Aaron's Chihuahua's

Hypoglycemia - or Low Blood Sugar is common in most small breeds and left unrecognized can lead to seizures and possibledeath. 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 rubbingKaro syrup (or anything that is super sweet) on the gums and tongue will quickly bring the dog around. If your dog has a seizureTAKE 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, stinkystool 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.