Open Fontanel - The “soft spot” is probably the most common way to refer to the Molera. Almost all Chi’s will be born with an
open Fontanel and some will retain it throughout their lives. It was at one time thought that if the dog didn’t have one it was not a
pure breed Chihuahua. The Molera is a direct opening to the brain so injury and even death are possible with penetration or a blunt hit to this area.
Hypoglycemia - or Low Blood Sugar is common in most small breeds and left unrecognized can lead to seizures and possible
death. Many dogs will outgrow this condition, although a few of the adult dogs in the less than 3 lbs range will hold on to it.
Some symptoms of Hypoglycemia are lethargy (very quiet/sleepy) and stumbling. You must act quickly, in most cases rubbing
Karo syrup (or anything that is super sweet) on the gums and tongue will quickly bring the dog around. If your dog has a seizure
TAKE THE DOG TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY!! A puppy needs to eat frequently.
Luxating Patella - or dislocated knees can develop over time or occur at a young age in the Chihuahua. Severe cases can often
times be surgically corrected, while minor cases may be limited to simple medical management.
Coccidia - This is an "opportunist protozoa" that lives in the bowels of all dogs. Did you understand that? ALL DOGS carry
coccidia. But something has got to weaken the immune system of a dog for the protozoa to have an opportunity to take hold and
start multiplying. That "something " is usually stress of one kind or another. Coccidia is usually accompanied by a loose, stinky
stool that can even have streaks of bloody mucus in it. Some Vets will explain coccidia to their clients by saying the dog is
loaded with parasites. This is sometimes interepreted by that client that the dog has worms. Coccidia is not exactly a parasite but can be just as hard to get rid of . A daily supply of yogurt prevents coccidia from getting a foot hold as it keeps a good balance of bacteria in the G.I. tract. So long as good bacteria exists in an ample supply in the gut,coccidia can not grow. . If your puppy is put on antibiotics of any sort, feed yogurt to replenish the good bacteria that is killed off by the antibiotic. It will in no way affect the antibiotic from completeing it's job but may save your dog from secondary infections caused by an imbalance of good bacteria.
Hydrocephalus - Most commonly referred to as water on the brain. Do not confuse this with open fontanel. However, if the opening is extremely large, it could be bulging with a misshapen head, eyes that are focused outward with a lot of white showing-these are signs of hydro. This is more of a breeders nightmare than the future owners. Found most of the time in very young pups. These puppies are poor growers, uncoordinated and can also suffer from seizures.
Shivering -This is a trait of Chihuahuas. They may be scared or they may just be cold. Young dogs often shiver after they have
been fed (even if the meal is warm).Shivering is generally caused by the fact the Chihuahua is so small that its body temperature
changes very quickly. Shivering is a way for their body to compensate for this difference. Make sure that in the winter months your Chihuhua is warm and cozy. It doesn't take much for your little dog to catch a chill. You will notice that Chihuahua's love to bury themselves under blankets or when it's warm weather they bask in the sun even if the spot is small.
Reverse sneezing - is caused by an irritation of the nasal sinuses towards the back of the throat. It sounds more like a snort than a sneeze. This condition is often seen during the spring months when there is a lot of pollen around. In most cases reverse sneezing is not harmful and does not indicate any serious condition of the respiratory tract. It is probably no more harmful than a regular sneeze. If it occurs infrequently, only once a week or so, there is no need to be overly concerned. If it occurs more frequently, say a number of times a day, it is best to have your pet checked by a veterinarian. Medication can be prescribed if the condition is due to an irritation such as pollens. Some people say that reverse sneezing may be controlled by massaging the the upper neck region (throat) or briefly closing the dog's nostrils.
Disclaimer:
I am not a veterinarian and I cannot stress it enough to have your Chihuahua checked by your vet. At the slightest hint of something not quite right-TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE VET! Just like a child, monitor your baby.
MANY PROBLEMS, ILLNESSES, AND CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED AT HOME. HOWEVER, SOME THINGS REQUIRE A VETERINARIAN'S ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT, SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY. CHECK TO SEE THAT THE CONDITION YOU WANT TO TREAT ISN'T AN EMERGENCY BEFORE ADMINISTERING HOME CARE.
Aloe vera gel or juice - An excellent detoxifier and cleaner of the digestive tract and urinary system. Use it for any illness or
general "not feeling well" (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) 1/2 tsp of juice three times a day. Use aloe for ear problems, mixing two ounces of juice or gel with a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (food grade) and massaging it into the ear. Make sure the brand you buy is 99% or more pure, preferably organic, and preserved with citric acid or ascorbic acid. Don't buy a brand preserved with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate. Don't use aloe if your chihuahua is pregnant.
Apple cider vinegar - RAW apple cider vinegar is a wonderful daily tonic that boosts the immune system and fights bacteria.
