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Pawbly | 8 years ago
I Have A 9-year-old 5 Pound Chihuahua With A Collapsed Trachea. He Has Been On…

I have a 9-year-old 5 pound chihuahua with a collapsed trachea. He has been on hydrocodone on and off for a few months now, and it does not seem to help at all, even at the maximum dosage. He was put on steroids which worked well for the first 2-3 weeks, but they stopped working all together before he was even done taking them. Is there any other medication out there that could possibly help? He is still eating, drinking, going to the bathroom etc without any issues, just a horrible constant cough that keeps him up half the night and I’m certain must be painful for him.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    My very good friends dog had excellent response and recovery with diet change, weight loss and lomotil. Please ask your vet about these. We also provided nebulizer treatment and significantly restricted exercise and stress.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
I Lost An Ibuprofen Pill. Worried My Dogs Ate It. Been Over 3 Hours And…

I lost an ibuprofen pill. Worried my dogs ate it. Been over 3 hours and no issue. Can I let them sleep or can signs take longer
3 chihuahua mix
One 7 mo and 2 are 4 year

5 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Hi Yvette.  I’m sorry we didn’t see this but most of us are on the East Coast.  How are the dogs doing now?

  2. Yvette Weber

    It’s been at least 13 hours, they drank water ate breakfast and went poop and they seem just fine. I feel awful I can’t remember if I took the pill. I’m just watching them. Nothing off at all.
    Thank you for the reply

  3. Anonymous

    If ANYTHING changes, even if they become slightly lethargic, rush them to the vet. Otherwise you might be in the clear.

  4. Yvette Weber

    That’s what I’m doing !!! Because if one did take it I don’t know which pup.
    Any idea how long the window is ?

  5. Anonymous

    No, unfortunately. I’ve not had to worry about this…I would ask the vet.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My 5 Yr. Old Chihuahua Has A Tick In Ear ,can I Safely Flush It…

My 5 yr. Old chihuahua has a tick in ear ,can I safely flush it out and with what ?

1 Response

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  1. Allyssa Winans

    How far down in the ear is it? If you take a q-tip and dip it in rubbing alcohol then rub it around where the tick is attached it will help release the tick. You want to do this before you use tweezers and pull it out because you don’t want the head to get stuck in the ear! Hope this helps, we get ticks all the time. Make sure to get your dog on some flea and tick meds, it will keep ticks from attaching and releasing their toxin! 🙂

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
4 Months Ago My Wife And I Purchased A Chihuahua From What Was Supposed To…

4 months ago my wife and I purchased a chihuahua from what was supposed to be a reputable breeder. When we gor her she reeked of cigarettes bur we loved her already. We took her immediately to a vet and she is healthy and up to date on all her vaccinations but the issue we are having is wit a tapeworm. She had it since we got her. Our vet had treated her multiple times with both medicine and injections and she is on Sentinel for protection. Even had to put For-Bid in her food for the past month per our vet, but worm is still here. Getting frustrated and concerned for our baby pup. Anything we can do to help get rid of this?

5 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    I’m going to leave the medical part of your question to our vets, but I do have an observation regarding what makes a reputable, ethical breeder.

    Unless the person from whom you purchased your puppy titles (as in, they earn titles through showing, obedience trials, etc…not just AKC registration) and fully health tests per the Chihuahua Club of America, they aren’t what I would consider ethical or reputable. Here’s a lot more information: http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.org/health-committee-mission/

    Read through the links on the right sidebar. And maybe look into an insurance policy to cover potential health issues. Petplan and Truepanion seem to be two of the best…avoid VPI like the plague, they’ll just take your money.

  2. David Woolwine

    We have had the pups repeatedly checked for fleas by vet and there are none. Both are indide dogs do no infestation ftom outside, dont even go outside. Been on Sentinel for protection since she was big enough to start and our 18 month old has always been on monthly Trifexis for prevention. Luckily even with continued presence of worm still is gaining weight and only loose stool was after surgery to spay and antibiotics were given. Just frustrating that we are doing all we can and still cannot get rid of. Wondering if I need to take to different vet.

  3. David Woolwine

    We took two separate stool samples in to the vet, then while my wife had the pup there a small worm was left on her shirt by the pup. Vet said it was a tapeworm so I’m assuming that’s what it is.

  4. David Woolwine

    But after multiple shots, multiple doses if sentinel, a month on For-Bid to prevent her from eating her feces and reinfesting I’m at a loss. Also weird that it goes days sometimes but no worm, then suddenly they’re back.

  5. David Woolwine

    Plus had deurontinal more times than I can count.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
Chihuahua Puppies Less Than 2 Weeks Old .. Fur Is Matting And Stiff, Skin…

Chihuahua puppies less than 2 weeks old .. fur is matting and stiff, skin looks very dry what is it

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Chihuahua Who Is Very Active Has His Left Rear Leg Dangling When He Walks…

My Chihuahua who is very active has his left rear leg dangling when he walks. He sometimes tries to stand on it but cannot. When he is outside peeing he tries to stand on it when he hikes and falls right over He is a inside dog. He does jump up on the couch but I have not seen him do anything out of the ordinary. He does not cry with pain but I am very concerned.

