You might have heard that dogs, especially puppies, more often than not suffer from hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is commonly known as ‘low blood sugar’. When your pooch doesn’t have enough sugar in his body, which is his main source of energy, his body ceases to function properly. Sometimes decline in functioning can become so severe that it can turn into a matter of grave or loss of consciousness.
Hypoglycemia is not a disease, rather, it is more like a symptom of an underlying medical condition or a problem. However, there are many causes of hypoglycemia in canines.
Dogs, when they are under 3 months of age, do not have a fully developed system that regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels.
The condition can come into the picture when puppies are introduced to a new family, stress factors like poor nutrition, intestinal parasites, and cold environments.
Are Morkies Prone to Hypoglycemia? Why?
Toy and Teacup breeds are extensively becoming popular these days. The dogs of these breeds are sometimes so small that they can fit in the palm of our hand when fully grown.
In a nutshell, toy breeds are generally small dogs and teacup dogs are miniature versions of toy dog breeds. The reason they are becoming more and more popular is they have impressive attributes like other full-sized dogs.
Unfortunately, when these doggies are babies, they are at potential risk for hypoglycemia. The most common toy breeds are Chihuahuas, Maltese, Pomeranians, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers.
A Morkie is a cross breed between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. So yes, a Morkie being a dog of toy breed is prone to Hypoglycemia.
Toy breed doggies are even tinier as puppies. They usually develop their baby teeth a little late and that causes trouble in chewing dry dog food (kibble). In addition, they have a harder time regulating their body temperature, which leads to weakness.
The ultimate effect is reduced food intake and adversities in keeping the blood sugar levels maintained. Keep reading and know how you can tackle hypoglycemia. The condition also leads to in-coordination, listlessness, and even seizures.
What to Do Before You Bring a New Morkie Puppy Home
Before you bring a new pup, you have to make sure you or someone from your family can spend their utmost time with him. The early months as puppies are very crucial because they need to be fed 4-6 times a day and a caring company.
Moreover, you should feed them soft food as babies won’t be able to chew and eat hard food at first. When you adopt a baby you need to get him to your vet for a well-baby check just to make sure he is healthy and if not, to know how to take care of him.
Puppies, especially of toy breeds do not tolerate any kind of infections well. In the early months when they are getting bigger and growing, it is essential to treat and prevent fleas and intestinal parasites.
The intestinal parasites are blood sucking and simply they are too small to have spare blood for parasites, right? In a nutshell, get them checked for any infectious disease signs and dewormed regularly.
Don't Skip Checkups
Diarrhea is not lethal for dogs but a tiny puppy can be dehydrated so much that he won’t be able to withstand it.
In addition, pet store puppies are prone to kennel cough. Distemper and parvovirus are other disasters for toy breed puppies. All in all, you should be ready to devote your time, efforts, and should make necessary appointments to vets for checkups.
What to Do If You Think Your Canine Buddy Is Hypoglycemic
As we have discussed, a toy puppy is prone to hypoglycemia. Despite taking utmost care for their feeding and health, there are chances of hypoglycemia appear in them. Hypoglycemia is generally characterized by listlessness and incoordination. And the severe case of it includes unconsciousness, cold body, and seizures.
Whenever you observe these signs, immediately take some Karo syrup (corn syrup) or honey and apply it on his gums. It will be absorbed from there and it’s not necessary to swallow. As soon as you do this, rush to your vet or to the nearby animal hospital.
When you’ll arrive at the hospital, your pup will be warmed and his blood sugar will be tested. IV access will be obtained and dextrose (sugar water) will be infused into the bloodstream if necessary.
His body would generally respond to it rapidly in this way and side by side a sugar drip or sugar injections will be continued. The puppy can be discharged when his body again starts maintaining his blood sugar and body temperature on his own.
Factors That Affect Hypoglycemia
Sometimes Hypoglycemia is more than just usual sugar drop in toy breed puppy. Any underlying issue can cause it. So when you want to tackle it directly, make sure you have overcome other medical conditions first.
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria can be proven to be a gigantic consumer of blood sugar. Hence, hypoglycemic puppies are given antibiotics. Do not forget to ask your vet about any bacterial diseases to take care of while your puppy is growing.
Congenital defects like Portosystemic (Liver) shunts
This is more common in certain breeds like Yorkshire Terriers. That said, a Morkie will likely to develop Portosystemic Shunts. In this condition, the blood flows from the GI tract to the general circulation that bypasses the liver. As a result of that, the liver does not develop properly during the growth period and misfunctions.
Maintaining the body’s blood sugar is one of the liver’s functions and his abnormal liver leads to low blood sugar. However, this condition can be cured with the surgery.
Parasites
Make sure your furry buddy is free from fleas, tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms.
Diarrhea
Stress
Stress is another factor that promotes low blood sugar. Therefore, it is quite necessary to check your puppy for any stress and anxiety before you bring him home. Maintaining blood sugar level is tough in stress.
Final Thoughts
Hypoglycemia is common in toy dog breed puppies.
A Morkie, being a cross breed between a Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese is prone to low blood sugar.
The puppies need utmost care and warmth. Take him to your vet for regular check-ups and lastly, check if there are other underlying issues that are causing Hypoglycemia.
Author Bio
Clara Lou is Co-founder and the Head of Marketing at Petlovesbest.com. Pet Loves Best is a one-stop solution for all your pet supplies shopping and pet-related queries.