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April | 6 months ago
Help Saving Ava, Our 7 Yr Old Chihuahua! She Is Currently At Our Vet In Oxygen, Fighting …

Help Saving Ava, our 7 yr old chihuahua! She is currently at our vet in oxygen, fighting for her life, her trachea is 100% collapsed. She also suffers from epilepsy and is on 3 different meds to control her seizures. The specialty vets want at least $10k to just get in the door. We are fairly close to you, is there anyway you or someone you know can perform this surgery??? They have her on numerous injectable medications to try to bring the inflammation down including several antibiotics, we went to visit her today but if we take her out of the oxygen even for a minute or two her tongue starts to turn blue. Please help if you can, we are desperate at this point! She’s only 7 ????

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Richard | 2 years ago
My Four-year-old Boy Chihuahua Named Buddy Is In Very Rough Shape. He Is Such A Loveable …

My four-year-old boy Chihuahua named Buddy is in very rough shape. He is such a loveable highly active very fit healthy dog. He suffered a type one IVDD incident. This was six days ago. He went from stage one to stage four in 48 hours. He was not diagnosed until after an x-ray when he was already in stage four. Four days after that he has been diagnosed to be in stage five. He showed signs of improving his stability when holding himself up with his front two legs two days ago and did not eat until just 12 hours ago. He’s eating and drinking and his general comfort seems to be much better but he has zero high pain feeling and has no bladder or control of his annular muscles. My regular vet who is not a surgeon has recommend putting him down. I named him Buddy because he literally is my buddy. He was adopted two years ago and rescued from Mexico with scars all over his body that already healed when I got him. He is a survivor and so am I as I have suffered emotional and physical scars as well. I can’t bear the thought of losing him and not seeing him run and be happy again. I don’t want to give up on him yet. I also don’t want him to suffer. He is totally responsive from his front legs forward. He is kissing, eating and drinking now. I am hoping I hear from Krista. I have seen Krista’s videos on IVDD recovery stories. I don’t know what to do for him. I am doing every thing I can but not surgery which I can’t afford. Is there any hope?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your Buddy. I have lots of information on my blog at KMDVM.blogspot.com search Ivdd and YouTube channel. Go there.

    There is always hope

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Gina | 2 years ago
My Rescue Dog Is A Miniature Chihuahua And Today She Broke Her Front Left Leg And …

My rescue dog is a Miniature Chihuahua and today she broke her front left leg and I have no funds to help her until I get my Disability check next month.I was already taking her to the vet as soon as my check came.I don’t know what to do, she is everything to me and in awful pain and I have Never felt so helpless in my life.We have a very strong bond and I love her so much please help her I don’t know what to do I just want to die for real please help Thank you Gina

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    In all cases it is best to have an orthopedic surgeon review the fracture to give options. In many cases it seems cheaper to place a cast but in lots of cases it is not superior to surgery and in many cases it can cost as much to manage over the long term and still give a poorer outcome. In some cases strict confinement can allow healing but it takes weeks and your pet must stay quiet and calm. In all cases I would never recommend amputation or euthanasia until all else had failed over weeks. In fact I never want to recommend euthanasia but these animals must be cared for and given appropriate analgesics. Good luck.

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Patty | 4 years ago
Hello.. My Little Chihuahua Was Just Diagnosed With IVDD. This Came On So Suddenly And Out …

Hello..
My little chihuahua was just diagnosed with IVDD. This came on so suddenly and out of nowhere. Because of her age (11) and an enlarged heart she’s not a good candidate for surgery. I’m doing all I can caring for her at home as far as crate rest and such and I started a raw diet on her. My vet currently has her on Prednisone and Methocarbamol.
She is having trouble pooping and I’d like to know if anyone has any suggestions that may help. Also since she can’t move I keep her on a potty pad so that she can urinate when she needs to. I keep her very clean but I have noticed a small skin infection coming up on her tail. Is there anything that I can use to help treat that? Thank you for any and all suggestions.

Patty and Gracie

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I have a ton of information that goes over all of this on my blog and YouTube channel. I would ask about pain meds and feed a watery canned food or even add a stool softener like miralax or lactulose to help get things moving. Also antibirocs might be needed for the wound/lesion. It is imperative to watch urination and dedication closely. Retained urine from incompletely emptying the bladder can lead to infection too. And ask about physical therapy, laser and acupuncture they might also help. Best of luck

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Lori | 4 years ago
My Small 12 Pound Terrier/chihuahua Mix Has Suddenly (in The Past 24 Horus) Stopped Jumping Up On …

My small 12 pound terrier/chihuahua mix has suddenly (in the past 24 hours) stopped jumping up on things – couch, chair, etc – which is very unusual because she prefers to be on the furniture. She will stand and stare at the couch and seem like she’s going to jump, she even starts to a bit, but then she won’t follow through. If I pick her up and put her on the couch, she will not hesitate at all to jump down when she’s ready. She will let me touch and move all of her legs and has not vocalized in pain. She walks and runs normally and will come up and down the stairs with no problem. I assume she has injured something. Is there an injury to a specific place that would cause her reluctance to jump up but not affect other behavior? (I should note that she is very independent and doesn’t like to be picked up, so it’s not that she’s preferring to be lifted up)

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Well I would start by saying that I wouldn’t encourage jumping on or off of the couch. I would get her a ramp and train her to use this. My concern is that someday she will land wrong and either strain/sprain/fracture a leg or injure her back. Next the best way to try to understand what’s going on now is to have your vet examine her. I can’t tell you what is going on here without an exam.

    1. Lori Post author

      Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I called the vet but she seems to be back to normal now. I will still keep her from jumping for a while just to be sure.

