Hypoglycemia:
One of the most deadliest threats to a little pup such taht of a chihuahua; and the smaller they are the higher risk they are so if you choose a small one time is a full time commitment be sure you have it!
Some of the most common signs of hypoglycemia one might see is lethargy (Listless) glazed eyes and not eating...that is one of the biggest reasons this is a problem..they need to eat to keep sugar levels up some might run into this when housebreaking if you limit times of feeding..I myself keep food 24 hrs out as you will find out chi's are picker's they don't inhale there food in most cases like other breed's...there constantly eating a little a time there fore energy is being constantly used..and if you take it away the pup may not have ate enough to go on till you feed again..
Some of what we keep on hand here is Nutrical or Nutristat this can be purchased at most vet's and or pet stores even online..If you run into a problem and don't have the above on hand then use honey or karo syrup a small amount of honey to start under the tounge this can be even added to the water but replenish often as the karo syrup can sour the water..If you find your pup not getting or better in a worse state then don't hesitate to go to your vet asap as it can be fatal if not treated quickly..exposure to family/friends constant playing and stress of vaccines can cause these issues so like a new born minimize exposure and play in moderation...This is the biggest reason that breeders as well as myself don't guarantee for this condition as we don't know what happens when they leave our care..even though we may face it a time or two before leaving for a new home we make sure they are healthy enough and to go and then it's there new family's responsibility and it's not always an easy one...
Skin Issues:
This is big topic these days with so many changes in our enviroment..I am not a big one on chemical based treatments for my pets or myself for that matter...But we do start the puppies off on a product called Revolution this is an excellent product for these little one's over all that is on the market I prefer this as it's wide range of treatment is excellent, from earmites,intestinal and skin parasites to heartworm..
Demodex mange:
Is transmitted to the pup as there born thru natural birthing this happens because the mom is stressed and therefore the chance of this mite being passed is high some say it's hereditary but I have seen it in lines with none then all of a sudden it's there so my take on this is the enviroment dog's are like people and worse in some situations that they can pick up on our moods and surroundings that if there is a change in life like with us it stress's them if you purchased your pup for a breeding dog it's not advisable to continue to breed when this happens..but as far as purchasing a pup that may show a sign you lessen the risk of this skin situation with spaying/neutering your pup..some may have it localized and other's worse I have treated several for this as a vet tech and groomer and have many tricks I don't run to the vet everytime there is a problem as I can usually take care of it I don't mind sharing Ideas with you or what I have done but remember It's your pet and you do what you feel is right...sometimes issues can disguise another ailment and Vet's like Dr's are to quick to presume the worse...Demodex is a very hard mite to find so don't presume that your dog or pup has it..
Sarcoptic mange:
Is treatable and should be isolated from other animals and limit contact This is what many of us would call Scabies...eeeww a very itchy bug! Treatment for this is bathing and dipping most good flea dips will kill the mite as well I start off with weekly baths' followed by dipping then go to everyother week till your down to once a month and then you can alteranate dipping every other month this will also take care of any fleas,ticks etc that can cause some of the same irriatations...again Revolution works great!
Intestinal parasites:
This is something that we treat for before puppies leave however there are some we don't so here are some types of parasites out there:
Roundworm: most common puppy worm they get from mom thru her milk this is sometimes easily noticed as worms may pass thru the stool or they will have large belly's..a roundworm will look like spaghetti..
Tapeworm:Is a simple worm and is contracted thru fleas so if your dog has tapeworms they had a flea on them at one time or another..this worm is short because you see segments most of the time so they look rice in the stool can be more then one that we see..
Hookworm: Is a dangerous one and not visible to the human eye some of the signs of a dog having hookworms is weight loss and bloody stools from time to time before getting deathly ill this parasites like others attach themselves to the intestinal wall of your puppy or dog this is what causes the blood treatment should be given as this can be fatal if not treated..
Whipworm:Is another fairly common parasite and easily treated there is several types of wormers that can be given to your pet on a routine basis there is also montly prevenatives we give for heartworm/fleas that will also prevent most of these worms..but if your pet should be diagnosed with one then you need to treat to get rid of..
Coccidia:Is not a parasite it's an oocyst it's a one celled organism that lives in the intestines all dog's are born with it as they are with the demodectic mange mite..sounds gross but like us we have critters i would rather not see we know they are there..Coccidia can be more a pain to treat as it can be stubborn most commonly used to treat is albon prescribed by your vet you will not see this in there stools under some circumstances we treat prior to leaving especially if being shipped but were no longer able to send with a continuing dose so if we dont' see signs we won't treat if we do see signs and our vet diagnoses it we will begin treatment and usually hold off on shipping or send it with you aware of it so that you can continue with treatment by having a vet appt asap upon recieving your puppy..This can mimick some disease like parvo and can be just as fatal the poop can be smelly and watery causing dehydration and in a little pup this can be overnight to within a few hours...
Giardia: Another dangerous parasite but can come from many sources we as a rule like coccidia do not treat for unless we have possitive diagnosis and this is not diaganosed from a routine fecal exam..So if we get a stubborn stool and suspect this we will begin treatment as a safe protocol..This usually is a 5 day treatment some say it comes from standing water or the mom and filth however these day's giardia can be in something as simple as your home tap water coming from a well or even city water there is more chemicals in city water to prevent this but not always a sure thing...IF you suspect giardia don't wait take and get tested and start prevention immediate...
Most of the above parasites can be transmitted to us so you want to be sure you clean up your yard and accidents around it's like the beach one reason for no dog's on the beach anymore barefeet and poop just don't mix sure our systems may fight it but then again it can bring us down too...
So keep clean and be safe and parasite free...
