HYPOGLYCEMIA in Yorkies
Anyone who is considering adopting a yorkie puppy, especially a tiny yorkie puppy, absolutely must be aware of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in Yorkshire terrier puppies is very serious and can be fatal! The good news is hypoglycemia is 100% preventable. Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, a condition where the blood sugar level of a yorkie puppy 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, ect.).
Hypoglycemia is completely preventable. It is much easier to prevent hypoglycemia than to treat it.
When you first bring your yorkie puppy home, I strongly advise you to give to give your yorkie a palatable meal such as cooked chicken breast, chicken baby food, the yogurt mixture listed. A good option is to feed your Yorkshire terrier a small amount of stage 2 Gerber baby food Chicken and Gravy flavor. Check the label on the jar of baby food and make certain it contains no onion powder. Onions are toxic to yorkie puppies, and it could kill them! Your yorkie puppy should eat a decent size meal. If he/she doesn't, please call me right away so I can advise you and we will make certain your yorkie does not become hypoglycemic. Make sure your yorkie puppy eats every 3-4 hours, even if it is a small amount and even if you have to HAND FEED (force feeding the Yogurt/Kayro mixture) your yorkie puppy. The Yogurt mixture with Karo Syrup or Nutri-cal or Nutri-stat paste are wonderful for preventing hypoglycemia. I recommend using 3-5 times a day, especially first thing in the morning, after playtime and before bed. If yogurt mixture about 3 cc's or Nutri-Cal, squeeze about 1/2 of an inch of paste on your finger and rub on the roof of your yorkies mouth. Nutri-cal and Nutri-stat can be found at Petco, Petsmart, or WalMart.
Signs of Hypoglycemia in Yorkie Puppies. Please call your Vet & or myself immediately if your yorkie has any signs of hypoglycemia, or if you even THINK your Yorkshire terrier may have hypoglycemia. A yorkie puppy experiencing hypoglycemia is very scary and may exhibit one or more of the following signs:
1. The gums of a normal yorkie puppy will be bright red or pink just like human gums. Gums that are pale in places (whitish spots) or light pink may indicate that your yorkies blood sugar is dropping. Gums that are white, your yorkie puppy needs quick attention to avoid hypoglycemic coma. When the Yorkshire terrier puppies gums are pale pink or pink in spots you may give your yorkie Nutri-cal to restore your puppies blood sugar. If you do not have Nutri-cal on hand, you can use Karo's syrup, honey or pancake syrup to raise your yorkies sugar level.
2. Another sign that may be seen is your yorkie vomiting greenish or clear bile. Foamy saliva may also appear at your puppies mouth. These symptoms usually go hand in hand with your yorkie puppy not eating for awhile. You need to give your yorkie Yogurt, or Nutri-cal, then a protein based food as fast as possible.
3. More signs are: acting lethargic and listless, walking unsteady as if they were drunk, falling over, shakiness and even laying on their side and being unresponsive. This is a EMERGENCY and your yorkie must be given some type of sugar immediately! After giving a form of sugar, wrap your yorkie in a blanket to keep them warm. If a heating pad or electric blanket is available, set it to low and use it to help warm up your yorkie puppy. Wait 5 or 10 minutes for your yorkie to perk up. If there is no improvement, administer more sugar. When your yorkie puppy perks up give them a protein based meal so their blood sugar can level out.
EMERGENCY SITUATION: Take your yorkie puppy to a vet immediately if you see no signs of improvement or responsiveness, or if your Yorkshire puppy appears comatose. Rush to the Vet for a glucose injection or a I.V to save their life! Causes of Hypoglycemia.
1. Over handling your new yorkie puppy and not allowing them to get enough rest. I know how it is when you get a new yorkie puppy and you just want to play with them, but please keep in mind that they are babies need lots of sleep.
2. Puppies that do not receive enough nutrition. Just because your tiny puppy has a bowl of food, does not mean they are eating. It is not uncommon for a new yorkie puppy to forget where their food is if they have run of the house. Make sure you actually see you yorkie eating their food. THEY HAVE TO EAT EVEN IF HAND FEED!
3. Stress of moving to a new home. Please pay very close attention to your new yorkie puppy when you take them home. It is quite a transition for them. They have just left their mother and littermates. Most of the time they will be fine, but some will become stressed and stop eating.
4. Changing your yorkies food can cause diarrhea, resulting in hypoglycemia.