Hypoglycemia , or low blood sugar (sometimes called "sugar shock") 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.

(Such as when your puppy plays for an extended period of time without eating.)

Teacups can be prone to hypoglycemia because they have such tiny digestive

systems. They can only store a small amount of food (energy) in their bodies at

one time. Their liver and pancreas which are necessary for digestion and sugar

balance are also small and usually underdeveloped as well. This is why most

puppies tend to grow out of hypoglycemia as they get older. As they grow, so do

their major organs. This makes them more able to utilize and process the food

that they eat so it can sustain them for longer periods of time.

Also, other common triggers are stress (such as going to a new home) or bacterial

infections or coccidiosis. (Coccidiosis is a protozoan infection that most puppy and

adult dogs carry, but can lie dormant and cause no problems until in a stressful situation.

When a puppy is exposed to stress, and not getting proper nutrition, Coccidiosis can

rapidly multiply in the intestinal track and cause illness making hypoglycemia worse.

This is why many breeders and vets have been stumped as to how an otherwise

healthy puppy with a negative fecal exam can suddenly develop coccidiosis only a

few days after going to a new home.  This is also why having a stool sample analyzed

by your vet is a good idea if you are having a problem with hypoglycemia in your new puppy.

Coccidiosis is easily spread through feces from one dog to another and may require

all dogs in the home to be treated at the same time.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur without warning to any healthy

puppy and can be a very scary thing!  So it is best to know what to look for! Your puppy

may exhibit one or more of these signs: The first sign that is usually seen, is vomiting

on an *empty stomach. (*clear liquid or bile) If your teacup has not eaten in awhile,

and vomits without acting sick. Give them food, Nutri-CalŪ or karo syrup immediately!

Some other signs are: acting listless, weak, tired, sometimes walking with an unsteady

gait as if drunk, shakiness, falling over, stiffening up, laying on their side paddling with

their feet and being unable to  get up, and in very severe advanced cases, laying on their

side and being totally unresponsive or comatose.

If your puppy becomes hypoglycemic, it is very important that you react IMMEDIATELY!! 

If the puppy is not given some quick form of nutrition containing sugar (i.e. nutri-cal, honey,

sugar, glucose, karo syrup or any sugar containing product) to raise the blood sugar

immediately, coma, brain damage and/or possibly death could result. If any of these

symptoms occur, give the puppy a small dose of either nutri-cal, honey, sugar, glucose,

karo syrup, pancake syrup or any sugar containing product that is handy.

REMEMBER: to prevent hypoglycemia, puppies need to eat several small meals a day.

It is much easier to prevent Hypoglycemia, by always providing a readily available food

supply, than to have to treat it once it happens. It is very scary to see a puppy that you love

so dearly in "sugar shock."