PURINA Pro Club Chihuahua UpdateVol. 8, No. 1 ■ June 2009 Hypoglycemia Requires Quick Intervention in Toy and Small Breeds hihuahua breeder Jennifer Similar to Smolarz’s Chihuahua is particularly common in toy breeds. Smolarz of Chesterfield, Mich., Laney, Lucy had a hypoglycemic attack Because puppies have not fully devel- Cwho breeds under the Whisper as a 12-week-old puppy, when Amirov oped the ability to regulate blood prefix, began breeding the toy breed was picking her up at the airport. “When glucose concentration and have a high four years ago after a decade of foster- I got her out of the crate, she was requirement for glucose, they are ing rescue Chihuahuas. In record time, happy and active, but I noticed her particularly vulnerable. Stress, cold, she finished a stunning bitch from the stomach, lips and ears were tinged malnutrition and intestinal parasites Bred By Class at the 2007 Chihuahua blue,” Amirov says. “Lucy had flown may also trigger juvenile hypoglycemia. Club of America from Dallas to Boston. It “I am absolutely positive that many National Specialty. Signs of Hypoglycemia was too much for her. I Chihuahuas die from this condition The win was a knew right away she was each year,” says Smolarz. dream come true, • Loss of appetite going into sugar shock.” “An animal that goes a prolonged but for Smolarz it • Extreme lethargy Having read about period without glucose may eventually was even more • Lack of coordination low blood sugar shock, slip into a coma and possibly die,” poignant considering • Trembling or hypoglycemia, prior Casal says. “In toy and small-breed dogs, that CH Amberleigh • Muscular twitching to buying Lucy, Amirov N Whispers She’s • Weakness knew what she had to All That (“Laney”) • Seizures do. She left the airport “AN ANIMAL THAT GOES nearly died at 8 • Unusual behavior and bought a palatable, A PROLONGED PERIOD WITHOUT weeks of age. “She • Dilated pupils high-caloric supplement should have been • Stupor or coma for animals. GLUCOSE MAY EVENTUALLY SLIP happy and alert, “Lucy came back but instead she was listless, not eating pretty quickly,” says Amirov. “If I had INTO A COMA AND POSSIBLY DIE.” or drinking, and just wouldn’t get up,” waited, I could have easily lost her MARGRET CASAL, D.V.M., PH.D., recalls Smolarz. “I knew something was from this.” ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICAL GENETICS wrong, but I wasn’t sure what to do.” Hypoglycemia is a condition that AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL She called one of her mentors who mostly affects toy and small-breed OF VETERINARY MEDICINE helped her get started in breeding and dogs. Many toy dog breeders are aware described the puppy’s condition. “She of hypoglycemia, but few understand knew exactly what was happening and what happens physically when a dog that timeframe is greatly reduced when told me to give Laney sugar water,” has low blood sugar, or glucose. compared to larger dogs.” Smolarz says. “After about 10 minutes, Among the signs of hypoglycemia Laney began coming around, but she Understanding Hypoglycemia are loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, wasn’t really back to normal until the “In a nutshell, the brain can only use lack of coordination, trembling, muscle next day.” glucose for energy,” explains Margret twitching, weakness, seizures, and Smolarz shivers to think what Casal, D.V.M., Ph.D., assistant professor discoloration of skin and gums. could have happened if her mentor of medical genetics at the University “They usually act like they are had not been home that day. “Toy of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary drunk,” says Amirov. “They may be and small-breed dogs can die very Medicine. “If glucose levels drop in lethargic, shivering or refusing to get rapidly from hypoglycemia,” she says. the blood, then there is less energy up and play. Most won’t eat or drink. Stacey Amirov of Providence, R.I., for the brain, which causes neuro- If you know your puppies well and agrees that hypoglycemia can quickly logical signs such as disorientation, they are acting out of the ordinary, become an urgent health condition tremors and coma. there’s a very good chance they are in toys and small breeds. Another “Normally, glucose is stored in the going into low sugar shock. A simple newcomer to breeding Chihuahuas, form of glycogen in the body, and case of hypoglycemia is often due to Amirov breeds under the Starsen when necessary, hormones stimulate overactivity combined with too much Chihuahua prefix. One of the first the breakdown of glycogen to supply time between meals. Chihuahuas she bought was Cam’s the brain and other tissues with fuel,” “After a dog has crashed due to Lucille’s a Ball of Starsen (“Lucy”). she continues. “Sometimes in toy and hypoglycemia, I follow up with a “Lucy’s first breeding produced small breeds the process does not occur protein-rich food, such as a canned three puppies that are finished quickly enough and hypoglycemia puppy food, to help stabilize the