Hypoglycemia

Recognising the signs

The scary part of hypoglycemia is that it happens so quickly. A number of times a perfectly fine puppy would be in dire straits only a couple of hours later.

Hypoglycemia was a major problem with the first litter and has never been explained properly. We had over 10 hypoglycemia incidents and 7 emergency vet trips. Each incident was harrowing.

The main signs are:

	Puppy generally does not feed as well as normal at the previous feed.
	The pup is sluggish and unresponsive.
	They are often dehydrated as well.
	Sometimes the precursor to hypoglycemia was shaking and a strange little chirping noise (often when the pup was sleeping).
	Body temperature is low (34C)

This strong and vigorous seven day old pup was on death's doorstep only a couple of hours after this photo was taken due to hypoglycemia. Scary stuff.

The worst hypoglycemia we had was with my puppy, Ed, at seven days old. That evening she didn't feed particularly well. This was not completely unusual for her and I normally would not have been overly worried. However my little voice told me to check on her 30 minutes after the feed.

I got the fright of my life. I picked her up and she was as stiff as a board and totally unresponsive! As I was holding her she went totally limp and then stiffened up again as if she was having muscle spasms. She was unconscious and I was distraught.

I phoned my vet to come round immediately and I set to work on Ed. Her temperature was very low (although she has been under the heat lamp with the other pups) and she was dehydrated. I held her against my skin and wet my finger with water and rubbed her gums. I also moved her legs around to try and get the muscles functioning properly.

After 30 minutes she started coming round. By then the vet had arrived and he gave her warmed subcut fluids. She perked up immediately. I waited for another 30 minutes until her temperature was correct and then I fed her. She guzzled that bottle like nobody's business!

Before the vet could leave another two pups became hypoglycemic! The same procedure was followed and they were fine. Two hours after the vet left another pup became hypoglycemic. Now I knew what to do and the pup was fine after an hour or so.

What to do

The most important factor is to get the pup's temperature up to about 36C. This is best achieved through slow warming against your skin.

The pup will more than likely be dehydrated as well, so warmed fluids given subcutaneously by a vet may be needed.

Glucose powder rubbed onto the puppy's gums may also bring about a rapid response, but please check with your vet first.

Once the pup's temperature is around 36C and they are lively they can be fed. Once they are fed their blood sugar is restored, but keep a close eye on them.

How to avoid hypoglycemia

	Smaller more frequent meals may help to stabilise the blood sugar levels.
	In my experience the EcoVet Large Breed Puppy Colostrum (with insulin growth regulators) from day one seemed to make a massive difference.
	Moving the pups into a north facing room also appeared to help.
	We did not have one hypoglycemia incident with the second litter with these measures! That is not co-incidence.

Page last updated: 18-09-08 11:02:04 PM

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