CARDWELL'S CKC & AKC CHIHUAHUA'S

Please read this information sheet completely  You will be required to sign  this form that you completely understand what hypoglycemia is and how to treat it or even better how to prevent it. Puppy will not be sent home without one being signed.

Email me at cardwellb@sbcglobal.net 

  HYPOGLYCEMIA FORM

               Hypoglycemia (sometimes called sugar shock, low blood sugar and sugar down) is a condition where the blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, usually due to lack of food, or by using up all stored energy without it being replenished (playing/running for extended periods of time, shivering out of nervousness or being chilled, stress, etc...) without eating to replenish their energy, puppies can end up with hypoglycemia. Puppies are prone to this because they have such tiny digestive systems and can only store a little bit of food (energy) in their bodies at one time. Creamy Peanut butter on the roof of their mouths a few times daily works wonders!

          It is always easier to PREVENT hypoglycemia than to treat it...always make sure your puppy is eating every 3-4 hours, even if only a small amount, and even if you have to hand feed him/her. Just having food available is not always good enough. Nutra-cal (a low volume paste vitamin/mineral supplement for show, working or dogs under stress) is highly recommended to feed 1-3 size globs 3-5 times a day...especially first thing in the morning and last thing before bedtime. If your puppy is handled a lot by other people or has a rousing/energetic time of play (which they are very playful) then give some Nutra-cal in the middle of play time or at the end of playtime before they lay down to take a nap. When your puppy matures he/she may not need nutra-cal supplements and should be able to go 3-5 hours without eating if they are not having a super active day. It is a good idea to have Nutra-cal with you when you are gone for the day as it's easy to feed and keeps the puppy on the go" from having low blood sugar.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia:
         Your puppy may exhibit one or more of these signs. The gums of a normal puppy will be bright reddish/pink just like human gums...gums that are pale or light pink mean the blood sugar levels are dropping. If the gums are white...your pup needs quick attention to avoid a hypoglycemic coma. If they are white I recommend light karo syrup on the tongue (1 tsp) every 10 minutes until the gums return to normal and your pup is acting normal. If they are pale pink or pale in spots, Nutra-cal (5-6 pea sized globs) work to restore blood sugar levels quickly...if your puppy will eat dry kibble that is okay too, but you should at least give a couple pea sized globs of Nutra-cal first to restore blood sugar levels quickly. Also about 5 to 8 drops of honey on the pups tongue will bring them around in about 10 minutes.

             Another sign that is usually seen is vomiting on an empty stomach (clear liquid or bile) or saliva (foamy at the mouth). If your puppy has not eaten in awhile give them food or Nutra-cal immediately.

           More signs are: Acting listless and tired, sometimes walking with an unsteady walk as if drunk, shakiness, falling over, and in extreme cases even laying on their sides and being totally unresponsive...in this extreme case if the puppy is not given a quick form of nutrition (by prying their mouth open) like light karo syrup, honey, sugar water, Nutra-cal to raise the blood sugar quickly, coma and death will result. After giving a form of sugar (for severe cases I recommend light karo syrup, for preventative and mild cases I recommend Nutra-cal) you should see improvement and your puppy will be more alert in 1- minute (if not repeat and give more sugar of some form) If you see no signs of improvement or responsiveness, your puppy appears comatose RUSH to the NEAREST veterinarian office for glucose by injection or I.V. to save it's life. When your pup perks up and feels a little better give him/her a protein based meal (meat canned dog food or meat baby food) so the puppy's blood sugar will level out.

PREVENTING LOW BLOOD SUGAR IS THE BEST TREATMENT!
             Monitor Gum Color, Monitor Body Temperature (puppies under 2 pound cannot properly maintain the correct temperature and frequently get chilled, especially if they haven't had enough to eat)...Feel the ears, if the ears are warm you are o.k., but if the ears are cold the puppy is cold. If you are not sure put your finger in the puppies mouth, it should be very warm, almost hot. If it isn't, warm the pup with a towel or blanket out of the clothes dryer and
watch for low glucose signs.       

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