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Pebles | 4 years ago
Hi I Have A Two Year Old Chihuahua And She Keep Getting Fleas I Give Her …

Hi I have a two year old Chihuahua and she keep getting fleas I give her treatments after treatments flea baths and they keep coming back what do I do?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I never use a flea bath anymore. It has very poor residual effect and in most cases they are pretty toxic ingredients (in my opinion ). There are much better products available these days. I like Revolution or frontline. It needs to be used monthly if you have a severe flea problem.

    1. Pebles Post author

      Okay thanks so i went to pet smart and they suggested this flea collar do you think that will help

  2. Sarah

    Good morning-
    Along with what Dr. Magnifico’s advice, I would recommend treating your home as well. Be sure to thoroughly clean and vacuum floors and furniture to get rid of any fleas or eggs. I would also wash bedding, etc. I would keep up with cleaning more often than usual until the fleas are gone. Hope this helps

    1. Pebles Post author

      Okay thank so i do clean and im using this flea spry from walmart do you think i need to like shampoo my carpets maybe?

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Elliott | 4 years ago
Hello Doctors My 11 Year Old Chihuahua His Name Is Cannavaro Was Diagnosed With A Disc IVDD …

Hello doctors my 11 year old chihuahua his name is Cannavaro was diagnosed with a disc IVDD disease I was giving him Carprofen for pain for a couple of months then switched to CBD oil due to avoid damaging his organs but he’s been in pain more often is sad and hard to see him with pain due to an slipped disc can’t afford an expensive surgery and don’t know if he could recover without a surgery please help help help! Thank you

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I have a lot of information on my blog and YouTube channel. My best recommendation is to stay in very close contact with your vet. In cases like these I usually recommend a steroid over an nsaid. And I also offer multiple other pain medications like a muscle relaxer and gabapentin. The first few weeks require almost full time care. And a lot of help from your vet. The pain (in my opinion) in almost all cases can be managed. But it is a rough few days at first.

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samantha | 4 years ago
My Chihuahua Terrier Mix Takes Phenobarbital For Seizures. I Am Looking For An Alternative Natural Medicine …

my chihuahua terrier mix takes Phenobarbital for seizures. I am looking for an alternative natural medicine to replace the Phenobarbital. any advice on this.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I’m also sorry to say that unless you know what is causing the seizures and can avoid that there is not another way to lower the seizure likelihood than the medications your vet prescribed. If you would like to learn more about your pets seizures ask for a referral to a neurologist.

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Moika | 5 years ago
I Inherited A Healthy, Except For A Slight Heart Murmur, 10 Year Old Chihuahua. She Is Current …

I inherited a healthy, except for a slight heart murmur, 10 year old chihuahua. She is current on shots and had no reaction to them. She ate small breed pedigree at first, but now feed Lotus good grain chicken kibble and pet plate topper (left over from a dog that died). I noticed she scratched her back alot, but didn’t see fleas, hair loss, a rash, and she mostly scratches after coming in from walks or arriving anyplace other than home. For a month, I left her home with my 7 year old chihuahua. They had the run of the house. One day I noticed pieces of my carpet in the hall. Now a whole corner of the rug is gone. I crated her. She screamed and whined and eventually escaped. I secured the crate with a carabiner. I came home to a crime scene. The bridge of her nose was bloodied and one of her nails was pulled out. I am taking her to work with me at a doggy daycare and boarding facility. Her nose has hair missing. I want to treat it, but with what and when will the hair grow back? Money is an issue because my hours are severely deceased now

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  1. Sarah

    Oh my goodness! I am so sorry this has happened. I think it depends on a few things as far as treatment. If it is a deeper wound, then you will need antiseptic solution to keep it clean, and possibly antibiotic because of possible infection. If it is superficial, then that would be a different story. I am more concerned about her nail pulled out. I think that needs to be seen by the vet. I would call and get her in to be checked out. I know these are tough times. Your vet does too- and would hopefully be willing to give you a bit of time to pay for service. I hope your dog is ok????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not too worried about the abrasions to the nose or the nail. I have seen these both happen many times and they always heal well if given time. I am more concerned about the heart and based on age and breed; dental disease. The rest needs behavioral assistance as it sounds like separation anxiety. This is resolvable with time, attention and patience. I would see a vet. Have the degree of heart disease assessed and discuss preventative care like heartworm etc if needed. The carpet, if ingested is also a real threat to health as it can cause a foreign body obstruction. There’s a lot going on here. Your vet with a simple exam can help you. Find someone who is willing to take the time to help you and budgets are a normal constraint for most of us these days. Ask around for a reputable kind and patient vet. They are out there.

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Ana Garcia | 5 years ago
Hello! I Have Been A Follower For A Couple Of Years And You Helped Me To …

Hello! I have been a follower for a couple of years and you helped me to not give up hope when my 15 year old dachshund suffered from cervical IVDD in October….he was completely paralyzed for 1 month and is mostly back to his rambunctious self. Thank you!!
I do have a question. I am currently fostering an old lady chihuahua who has red eyes. I was wondering if you had come across it or have any resources I could use? She does not have conjunctivitis. She sees well, but does appear to startle if we move too quickly. It appears that the cornea and iris are red…like that of a hamster or rat. There is not really any pupil distinction, however, it does not seem as though she suffers from light sensitivity. Thank you for any information that you can provide.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If she wasnt born like this ( a condition where there arent any of the normal pigments present in the eyes, as in forms of albinism) then I would see a vet asap. I would be afraid of neoplasia (can happen in the iris), high blood pressure, and even bleeding disorders. Your vet can do a cursory ophthalmic exam to help identify a problem versus a congenital, or acquired condition. In many cases your vet might want to refer you to a boarded ophthalmologist for confirmation and treatment assistance.