You have just purchased a new Chihuahua
puppy. Now you have a new "baby" and of course you want that baby to
grow up and be a healthy playful part of your family. BUT there are certain
things that you need to know and do to make this happen. In the following
paragraphs these are just the basics of how to care for a new puppy and some
information that may save our baby's life in an emergency situation. I will
also try to educate you to be observant so you may meet the needs of even the
tiniest of my little puppies.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they purchase a
new puppy is they immediately have to take it visiting to show it off. NOT A
GOOD IDEA!! Do Not Take your dog to a PET STORE/Petco. Take your puppy straight
home and try your very best to keep it there until it has adjusted to it's new
surroundings and it's new "parents". Don't do anything that stresses
the puppy out like going out shopping for new puppy clothes. You will have
plenty of time later. You can place a small stuffed toy with your puppy for a
little company. Do not allow your puppy to have run of the house. Your puppy
should be placed in a small area /crate/playpen etc. He will not be able to
find his food and water if he goes out exploring a big room or house. Please
remember these are very small puppies and even a small room to us is a huge
place for them. If you put your puppy alone in a room to "cry"
himself to sleep he could be in great harm. Make sure your puppy is comfortable
and feels safe.
When going to the vet, use some common sense. Keep your
puppy in a crate or in your lap when visiting the vet's office. Do not let it
romp on the floor or furniture and most certainly do not allow it to socialize
with other animals that also may be in the office at the same time. Do not let
others handle or pet your puppy. Their hands may carry germs that will cause
your puppy to become sick. Where do all people take sick dogs? To the vet!
Where is the best place to pick up germs or contract disease? Naturally, it's
where everyone takes sick dogs. TO THE VET!!
Your puppy will already have its first series of puppy shots
when you receive it. Make sure that you complete to proper series of puppy
shots as this could save your puppies life. If the vet you choose says your
puppy will have to be started over on its shots already given run out the door!
It is vital that you do not overload your little Chihuahua's
immune system. This can cause just as many problems as not receiving any puppy
shots. Make sure you take your new puppy to someone you feel comfortable with.
Make sure that you do not do more than one treatment in a visit. If you puppy
needs a worm treatment ask to take it home and give a couple days after the
vaccination was given. Also when your puppy is old enough for its rabies shot
make sure that is the only shot it is receiving that day. The puppy series that
you vet will give will protect it from catching several different viruses. Make
sure that vaccination for your Chihuahua
does not contain protection against leptospirosis. This vaccination has been
known to have adverse reactions when given to Chihuahuas.
Discuss this with your vet to see if leptospirosis is something your Chihuahua
has to be concerned with catching in your area. Always remember to tell them
when taking your Chihuahua in for
its shots that you do not want it to include "lepto." It could be
fatal to your Chihuahua.
If you were caring for a human baby you would be feeding it
every few hours and constantly changing its diaper and keeping the environment
clean. Use the same idea for your new Chihuahua
puppy. You should keep the puppy on the same food that was provided for you so
that you don't stress the puppy any more that necessary. If you decide that you
do not want to continue the puppy on the same food you must slowly introduce
the new food. Mix a little of the new food in with the food the puppy is
already eating. You can add a little more of the new food and a little less of
the old food each day. This should be done over a 10 day period until the puppy
is completely on the new food only. Don't change the puppy's diet or eating
routine too abruptly. The smaller a puppy the more times a day it has to be fed.
I leave dry food out for my puppies at all times (until they can go several
hours with out eating). You have to remember that because of their small
stomachs they have to eat more often to sustain themselves. Never confine the
puppy for any length of time with no food or water. This means during the night
also. Puppies have to eat and drink during the night time hours just to sustain
themselves. Make sure to confine them in an area that has enough room for a
bed, food, water and some paper down so they can relieve themselves. Until they
are older they will not be able to go very long without eating, drinking and
going to the potty. They are babies. Do not put the puppy in bed with you to
sleep during the night. They will not have access to food! They can also fall
of the bed. That is too far of a fall for a small Chihuahua.
I have provided access to dry kibble at all times for this puppy, so that is
what it is used to. It has been weaned from mom for several weeks and is eating
dry food with no problems. It is very important to make sure the puppy is
eating once you get it home. Do not be concerned with your puppy eating the
same kind of food everyday. You should decide on a good puppy food and keep it
on it. When you offer different kinds of food all the time "trying to find
one he likes" you are actually creating a picky eater. The food I sent
home with you new puppy is a great new puppy food. Once your puppy is a little
older I suggest Nutro Max. It is a great food and all of my Chihuahuas
love it. You can change to adult small bites as your puppy becomes an adult.
This is the scientific name for a condition where the sugar
level suddenly drops. The first signs of this problem is usually staggering and
falling over as if they are drunk. Or they can be observed lying on their side
paddling with their front feet as though they are swimming. If these symptoms
are observed you must act very quickly in order to save your puppy's life. You
have to get the sugar level up to bring the puppy out of this situation. And it
must be done quickly. I suggest you have a tube of Nutrical on hand. You can
get this at any pet food store. If you puppy does show any signs of low blood
sugar or if it is not eating, give it some Nutrical. If the puppy's is not
willing to lick the Nutrical you can put some on your finger and rub it on the
puppy's gums. Sometimes when they get like this their mouth will clinch shut
and you will have to pry it open. This should help get the puppy's blood sugar
back to a more normal level. Once the puppy is responsive you must get it to
eat. If your puppy has an episode like this it is not eating enough food. It
could also be an underlying problem that may need medical attention. Make sure
you offer the puppy the Nutrical several times a day‑even if it is acting
fine. I have never had this problem with any of the puppies I have taken home
but have seen many puppies come into the emergency clinic like this. The owners
are in a panic that their puppy is two breaths away from its last and if this situation
is not handled immediately it very well could be. Read the hypoglycemia
contract on the information page.
