Hypoglycaemia and Your New Chihuahua

What is Hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia is a fancy medical term meaning low blood sugar. 

It is a common problem for small dogs, particularly Chihuahuas, and affects puppies more than adult dogs. 

When the natural blood sugar levels drop, a Chis body attempts to get more energy by using up fat stored around the liver.

When this store of fat is depleted, your Chi will lose energy rapidly and become progressively weaker.  Ultimately this lack of blood sugar can cause coma and death.  Chihuahuas have a very small fat layer around their liver making them particularly susceptible to hypoglycaemia.

Signs and Symptoms

When you bring a new Chihuahua puppy into your home you are most likely thinking about all the good times you are going to have.  Thoughts of games, Chihuahua clothes and other Chihuahua gifts swim through your head.  Many owners even have plans for the first birthday party while their pup is still only a matter of months old! 

This is all normal and part of the excitement of getting a Chi.  However, the reality of dealing with the health issues that can sometimes come with a Chihuahua puppy are not all fun and games.  Hopefully you are one of the lucky owners who never have to worry about hypoglycaemia but just in case you do there are a few signs and symptoms to be aware of.

Many Chihuahua puppies that have a problem with low blood sugar grow out of the condition after 16 weeks of age when their liver becomes more fully developed.  Stress can be a major factor in the onset of a hypoglycaemic attack as well so once your Chihuahua puppy matures and becomes better able to handle stress the danger is lessened.

After you bring your puppy home be on the alert for signs of depression, lethargy or a sudden decrease in energy.  Some puppies will stagger and fall down and appear to be drunk or sleepy.  While this may look funny it could be the beginning of a hypoglycaemic attack.  Your pup may soon progress to seizures, followed by a comatose state and ultimately death.

What To Do If You Chi Is Having An Attack

It is vitally important to get your Chihuahua to the veterinarian immediately.  They may need to inject a glucose solution into your Chi’s vein to raise the blood sugar levels.  If your Chi is still conscious before you leave home, try rubbing a little corn syrup on his or her gums.  This will slowly be swallowed and help raise the sugar levels prior to leaving home.

Your veterinarian may want to do some diagnostic testing to make sure that your Chi is suffering from hypoglycaemia and not some other disorder such as diabetes.  It is best to know exactly what you are dealing with from the start, rather than wait until several attack have occurred.

Causes of Hypoglycaemic Attacks

Stress is a major cause of low blood sugar for Chihuahuas.  Their most vulnerable time is before the age of 16 weeks and during that time they are put through a number of stressful experiences.  Leaving their mother and siblings, going to a new home, visiting the vet for the first time, receiving vaccinations and getting their first bath and nail trim.  These may not seem like anything major to you but to a diminutive Chi they can be incredibly stressful.

Stress by itself is a problem but it also often causes Chihuahuas to go off their food.  This is a very dangerous situation.  Chi puppies need to eat several small frequent meals throughout the day to help regulate their blood sugar.  If stress causes them to miss a couple of meals this can seriously affect their sugar levels and bring about the onset of an attack.

Some people believe that puppies with a large parasite burden are also at risk for hypoglycaemia.  As the worms in their gut reduce the amount of nourishment a Chi puppy gets from its food this makes sense.  A situation similar to skipping meals is set up.  Deworming your new puppy is very important.

Try to remember to be watchful with your new puppy and feed small frequent meals to prevent a drop in blood sugar.  Don’t overwhelm your puppy with new situations and take them to the vet if you see any signs of hypoglycaemia.

Visiting Your Veterinarian

Picking a Veterinarian

Selecting a veterinarian for your Chihuahua is a lot like picking a doctor for yourself. 

You need to find one who shares the same ideas on pet health that you do and who is open to answering all you questions.   

Talk to family and friends and any other pet owners you know to get their recommendations on veterinarians.  Speaking with other Chihuahua owners can be very helpful.  Chis can be little handfuls at times and it is good to find a vet who is skilled at handling small dogs with big attitudes.

The other factor that you may have to consider is cost.  Veterinarians usually follow pricing guidelines set out by their medical association but are free to set their own fees.  Phone several vet hospitals in your area and ask for costs.  Common fees will include exam fees, vaccinations, and spays and neuters.  Use that phone call to gauge the staff’s friendliness and willingness to help as well as get cost information.

