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Hypoglycemia and Molera

HYPOGLYCEMIA



Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a health problem that affects many toy breeds of puppies between 5 and 16 weeks of age, especially extremely tiny or teacups and all owners must be on the lookout for it. 

Hypoglycemia is recognized by a healthy puppy suddenly becoming weak, listless, depressed, unaware of its surroundings, and even unable to stand or walk.  Advanced stages include seizures before lapsing into a coma, which is sometimes followed by death.

If your puppy becomes hypoglycemic, it is very important that you react IMMEDIATELY!!!  Give the puppy Nutro Cal, honey or Karo syrup.  Administer the honey or syrup with an eyedropper or if the puppy is too weak to take it, put it on your finger and rub it on the roof of its mouth.  If necessary, pry its mouth open.  Regardless of how you do it, make the puppy take the honey or syrup.  ITS LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!  Nutro Cal is a fast acting high calorie supplement and may be given off of your finger.  Keep the puppy warm at all times and rub the puppy very easy, moving the head from side to side slowly rotating it, also move the arms and legs so the puppy will not get stiff.  It may be necessary to give the puppy a couple of doses of honey or Nutro Cal to bring it back.  If the puppy does not respond, CONTACT THE BREEDER OR GET IT TO A VET IMMEDIATELY!!!

Hypoglycemia can occur without warning if a puppy is placed in a new home, misses a meal or is otherwise stressed.

You must remember that puppies eat very small amounts, yet they exert large amounts of energy.  Your puppy should eat 3 times a day.  We feed and recommend Canned Pedigree Puppy, which we have supplied a sample for you.  DO NOT CHANGE THE FOOD FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS.  If you wish to change food later do so gradually, after the puppy has adjusted to its new home and life. 

A puppy will play until it drops.  It may play so much that it is too tired to eat.  It is up to YOU as its new owner to be responsible.  Very small puppies must sleep about 20 out of 24 hours.  Please be very careful no to over-tire your new puppy, especially the first few weeks.  It is up to you to establish a schedule for you new puppy, and your family, especially be aware of the amount of time children play with your puppy and make them aware that this is a baby and must be treated like one.  It is important no to play with your puppy so much that it becomes exhausted.

We recommend that you try to make the first few days together with you puppy as calm as possible, and remember that this is a very traumatic time for your puppy.  Please resist the urge to take your puppy to visit friends and relatives during this period.  Make this a special time to get to know your puppy, and for you puppy to get to know its new home.

Remember that if there is a problem with Hypoglycemia, it will usually happen during the first few weeks while the puppy is adjusting, and that puppy will out-grow this as it becomes adjusted.

 

The Chihuahua's Molera


 

Historically, the Chihuahua developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "soft spot" on the top of the head. In the Chihuahua this spot, or fontanel, is known as a MOLERA; and is the same as that found in human babies. In the past, this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the breed, and it is still mentioned in most Chihuahua breed standards the world over.

It is important to note that while many Chihuahua puppies are born without the molera, there are probably just as many born with one and its presence is nothing to become alarmed over.

As shown in the illustration below, the molera in a Chihuahua will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.

 

Unfortunately, many lay people and some veterinarians not familiar with the Chihuahua have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many new-comers to the breed serious concern and undue worry. The truth is that a domed head with a molera present does not predispose the Chihuahua to this condition. Along with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement. 

molerapicture.jpg

K&K Breeder Services * Encinal * TX * 78019 *
(956)948-7038