Small or toy breed puppies such as Yorkshire Terriers, Teacup Poodles, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas etc. are notorious for not eating enough in order to maintain their energy requirements. When this occurs, such small puppies can become hypoglycemic (have a low blood sugar) to the point where they will become extremely lethargic or even comatose and seizure activity may occur.
New owners will typically bring home their puppy at 6 weeks of age and up. Although the puppy is fully weaned off their mother and eating solid food, he/she still needs to be encouraged to eat proper amounts. At this young age, a puppy is highly reliant on it’s new owners to ensure it is eating enough to sustain it’s energy needs. Small or toy breed puppies should be fed at least every 3-4 hours. Most dry puppy food is too large for their little mouths and requires quite alot of effort to chew which will lead to the puppy eating insufficient amounts. A canned diet is recommended for at least their first 4 months. A liquid nutritional supplement available at veterinary clinics can be mixed in with canned food to add extra calories into the diet.
In the event that you suspect your puppy has become hypoglycemic, you can try giving them a teaspoon of cornsyrup orally as long as they are concious and able to swallow. Signs of hypoglycemia include; ataxia (the puppy will seem off-balance or fall over), lethargy or weakness, unresponsiveness and sometimes seizures. If you notice any of these signs, please call your veterinarian immediately or an emergency vet hospital if it is after hours for further instructions. Occasionally hypoglycemia in puppies is caused by a secondary problem such as a liver shunt (a genetic defect), therefore it is important to do follow up care with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