Your First Visit

Once you’ve selected a veterinarian, try to visit the hospital several days before your scheduled appointment.  Don’t expect that you will be able to talk to the vet – their time is money and you don’t usually get to have a meet and greet time unless you schedule and pay a standard consultation fee.  However, visit the front desk staff and introduce yourself and your pet.

This first short visit allows you to meet the staff in person and see how they respond to your pet.  Most people working at a vet hospital adore animals, and it is especially difficult to resist the little ones.  Let the staff meet your Chihuahua and let your little one familiarize themselves briefly with the sights and sounds of the place.

Often staff will offer treats in an effort to make your Chi more comfortable.  If they don’t, ask them to.  With so many pet allergies some hospitals don’t offer food unless authorized by the owner.  Having the staff treat your pet helps to build a happy, trusting relationship.  Having a happy first encounter will show your Chi that there is nothing to fear at the vet’s.

The First Appointment

The most important thing to remember about your first veterinary appointment with your Chihuahua is that he or she will take their cue from you.  If you are tense and worried about how the visit will turn out, your Chi will pick up on that.  Chihuahuas are very sensitive and any change in their owner’s demeanour is easily noticed.

Enter the appointment calmly and stay that way!  When the vet is doing their physical exam, try to stay cool and confident.  You may not like the fact that the vet is putting a thermometer up your dog’s rear end but your Chi is far less likely to care about it if you don’t make a fuss.  The same goes for injections.  Many owners hate the sight of needles for themselves so watching their little girl or boy being poked is a difficult thing.  If you can’t stay calm during the procedure then ask the vet to take your pet to another room or ask to leave the exam room yourself.  The vet will gladly have a staff member hold your Chi for the injections to prevent you and your pet from getting upset.

Even though this first appointment can be overwhelming for some owners, try to remember some of the questions you wanted to ask.  Make a list ahead of time and take it with you.  Veterinarians can offer valuable advice on everything from Chihuahua collars to Chihuahua training tips.  If you have a long haired Chihuahua, they can offer grooming tips or recommend groomers they know and trust.

Follow Ups

Ask the vet if any further appointments are needed for additional injections or follow up examinations.  If so, book the appointment, pay the fees and leave.  Keep things very calm and friendly.  By not making a fuss your Chi will learn from you that the vet’s office is nothing to worry about.  Setting this attitude early is important for every future visit and for the emotional health of your Chihuahua.

Grooming Your Chihuahua – Part #1

Short or Long Haired Chihuahuas

Long haired Chihuahuas will obviously need more grooming than those with short hair, however, the other aspects of grooming are the same for both types of dogs.  Brushing, bathing, nail trims, ear cleaning and attention to the anal glands if necessary are all aspects of grooming your Chihuahua.

Some owners prefer to skip the details and simply take their little one to the groomers periodically.  This is perfectly fine and in fact if you or your Chi are nervous about any part of the grooming procedure it is best to seek help from professionals.

Brushing

Short haired Chihuahuas don’t need brushing very frequently unless they like to roll in the grass or dirt.  Brushing them once per week is usually adequate, although many owners never brush their short haired Chis at all.  Getting into the habit of once weekly brushing is a good way for you and your little one to bond and it also allows you the chance to do a quick check over for any fleas, ticks or other lumps and bumps that may need attention.

Long haired Chihuahuas require quite a bit more attention.  Two to three times weekly you should spend time brushing out their coat to prevent serious matting and to keep their fur glossy and healthy looking.

A grooming glove, slicker brush or soft bristle brush are ideal for either short or long haired Chihuahuas.  Using a steel comb to remove tangles in long haired Chis is very helpful especially before and after bathing.

Bathing

Bathing is one of those chores that come with dog ownership that very few of us like.  Even if your Chi likes water it still ends up being a wet and messy job.  If you’re unfortunate enough to share your life with a Chi who doesn’t like water the job is even more challenging.

Fortunately, bathing is not required very frequently unless your little one likes to get dirty.  It is not good for your Chi’s skin or coat to be bathed too often as it strips away natural oils from the skin.  Chihuahuas that are bathed too frequently often end up with dry, flaky skin and dull fur coats. 

Using a mild shampoo formulated for dogs is important and can be found at any pet store or veterinarian’s office.  There are multiple shampoos out there depending on your Chihuahua’s skin type.  Just like human shampoos select the one that most suits your needs.

