Transient juvenile hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar, or glucose, drops too low (and/or too fast) in puppies.
Transient juvenile hypoglycemia is common in puppies because their bodies cannot yet regulate blood glucose concentrations in the way an adult dog's body does. This means puppies must have more glucose, or blood sugar, more often than an adult. Glucose is made in your dog's body when food is digested. This means puppies need to eat often---depending upon their age and size, as often as three or four times a day.
Most commonly affected by juvenile hypoglycemia are toy breeds less than 3 months old.
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Causes
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Transient juvenile hypoglycemia is most often caused by a puppy going too long between meals. Stress, cold, malnutrition, excessive exercise and intestinal parasites are also common causes of transient juvenile hypoglycemia. Symptoms depend upon how quickly and how low the blood sugar concentration drops in a puppy.
Lack of Energy
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Lack of energy may be the most common sign of hypoglycemia in puppies. Glucose fuels the body and provides energy, meaning puppies suffering from transient juvenile hypoglycemia are listless and weak.
Seizures
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Because glucose is necessary for the brain's tissue and muscles to work, if glucose levels drop dangerously low, the puppy may have seizures. Sometimes, hypoglycemia can even cause puppies to faint or become comatose. Because of this, it is important to notice initial symptoms, such as listlessness, and provide treatment immediately.
Other Symptoms
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Additional symptoms can include a loss of appetite, lack of coordination, trembling, muscle twitching, unusual behavior and dilated pupils. If your suspect your puppy is suffering from hypoglycemia but he is not exhibiting noticeable symptoms, look at his gums. A puppy's gums are normally a red to bright pink color--the same as yours. However, if a puppy is suffering from hypoglycemia, his gums are pale pink to white.
Treatment
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If you suspect that your dog is experiencing hypoglycemia, rub a bit of Karo syrup or honey on your pet's gums and call your veterinarian. The doctor will determine the underlying cause of the hypoglycemic attack. If the cause of the hypoglycemia is indeed a lack of food or too much exercise, it can be easily treated and prevented from reoccurring.
Prevention
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To prevent juvenile hypoglycemia, provide puppies with a warm environment, feed frequently (as often as three times per day), do routine vaccinations and deworm puppies as recommended by your veterinarian.
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