It can heal infections of the urinary tract and kidneys. It balances electrolytes and enzymes and adds minerals. Truly a miracle food, and so inexpensive and simple to use. Add raw apple cider vinegar to your chihuahua's water bowl about 1/2 teaspoon per pint of water. If she won't drink it at first, add a little raw honey to sweeten the taste, and gradually phase out the honey. Make sure you buy ONLY the raw, unpasteurized, dark golden variety of apple cider vinegar that has cloudy "stringy" things floating in it. Called "Mother of Vinegar", they contain the bulk of the healing nutrients. Don't buy distilled, light amber, or white vinegar. These are fine for cleaning, but useless for healing.
Aspirin - Aspirin shouldn't be given for many days or weeks at a time, because it can irritate the stomach, but it works very well for relieving short-term discomfort. I use the orange children's aspirin tablets, which come in tiny 80 mg. tablets and break easily. At the standard dose of 5 mg. per pound of dog, that works out to 15 mg for a three-pound chihuahua, 20 mg for a four pound dog, 25 mg for a five-pound dog. So for all those weights, I give one-quarter of a tablet, which is 20 mg. Close enough. For extreme discomfort, such as right after surgery, I give a half tablet for the first two doses only. **Aspirin doses are given to dogs 12 hours apart, NEVER four to six hours as with humans. NEVER give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or Ibuprofen.
Baby food - I always keep a jar of Gerber's in the cupboard because most sick Chihuahua's will lick at chicken, turkey or beef baby food. Warm a spoonful for just two or three second in the microwave -- don't scald it.
Benadryl - For allergic swelling after a bee sting or after vaccinations. Give 1/2 mg of Children's Benadryl per pound of chihuahua. But no more than 3 doses total, spaced eight hours apart.
Bran - Fiber helps relieve constipation and dry stools by allowing the stools to soak up additional moisture and thus move more easily. Give 1/2 teaspoon of oat bran added to each meal.
Dramamine - Reduces motion (car) sickness. You can give 12.5 mg. every 8 hours
Garlic - This miracle food builds the immune system and is an herbal antibiotic, virtually unbeatable at preventing and fighting infection (both viruses and bacteria). Grate 1/2 small clove and mix it into meals two or three times a week as a general immune builder. For actual or potential infections (such as after surgery, cuts, wounds, etc.) add it to every meal. If you prefer, you can use garlic powder instead -- but not kitchen garlic salt or other cooking preparations, which are stale, processed, and/or mixed with unwanted additives.
Hydrogen peroxide 3% - To make your chihuahua throw up after eating something she shouldn't, give 10 ml. Give a second dose 10 minutes later if necessary. Also valuable as a pesticide wash and bacteria killer, so you can use it as a rinse on raw meat, meaty bones, and/or raw veggies before feeding.
Kaopectate - For diarrhea, Give 1 ml per pound of Chihuahua, every 2 hours.
Liquid Chlorophyll - Another excellent detoxifier and antiseptic for the internal organs, especially digestive tract and bloodstream. Use it internally for any illness, especially a digestive problem -- 1/2 teaspoon three times a day. Liquid Chlorophyll is also used by holistic vets to balance blood sugar levels in some pets with diabetes or chronic hypoglycemia.
Mineral Oil - 1/2 teaspoon can help dry stools pass more easily,but it is very easy for a chihuahua to become dependent on it, so don't use it for more than a few days.
Pumpkin - Plain canned pumpkin works well for puppies with diarrhea and adult dogs with soft stool. A few spoonfuls in their food will often stop it right away. The pumpkin adds fiber to the diet, therefore firming up the stools. If often works more completely and more quickly than Kaopectate, if your pet isn't ill from something else.
Raw Honey - Raw unpasteurized honey from the health food store (not processed or pasteurized from the supermarket) is one of the oldest and most reliable healing foods. It fights bacteria, builds the immune system, and provides energy. Give a fingertip of honey every couple of hours for almost any illness or general "not feeling well". If your chihuahua won't lick it, just wipe it onto the roof of her mouth to stimulate her licking and swallowing reflex.
Slippery Elm - An excellent herb for the digestive tract. For diarrhea, mix 1/2 teaspoon of slippery elm powder with raw honey and give three or four times a day. You can also buy slippery elm syrup which doesn't need mixing.
Tummy Teas - Chamomile, ginger and peppermint are outstanding herbs for an upset stomach or general "not feeling well". You buy them as dried teas, add boiling water, let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, and let cool. Draw 3 cc into a feeding syringe and gently feed it into the chihuahua's mouth every few hours.
Yogurt - PLAIN Yogurt is valuable because it contains "friendly" bacteria which are extremely important for digestion. Mix it into meals every couple of days. Whenever I am forced to give antibiotics I give yogurt. Antibiotics kill helpful (as well as harmful) bacteria. To replace this helpful bacteria add 1/2 teaspoon of plain yogurt to each meal.
