Poodle Information
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Tiny Poodle / Puppy Care
OverviewWhen you have a tiny Poodle (A Toy Poodle or a Mini or Standard puppy), one must take steps to ensure the health and happiness of the dog. There are certain medical issues, feeding issues and more that should be followed. These should be followed forever in the case of a Toy….and for at least the first 6 months of a Mini or Standard.
1. Hypoglycemia
This is the medical term that means when a dog’s sugar level suddenly drops. Tiny Poodles are very susceptible to this. If it is to happen, it usually occurs between the ages of 5-16 weeks old. It should be noted, however, that any dog breed of any size and any age can develop this. It is most common with Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
This must be recognized and treated immediately…If not it can be fatal. Owners of Poodle puppies must know the signs to look for and keep help an arm-reach away!
Many wonder why this sudden drop in sugar (glucose) is so dangerous. It is because a dog’s body uses glucose as its main source of energy. The brain, liver and muscle tissues all use it. Without help to raise it back up again, the tiny sensitive dog’s body will just not be able to cope.
What can Make This Happen
The Signs to Look For
Your tiny Poodle may not have all of these signs…Just 1 of these symptoms should prompt an owner to quickly helping the puppy: Drowsiness, shivering, collapsing, disorientation, seizures, listlessness, depression, muscle weakness and tremors.
What an Owner Must Do Quickly
As soon as you believe that your puppy is showing signs of hypoglycemia, rub a small amount of Karo syrup onto his or her gums. (It will absorb through the gums; actual swallowing is not necessary). Then, the puppy should be rushed to an animal hospital for treatment.
In the hospital, the puppy will be warmed and a blood sugar level checked. If intravenous access is possible, dextrose will be infused directly into the blood stream. Response is generally rapid once sugar is supplied in this way and a sugar drip or regular sugar injections will be continued. However the puppy has to consistently eating before he or she can go home. Anticipate the need for 24 hour care and expect a few days of care.
This is the medical term that means when a dog’s sugar level suddenly drops. Tiny Poodles are very susceptible to this. If it is to happen, it usually occurs between the ages of 5-16 weeks old. It should be noted, however, that any dog breed of any size and any age can develop this. It is most common with Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
This must be recognized and treated immediately…If not it can be fatal. Owners of Poodle puppies must know the signs to look for and keep help an arm-reach away!
Many wonder why this sudden drop in sugar (glucose) is so dangerous. It is because a dog’s body uses glucose as its main source of energy. The brain, liver and muscle tissues all use it. Without help to raise it back up again, the tiny sensitive dog’s body will just not be able to cope.
What can Make This Happen
- Stress (such as moving to their new owner’s home)
- Low body temperature (This can happen if the pup is not kept away from cold drafts or is brought outside into cold weather unprotected)
- Poor nutrition (This is why it is so important to feed your Poodle with the best food possible
- A sudden change in what is fed to the dog (Even if you disagree with what the breeder was feeding your Poodle, it is very important to do a slow change-over to a new diet)
The Signs to Look For
Your tiny Poodle may not have all of these signs…Just 1 of these symptoms should prompt an owner to quickly helping the puppy: Drowsiness, shivering, collapsing, disorientation, seizures, listlessness, depression, muscle weakness and tremors.
What an Owner Must Do Quickly
As soon as you believe that your puppy is showing signs of hypoglycemia, rub a small amount of Karo syrup onto his or her gums. (It will absorb through the gums; actual swallowing is not necessary). Then, the puppy should be rushed to an animal hospital for treatment.
In the hospital, the puppy will be warmed and a blood sugar level checked. If intravenous access is possible, dextrose will be infused directly into the blood stream. Response is generally rapid once sugar is supplied in this way and a sugar drip or regular sugar injections will be continued. However the puppy has to consistently eating before he or she can go home. Anticipate the need for 24 hour care and expect a few days of care.
2. Luxating Patella or Hip dysplasia
Due to the tiny Poodle’s size, if a puppy jumps from a height (even one which you would not consider to be very high), the pup can develop a slipped kneecap (Luxating patella) or a slipped hip joint (Hip dysplasia). For this reason, take extreme care to not allow your puppy or Toy to jump or fall off of a couch, chair, etc. When grooming, if using a grooming table, always attach the harness.
