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Frequently Asked Questions About Maltese Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions About Maltese Dogs
I was told Maltese puppies have a tendency to have hypoglycemia. Is this true and what precautions should be taken?
Sometimes, there may be a problem of hypoglycemia in Maltese puppies, especially between the ages of five to nine weeks, and then again at six months of age. Hypoglycemia is a condition in which there is a drastic, sudden drop in the level of blood sugar in the dog. The dog will go into shock and, if not cared for properly, will die. Hypoglycemia is a condition never seen in dogs over one year of age, so it may be said to be a puppy disease. It is likely caused by the uneven spurts in growth of the internal organs of the dog, especially the pancreas. The brain will receive incorrect signals from the pancreas and thus not send out a correct signal for the release of a proper amount of sugar into the bloodstream. Hypoglycemia can be an inherited condition. The addition of honey or white corn syrup to the puppy’s food may help to prevent a hypoglycemic attack. Feeding soft, moist foods may help to prevent a hypoglycemic attack due to their high sugar content. If you suspect that a puppy may be prone to attacks of low blood sugar, it may prove helpful to contain him in a small area so that he does not use calories he cannot afford to lose in excessive moving about. The puppy suspected of being hypoglycemic should be kept quite warm, as maintaining proper body temperature takes a tremendous amount of energy in the form of calories, which will be used by the puppy trying to compensate for the loss of body heat. The more calories you can help the puppy conserve in keeping him warm, the better it will be for him. Signs of an attack are a weakened condition, including wobbly unsureness on leg, frothing or drooling from the mouth and a drain of blood from the head. A check of the gums will show them to be pale, almost a greyish white in color rather than a healthy bright pink.
Related Topics:
What is the best age to have my Maltese spayed or neutered?
Are Maltese prone to any hereditary and congenital diseases?