Ask ten people how often they bathe their Chi and you’re likely to get ten different answers.  Some people believe that bathing your pet every six months is adequate and others believe that weekly bathing is required.

The truth is that how often you bathe your Chi is very dependent on your particular pooch.  If your Chi is very dirty or smelly then you will need to bathe more frequently but as a general rule, once monthly bathing is fine.  You may find that you need to bathe your pet less frequently in the winter than summer because they spend less time outdoors getting dirty.  Adjust your schedule accordingly.

If your Chi is prone to skin irritations ask your veterinarian how frequently to bath and what type of shampoo to use.  Many shampoos help alleviate symptoms of skin problems but must be used according to the recommended schedule to be effective.

The other option that some owners resort to in between bathing is wet wipes.  There are products available that allow you to give your pet a quick freshen up with a damp wipe.  These wipes are infused with product and can address the problem of the Chi that likes to get dirty.  A quick clean up is often enough to keep them going in between monthly baths. 

A little attention to your Chi’s skin and coat will keep them looking healthy, smelling better and

keep you happy as well.

What to Expect When You Bring Home Your Chihuahua Puppy

Getting a New Chihuahua Puppy

You have several options when you decide to get a new Chihuahua.  If you want a purebred puppy then check with your local veterinarians for breeder recommendations.  If you don’t mind your puppy being a Chihuahua mix or if you decide to get an adult Chi then animal shelters or rescue organizations are great places to look.

Whether you pick a short or long haired Chihuahua, the basic behaviour and expectations will be the same.  Try to have everything ready before bringing the puppy home so that the transition to your house will be as smooth as possible.  Supplies such as bowls, bedding, and toys can be purchased ahead of time.

Think about your house and where you plan to set out your puppy’s things.  Chihuahuas are small dogs, and the puppies are even smaller and can be easily injured if stepped on.  It’s important to make sure that you set up an eating and sleeping area that is away from the busiest parts of the house.  Starting your new life with your Chi puppy should not involve a trip to the veterinarian because of injury!

The First Day

When you pick up your dog, be prepared for the trip home.  The safest way for your Chi puppy to travel is in a carrier.  There are several available that strap into the car’s seat belt system.  These types of carriers help to ensure your puppy’s safety when travelling.  Due to their small size, make sure to use an appropriate restraint device.  Carriers or harnesses meant for bigger dogs may hurt your Chihuahua or not provide the protection your puppy needs.

When you arrive home let your puppy explore the new surroundings but be sure that the home is puppy proofed.  A tumble down the stairs is serious for a Chi and using baby gates to block areas is a good idea.  Show the puppy where to find food, water and its bed within the first little while but expect to have to show these areas again several times.

Young puppies often sleep a lot and Chihuahuas are no exception.  In fact, because of their small size they may become overwhelmed more easily and need a quiet area to rest.  They are very social little animals who develop fierce loyalties to their owners so putting their bed in an area where they can still see you is best.

Be sure to take the puppy to its designated bathroom area within the first half hour.  Chi puppies need to go to the bathroom frequently and may experience accidents in your house.  Be patient and try to take the puppy out more often until it gets better at holding it.

The First Week

Book an appointment with your veterinarian within the first week of bringing your puppy home.  This is the opportunity to discuss vaccines and have a general check up.  Many Chihuahua breeders insist on a vet visit within 72 hours.  This is for your protection and theirs.  They want to make sure there are no health problems before you bond with the pup.

After the puppy has settled into your home for a few days, you can introduce Chihuahua collars and leashes.  Make sure to have a small, lightweight collar so that it doesn’t irritate your Chi.  Use the collar in the house for the first few days before attaching a leash.  When you try the leash for the first time, let the pup drag the leash around but don’t leave your Chi unsupervised.  Chis are very intelligent and will soon realize the collar and leash are not harmful.  

Introductions to family and friends should be done gradually so your Chi doesn’t become fearful.  Chis aren’t known to be good with children so be extra careful if you have youngsters coming to meet your pup.  Children often don’t know how to be gentle enough with such tiny dogs.

Finally, give your new Chihuahua puppy lots of love.  Speak to experts and do your homework about diet, Chihuahua training tips, and health care.  You’ve got a lot of years together ahead of you, make sure they are good ones.