3. Collapsed Trachea
This is very common, sadly, with toy breeds and with small puppies of any breed. Many, many cases of this can easily be prevented! A collapsed trachea is just what it sounds like…The tiny Poodle’s trachea (the windpipe) collapses. This is painful and causes breathing problems. How can you prevent this? Never, ever put a dog collar onto your Toy Poodle or pup. Tiny Poodles need to have a harness, not a collar! These are sold right alongside dog collars in just about every dog supply store in the country. They slip on easily, allow you to control your dog and are very easy to use. When a person uses a collar, all it takes is 1 second for the puppy to leap through the grass or turn the opposite way that the owner is walking…the leash then jerks the collar against the pup’s throat….and it is too late!
4. Proper Feeding
It is very important to feed a tiny Poodle 3 times per day, with small meals in which the food is in small pieces. The teeth of a tiny dog are tiny also! It is best to free feed when the puppy is very young and then adapt a regular feeding schedule of 3 meals at consistent times…then working your way to 2 meals per day as your Poodle grows older.
5. Warmth & Comfort
Due to its size, one must realize that a small dog cannot regulate body temperature as easily as a larger canine can. This is why most small breed dogs are “indoor dogs” and other large dogs such as the Boxer or Lab can, in many cases, be “outdoor dogs”. Your tiny Poodle should be protected by a warm sweater when it is chilly outside….doggie shoes or boots can protect sensitive paws when walking outside (pebbles can easily become lodged in-between toe pads). Pups should not be brought outside no matter what the weather (except to go to the bathroom) until he or she has received all of their shots.
If it is raining, hold an umbrella over your pup when outside and use a soft, dry towel to absorb any excess water that may have gotten onto the coat. If it is snowing, clear a pathway to the designated bathroom area (do not use “ice melt” unless you have boots or shoes on your Poodle) and do be sure to protect them with a soft sweater.
Indoors, make sure that your tiny Poodle’s sleeping and resting area is away from any and all cool drafts. Some owners do not realize that even electrical outlets can be the source of cold drafts that enter the home! Always have a soft, clean blanket available for them to cuddle with, no matter where they sleep.
Be sure to look all around our site for an enormous amount of Poodle information….And if you do not yet have the All Poodle Info Book, be sure to take a peek inside!
Due to the tiny Poodle’s size, if a puppy jumps from a height (even one which you would not consider to be very high), the pup can develop a slipped kneecap (Luxating patella) or a slipped hip joint (Hip dysplasia). For this reason, take extreme care to not allow your puppy or Toy to jump or fall off of a couch, chair, etc. When grooming, if using a grooming table, always attach the harness.
3. Collapsed Trachea
This is very common, sadly, with toy breeds and with small puppies of any breed. Many, many cases of this can easily be prevented! A collapsed trachea is just what it sounds like…The tiny Poodle’s trachea (the windpipe) collapses. This is painful and causes breathing problems. How can you prevent this? Never, ever put a dog collar onto your Toy Poodle or pup. Tiny Poodles need to have a harness, not a collar! These are sold right alongside dog collars in just about every dog supply store in the country. They slip on easily, allow you to control your dog and are very easy to use. When a person uses a collar, all it takes is 1 second for the puppy to leap through the grass or turn the opposite way that the owner is walking…the leash then jerks the collar against the pup’s throat….and it is too late!
4. Proper Feeding
It is very important to feed a tiny Poodle 3 times per day, with small meals in which the food is in small pieces. The teeth of a tiny dog are tiny also! It is best to free feed when the puppy is very young and then adapt a regular feeding schedule of 3 meals at consistent times…then working your way to 2 meals per day as your Poodle grows older.
5. Warmth & Comfort
Due to its size, one must realize that a small dog cannot regulate body temperature as easily as a larger canine can. This is why most small breed dogs are “indoor dogs” and other large dogs such as the Boxer or Lab can, in many cases, be “outdoor dogs”. Your tiny Poodle should be protected by a warm sweater when it is chilly outside….doggie shoes or boots can protect sensitive paws when walking outside (pebbles can easily become lodged in-between toe pads). Pups should not be brought outside no matter what the weather (except to go to the bathroom) until he or she has received all of their shots.
If it is raining, hold an umbrella over your pup when outside and use a soft, dry towel to absorb any excess water that may have gotten onto the coat. If it is snowing, clear a pathway to the designated bathroom area (do not use “ice melt” unless you have boots or shoes on your Poodle) and do be sure to protect them with a soft sweater.
Indoors, make sure that your tiny Poodle’s sleeping and resting area is away from any and all cool drafts. Some owners do not realize that even electrical outlets can be the source of cold drafts that enter the home! Always have a soft, clean blanket available for them to cuddle with, no matter where they sleep.
Be sure to look all around our site for an enormous amount of Poodle information….And if you do not yet have the All Poodle Info Book, be sure to take a peek inside!
