 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
TAKING YOUR PUPPY HOME
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. 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. They may feel to be in great harm. Make sure your
puppy is comfortable and feels safe.
Going to the Vet
When going to the vet, please 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 the 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 your 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.
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.
DIET AND FEEDING
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. I have
provided access to dry food at all times for this puppy, so that is what it is use 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 your new puppy is
a good puppy food. 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. Your puppy is currently being fed Diamond Puppy Food (I get it from Tracker Supply Store).
**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 off the bed. That is
too far of a fall for a small Chihuahua**
HOUSE TRAINING
A young puppy cannot be expected to “hold it” until it is taken outside. You should have paper or wee pad 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 where you keep your puppy has a bed, food and water. Also a place to relieve itself is away from the bed, food and
water. They do not like to potty 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 itself outside. Chihuahuas are
really smart and catch on pretty fast as to what you expect of them.
REVERSE SNEEZE
Occasional bouts of sneezing, snorting, honking and wheezing are not unusual in Chihuahuas, and is sometimes called a reverse
sneeze. This is usually caused by a 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 dogs 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.
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.
Coccidia: (Coccidiosis) A Cause of Diarrhea
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts. They cause disease most commonly in puppies
less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.;
change in ownership, other disease present).
In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often
encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he
tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in
the feces, but experience no ill effects.
How are coccidia transmitted?
A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's
feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will
develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to
coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore,
two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected
puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those
infected from those that are not.
What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of
infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their
appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.
Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always
be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the
cysts confirming a diagnosis.
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to
arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new
home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is
about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the
animal arrived at the new home.
What are the risks?
Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most
common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among
young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.
What is the treatment of coccidiosis?
Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been
effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction
capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for
the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required.The
coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.
Breeder/Owner: Joy Jenkins Inglis/Dunnellon, Florida 352-212-6973 joyjen@gmail.com |
| FYI |