A young puppy cannot be expected to "hold it"
until it is taken outside. You should have paper down on the floor close the
where your puppy is at all times. If it is introduced to the option of not
having paper down it will forget about the paper thing and just go when needed.
You can do the same thing with "puppy litter" it is a great
alternative to newspaper or puppy pads.
Make sure the area that you keep you puppy when you are not
with ' it has a bed, food, water and a place to eliminate away from the bed,
food and water. They do not like to eliminate where they eat, drink and sleep.
Once your new puppy is familiar with its new surroundings and getting use to
it's new routine you can start introducing eliminating itself outside. Chihuahuas
are really smart and catch on pretty fast as to what you expect of them.
In Chihuahuas
when they are between 8 and 12 weeks of age you may notice a sudden thinning
splotchy pattern in its coat. This is often misdiagnosed by vets and they
suggest skin scrapings to determine if mites are present. It is a normal
condition and should only last a couple of weeks. You should only be alarmed if
it is accompanied by a rash. That could be a sign of démodé tic mange mites or
some sort of allergy. I have now learned to wait it out and everything is
always fine.
Chihuahuas
usually have their full set of puppy teeth by six weeks of age. But some of
them lack jaw muscles strong enough to crush dry kibble. I will not send home a
puppy until I know they are eating dry food without any problems. When Chihuahuas
are about 13 weeks old they start to cut their permanent teeth. This process
can go on for 3 to 6 months. It can affect puppies differently. Sometimes their
ears will droop or they will have one ear up and one down. This can change from
day to day. At this age they will want to chew on everything so make sure to
provide a lot of puppy safe chew toys. This will discourage them from chewing
on your good shoes or nice leather couch.
Occasional bouts of sneezing, snorting, honking and wheezing
are not unusual in Chihuahuas.
This is sometimes called a reverse sneeze. This is usually caused by an
elongated soft palate that is thought to become temporarily misaligned. It is a
common trait in toy breeds. Pulling hard on a leash, drinking too fast or
getting overly excited can lead to an episode of reverse sneezing. Reverse
sneezing should not be confused with a different condition call a collapsed
trachea. Although reverse sneezing may be scary, it only lasts a short time and
can be ended by massaging the dog’s neck and throat and encouraging the dog to
swallow or lick. Another way to slow the reverse sneeze is to clap your hands
to distract the dog, or pinch closed the dog's nostrils with your fingers,
forcing it to breathe through its mouth and to swallow.
Luxation
of the patella or dislocation of the kneecap is a common hereditary problem
with Chihuahuas and other small
breeds. Patellar luxation can occur in varying degrees from minimal to
debilitating. Very young dogs may be able to compensate for this deformity but
the condition tends to worsen over time. Most of the time the Chihuahua
is older before symptoms of patellar luxation are obvious. The dislocation is
most commonly found on the inner side of the patella. The attached ligaments
become stretched over time until the patella is rarely where it is supposed to
be, and may pop in and out of place very easily. Recent studies have shown that
immediate treatment is recommended, rather then waiting until the dislocation
has crippled the dog. The reasoning is that while the knee is dislocated the
entire body of the dog is compensating for it causing deformations of many
other skeletal areas.
THE MOLERA
Historically the Chihuahua
as developed in Mexico
and the United States
has displayed a soft spot on the top of its head. In the Chihuahua
this spot, or fontanel, is know as the molera, and is the same that is found in
human babies. In the past this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the
breed and is still mentioned in most Chihuahua
breed standards all over the world. American Kennel Club (AKC) lists it as an
acceptable breed standard.
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. The molera in a Chihuahua
will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.
Unfortunately many people (some veterinarians, not familiar with the Chihuahua
breed standards) have tried to link the presence of a molera with the condition
known as hydrocephalus. The truth is that a domed head with a molera present
does not predispose the Chihuahua
to this condition.
VACCINATION REACTION
It is not uncommon that your puppy will have a systemic
reaction to its vaccinations. This can include a low‑grade fever or
muscle aches and pain. They may be really sleepy for the next 24 to 48 hours
after their vaccinations. A more severe adverse reaction would be characterized
by hives, swelling of the face or even vomiting. This reaction can be prevented
by administering an antihistamine at the time of the vaccination. Please check
with your vet about this option. In some rare cases dogs will have a more
severe reaction leading to death. Leptospirosis, the component most likely to
produce such severe reactions should always be left out of your Chihuahuas
vaccinations. Chihuahuas do not
respond well to this component so unless the area you live in has a
leptospirosis concern please ask you vet not to include it in its vaccine. If
your dog has had a vaccine reaction in the past, don't skip future vaccinations
but do warn your veterinarian so he can take the proper precautions when
vaccinating your pet. If your dog does have an adverse reaction to its
vaccinations always contact your veterinarian immediately.
SHIVERING
This is a trait of the Chihuahuas.
It is usually a communication of sort. They may be scared or unsure of
something or someone. Or they may just be cold. Young dogs often shiver after
they have been fed. Shivering is generally caused by the fact that the Chihuahua
is so small that its body temperature changes very quickly. Shivering is a way
for their body to compensate for this difference. Please make sure your Chihuahua
is nice and warm during the winter months. It doesn't take much for these little
guys to catch a chill. You will notice that Chihuahuas
love to bury themselves under blankets or when it’s warm, they love to bask in
the sun.
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