Very lethargic puppy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

linanator · 10-31-2010, 08:50 AM

I've had help from Yorkie Talk getting this little guy to survive. He'll be 7 weeks old tomorrow (Mon. 11/1/2010). He hit 1 lb. this week, had shots Friday, now he's under a pound. Shots could be answer to that. (They took unbelievable caustions w/him--Benedryl, steroid before 4-way shot) My questions is why is this puppy so lethargic? I don't mean now, I mean since birth. He does play some, but nothing like the other normal size littermates. This guy is about 1/3 the size of the rest of the litter of 5 total. He's so tiny. Think that's it??? Not as much energy? He'll run around the kitchen for a while before he poops out (no pun intended). Thanks for any experience with this.

DvlshAngel985 · 10-31-2010, 08:59 AM

Bump.
I hope you get your answer.

YorkieRose · 10-31-2010, 09:04 AM

Shots before 9 weeks really aren't necessary, at least that is what my vets and many think..it can interfer with natural imminity from the dam ....but that is done...and is not the problem IMO.

He is tiny and there could be a reason for that problem. I would feed him as much as he will eat, every 3 to 4 hrs..Nutra Cal and Nutra Drops are important. Be sure he can maintain good body temp...make a little body suit out of the top of some crew socks,,very easy..just cut some holes for his legs.
AND...hope he grows strong enough to undergo some blood work.

Low blood sugar would be a concern for me at this point...and liver shunt would concern me also.
I have had many tinies...when they are 100%, they are full of energy as a big puppy...they may not be able to last as long a bigger sib, but a quick nap and they are a bundle of energy again...

linanator · 10-31-2010, 10:52 AM

OMGosh. Liver shunt didn't even occur to me! I certainly hope he doesn't have that. I forgot to mention (duh) the vet pointed out to me he has a pretty good size space between the skull plates in one area. The others don't seem to have it, but since he's 'so far behind', hopefully that will close up soon. Now I'm paranoid he'll get a hit in the head. They don't make puppy helmets small enough for him. lol Even the xs would probably be way too big. His head's a little bigger than a golf ball right now. I do give him a ml of Dyne every day. I think I have some Nutri-Cal, so maybe he should get that, too? Don't want to 'overdo' it.

smartpuppiepets · 10-31-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Shots before 9 weeks really aren't necessary, at least that is what my vets and many think..it can interfer with natural imminity from the dam ....but that is done...and is not the problem IMO.

He is tiny and there could be a reason for that problem. I would feed him as much as he will eat, every 3 to 4 hrs..Nutra Cal and Nutra Drops are important. Be sure he can maintain good body temp...make a little body suit out of the top of some crew socks,,very easy..just cut some holes for his legs.
AND...hope he grows strong enough to undergo some blood work.

Low blood sugar would be a concern for me at this point...and liver shunt would concern me also.
I have had many tinies...when they are 100%, they are full of energy as a big puppy...they may not be able to last as long a bigger sib, but a quick nap and they are a bundle of energy again...

Pretty much same experience i have had.
I also think he may be sort of hypoglycemic at first.
I do not have experience with liver shunts , but would be your next investigation once he gets old enough to have the tests done.
Blessings !
XOXO

lillymae · 10-31-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linanator

OMGosh. Liver shunt didn't even occur to me! I certainly hope he doesn't have that. I forgot to mention (duh) the vet pointed out to me he has a pretty good size space between the skull plates in one area. The others don't seem to have it, but since he's 'so far behind', hopefully that will close up soon. Now I'm paranoid he'll get a hit in the head. They don't make puppy helmets small enough for him. lol Even the xs would probably be way too big. His head's a little bigger than a golf ball right now. I do give him a ml of Dyne every day. I think I have some Nutri-Cal, so maybe he should get that, too? Don't want to 'overdo' it.

I have seen people make helmets out of balls for dogs. Tennis balls, golf balls & ping pong balls. Hope this helps

Look for a ball in his size & add straps.

linanator · 10-31-2010, 11:41 AM

I looked at the ingredients in Dyne and Nutri-Cal. They're very similar, with Dyne having a lot more of some nutrients. Nutri-Cal does have B12 that Dyne does not.

linanator · 10-31-2010, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the tip about making a helmet from a ping pong ball, golf ball, etc. Ping pong would probably be lighter in weight and easier to cut. That was a Fantastic tip!

manolos mom · 10-31-2010, 01:00 PM

Bump...

chachi · 10-31-2010, 01:14 PM

How is he eating? It sounds like hypoglycemia. The nutrical is good but he still needs to eat many small meals a day

Ringo1 · 10-31-2010, 03:28 PM

I'm not a breeder but the puppy we initially picked out . . . the breeder noticed was not growing like the others. She did not play and was very lethargic. As weeks went on, the other puppies continued to grow but this little girl did not. She did not interact much either.

