Nutri-Cal puppy paste, or Forti-Cal puppy paste 
  • Oral syringe for syringe feeding if necessary 
  • Chicken, beef, or turkey jar baby food 
  • “Vital” puppy loaf (located in refrigerated section of pet stores)

Wipe Karo syrup or Nutri-Cal paste on your finger and force it into your puppies mouth. You can swipe it on the inside of their cheek. You can also force feed 1/2 teaspoon of canned puppy food into their mouth by wiping it onto their tongue or roof of their mouth. You may have to pry the mouth open if the teeth are clenched.

Next, give a small amount of water in the puppy’s mouth with an oral syringe (approx 1 tsp) if the puppy does not perk up after a few minutes, give a pea size drop of NutriCal paste followed by a few drops of water.

If the puppy still does not respond well, try feeding the jar of baby food mixed with a little warm water and use the oral syringe to syringe the food in it’s mouth, just a little at a time, giving the puppy time to swallow.

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