1 Response

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  1. Anonymous

    Take him to the vet.  Whatever this is (and my unexperienced layperson’s opinion says it COULD be a luxating patella), it’s not something you can fix at home.  It may require surgery.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Chihuahua Puppy Is Not Having Bowel Movements? What Do I Do?

My chihuahua puppy is not having bowel movements? What do I do?

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
Someone Left Their Jack Russell Terrier (Jaz) On My Street Two Days Ago And I…

Someone left their jack russell terrier (Jaz) on my street two days ago and I took her in. I currently have a 5 year old pitbull mixed with a chihuaha(Taco) taco is little bit bigger than Jaz. Every time Jaz sees taco Jaz snaps and growls at her. We give them both attention I don’t think it’s a dominance or jealousy issue because taco doesn’t fight back, Jaz would wait for taco to be vulnerable and then try and bite her. For example today we took them both walking both were fine and we both went inside and taco looks at me not paying attention to Jaz and then jaz tried to bite Tacos leg. Taco stays with me and i have jaz in a room she listens good with everything. she doesnt leave her room even if we leave the door open and she doesnt have a leash on. She just cant be around taco. I’m not sure what to do or what’s wrong, we want to train Jaz so she can be part of our family. Any suggestions?

2 Responses

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  1. PK Dennis
    This is MOST definitely a dominance issue!  Jaz is telling Taco that Jaz is the person in charge of this new house!  And while Taco may not be fighting back, Jaz is going to continue this behavior until she is satisfied that Taco understands the situation. It is your job to help them get on an even keel.  Is Taco a male or female?  Jaz is more likely to settle down with a male (females tend to rule the house and males usually let them). 

    You need to go back to square one.  Put Jaz in a room where Taco can not see Jaz.  This could be a guest bathroom, or mud room, etc.  You want a closed door between the 2 dogs for the next 3-4 days.  Give each dog their own time with you – but separately.  This allows each dog to become familiar with the smell of the other dog.  They get to know each other this way – but without any confrontation.

    On the 4th day, pick up  all toys, balls, bones, and put them up out of reach of the dogs (and keep them up for the time being – this prevents fights over these resources.  The toys belong to you, and the dogs only get access to them while you are there to monitor things).  Then take the dogs on a long walk together – put leashes on them and then right out the door, don’t allow them to sniff each other or anything – just “let’s GO – walking here!”.  By the end of the walk they should be more comfortable with each other.
    For the next few weeks keep a short leash on Jaz at all times – let her drag it around the house and yard (I like to attache the leash to a harness for this).  This allows you to step on the leash or pick it up to get Jaz away from Taco.  Monitor their activities and head Jaz off at the pass when she is paying too much attention to Taco – you might want to teach Jaz ‘leave it’ and tell her to ‘leave it’ when she is looking at Taco, etc.
    If the days of separation, and then the walk don’t solve the problem you will need to find a behaviorist or trainer that can come to your home and work with you – after all, Jaz is a terrier, and a Russell to boot.  My experience is that Russell’s can be very challenging!
    Other ways to fix in Jaz’s mind that she is not in control of the house is by not allowing her up on any furniture.  Taco can be up, but not Jaz for the foreseeable future.  Not on the sofa or especially the beds.  Control food – make Jaz work for every meal and treat by sitting nicely, or by doing a trick.  She also has to sit nicely to get access to any toy, and she can only play with the toy with you – when you are done playing the toy needs to go back up out of reach/sight.
    These are the things I do with fosters when they come to my home – some respond quickly, others take months to decide they will settle into my pack.  Give things a good 4 to 5 weeks before you give up on this girl!, but get some help if you feel things are not improving.
    Good luck!
  2. Erica Bowlen

    Thank you! They are both female. Taco is spayed and Jaz is not we are taking her to the vet soon to get her spayed.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Chihuahua Has Pine Needles Stuck In Between The Pads Of Her Paws And She…

My chihuahua has pine needles stuck in between the pads of her paws and she freaks out everytime I try to help her remove them. Any suggestions?

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    Take her to the vet where they can sedate her to get the needles out.

