SHIH TZU PUPPIES AND HYPOGLYCEMIA
Basic care and observation is very importantduring first weeks with your new SHIH TZUPUPPY.
It issuggested that you purchase a tube of Nutri-Cal (available at most pet supplies and vet offices) prior to bringing your new puppy home. Giving Nutri-Calmorning and night helps SHIH TZU PUPPIES maintain sugar level during this adjustment period, thushelping controlhypoglycemia.
Watch carefully for signs of hypoglycemia (this happens when sugar level drops), and may be caused by stress from being in new environment, too much excitment, and/or not eating properly.Signs of hypoglycemia are:Staggering, vacant stare, sleeping, lethargy, shaking head in an unnatural way (actually kinda rolling the neck) Also the gums will be very pale white or blue. Should this occur, quick and calm action is required IMMEDIATELY!If you have Nutri-Cal give it to puppy, if not ,use honey, clear karo syrup,rubbing on the tougue and gums. If neither is available, use plain white sugar.Continuewith small amounts untilpuppy returns to normal. If there is no improvement, contact your veterinarian.
Watch for any signs of diarrhea--this will cause puppy to dehydrate quickly. Stress, change of environment, changing food can cause this. Pedialyte is good to have on hand and may be given, also a bit of kaopectate should clear up the diarrhea.
Keep your SHIH TZU PUPPY warm and dry. They need plenty of quiet time and frequent naps, and should havetheir ownspace for napping, etc.
Please let me emphasize that hypoglycemia is not a disease orsicknessnor is it genetic or inherited. Hypoglycemia is very common in puppies, especially shih tzu puppies and other small breeds, and is easily managed with proper care.
I trust this page is informative and will prove helpful should your shih tzu puppy become hypoglycemic.
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HERNIAS IN SHIH TZU PUPPIESas well as other breeds is very common, and is not a medical condition or cause for immediate concern. Please be informed before you agree to surgical hernia repair on your SHIH TZU PUPPY.
The following informationis copied from Bullwrinkle.com and is being offered as an educational tool:
"A hernia is a protrusion or bulge of a part of the body tissue, fat, or an organ through an abnormal opening of the surrounding tissue. There are numerous types of hernias, each type named after its affected area.
A hernia which can be pushed back into the abdomen is called reducible. Hernias which are not reducible are called incarcerated. If the blood supply to an incarcerated hernia is pinched off, the hernia becomes strangulated. A strangulated hernia is an emergency situation and must be brought to the attention of your veterinarian."
The most common types of hernias in shih tzu puppies are:
"An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies. In case of umbilical hernias, a portion of fat or internal organs protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring. Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired. The most common means of acquiring an umbilical hernia is a result of the umbilical cord being severed too close to the abdominal wall. In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows. Generally, by the time the pup is six months old, the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own."
"An inguinal hernia is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring. Inguinal hernias are presented as skin-covered bulges in the groin. They can be bi-lateral, involving both sides or unilateral, involving only one side. Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes. As with umbilical hernias, most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows. Inguinal hernias can also occur in unspayed, middle-aged female dogs. This may occur as the result of stretching of abdominal tissue due to pregnancy."