Teacup Pomeranian Hypoglycemia: What You Need to Know

Teacup Pomeranian puppies are happy, small dogs that require special attention and care. They are toy dogs susceptible to multiple health conditions like hypoglycemia because of their size and the many years of overbreeding.

Teacup Pomeranian Hypoglycemia Explained

Hypoglycemia refers to a health condition where your dog’s blood sugar drops dangerously. Although it is normal for blood sugar levels to drop and rise throughout the day, levels below 60 mg/dL are dangerous. On average, your dog’s blood sugar levels should be within the range of 60 mg/dL to 111 mg/dL.

Hypoglycemia affects your Teacup Pomeranian puppy’s metabolism and can be dangerous and life-threatening. There are various ways this condition can occur. In some Teacup Pomeranian puppies, hypoglycemia is temporary and comes without warning. However, low blood sugar may be a sign or symptom of an underlying health condition like diabetes.

Low blood sugar levels are dangerous because sugar is necessary to make energy. With the help of insulin, glucose changes into energy that your dog’s body uses for everyday functions.

Causes of Hypoglycemia in Teacup Pomeranians

There are dozens of health conditions that cause hypoglycemia in Teacup Pomeranians. The most common four health conditions that lead to hypoglycemia are liver cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and strenuous activity. Teacup Pomeranian puppies are at a high risk of developing this medical condition because they are small.

Teacup or ‘Mini’ dogs are small, and Pomeranian puppies weigh on average 8lbs, while Teacup Pomeranians can weigh as little as 4lbs. This significant difference causes health concerns because of your dog’s lack of body weight and fat. Any change to their diet or routine can cause a drop in their sugar levels with drastic effects.

Liver Cancer

One of the top causes of hypoglycemia in Teacup Pomeranian puppies is liver cancer. The liver is an important organ that detoxes your dog’s body, and it also aids in proper digestion. If there is a mass or lump on your liver, it can worsen and damage the area. However, the only way to ensure that your Teacup Pomeranian puppy has this condition is with an X-Ray and an organ biopsy.

If you notice any signs that your dog has liver damage or cancer, you should take them immediately to their local vet. It is a serious condition that you cannot treat by yourself—liver cancer results in a drop in sugar levels and energy leading to chronic fatigue. The current cause of liver cancer in Teacup Pomeranian puppies is still not understood, but some experts believe there is a genetic component. Other researchers have found that liver cancer develops with age.

Diabetes

Teacup Pomeranian puppies with diabetes can suffer from frequent drops of blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia is common in dogs with a lack of insulin. Usually, hypoglycemia is a side effect of diabetes treatment.

Vets diagnose dogs with diabetes if their levels are 100–250 mg/dL consistently. If there is a change throughout the day, it is nothing to worry about. Diabetes is also a hidden disease, and your Teacup Pomeranian puppy can have it without knowing it for years. There is no at-home test to diagnose diabetes.

Young puppies can develop diabetes; however, it is more common in adult dogs. It is not always preventable, either. The two main causes of diabetes are a poor diet and damage to the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in your Teacup Pomeranian puppy’s body that creates insulin. Without the proper amount of insulin, the sugar your dog consumes doesn’t regulate or turn into energy.

Your vet may decide to give your dog a treatment that increases insulin. However, if they have too much insulin, it can lead to a decrease in sugar.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is another cause of hypoglycemia in Teacup Pomeranian puppies. When your dog does not eat enough nutritious food, their blood sugar levels drop significantly. Although it is not concerning if it happens once or twice, you should monitor your dog’s eating habits.

Food is important because it undergoes a digestive process that turns it into energy. Without this energy, your dog’s organs and body cannot function properly.

Sadly, it is common for dogs in shelters to suffer from malnutrition, and it is especially dangerous because dogs suffering from malnutrition lose weight rapidly and die. Teacup Pomeranian puppies only weigh up to 4lbs, which is dangerous and can lead to death if they lose more weight.

Strenuous Activity

Strenuous activity can also lead to hypoglycemia in your Teacup Pomeranian puppy. Strenuous activity burns calories and fat quickly, which results in a drop in sugar levels. Living an overly active lifestyle also causes various symptoms that can be life-threatening for Teacup Pomeranian puppies.

These small dogs are happy and active. Although they need some exercise in their everyday lives, it is best to keep it limited. Too much exercise and activity can cause death. Since they are so small, your Teacup Pomeranian puppy is at risk for heatstroke and seizures, which can occur because of strenuous activity.