Introducing Your Chihuahua to Your Cat

What to Do Before Your Start

Before you try to introduce your new Chi puppy to your cat there are a few things to do in preparation.  The first thing to do is trim your cat’s toenails.  Many small dogs have received serious eye injuries from the quick swat of a cat’s paw, so a trim is in order.  

Get a supply of dog and cat treats at the ready.  Rewarding good behaviour is essential for both pets and can often distract them from each other.  Finally, make sure your puppy has an appropriate sized Chihuahua collar or harness.  You made need to restrain your puppy if it shows signs of aggression towards your cat.

Slow and Steady

The single most important thing to remember when introducing your puppy to your cat is to stay patient and calm.  It may take several weeks until the animals are comfortable around each other and until that time, you will need to act as chaperone for all interactions.  Trying to rush the relationship will only lead to set backs and possible injuries.

Chihuahuas can be fearful at times and this fear causes them to react aggressively.  Male puppies in particular may want to try to dominate your cat so be prepared to correct any signs of aggressive behaviour.  

The First Meeting

The first time you physically introduce your Chi to your cat make sure that your puppy has on its collar and leash.  Have your treats ready and close at hand.  Try sitting on the couch with your cat on your lap or on the seat next to you.  Keep your Chi on the floor and step on the leash if necessary to stop the dog from jumping on the couch.

Keep a watchful eye on your cat in case it feels threatened and decides to go on the attack.  Let your Chi puppy sniff as close to the cat as the cat will allow and reward both animals with treats. Continue the encounter as long as the cat will stay, then let the cat leave and reward your puppy with a treat and lots of affection.

Try to repeat this process several times per day or as often as the cat will allow.  Each time the cat should become more relaxed as it realizes that the dog cannot harm it.  Slowly let the dog move in closer until both animals are on the seat together, probably with you in the middle.

Dealing with Problems

If you have been trying to introduce your Chihuahua to your cat unsuccessfully for a while, it may be time to seek professional help.  Contact an expert who can offer Chihuahua training tips which will help your puppy stay calm during encounters with the cat.  

Some Chis become so excited when they see a cat that they begin barking and jumping.  This behaviour will do nothing but scare the cat and unless you can find ways to put a stop to it, the dreams you have of your Chi and the cat snuggling together have no hope of happening.

Chihuahuas and cats can live in peace and sometimes even develop friendly, affectionate relationships.  If you manage to reach a state of calm where neither animal is trying to attack the other, don’t push things any further.  Let them have whatever boundaries they need to make the relationship work.

Make sure to give affection and attention to both of your pets.  The quickest way to upset either animal is to shower affection on the other.  With love, patience and the occasional food reward, your puppy and cat will soon be the best of friends, or at least reach a stage where they agree to ignore each other.

Caring for Your Chihuahua’s Teeth

Teeth Brushing is a Daily Job

Unlike grooming, there is no difference in oral care if you own a short or long haired Chihuahua.  Just like you, your Chi needs to have his or her teeth brushed every day.  Make it part of your routine so that it is easier to remember.  After breakfast or dinner, at bedtime, or in the morning when you brush your teeth are all popular times that owners pick to brush their pet’s teeth.  It doesn’t matter when you brush – just do it.  Chihuahua owners are often afraid of hurting their little pet and so don’t perform daily teeth brushing.

Don’t use human toothpaste or mouthwash as it can make your Chihuahua sick.  There are specially formulated dog toothpastes which contain enzymes that helps fight tartar build up.  They come in minty flavours just like your toothpaste or you can treat your Chihuahua by buying the poultry flavoured one.

When picking a toothbrush you can choose a human one suitable for a child.  Try to keep it as soft as possible so you don’t irritate your Chis gums.  If you don’t like the idea of a toothbrush buy a finger brush from your veterinarian or the pet store.  A fingerbrush is a rubber thimble that fits over your finger with small nubs that help brush the teeth.  This type of brush gives more control when brushing, and is especially helpful with little dogs like Chihuahuas where human toothbrushes are much too long.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

There are many symptoms to watch for with your Chi but, unfortunately, many dogs display very few of them.  Bad breath is a giveaway but dogs often have breath that is a little stinky just because of the food they eat.  Reluctance to eat, pawing at the mouth, or whimpering could all be signs of tooth pain.

