Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the medical term used to describe abnormally low levels of blood glucose. Blood glucose, which is another term for blood sugar, is regulated by insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by cells that are called beta cells, that are part of the endocrine pancreas. Dogs that go into hypoglycemia suffer from weakness, they can collapse, and/or go into seizures. Some toy breeds suffer from hypoglycemia as a metabolic disorder. It is imperative that owners of breeds of dog that are susceptible to attacks be aware of some of the clinical signs of the onset of an attack of hypoglycemia. These signs can include the dog becoming noticeably confused, listless, having pale gums, disoriented, drowsy at unusual times, shivers, refuses to eat, and/or staggers about. An advanced stage is the dog collapses, and goes into an unconscious state. The entire sequence of clinical signs is not always seen, so close observation of your pet and knowing when your dog is going into a distressed state, can mean the difference between life and death of your dog. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative, as recurrence of, or prolonged attacks, can cause permanent damage to the brain. Sometimes a dog will outgrow this condition since it affects puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age most commonly. However, if the dog is high strung, or has a lot of nervous energy, the dog will need to be watched carefully, and kept in a calm state. Some instances that precipates an attack might be: the puppy being placed in a new home, or while being shipped. It may occur if a puppy misses a meal, becomes chilled, or becomes exhausted from too much play. If you notice the early signs of hypoglycemia, you may want to let the dog have some honey or Karo syrup. Just a teaspoon or so, depending on the size of your dog. Nutri-cal or Nurti-Stat is one remedy that is easy to use as well, relatively inexpensive, and many pet stores carry this. It is a great product to keep on hand at all times especially when traveling. In times of stress, a dose can be given every 2 hours or so depending on the dogs condition. If the dog is unable to lick the gel, sometimes you can use your finger to place a small amount of gel onto the roof of their mouth. Remember to always to leave food down for Chihuahua puppies 24 hours. Going too long can lead to sugar drops. Close observation is necessary for the first couple of weeks until the dog settles in comfortably. Pay attention to the amount of food the dog is eating. It is much better to be safe than sorry. Preventative maintenance is much easier to deal with.

Molera

A molera or soft spot on the top of the head is similar to a human baby's fontanel and is considered a breed characteristic not a defect. Most Chihuahuas have an open molera that is there for the life of the dog. It will not be a problem as long as you're gentle when petting or handling his head. In rare cases, the molera remains quite large and can be a sign of a serious problem called hydrocephalus.

Reverse Sneezing

A fit of sneezing, snorting, honking and wheezing are not necessarily a collapsed trachea. Pulling on a leash (which a harness should always be used), Drinking too fast or excitement can cause reverse sneezing. This is usually caused by an elongated soft palate that is thought to become temporarily misaligned. It is a common trait in toy breeds. Although this may appear to be scary, it only lasts a few seconds and can be ended by massaging the dog's neck and throat and encouraging the dog to swallow. Other ways to slow the reverse sneeze is to clap your hands, blow on his face, distract the dog or close off the dog's nostrils with your fingers, simply forcing them to breathe through their mouths and to swallow.

Patellas

In dog lingo, subluxation of the patella is called slipped stifles or loose kneecaps. When it occurs, the kneecap (rear legs) slips out of its groove - sometimes often and sometimes rarely - depending on the severity of the problem. If your dog is one of the unlucky few whose kneecaps slip often, surgery may be the solution. A dog with a mild case can live a normal life, kind of like a person with a trick knee. Subluxation of the patella is a relatively common problem in small breeds and some large ones as well.