Have a happy & healthy
Chihuahua!
Every chihuahua is different, but they all require love and special attention!
Dr. Mike T. Corwin, D.V.M.,
of the Airport Animal Clinic in Nashville( 615-367-9319),
has given me sound advice you can't get by just reading a book or the packageing from dog food.
Please never put collars on your Chihuahuas!!!!!!!!!!
The collar on any pet under 20 lbs. can be very dangerous and perminately damageing. If a small pet has a collar on, all it takes is one yank to damage the cords in their neck causing a life time of pain and breathing problems. However, using a harness type collar is safe. The best fitting harness, for your Chihuahua, is to get one made for a Ferret. They can be found at any local pet store.
Chihuahua puppies are very fragile. They have no "depth" perception and should never be left unattended on a couch, chair, bed, or any high place (not even to answer the phone/door). Their bones can break easily and the rule of thumb is..."if they can't jump up, they can't jump down". No matter how tough you think they are, they are still babies. BE RESPONSIBLE!
Premium puppy foods are best to use. They have less fillers, so your puppies go potty less and they don't get so hungry in between meals. Science diet is what Dr. Corwin recommends. Eukenuba and IAMS are also good puppy foods. *special note-Chihuahua puppie's livers don't fully develope until they are about 4 months old. Some of the packageing tells you to only feed your puppy 1/4 cup of food a day. Dr. Corwin said to keep the bowl full. The puppies produce Glycogin when they eat and this is what they live off of. Since their little liver is under-developed until 4 months of age, if they don't get enough food to help produce Glycogin, they can get Glycemia and die. This may make it harder to potty train, since they usually go to the potty with in 1/2 hour after eating. However, the good side to this is that when food is left for them, they don't have to feel as if they have to eat everything all at once and therefore they will eat several little meals and most likely not grow up to be obese!
Books say you can't potty train your puppy until they are 3/4 months old. Not so. They can begin at any age. The younger ones take alittle more time and you must be patient. Less criticism and more praise will help your puppy's performance. The best way to train is the "confinded" living area method. They tend not to potty where they sleep. Keep them confind to a "kennal" and then after they eat (1/2 hour) take them outside. They may whine, but it will help them learn faster. Second method is to use a puppy pad. You can get these at any local pet store. They are sucessful in that they have a scent that draws your puppy to potty on the pad. Remember that each puppy is different, but never give up or become impatient. The stress will cause the training process to take longer than both you or your puppy desires.
Puppies get their first shots and fecal exam (worms) at 6 weeks old. This should happen every two weeks until they are 14 weeks old. The next appointment should be made when they are one year old, this is when they will get the Rabies Vaccination. When traveling out of the country, most countries require a Vet record (certificate of Health) within 5 days of departure. Contact your Airlines or the Border for information on extra taxes that my be implemented on the arrival of your little one and any embargos for the time of year you are traveling.
Q & A
From BMitc74618@aol.com
6/27/2000
Recently our chihuahua was diagnosed with a skin disorder. At first it was due to the mother of our dog infecting him with red-mange at birth, (according to our vet). We had that under control until he was injured by an unknown incident and the stress of the injuries caused a severe skin infection. All the skin and hair on the entire underside of his body and legs began to slough off. He became infected and was in and out of the vet for 4 weeks. We finally had to make a tough decision and have him put to sleep. He had made a turn for the better but as one area healed another would flare up. He was on several medications and we had to feed him by hand and water by hand. Do you have any information on what this was, or of it happening to any other Chihuahua's. Please send any info or any sites that may have info. Thanks
Hi B,
I am sorry about the loss of your little guy. I too have lost a pet and I understand what you went through to save his life. Chihuahua's are so fragile. I spoke with Dr. Corwin's office today. Without seeing your pet it is hard for them to know exactly what kind of rash your baby had. However, they have an idea, since it happened at birth and was passed by the mother, it was a Demadectic disorder (this is a genetic disorder). Because it is hereditary, your pet can never get completely rid of this and any stress will bring it back time and time again. They also said it acts kind of like a herpes virus (cold sores and such). Any pet whelped from the that mother should be spade or neutered. The mother should be spade as well. It will pass from generation to generation. This type of disorder will also cause the little one to have a poor immune system. Some skin and itching disorders may be caused from just not having enough "fat" in the diet and it is suggested that you use a premium dog food first and foremost and also give your pet a little bit of butter once or twice a week (if there is constant itching). Please always consult with your vet before attempting to "fix" any problem.
From: kona247@bellsouth.net
7/13/00
Me and my father are seriously thinking of making a chihuahua our next pet and family member. My father is really nervous about one thing. He is afraid that he will easily break the dog's leg if he is playing around with it or if it jumps off the sofa. I was hoping you could let me know how sturdy these great little dogs are, I do not know anyone who owns a chihuahua and if I don't find out I will sadly have to go with another type of dog. :(
Thank you so much,
Cher
Hey Cher,
They are definitely wonderful. Yes, they are fragile when they are young. If they can't jump up on the couch, don't let them jump down. When they are older, starting at 9 months, they are maturing in all aspects and won't have any problems popping up and down and "all" over the house, so you won't have to worry about any broken bones.
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