champions, and four from a second begins to kick in.” blood sugar and prevent another litter are waiting in the wings,” Juvenile hypoglycemia, which occurs crash,” she says. “If a dog doesn’t Amirov says. in puppies less than 3 months of age, Continued on page 2 Hypoglycemia In contrast to the hypoglycemia of hypoglycemia in their Chihuahua continued from page 1 experienced by Lucy and Laney, Casal puppies so they can take steps to help says the disorder may occur secondary them before it is too late. “Breeders stabilize and continues to have diffi- to other conditions. Other causes also should include information about culty after being given glucose, then include fasting before vigorous exercise hypoglycemia in packets they send I take him to the veterinarian. However, or hunting dog hypoglycemia. Addison’s with puppies going to new homes,” during a hypoglycemic attack, time disease, an endocrine disorder causing Casal says. “Sharing information is is of the essence.” weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and very important and could save a Experts recommend rubbing syrup dog’s life.” on a dog’s gums, dabbing sugar water “It is not always easy to detect if on or under the tongue, or giving a UNTIL MORE INFORMATION IS you’ve never seen it before,” Amirov concentrated solution of glucose to says. “Once you’ve seen it, you’ll KNOWN ABOUT THE CONDITION, offset the drop in blood glucose. know in an instant. The trick truly is Providing a simple sugar solution BREEDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO acting quickly to save your puppy.” and hydrating liquid are key. Smolarz agrees. “You can’t panic. “It also is imperative to keep them PROACTIVELY LOOK FOR SIGNS OF You just have to be there. Being pre- warm,” Smolarz says. “I put a kitchen pared and watching carefully after HYPOGLYCEMIA IN THEIR towel in the microwave for 30 seconds. they’ve just been weaned or wormed I shake it out and wrap the puppy in CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES SO THEY can help save their lives. Vigilance it to bring up his body temperature. pays off.” Low blood sugar can cause hypo - CAN TAKE STEPS TO HELP THEM She also never ships dogs under thermia, so I get them warm first. 2 pounds. “As a rule, I would never BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. “Next, I give the puppy a teaspoon ship a puppy under 2 pounds regard- of honey and wait a few minutes. If less of his age,” she says. “Prevention the puppy seems to be getting better, and cautionary steps are best with I follow up by giving small amounts collapse, may lead to hypoglycemia. toy and small-breed dogs prone to of warm sugar water over the next Insulin-producing tumors of the hypoglycemia.” ■ few minutes.” pancreas, severe liver disease and Measures to prevent hypoglycemia glycogen storage diseases are other include feeding puppies and small dogs possible causes. Purina appreciates the support of three or four times a day. A high- In dogs that develop chronic the Chihuahua Club of America quality, nutritious dog food is important hypoglycemia, a veterinarian is likely and particularly Justin Ward, in helping to sustain a dog. Owners also to conduct a complete medical history chairman of the CCA Health should provide a warm environment. and physical examination to determine Related Issues Committee, in Smolarz crates puppies and adult hypoglycemia. Other tests include a helping to identify topics for the dogs when they are fed to ensure complete blood count, blood glucose Purina Pro Club Chihuahua they eat. “This also helps to prevent concentration, urinalysis, routine bio- Update newsletter. the litter bully from stealing every- chemistry and blood insulin concen- body else’s food. When they are that tration. An ultrasound may be taken small, you have to be sure they have of the abdomen to try and identify a enough to eat. I make sure they have pancreatic or other type of tumor kibble to eat freely, and I feed puppies that could cause hypoglycemia. Want to Reach the Editor? three to four meals a day until they Treatment may consist of giving Have comments about Purina Pro Club are 5 months old.” glucose orally or intravenously to Update? Send them to us at: Purina Pro help increase the blood glucose con- Club Update, c/o Editor, Nestlé Purina Possible Genetic Link centration. If an underlying illness PetCare, 2T Checkerboard Square, In veterinary medicine, little has causes hypoglycemia, veterinarians St. Louis, MO 63164 or via e-mail at been written about hypoglycemia. first treat this condition. today’[email protected]. “Some believe there are critical Puppies and adult dogs that appear enzymes in the liver working in con- to be in a stupor or coma during a cert with glucose-mobilizing hormones hypoglycemic attack should immedi- that are not fully developed in the toy ately be given sugar water or an oral Send Us Your Questions and small-breed puppy until they are concentrated solution of glucose, Have questions about your Purina older,” Casal says.