For example, strenuous activity is anything that strains your dog and harms them. These activities can be walking longer than 15 minutes, running up a hill, and frequent jumping.

How Hypoglycemia Can Affect Your Teacup Pomeranian

Hypoglycemia is a serious health condition that affects Teacup Pomeranian puppies in many ways. Not only is your dog’s physical health altered, but their psychological health, as well. A drop in blood sugar lowers activity levels and can result in a personality change because of the discomfort.

Physical Health

Hypoglycemia affects your Teacup Pomeranian dog’s physical health because they are constantly exhausted, and chronic fatigue encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Although experts recommend limiting your Teacup Pomeranian’s daily exercise, they still should move around.

If your dog is suffering from chronic fatigue or exhaustion as a result of hypoglycemia , they may fall and harm themselves moving around. The exhaustion causes tremors and shaking that is hard to get rid of in Teacup Pomeranian puppies.

Interestingly enough, hypoglycemia also affects your dog’s appetite and weight. Low blood sugar results in weight loss because dogs lose their appetite. However, they are still hungry and need food. Weight loss is terrifying in such small dogs because even half a pound can make a difference! If your Teacup Pomeranian puppy loses too much weight, they can go into shock and die. Thankfully, there are solutions. Sadly though, your dog’s physical health is not the only thing affected by hypoglycemia.

Psychological Health

Dogs suffering from hypoglycemia often feel and express aggression because of pain. It is important to remember that dogs cannot communicate with their words. The fatigue and muscle pains are intense and can result in a personality change. However, most of the time, once you treat the symptoms, your dog’s personality reverts to what it was originally.

It is not uncommon to see dogs with hypoglycemia displaying signs of restlessness and anxiety. The feelings caused by the health condition are confusing and overwhelming. You may start to notice that your dog does not want to be left alone. Whining, barking, and crying when you are leaving can signify a psychological condition like separation anxiety disorder.

The Life Expectancy of a Teacup Pomeranian with Hypoglycemia

If you monitor your dog’s condition, their life expectancy should not change. However, undiagnosed low blood sugar can cause fatal accidents. Some complications can occur that are dangerous, and the complications include shock, weight loss, and malnutrition. Thankfully, there are ways to treat and monitor this condition at home.

Sometimes, hypoglycemia strikes quickly and without warning. For example, if your Teacup Pomeranian puppy is alone at home, they can develop low blood sugar if they are not eating well or enough. Teacup Pomeranian puppies weigh approximately 2-4 lbs., and any change in their diet can decrease or increase their weight, causing major health issues.

Without enough energy, your dog’s body cannot function properly and can suffer from severe organ damage, especially to your Teacup Pomeranian dog’s liver. Teacup Pomeranians who struggle within the first three months with diabetes or another underlying health condition are likely to only live two more years after their diagnosis.

To give your dog a fighting chance, you should call their vet immediately. Although most cases of hypoglycemia are not dangerous, they can worsen without treatment. Teacup Pomeranians are small and require special attention, especially if their blood sugar levels are low.

Signs That Your Teacup Pomeranian Might Have Hypoglycemia

There are significant visual and auditory signs that indicate your dog is suffering from low blood sugar. One of the largest signs is extreme lethargy. Without enough blood sugar, your Teacup Pomeranian does not have the energy to run, play, or function. Your dog may suddenly sleep throughout the morning and night with a loss of appetite.

You would think that with your dog’s exhaustion, they would want to eat. This is not true, though. Teacup Pomeranian puppies with low blood sugar often don’t want to eat because they lack the energy to move. With this also comes a lack of coordination.

Sadly, if the low blood sugar is severe and untreated, your dog may have a seizure. If you notice that your dog has a seizure, you should immediately call your local emergency vet services. Although it is tempting to try and help your dog by lifting their heads and moving them, it is best to wait for the seizure to pass.

As hard as it is to watch your dog tremble and thrash on the ground, it is more dangerous to place your hands near them during an epileptic attack. Usually, a seizure only occurs once and is seldom life-threatening. However, if your dog has a random seizure, it could be because their body is going into shock from the lack of sugar.