Many dogs, even little ones, are “gulpers”, meaning they gulp down their food rather than chewing very much.  With these types of dogs by the time they refuse to eat, the teeth are in disastrous shape.  Not eating is not a reliable sign to wait for when talking about tooth decay.  Chihuahuas are often fed specialty “little dog” foods which are soft and ease to chew and swallow.  These foods do nothing to help clean the teeth or keep them healthy.

The best way to check the health of your Chihuahua’s teeth is to look.  There is no need to open their tiny mouths to look.  Simply lift the lips with the jaw closed and look for signs of redness or inflammation of the gums or tartar build up on the teeth.

Dental Cleaning

Many businesses will offer to clean your Chi’s teeth while the dog is awake.  This type of cleaning or scaling does not allow for a thorough cleaning beneath the gum line where tarter is likely to cause gum disease and tooth decay.  Also it can be very stressful for your pet and the risk of them being poked with a pointy scraper increases if they don’t remain perfectly still.

Most veterinarians recommend a full dental cleaning done under a general anaesthetic.  This provides the opportunity for a thorough cleaning and inspection of all the teeth.  If they discover that a tooth is decaying they can extract it with no pain to your pet.  The dog is unaware of what has been happening and is therefore less stressed.

Conclusion

Prevention is the best course of action to protect your Chi’s oral health.  While daily brushing is important you could also turn to specially formulated dental diets to help clean the teeth.  The dry kibble is often large so the dog gets the benefit of scraping action when forced to chew.  Some foods come with an enzyme coating designed to help prevent tartar.  The use of dental foods in combination with daily brushing and periodic inspection is the best thing you can do for your Chi.  Think of it as a Chihuahua gift – the gift of oral health.

Luxating Patellas and Your Chihuahua

It Sounds Terrible, What Is It?

A Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap moves out of its normal alignment or position.  In the old days, people called it a “trick knee”.  If it’s a trick, it’s not a very funny one.  Luxating patellas often require surgery and can be quite uncomfortable for the dog.

Small dogs, like Chihuahuas are especially prone to this condition.  It can be caused by an injury but for most Chis it is a condition they are born with.  Symptoms can appear when your pup is very young and it is often diagnosed between 4 and 6 months old.

Symptoms of the Condition

The first thing you may notice with your short or long haired Chi is a limp on one or both hind legs that comes and goes.  Small dogs like Chihuahuas often experience bilateral luxation, which means both legs are affected instead of just one.

Have you ever experienced the feeling of having to “crack” your knuckle, elbow or knee?  You know the uncomfortable feeling it brings.  Your Chi experiences much the same sensation and is reluctant to put down their weight on the affected leg and that is what causes them to limp.  The more severe the condition, the more painful the knee becomes.

If you are feeling your Chihuahua’s leg after you notice a limp, you may feel the knee cap “pop” or “clunk” back into position as you move the leg.  This is another telltale sign of luxating patellas.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians use physical palpation and x-rays to diagnose this condition.  They also base some of their initial analysis on the age and breed of the dog.  If you take your 5month old Chihuahua to the vet for limping on the hind leg, the veterinarian already has their suspicions that luxating patellas are the issue.

X-rays may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and in severe cases a radiologist may be called in for consultation purposes.  If surgery is recommended to correct the problem your regular veterinarian may be able to perform the surgery or an orthopaedic specialist may be required.

Long Term Prognosis

Veterinarians diagnose the condition by assigning one or four grades.  Grade I luxation is mild and does not usually require surgery but you may need to rest your dog after long walks if they begin to limp

Grades II, II and IV luxation often require surgery to correct and may have a big impact on your little girl or boy’s walking ability.  Surgery involves deepening the grove that the kneecap sits in and then tightening and re-aligning the tendons.  Recovering is slow but steady and you can expect your Chi to be fully recovered in a few months.

If your Chihuahua has bilateral luxation you are most likely to repeat the process 6 months to a year later with the other knee.  You can help your pet during recovery or while awaiting surgery by providing ramps or stairs where possible so they don’t have to jump.

Long term prognosis after surgery is excellent.  After a complete recovery your Chihuahua will be able to do all the activity they did before and usually more.  They will have no more pain or discomfort and will no longer limp.

The only negative aspect of the surgery is cost.  Make sure to get an estimate for the surgery and be aware that if an orthopaedic specialist is involved the cost increases.  When you consider the amount of money people spend onChihuahua gifts and clothing, putting some money aside for necessary surgery is the biggest gift you can give your Chi.