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Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, causing "sugar shock".
When levels of glucose in the blood drop rapidly, the body and brain are deprived of essential nutrients. Results are
weakness and seizures. Usually this is due to stress, illness, lack of food, or by using up stored energy without it
being replenished. Small chihuahuas can be prone to this because they have such small digestive systems.
To
prevent low blood sugar, small chihuahuas should have small frequent meals and plenty of time to rest. Another preventative
for this is to feed your dog Nutrical, available from your Veterinarian or your local pet store.
Nutrical gives your dog the vitamins needed with a single inch strip in the morning and in the evening. Vanilla yogurt
mixed in their food is also another good source.
There is not much warning when a dog is experiencing a hypoglycemic
episode. The dog will appear tired, weak and sleepy in the beginning. The dog may be wabbly when on its feet and
then fall over, become unconscious or begin to seizure. When this happens rub Nutrical on the dog's gums and the roof
of it's mouth, so that it is aborbed in the dog's blood stream. Another good source of sugar is honey or pancake syrup.
Keep the dog warm in a blanket or with a heating pad. you should see an improvement in 15 to 30 minutes with the intake
of sugar. Howerver, it is always recommended to bring the dog to the veterinarian, as they may be in need of a glucose
IV.
Each time a chihuahua is threatened by hypoglycemia it takes much more to bring them out of it. It is
much easier to prevent hypoglycemia by always providing a readily available sugar supply, frequent meals and a warm bed, then
to have to treat it once it occurs. |
Historically, the chihuahua developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "soft spot"
on the top of the head. In the chihuahua this spot, or fontanel, is known as a MOLERA; and is the same as that found
in human babies. In the past, this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the breed, and it is still mentioned in
most chihuahua breed standards the world over.
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 be present on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size.
Unfortunately,
many people and some veterinarians not familiar with the chihuahua have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with a
condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many new-comers to the breed serious concern and undue worry.
The truth is that a domed head with a molera present does not predispose the chihuahua to this condition. Along
with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement.
- In "Diseases of the Brain" 1989, Green & Braund stated that many clinically normal toy breeds may
have open fontanels without associated hydrocephalus.
- Dr's. Walker and Rivers, Veterinarians at the University
of Minnesota concluded that there did not appear to be any relationship between the presence of size of a fontanel and the
condition of hydrocephalus.
- Dr. Alexander de Lahunta of Cornell University in New York, one of the top neurologists
in the country, stated that it would be wrong to conclude that any opening is abnormal.
These are just a few of
the many medical documentations that have been written, they make it perfectly clear that the presence of a molera does
not mean that the chihuahua has a medical problem.
The chihuahua is a little dog! They belong in the
house, at their owner's side, receiving all the love and attention that they rightfully deserve. With or without a molera,
a healthy chihuahua that is loved and given proper Veterinary care will live well into its teens. |  | | | What are Coccidia?
Coccidia are small protozoans
(one-celled organism) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in kittens and puppies less than
six months of age. It may also be present in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed or in animals who
are stressed in other ways such as from a change in ownership or environment.
As a puppy ages it tends to develop
a natural immunity to the effects of Coccidia.
What are the symptoms of Coccidiosis?
The primary sign of an animal suffering from 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 illness.
Most infected puppies 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 the presence of Coccidiosis.
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