How to Care For and Treat Your Teacup Pomeranian for Hypoglycemia

Once your Teacup Pomeranian has hypoglycemia , you should consult their local vet to find a treatment plan that works well for your specific dog. Every dog is different, and because various conditions cause hypoglycemia , it is important to understand the exact cause. Thankfully, there are multiple things you can do to treat your Teacup Pomeranian puppy at home. First, you should treat the initial symptoms and then move towards a special diet and lifestyle changes.

Immediate Treatment

Before you can treat the underlying issue causing hypoglycemia , you should nurse your Teacup Pomeranian back to health. It is important to give your dog glucose or sugar immediately. For immediate treatment, vets recommend rubbing glucose or corn syrup on your Teacup Pomeranian puppy’s gums. Slowly, this should increase your dog’s sugar levels and stabilize their condition.

Afterward, try and give your Teacup Pomeranian plenty of water for hydration. hypoglycemia is usually temporary, but its side effects can last days. Since exhaustion is a common symptom of hypoglycemia , you should ensure your dog gets enough rest and sleep. Set up a comfortable corner for your dog, so they can self-soothe. Since the symptoms and signs of hypoglycemia are similar to signs of other health conditions, experts recommend watching your dog for at least a day after their reactions start and stop.

Providing your dog a safe environment can prevent trauma, pain, and damage from the symptoms of hypoglycemia . You should also check immediately for any cuts, bumps, or bruises. Not all dogs with low blood sugar will have a seizure. However, it is important for dogs with seizures to secure the area in case it happens again. Add cushions near their bed and give them a safe space to relax and re-energize.

If your dog suffered from overheating, a common symptom on Toy dog breeds with low blood sugar and other health problems, you should focus on hydrating and cooling their bodies down. Toy Pomeranians have a small face, which makes it difficult to breathe. Your dog regulates their body temperature through their paws and their panting. If your dog cannot cool themselves, it can lead to shock and death. The best thing to do is provide them with cool water. Spray your dog with water, but don’t soak them! The quick temperature change can confuse your dog’s body, leading to shock.

Pet owners should call a vet if the condition of their Teacup Pomeranian puppy worsens. Some symptoms are extreme, and although you can give your dog immediate treatment to increase their sugar levels, if the cause is an underlying condition, it can be dangerous to try and treat alone. If you are worried about your Teacup Pomeranian, don’t hesitate to reach out to their local vet.

Special Diet

You can also treat your dog’s low blood sugar with a special diet change depending on the cause. If the cause is another underlying health condition, there may be other treatments. However, eating small frequent meals can help your dog process the sugar properly. Although giving your dog sugar can increase its sugar levels, it should be natural sugars.

Processed sugars and human treats like cakes and ice cream are hard to digest, and this is also true about starchy foods like potatoes, with minimal nutrients. Instead, you can give your Teacup Pomeranian puppy raw carrots and strawberries for proper sugar intake.

How to Help Your Teacup Pomeranian Live a Fulfilling Life with Hypoglycemia

After the initial treatment, it is necessary to manage your Teacup Pomeranian puppy’s health condition. Although hypoglycemia can be fatal, your dog is likely to live a long and fulfilling life. However, for your Teacup Pomeranian dog to live a happy life, you need to make significant changes to its lifestyle.

One lifestyle change is also a diet change. You should provide your Teacup Pomeranian puppy with frequent meals and raw snacks throughout the day. It is best to serve them in a gravity feeder as they have constant access to their food.

It is also best to start taking your dog on frequent walks on a schedule. This dog breed only needs low to moderate exercise, and if they are exercised too frequently or rigorously, it can lead to malnourishment and hypoglycemia . It is best to find indoor games and toys your Teacup Pomeranian loves. For instance, there are puzzle toys that your dog can use to strengthen their mind and body without putting too much pressure on their bodies.

Conclusion

All in all, Teacup Pomeranian puppies are happy, small dogs. These dogs can quickly develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because of their size. Teacup Pomeranian puppies have an increased chance of developing underlying causes of hypoglycemia like diabetes. Thankfully, it is an easy condition to diagnose.

You should focus on helping your dog increase their sugar levels if they drop suddenly. In some cases, hypoglycemia occurs quickly and temporarily. By giving your dog a mixture of sugar and water, their glucose levels can increase, lowering the symptoms resulting from hypoglycemia . If the cause is a different medical condition, you will need to treat the condition.

Teacup Pomeranian puppies can die because of hypoglycemia. However, there are many ways to treat and manage your dog’s condition.