"Miss Autumn Moon" now
living in Davis, Ca.
ChuppyLove Chihuahuas
REVERSE SNEEZE
Occasional bouts of sneezing, snorting, honking and wheezing are not unusual in chihuahuas, and is sometimes called a
"reverse sneeze". This is usually caused by a elongated soft palate that is thought to become temporarily misaligned. It is a
common trait in toy breeds. Pulling hard on a leash, drinking too fast or getting overly excited can lead to an episode of
reverse sneezing. Reverse sneezing SHOULD NOT be confused with a different condition called "collapsed trachea". Although
reverse sneezing may appear to be scary, it only lasts a short time and can be ended by massaging the dog's neck and throat
and encouraging the dog to swallow or lick. Another way to slow the reverse sneeze is to clap your hands to distract the dog,
or pinch closed the dog's nostrils with your fingers, forcing it to breathe through its mouths and to swallow.
COLLAPSED TRACHEA
Collapsing trachea is a problem for Toy dogs of many breeds. The symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and
exhaustion. Although it appears more often in dogs older than 5 years, an occasional puppy has it from birth. To understand
the condition, think of the trachea as a straw made of cartilage that carries air from the neck to the chest. When the cartilage
collapses, breathing becomes difficult, kind of like sipping soda through a flattened straw.
Your vet can treat the condition with medication, but if you smoke, your Chi's prognosis may be poor. Secondhand smoke is a
proven contributing factor to the problem . . . and smoke tends to settle low, where a little dog's nose is.


LUXATION OF THE PATELLA
Luxation of the patella, or dislocation of the kneecap, is a common hereditary problem with chihuahuas and other small
breeds. Patellar Luxation can occur in varying degrees from minimal to debilitating. Very young dogs may be able to
compensate for this deformity, but the condition tends to worsen over time. Most of the time the chihuahua is older before
symptoms of Patellar Luxation are obvious. The dislocation is most commonly found on the inner side of the patella. The
attached ligaments become stretched over time until the patella is rarely where it is supposed to be, and may "pop" in and out
of place very easily. Recent studies have shown that immediate treatment is recommended, rather then waiting until the
dislocation has crippled the dog. The reasoning is that, while the knee is dislocated, the entire body of the dog is compensating
for it, causing deformations of many other skeletal areas.


