| Important Health Issues |
| Diseases Even though all puppies need to be socialized at an early age, it is best to avoid taking your pet to the park, walks in the neighborhood, or around other unknown pets until it has been fully vaccinated and has a fully developed immune system (16 weeks of age). Until your new puppy has a full set of vaccinations, its immune system is not properly equipped to handle diseases. Your puppy could easily get worms, parvovirus, or Coccidia from contaminated feces or ground. I have made every effort to insure that your puppy will not be exposed to any disease. Unfortunately, these diseases can live in stray animal feces and on the ground for many days, even years and can be easily transmitted to a puppy. Symptoms: Symptoms could vary widely, depending on which disease your puppy has come in contact with. Depression, vomiting, diarrhea, blood, mucus in stools, breathing problems, tender belly or swolen body. Any sudden change in your puppy call your Veterinarian Treatment: Seek veterinary treatment IMMEDIATELY if your puppy has come in contact with any of these symptoms as they can possibly cause death in your puppy. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid contact with other animals and unknown places prior to full vaccination of your puppy. Have those people who handle the puppy wash their hands before handling. Since parvo can also be carried on the bottom of your shoes, it is a good idea to keep shoes that you wear outdoors from contacting any area where the puppy sleeps or plays. |
| Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia Description: This is the number one killer in toy breeds. Because toy breeds have such a small fat reserve around their liver, they are prone to low blood sugar. This symptom can occur at any time. Your breeder should let you know if your new puppy is prone to hypoglycemia. Symptoms: Sudden lethargy, lack of coordination (stumbling, falling, staggering), followed by seizures, coma and death if not treated immediately. Treatment: Although you should always consult your veterinarian for the proper treatment of your Chihuahua. You can use (i.e. Nutri-Cal, Nutri-Stat, Vitacal, Karo Syrup, honey, sugar water) to boost the blood sugar level if warning signs start or have caught you off gaurd. The Nutri-Cal supplement is essential for any pet owner's medicine chest. It is specially formulated to give your pet the nutrition it needs and fast. It has been known to bring a puppy suffering from low blood sugar immediately out of the beginning stages of a coma. It also has high potency vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates which your puppy needs. Because it is high in vitamin B, Nutri-Cal can actually stimulate your pet to start eating right again. When taking your tiny puppy home, especially those weighing less than a pound and a half ask your breeder for a tube of Nutri-Cal. It can very easily save his life. It costs less than $5.00, much less than an emergency trip to the vet. Nutri-Cal is especially beneficial for pets that are stressed due to a change in environment, a new home, shipping or recovering from an illness or injury. It is also specially formulated to be gentle on sensitive digestive tracts. For very severe cases of low blood sugar, your veterinarian may need to give your puppy an IV of a sugar solution. Always When in doubt call your VETERINARIAN. |
| Stress Description: Because Toy breeds are smaller then average, stress (such as diet changes, moving to a new home, shipping, etc...) can affect them physically. Symptoms: Diarrhea, Hypoglycemia, not eating or drinking water. Treatment: Always check first with your veterinarian to rule out a more serious reason for these symptoms, but diarrhea (loose stools) and low blood sugar are fairly common responses to stress. Many of these symptoms are temporary and will go away once the puppy gets used to their new environment or situation. Of course, you need to treat low blood sugar immediately. Because stress can cause the immune system to become depressed, this may make the puppy susceptible to bacterial and/or viral infections. Your veterinarian will best be able to diagnose this. Give plenty of down time, keep noise to a minimum, and don't let the kids play too much with your new puppy at first. |
| Coccidiosis Information This is just a medical awareness, anyone purchasing a puppy any where should be aware of this parasite, it lives in almost every dog or puppy. Your puppy will have been treated for this parasite here at my home. Coccidia are tiny parasites that live in the cells of a dog's intestines. IT IS VERY COMMON in dogs/puppies to have this parasite and when the dog/puppy is stressed (such as moving to a new home, shots, worming, chande of water sources, shipping etc.) this parasite may surface. All and or any type of stress could cause this parasite to surface. This parasite, as with other parasites, cannot effectively be treated until there are signs the parasite has gone visablly active. So basically the puppy can leave my home showing no signs at all, even be negative by doing a fecal exam, than show signs a few days later at their new home. When in doubt take a fecal exam to your Veterinarian and have it checked. Symptoms: Loose stools, usually with blood or mucous, but not always. acting depressed, not eating or drinking! Sleeping a lot more than a normal puppy should, lifeless and getting worse by the hour. Treatment: 10-14 days on Albon or another type of sulfa drug. Your puppy must drink plenty of water. |
| Molera, open fontanel statement 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. 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, seizures and a short life span. 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. Click here |