  2. Amy Marchand

    Thank you. After further research I agree that this is the best solution.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
So Lately I’ve Been Thinking About Getting Another Dog. My Current Dog Is A Chihuahua…

So lately I’ve been thinking about getting another dog. My current dog is a Chihuahua and possibly Rat terrier mix; he’s about 13 years old. Before I got him he used to have another chihuahua he always hung around with, but that was when he was around five. He only barks when there is someone making noise outside or that get too close to our fence, the same goes with barking dogs or ones that pass by our house. Other than that he is very friendly with strangers, especially when they come into our yard. He does however, have an issue if dogs come onto his territory, like most dogs do. He has never been to a dog park and has gone to a pet store a couple times, either for shopping or to be groomed. Our neighbors have a dog who barks at everyone and everything, even if I open the back door for a second. My dog occasionally fights with him through the fence, and by that maybe every few weeks. My dog doesn’t bite, growl, nip, scratch or anything at strangers when they come over, even if it’s our pest control. I’m not sure how he will react when we bring another puppy home? We’re either thinking of getting a border collie, lab, doberman pinscher or possibly an italian greyhound. Any tips on what to do when they first meet? Do you think he’ll be alright with another puppy? Any advice helps, thank you!!

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Has he ever been around a puppy?  Are you willing to separate the dogs and rotate which is out, if things go south?

    A warning about dobes, because I have one – they are NOT gentle with littles.  You’ll have to work very hard on teaching a dobe puppy to be gentle with smaller animals – our girl is nearly three and still occasionally stomps my cat.  They’re also tough puppies and are quite literally a full time job until they’re around 2 years of age…I’ll happy talk more about the breed if you want, but I don’t want to flood this particular answer with my babble. 🙂

  2. PK Dennis

    This is how my rescue recommends you introduce a new dog to your home (and I do this with all fosters coming to live with my pack of 4 terriers, one of which is a Cairn/Chihuahua mix):

    Before the new dog arrives pick a place in the home for him to live most of the time for 3 days.  I use my guest bathroom some times, and other times I use my craft room – both have tile floors so it is easy to clean up any accidents that may occur with the new dog.  Inside that room I place a dog crate appropriate in size for the new dog/puppy.  

    For the first 3 days after the new dog arrives, we play musical crates and/or rooms.  I do not allow the dogs to see each other, they only smell each other on me, and under the door, etc.  When my dogs are loose, the new dog is in the prepared room.  When my dogs are crated or in their kennel the new dog is allowed to be out of the room, in the yard, or house with supervision.  There is ALWAYS a closed door between my dogs and the new dog.

    I spend time playing and training the new dog each day, and will crate my boys for an hour or so in the evening so I can just plop on the sofa with the new dog for cuddles.  With a puppy you will need to be spending a lot of time with it as you will not be able to resist!  Spend an equal amount of time with the older dog.  One of the activities you want to focus on with the puppy is learning to walk on a leash – this is critical for the 4th day.

    On the morning of the 4th day, put leashes on both dogs and immediately go out the door for a walk.  Don’t give the dogs time to sniff or eyeball each other – the job is to walk together with you for at least 10 mins.  If the puppy is older keep walking (5 mins. per month of age is a good rule of thumb – too long a walk puts too much stress on the bones and joints of a puppy).

    Once we have finished the walk I take all the dogs into my fenced yard, drop the leashes and allow them to sniff, play, ignore each other as they see fit.  Dragging the leashes allows you to step on a leash or pull one dog away from the other if things get hairy.  

    I have had 99% success with introducing dogs this way.  The only exception was a foster that decided my smallest dog was prey – good thing I had that leash to grab!  It saved my dog’s life.

    We believe the reason it works is that it allows the dogs to smell each other without any misunderstandings of body language.  In the wild a lone wolf will spend weeks haunting a new pack’s territory.  They stay mostly out of sight, but scent mark in the territory.  Then they start showing themselves to the pack from a distance.  Finally they approach members of the pack.  If the pack wants them they are welcomed (usually by the female members of the pack).  So while our dogs are no longer wolves – smell is the first thing they pick up on.  First scent, then sight, then hearing.  So this 3 day of separation, but crossing each other’s scents helps the dogs get to know each other without confrontation.

    With my dogs it works so well, they don’t even sniff each other’s butts once we are done the walk.

    Since your dog is used to fighting through a fence I caution you to make sure that he and the new pup never see each other through a fence or crate during those 3 days.  Keep that solid, shut, door between them.

    Your 13 year old dog may never want to play with the puppy – but the puppy will want to play with him!  Be sure your older dog has a place he can escape the puppy – such as a dog bed or crate, maybe in a different room.  When your Chi is getting too much attention from the pup, tell the puppy to “leave it” and ask him/her to play with you.  This will help the puppy learn to leave the older dog alone when he is in his quite place.

    An Italian greyhound is a better size for your current dog, and they generally are ‘softer’ dogs.  The other 3 breeds you mention will be a real challenge for you, and will overwhelm the Chi.  It is a giant leap going from living with a Chi to living with these 3 other breeds.  They all are high energy, need WAY more exercise, and a lot of training to become good canine citizens.  The Border especially, will need a job.  Borders are scary intelligent.   

    All that being said – give your dog a month with the new pup before you decide if it is going to work or not.  Good luck!