THE MOLERA
Historically, the Chihuahua as 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 know 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 occur on the top of the
head and may vary in shape and size when present. Unfortunately, many lay people (and some Veterinarians not familiar with
the Chihuahua) have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused
many new comers to the breed serious concern and undo 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:  the presence of a molera does not mean the dog has a medical problem.
HYDROCEPHALUS
The presence of a molera in a chihuahua DOES NOT make the dog any more or less susceptible to brain injury, seizures or
hydrocephalus. The molera should not usually be any larger than the size of your thumb print, and there should be no swelling,
bulging or throbbing. Check carefully on the sides of the head for normal bone there as well; make sure there is no more then
one molera, on the top of the head only, as more than a single molera is not normal. Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of
excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and is not normal for any breed, nor is it curable. Hydrocephalus is also known as
"water on the brain" or "hydro". When fluid accumulates in the brain, it compresses the brain against the skull. A puppy can be
born with this disorder, or it can be caused by a brain infection or head injury later in life. Chihuahuas born with "hydro" do not
generally live more than a few months, and they do not grow normally, often staying extremely tiny. Signs of hydro include
wide-set or protruding eyeballs (often with a lot of"white" showing at the corners), blindness, abnormal behavior, walking in
circles, slowness (mental and physical), seizures, abnormally slow growth and lack of coordination. Concerns about chihuahua
moleras and/or hydro should be addressed to a licensed veterinarian. Be aware, however, that many veterinarians not
familiar with chihuahuas have WRONGLY told owners that Their puppy is unhealthy and/or hydrocephalic just because of the
presence of a normal molera. Diagnosis is based on the signs in conjunction with techniques to image the brain. In dogs with a
molera, ultrasound can be performed by scanning through the molera to detect the excessive accumulation of fluid within the
brain. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hydrocephalus. Mild cases can be treated with steroids and diuretics to reduce
pressure, or with a surgically inserted shunt to divert fluid from the brain to the abdomen.
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 an animal 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, stinky stool
that can even have streaks of bloody mucus in it. Some Vets will explain Coccidia to their clients by saying the animal is loaded
with parasites. This is sometimes interpreted by that client that the animal 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. Coccidia is
shed in the stool like a virus. If the animal is not shedding it when a stool sample is taken, the animal can be misdiagnosed as
being free of the protozoa. 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 completing it's job but may save your animal from
secondary infections caused by an imbalance of good bacteria. When Coccidia does exist in the G.I. tract of your puppy, it can
easily spread up through the system and into the lungs and if unchecked, it can cause pneumonia and eventually death. The
first signs of Coccidia is usually a lack of eating properly accompanied by a loose stinky stool and sometimes escalating into
bouts of hypoglycemia. Coccidia can be transmitted to humans if hands are not washed and contaminated utensils are handled
improperly. Coccidia should never be allowed to progress to a point that the puppy's life is threatened. If your puppy shows
signs of this disease, immediately seek professional advice and treatment.
1) Spaying or neutering is foolproof birth control that lasts a lifetime.
2) Spaying or neutering provides relief from such hormone driven urges as:
•        Aggression toward other dogs, particularly for males.
•        Territorial, that is, the tendency to be overprotective of the dog's home ground.
•        Wanderlust, that is, the desire to escape from the yard and seek sexual adventure in the outside world.
•        Dominance.
•        Marking territory with urine/feces.
•        Unwanted sexual behavior such as riding, sniffing, licking, arousal.
•        Frustration which occurs when the behaviors dictated by hormonal urges cause the dog to behave in a way that is
undesirable to the owners.
3) Protection (either partial or complete) from such hormone-induced conditions as:
MALES
•        Testicular cancer
•        Benighn prostatic hyperplasia
•        Acute and chronic prostatis, prostatic abscess
•        Perianal gland adenomas
•        Orchitis (infection of the testicles)
•        Venereal tumors
•        Perineal hernia (abdominal organs bulging out of rectum)
•        Inguinal hernia with potential organ strangulation
FEMALES
•        Breast cancer
•        Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra
•        False pregnancies
•        Mastitis (can occur during false pregnancy)
•        Transmissible venereal sarcoma
•        Ovarian and uterine tumors
•        Cystic ovaries and hyperestrogenism
•        Chronic endometritis
•        Vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse
•        Uterine torsion or uterine prolapse
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING
Some pet owners are not aware of the advantages of spaying or neutering their pet. A spayed or neutered
pet does not become fat or lazy. Their metabolism may slow down a bit but all you have to do to keep that
trim look is cut back a little on the food. In addition to the obvious advantage of preventing unwanted
pregnancies, there are health and behavioral benefits:
CYSTINURIA
Another problem that is seen is Cystinuria, which is when crystals (created from the amino acid, cystine) form in the urine and
create kidney and bladder stones. Blood in the urine or urinating in small amounts, are indications of whether or not stones are
present. This can be treated, though it is a lifelong commitment.
MITRAL VALVE HEART DISEASE
Mitral valve Heart disease, is caused by irregular functions of the valve separating the upper and lower chambers of the left
side of the heart. Males have a 50% more likelihood of being affected than female dogs. Usually occurring in older dogs, there
is no cure for Mitral valve disease, though there are some medications that may help in prolonging their life. Symptoms include:
passing out, lethargy, and weakness.
EYE INJURIES
Eye injuries are another problem often seen in Chihuahuas, due to their large, protruding eyes. Progressive Retinal Atrophy or
PRA (hereditary degenerative lesions of the retina), Generalized PRA (results in night blindness in both eyes), and Central PRA
 (results in day blindness) are ones most often seen. Both generalized and central PRA will lead to total blindness.
AKC CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES ~ LONG AND SMOOTH COAT VARIETIES
SMALL HOME BREEDER LOCATED IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
General Health
Information & Links
While Chihuahuas have fewer genetic defects than many breeds (maybe because so many
breeders try hard to eliminate problems), no breed is perfect. The following sections show you
some idiosyncrasies — a few serious but most not — that are sometimes seen in Chihuahuas.
You will also find info on the HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPAYING OR NEUTERING.
MORE HELPFUL HEALTH RELATED LINKS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
Northern California Chihuahua puppies, AKC Chihuahua breeder of appledome and deer head Chihuahuas puppies, Northern California chihuahua breeder of  champion line AKC Chihuahua puppies
The InternetAnimal Hospital

Dog and Cat Health Care (more Lyme Disease Info)
Dedicated to the elimination of
heritable eye disease in
purebred dogs through
registration and research.
HOME PAGE
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DogAge provides health
answers your dog health
questions about disease, health
care, and problems such as skin
misbehavior, and begging.
NetVet & the Electronic Zoo originate from the
vivid imagination and late night web-surfing of
Dr. Ken Boschert, a Veterinarian at Washington
University's Division of Comparative Medicine,
Veterinary Medical and Animal resources
available on the Internet and beyond.
Your One-Stop Dog
Health Care Information Resource:
- Dog Care, Dog Health
and Dog Wellness Tips!
Brucellosis Bacterial Testing
Blood Test Prior to New Sire/Dam Mating
© ChuppyLove Chihuahuas/Gary and Holly Bradshaw ~ 2009 all rights reserved. No image or script may be used on any web site without my expressed written permission. Use
of the information contained on this web site constitutes an acknowledgement that the user hereby releases and indemnifies, ChuppyLove Chihuahuas/Gary and Holly
Bradshaw and its officers, directors, members, and agents from any and all liability and damages sustained by the user as a result of any information obtained from this web site.
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT! DO NOT COPY! © ChuppyLove Chihuahuas/Gary and Holly Bradshaw ~ 2009 all rights reserved. No image or script may be used on any web site
without my expressed written permission. Use of the information contained on this web site constitutes an acknowledgement that the user hereby releases and indemnifies,
ChuppyLove Chihuahuas/Gary and Holly Bradshaw and its officers, directors, members, and agents from any and all liability and damages sustained by the user as a result of any
information obtained from this web site.