Menudo - Puppy Hypoglycemia

By: Anita Dalimata, DVM

Menudo is a 4 week old Chihuahua puppy that was transferred to Santa Fe Animal Emergency Clinic (SFAEC) for suspected seizures.  When he arrived, he was limp and unresponsive, his eyes were rolled back in his head and he was cold with a body temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit (normal is 100 to 102.5).  When a medical history was taken from Menudo’s owner, it was revealed that Menudo had been obtained from a breeder two days earlier. He had been staggering the night before but was able to eat dry puppy food which improved his behavior.  However, he would not eat again and the owners found him very weak and lethargic.  On the way to the family veterinarian, Menudo began twitching.

Puppy  hypoglycemia is a very common veterinary emergency.

When Menudo arrived at the SFAEC, he’s immediate initial care included placement of an intravenous catheter, initiation of body warming by placing him on warm water bottles, and a warm air blanket called a Bair Hugger placed around him.  A blood sample was drawn and his blood glucose (blood sugar level) was found to be 22 mg/dl, normal range being 90 to 120 mg/dl, confirming that his condition was being caused by a severely low blood sugar level.  A dose of dextrose was given intravenously and administration of warmed IV fluids was initiated.  Within five minutes, Menudo began to lift his head, move his legs, and attempt to stand. He began to object to being handled and monitored by vocalizing.  He was offered a high calorie, warmed, canned puppy food and began to eat on his own within 15 minutes of arrival at SFAEC.

Menudo spent the next 24 hours in the hospital.  He received IV fluids supplemented with electrolytes and dextrose.  His temperature, blood sugar levels, appetite and attitude were closely monitored, and after 12 hours of having normal blood sugar levels and eating on his own, his IV dextrose supplementation was stopped and IV fluids without supplement was continued. His blood sugar level remained normal when off of the IV supplement.  He continued to eat well on his own, play and sleep.  He was discharged to his owners with instructions for them to feed him (and make sure he was actually eating), every 4 hours until he was anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks of age.

Puppy  hypoglycemia is a very common veterinary emergency. Small and toy breed dogs such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers and poodles are most likely to be affected. It occurs because glucose is the only energy source the brain can use.  Puppies have a smaller liver and less skeletal mass and a larger brain size in proportion to the remainder of the body.  If puppies do not eat every 3 to 6 hours or so, they have very little glucose reserve within their body to draw from.  Common signs that a puppy may be becoming hypoglycemic include a change in behavior, confusion, weakness/staggering when walking, lethargy and seizures.  Veterinary care should be sought immediately if the above symptoms occur.

Puppy hypoglycemia can mostly be prevented by feeding puppies a diet that is high in carbohydrate and protein and higher in fat (most good quality puppy food qualify) and making sure that the puppy eats every 3 to 6 hours, meaning the owner may need to get up at night with a new puppy.  Many puppies refuse to eat a new food when introduced to a new home or have not adjusted to being weaned from their mothers so making the transition to a new home as stress free and smoothe as possible is ideal.

References:      
- Veterinary Pediatrics, 3rd Edition by Johnny D.Hoskins, DVM
- VeterinaryPartner.com

Dr. Dalimata graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1996.  She initially joined a mixed animal practice in Kadoka, SD and then spent 15 months at a 24-hour emergency and critical care facility and day practice in North Andover, MA.  Dr. Dalimata moved to Santa Fe in 1998 and immediately joined the staff as an emergency veterinarian at the original Santa Fe Animal Emergency Clinic. After five years, she left emergency medicine to join the Santa Fe Animal Hospital where she devoted another five years as a day practice veterinarian.  Dr. Dalimata joined the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of Santa Fe in March 2009 as an emergency veterinarian and is glad to be back practicing emergency medicine.  When not devoting herself to work, Dr. Dalimata enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, and cooking.