Hypoglycemia or ??

[cdnyorkie]

We have a 2lb, 11 week old male yorkie that we suspect is hypoglycemia. He has this head bobbing/nodding occasionally with eye twitching that lasts seconds. He played his little heart out last night with our company and it's still going on today. He's still active and I can't keep a good Yorkie down! I do not have Nutrical, but used table syrup a few times on him. The pet store had nothing at all to offer that was similar to the Nutrical. Problem is, I don't know how often or how much to give him so I'm maybe giving him an 1/8 to 1/4 tsp and making sure he's eating. I'm afraid of taking it to the other extreme of hyperglycemia. I hope someone can help. My plan is to take him to the vet tomorrow. Unfortunately I work 8-4 and don't want to wait that long. I'm considering doing the fake sick thing which I'm feeling so guilty about cause I never do it, but this is soooo important.

[Nancy1999]

I've heard white corn syrup was the same a nutri-cal. I sounds like it could be symptoms of hypoglycemia, usually they aren't hungry when they have an attack, and won't eat, which would cure the hypoglycemia, so that's why corn syrup is rubbed on the roof of their mouth for fastest results. This usually brings back their appetite, so it's good to have food available for this. Many people recommend free feeding so they never get too hungry, they can wear out the calorie reserves so fast through activity or stress. Here's a video of what an attack look like. NatureSick.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[marcerella02]

Aww poor guy- he is young and tiny- I would probably bring him in tomorrow- AND If you have never called in- DO IT!!! especially for your little guy if he is not acting normal. Does he have food out all day? The key to keeping him at a good level is keeping food in him all day- which can be hard when they are small and if you are at work.

[phfgkl]

You want to put a little bit of white karo on his gums every 2 hours. I know it's hard, but, I wouldn't let him play for more that 10-15 min at a time. Keep an eye on his gums, if they get white, I would get ahold of the vet. I almost lost a puppy to hypoglycemia a long time ago..Make sure he's able to get food and water at all times also

[cdnyorkie]

Linus does have food and water out all day. But does anyone know how much syrup to give the little gaffer? He just had another little head bob as he was mid-play. He's virtually crazy! Oh wait...he's in his bed trying to get a good comfortable position for the night now. Silly boy!
I did watch that video and Linus' episodes look very similar just not so pronounced as that poor girl. Will the nutrical stop this eventually???

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by cdnyorkie

Linus does have food and water out all day. But does anyone know how much syrup to give the little gaffer? He just had another little head bob as he was mid-play. He's virtually crazy! Oh wait...he's in his bed trying to get a good comfortable position for the night now. Silly boy!
I did watch that video and Linus' episodes look very similar just not so pronounced as that poor girl. Will the nutrical stop this eventually???

nutrical is not a cure- as long as he is tiny- that will always be an issue- but he is just young so he will probably grow and then it isn't such an issue

WHen i use nutrical i just rub a pea sized amount on Layla's gums and that usually brings her back- you can use honey too- I'd ust use the same amount- always use less so you can always add more.

it is almost impossible to find nutrical in ontario- you might have to buy it online or just use honey

i LOVE his name- where in ONtario are you> I'm in London.

[Nancy1999]

Just wanted to say that I don't think you should use it as a preventive, it can make them lose their appetite if they get too much. Joey was that size at that age, and we never once needed to use it. Just be aware of symptoms they're serious, too much sugar can bring on another attack of hypoglycemia, it's a delicate balance.

[C C Kent]

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.

[Wrenee4]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Here's a video of what an attack look like. NatureSick.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Do you know who that video belongs to?

[Wrenee4]

We like both nutrical or nutridrops. I would rather use nutridrops as it goes into their system quicker. Nutrical needs to be digested first before working. Here is a link
Bovidr Laboratories Inc - Pet Nutri-Drops #93-574-Z

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wrenee4

Do you know who that video belongs to?

I got it from this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ar-videos.html

[cdnyorkie]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

nutrical is not a cure- as long as he is tiny- that will always be an issue- but he is just young so he will probably grow and then it isn't such an issue

WHen i use nutrical i just rub a pea sized amount on Layla's gums and that usually brings her back- you can use honey too- I'd ust use the same amount- always use less so you can always add more.

it is almost impossible to find nutrical in ontario- you might have to buy it online or just use honey

i LOVE his name- where in ONtario are you> I'm in London.

Hi Marceraella02! I live in Peterborough and if you can believe it, I have Nutri-cal in my hot little hands. I was sure that's what the vet had called it when she was talking about hypoglycemia on his initial check up. But of course, this would never happen to me. My lab likes it but Linus didn't care for it so I had to rub it in his mouth. Linus has had lots to eat today too. He is so full of p*%$ and vinegar this morning. I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner. We have an appointment today with the vet but I'm wondering if he'll still require it if the head jerking has stopped. He was doing it this morning. His head bobs back, back and puts him on his butt. I just think what if it's not hypoglycemia. Sure fits the bill though.

[Brodi mom]

Well in my past with yorkies that small you cant let them play hard it really tires them out .. I give my girls half 1cc of karo syrup in the morning and night before bed ... and I keep food out all the time and even the real small ones give soft food to.. It would be a good idea to take her to vet just to get checked on... good luck..

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I've heard white corn syrup was the same a nutri-cal. I sounds like it could be symptoms of hypoglycemia, usually they aren't hungry when they have an attack, and won't eat, which would cure the hypoglycemia, so that's why corn syrup is rubbed on the roof of their mouth for fastest results. This usually brings back their appetite, so it's good to have food available for this. Many people recommend free feeding so they never get too hungry, they can wear out the calorie reserves so fast through activity or stress. Here's a video of what an attack look like. NatureSick.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Good post!


My Diggy had seizures as a baby. My advice is this. FEED FEED FEED try to stay away rom commercial sugar porducts (nutrical or syrup) as they do help they also cause lows. Try Complex carbs. They break down slowly andkeep a slow but steady flow in the system. If he is already in an episode YES use nutrical or syrup but to avoid having to use that many many feeding a day and most inportant THRU THE NIGHT in the morning is when MOST hypo activity occurs. Cheerios are a great frequent treat. Ignore all rules about feeding. Free feed, hand feed make games of it ANYTHING to get him to eat. Rules can come later as my vet said. Also keep him warm! and stress free as possible. Limit the long periods of play to no more than 20 minutes up without some chill out time. This is what i have learned from my experiances. Diggy had 7 seizures in 7 hours....Hypo is no joke. But easily managed. if you need any other help Im here.

[Ellie May]

When you give him nutrical/sugar/corn syrup, does he snap out of the episode almost immediately and return to normal or does it not work sometimes?