CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR NEW PUPPY
Every effort has been made to assure that your puppy is healthy, happy and well socialized when you take him/her home. We cannot control what happens once a healthy puppy leaves us, but we can give you some information so that your puppy stays healthy and happy.
First your puppy has been eating "Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul" We recommend that you continue feeding this food as it is a 5 star, premium good quality food and that is what he/she is used to. As puppies we soak small amounts of this food several times daily. Feeding small frequent meals is recommended to prevent hypoglycemia (see below on hypoglycemia) which can happen with very small puppies. Make sure he/she has access to fresh water at all times.
Second, your puppy is used to sleeping with either siblings or mom and therefore body temperature is easier for them to regulate. When you take your puppy home, most likely they will be sleeping by themselves. Remember to keep them out of drafts, and in a warm place (comfortable for you). Puppies can catch colds an upper respiratory infections if they are chilled. Never feed a chilled puppy. Always warm them first. Only a touch of Nutri cal under the tongue until the puppy is fully warmed, then feed normally.
Please keep in mind that your new puppy is NOT fully protecting from Parvo or Distemper until they have finished their full series of shots. When your puppy leaves here, they are up to date on shots but may still need one or two to complete the series. It is recomended that you do NOT take your puppy places that other dogs frequent until they have had their full series of shots. This includes your pet food stores, dog parks, groomers etc.
If you have any problems or questions please feel free to call and I will be happy to advise you.
Hypoglycemia, the medical term for low blood sugar is a condition in which there is a drastic, sudden drop in the level of blood sugar in the puppy. It is most often in seen in toy breed puppies and usually not seen in puppies over twelve weeks of age. It is most likely caused by the uneven spurts in growth of the internal organs of the puppy, especially the pancreas. The brain will receive incorrect signals from the pancreas and not send out a correct signal for the release of a proper amount of sugar in the bloodstream. Signs of an attack are a weakness, confusion, wobbly gait, frothing or drooling from the mouth - sometimes even a seizure and drain of blood from the head. A check of the gums will show them to be pale, almost a grayish white in color rather than a healthy bright pink. The puppy can go into shock and, if not cared for properly and promptly, may even die.
Causes
For the young pup prone to this condition, even a brief period of fasting in a toy breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack", Any significant stress, such as a routine trip to the vet's, that occurs in the absence of a recent meal, can cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels. Low environmental temperatures, infections, vaccinations, strenuous exercise, and inadequate nutrition increase the risk even further.
Treatment
Feeding recommendations for puppies at risk for hypoglycemia include: frequent (4-5 times a day) feedings of high-carbohydrate, high -protein and/or -fat foods. Feeding soft moist foods may help to prevent a hypoglycemia attack due to the high sugar content. It is always wise to have Nutri Cal on hand with small puppies. A small amount placed under the tongue should restore blood sugar levels enough to be able to feed a normal protien meal. Pedialite or a little Gatorade is good to in case of an attack once they can drink on their own. These have electrolytes which is helpful with ailing pups. Corn syrup can be used also by placing a small amount under the tongue and on the gums. Make sure to follow up with a normal protien meal such as chicken baby food or canned dog food. Once these steps are followed, puppy should his/her normal playful self. Watch the puppy closely for recurrence of symptoms. For pups who have had recurrent or prolonged signs, monitoring the urine for ketones with a "dipstick" made for diabetics is helpful, since a return to "ketone negative status" signals a return to normalcy. If these measures don't correct the problem, a trip to the vet is recommended.
