Puppies at that age have not fully developed their ability to regulate the concentration of blood glucose (a form of sugar) in their systems. They also have a higher requirement for glucose than an adult dog.
Possible causes for such Hypoglycemia are:
- Fasting
- Low body temperature
- Intestinal parasites: worms
- A cold,
- Infections
- Low quality dog food
- Not eating enough food, or too seldom, or changing the feed itself
- Water/or lack of it
- Changing owners, and any kind of Stress
You should see that your young Papillon puppy eats a good quality, high protein, high energy diet 3-5 /day, pending in how much he likes to eat.
By picking the food up after a while you will establish a good pattern of eating behavior.
The smaller the puppy the more predisposed he is to this type of Hypoglycemia.
Here are common signs of Hypoglycemia:
- Will not eat/loss of appetite, depression, listlessness
- Trembling, shivering, disorientation
- Extreme lethargy
- Seizure ,muscular twitching, collapsing, muscle weakness
- Incoordination
You may not see all symptoms, so, close monitoring of your puppy and "knowledge of the signs of hypoglycemia and acting upon may mean the difference between life and death of your Papillon.
Hypoglycemia can permanently cause brain damage, if not death.
Always have a tube of "Nutri Cal" available for your Papillon. Teach him to lick a little of the stuff right of your finger.( Most dogs like it)
But in an emergency: (if unconscious)
Squeeze some of it between his teeth and gums, and under the tongue.
Any kind of sugar (Karo Syrup)
Give him the sugary liquid with a syringe, or eye dropper in his cheek, if he can swallow.
If conscious:
Give him anything to eat he likes, from canned food, to cat food, or any snacks.
Keep him very warm with a heating pad, or other means and run to the vet.