Nancy is right. Using syrup as a treatment is OK but as a preventative may well have exactly the opposite effect that you want. When the sugar is introduced into the bloodstream it causes an insulin response to balance sugar levels. Once the sugar level is balanced the puppy will seem fine. Some of the sugar will be stored and most will be burned, the blood sugar will drop again because of the insulin level and you have a second occurence. The syrup should be followed with food or something with fat calories in it to help moderate the blood sugar level. I use peanut butter mixed with syrup when I don't have nutri-cal.
Ideally the smallest amount of sugar you can apply is best. This should cause an interest in food which should be offered within twenty minutes of the sugar or syrup. He may need to be spoon fed at this point to get good calories in. If the puppy eats solid food there will be no need for preventative measure unless the symptoms return. Science Diet A-D is a smelly and calorie rich food that works well in these cases.
Keep an eye on this puppy for dehydration as well. |