She ended up having a liver shunt.

linanator · 10-31-2010, 05:34 PM

I've never had a puppy with any of these symptoms. His 'formula' contains Karo (whole milk yogurt, undiluted canned goat's milk, 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp Karo--Leerburg formula). He's never become unconsciencious or gone into a seizure. He's a 'creepy' moving little thing, I'll have to say, with his back all roached up. Tomorrow, I'll call the vet's office and talk to them about the liver shunt idea, although they've seen him 3 times and have never mentioned that. Maybe just the fact he was so tiny, they wondered if he'd make it another 24 hours, much less worry about liver shunt. More worried about reactions to the 4-way shot at that particular time. But I will call and ask them how old they think or weight he should be before we can do a blood test regarding liver shunt or hypoglocemia. We feed him often including a big helping of baby rice cereal mixed in his formula right before bed time to get him through the night now (after weeks of tube every 2 hours, then bottle every 3-4) and not that he's eating pretty much on his own, we let him go through the night without getting up. Seems to be working. We do weight many times during the day and evening and try to be sure to see him eat (and hope he's eating and not just licking!).

lillymae · 10-31-2010, 06:04 PM

You say his back is hunched, has he had an x-ray ? maybe he has a back problem & is actually in pain. I have seen in human babies and puppies to be born with a disc out from how they were placed in the womb.

lillymae · 10-31-2010, 06:18 PM

Can you post a pic of him or maybe a video ?

manolos mom · 10-31-2010, 06:28 PM

Dont post video's. Leave it to the professionals. Just take this baby to the vet. Keep us updated.

10-31-2010, 08:50 AM	#1
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Very lethargic puppy I've had help from Yorkie Talk getting this little guy to survive. He'll be 7 weeks old tomorrow (Mon. 11/1/2010). He hit 1 lb. this week, had shots Friday, now he's under a pound. Shots could be answer to that. (They took unbelievable caustions w/him--Benedryl, steroid before 4-way shot) My questions is why is this puppy so lethargic? I don't mean now, I mean since birth. He does play some, but nothing like the other normal size littermates. This guy is about 1/3 the size of the rest of the litter of 5 total. He's so tiny. Think that's it??? Not as much energy? He'll run around the kitchen for a while before he poops out (no pun intended). Thanks for any experience with this.

10-31-2010, 08:59 AM	#2
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	Bump. I hope you get your answer. __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

10-31-2010, 10:52 AM	#4
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Very lethargic puppy OMGosh. Liver shunt didn't even occur to me! I certainly hope he doesn't have that. I forgot to mention (duh) the vet pointed out to me he has a pretty good size space between the skull plates in one area. The others don't seem to have it, but since he's 'so far behind', hopefully that will close up soon. Now I'm paranoid he'll get a hit in the head. They don't make puppy helmets small enough for him. lol Even the xs would probably be way too big. His head's a little bigger than a golf ball right now. I do give him a ml of Dyne every day. I think I have some Nutri-Cal, so maybe he should get that, too? Don't want to 'overdo' it.

10-31-2010, 11:41 AM	#7
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Very lethargic puppy I looked at the ingredients in Dyne and Nutri-Cal. They're very similar, with Dyne having a lot more of some nutrients. Nutri-Cal does have B12 that Dyne does not.

10-31-2010, 11:47 AM	#8
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Very lethargic puppy Thanks for the tip about making a helmet from a ping pong ball, golf ball, etc. Ping pong would probably be lighter in weight and easier to cut. That was a Fantastic tip!

10-31-2010, 09:04 AM	#3
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Shots before 9 weeks really aren't necessary, at least that is what my vets and many think..it can interfer with natural imminity from the dam ....but that is done...and is not the problem IMO. He is tiny and there could be a reason for that problem. I would feed him as much as he will eat, every 3 to 4 hrs..Nutra Cal and Nutra Drops are important. Be sure he can maintain good body temp...make a little body suit out of the top of some crew socks,,very easy..just cut some holes for his legs. AND...hope he grows strong enough to undergo some blood work. Low blood sugar would be a concern for me at this point...and liver shunt would concern me also. I have had many tinies...when they are 100%, they are full of energy as a big puppy...they may not be able to last as long a bigger sib, but a quick nap and they are a bundle of energy again...

10-31-2010, 01:00 PM	#9
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Bump... __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

10-31-2010, 01:14 PM	#10
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	How is he eating? It sounds like hypoglycemia. The nutrical is good but he still needs to eat many small meals a day __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-31-2010, 03:28 PM	#11
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	I'm not a breeder but the puppy we initially picked out . . . the breeder noticed was not growing like the others. She did not play and was very lethargic. As weeks went on, the other puppies continued to grow but this little girl did not. She did not interact much either. She ended up having a liver shunt. __________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew

10-31-2010, 05:34 PM	#12
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Very lethargic puppy I've never had a puppy with any of these symptoms. His 'formula' contains Karo (whole milk yogurt, undiluted canned goat's milk, 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp Karo--Leerburg formula). He's never become unconsciencious or gone into a seizure. He's a 'creepy' moving little thing, I'll have to say, with his back all roached up. Tomorrow, I'll call the vet's office and talk to them about the liver shunt idea, although they've seen him 3 times and have never mentioned that. Maybe just the fact he was so tiny, they wondered if he'd make it another 24 hours, much less worry about liver shunt. More worried about reactions to the 4-way shot at that particular time. But I will call and ask them how old they think or weight he should be before we can do a blood test regarding liver shunt or hypoglocemia. We feed him often including a big helping of baby rice cereal mixed in his formula right before bed time to get him through the night now (after weeks of tube every 2 hours, then bottle every 3-4) and not that he's eating pretty much on his own, we let him go through the night without getting up. Seems to be working. We do weight many times during the day and evening and try to be sure to see him eat (and hope he's eating and not just licking!).

10-31-2010, 06:04 PM	#13
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	You say his back is hunched, has he had an x-ray ? maybe he has a back problem & is actually in pain. I have seen in human babies and puppies to be born with a disc out from how they were placed in the womb.

10-31-2010, 06:18 PM	#14
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Can you post a pic of him or maybe a video ?

10-31-2010, 06:28 PM	#15
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Dont post video's. Leave it to the professionals. Just take this baby to the vet. Keep us updated. __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/