Tiny Chihuahua Care Tips
If you have purchased a tiny chihuahua puppy that is going to weigh less than 3 lbs as an adult, please understand that this puppy will require a lot more care and time than a regular size puppy. There is not much room for error in the care of a tiny chihuahua puppy. Small dogs under 6lbs should have the same consideration, especially if they are chihuahua, yorkies, or pomeranians, as these breeds are more susceptible to stress. These tiny puppies use up a lot of energy and usually require 4-5 meals a day compared to the 2-3 times a day that normal size puppies require. I always recommend leaving food out at all times, that way puppy can eat whenever he feels the need. A chilly night and an empty belly means the puppy will spend the night shivering to stay warm using up any energy reserve it may have, which could result in a serious health crisis in the morning. To keep puppy warm and snuggly, we recommend feeding puppy jut before he goes to bed and using a heating pad on low covered with a blanket in puppies bed, covering only half of the bed surface so puppy can move away from the heat is he so desires. After your puppy is fully vaccinated you should begin socializing your puppy by exposing him to different people and other pets under your supervision. *Be sure* to protect him at all times. These puppies can be easily frightened, and will often resort to biting to protect themselves. They are tiny and have a fragile stature and can be easily injured by rough housing or being bumped or stepped on unintentionally.
Hypoglycemia is a very serious health crisis with new puppies up until they are 16-20 weeks old. There are warning signs that your puppy may be becoming hypoglycemic which are: Lethargy (lack of energy), weakness, head tilting, laying on his side in a swimming motion with his head tipped up and backwards,unbalance or wobbly walking, shivering or uncontrollable trembling, disorientation, convulsions, seizures, coma (which usually results in death). With special care and monitoring your new puppies food intake and allowing adequate rest periods for the puppy, you can prevent this condition. If you find puppy displaying any of the above signs, you should assume it is hypoglycemia and rub small amounts of syrup on your puppies gums. *Do Not *put a lot of liquid in the puppies mouth as this could cause the unconscious puppy to choke! Call your vet immediately and get additional instructions, as whenever a puppy has a moderate to severe hypoglycemic reaction, there is possibility of a repeat episode. If your puppy was *not* hypoglycemic, then your treatment will have just raised his blood sugar causing no harm to the puppy. If your puppy *was* hypoglycemic then you probably just saved his life!! If you have any questions or concerns you should contact your local vet. If you are purchasing a tiny puppy you should always have corn syrup, pancake syrup, or even honey on hand in case of this emergency. Nutrical is the ideal product to supplement your puppy until he is 16-20 weeks of age.
First of all, and this must be said, female dogs do not have to have a litter of puppies to be fulfilled and male dogs won't miss what they have never had. Here are a few questions to ask your self before deciding to breed your dog:
- Have I researched breeding and do I understand what that entails?
- Do I have the time and commitment to raise and care for puppies for the 8-12 weeks required with their mother?
- If something should happen to mom, do I have it in me to feed those puppies every 3-4 hours until they are old enough to eat on their own? Usually 4-5 weeks?
- Is there a market for the breed I want to raise or is the market already flooded with that breed?
- What do I do with the puppies I can't find a home for? Am I willing to keep these puppies for the time it takes to find them a proper loving home?
- Can I afford the vet bills that may arise whether it be caesarean section, puppy or mom takes ill , or vet checks and vaccinations which are essential to the health and well being of your puppies?
- Am I willing to guarantee the health of my puppies should a congenital or hereditary health issue arise once these puppies are placed in their new home? You raised these puppies! It's your responsibility!
If you answered "NO" to any of these questions please reconsider your decision to breed. Dogs and puppies love you unconditionally with no strings attached and they deserve the same consideration from you.
Breeding can be very rewarding and exciting when those new puppies arrive but there is also a downside to breeding as well. It is the unexpected that could arise if you are not educated and prepared. Toy breed moms are small themselves and are more likely to require a caesarean section which could result in a vet bill of $600 or more providing she doesn't whelp in the middle of the night or have whelping difficulties which cause damage to the uterus and end up needing to be spayed. Each additional procedure your vet has to perform increases your vet expense. Keep in mind that if mom whelps in the middle of the night when you are not watching and whelping difficulties arise, without a caesarean section, the outcome could be possible death to the mother and her puppies as well.
If puppies are whelped naturally without incident, there are other situations that could arise such as:
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Puppy dies shortly after being born no matter how hard you tried to get it to breath and respond to life.
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The heartbreak of loosing a puppy in later weeks of life for unforseen reasons.
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Toy breeds such as chihuahuas, pomeranians, papillons, and yorkies can become hypoglycemic very quickly because of their small stature. They must be monitored closely to be sure they are eating well and often enough to maintain their glucose levels. They can stress very easily and most times require to be with their mother longer than bigger breeds. Most breeders will keep their toy breeds with their mother for at least 10-12 weeks especially if the puppies weight is under 2lbs at 8 weeks of age.
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At some point your mother has come in contact with parvo virus even though she has been vaccinated and has now infected her babies with the virus as well. If you are uneducated and don't know the symptoms of this virus and nothing is done quickly, the mother and these puppies will die.
Again to reiterate, please be sure you are educated and prepared to become a breeder. There are way too many breeders out there who are in it just for the money and not for the puppies they are carelessly bringing into this world. There are too many puppy mills and an overabundance of unwanted puppies in Humane Societies across the country that people have purchased on impulse. Puppies born due to negligence on the part of the owner to have their pet spayed or neutered. Some people will allow their dog to be bred and find it is too much maintenance to care for these puppies so they drop them off at local Humane Societies if the puppies are lucky.
Parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids. Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an immature immune system. When dogs and puppies contract parvo, they often have diarrhea, vomiting, and are lethargic. Usually they stop eating and develop bloody, foul smelling, liquid stool.
Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe, gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, and death follow. Without intense treatment, the victims of parvo die of dehydration. Treatment usually consists of IV or sub-cutaneous fluids and antibiotics. As there are no cures, symptoms can only be treated by trying to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins. Puppies who survive parvo infection usually remain somewhat unhealthy and weak for life and may get it again.
Generally it takes 7-10 days from the time of exposure for dogs and puppies to start showing the symptoms and to test positive for parvo. Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs and the virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal matter for 6 months or longer if conditions are favorable. Extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works and is commonly used by veterinarians.
Dogs and puppies can contract parvo even if they never leave their yard. Parvo can be brought home to your dog on shoes, hands, and clothing, and even car tires. It can live for many months outside of the animal. Any areas that are thought to be contaminated with parvo should be thoroughly washed with chlorine bleach diluted 1oz to 1 liter of water.
The surest way to avoid parvo infection is to adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule which begins when puppies are 6-8 weeks of age. Puppies should not be allowed to socialize with other dogs or frequent areas where other dogs have been until 2 weeks after they have had their last vaccination.
Download your free book about parvo treatment and learn how to be prepared.
http://www.ParvoBook.net/stacey
If you are interested in any of the product they speak about please use the following link to place an order. I have personally had puppies inflicted with the parvo virus and swear by the product. I have also used it for other canine ailments such as diahrrea, upset tummy, coccidia, and kennel cough.
http://www.BuyParvaid.com/stacey
Follow the next link to read about the devistating effects that parvo has had on families who have lost puppies to this terrible disease.
http://www.ParvoBuster.com/case-studies.php
