chihuahua puppy

The daughter of friends of ours bought a 4 month old Chihuahua puppy from a private breeder. The puppy had it's vaccinations and paperwork. The puppy gets on very well with their other little dog, a Bichon/Maltese, apart from the fact the puppy is somewhat excitable and hyper.

Today Abbie (daughter) phoned her mum, who is over here at the present time, and told her the puppy didn't seem to be very well and she had phoned the vet, who told her to bring the puppy in immediately. The puppy was being constantly sick and barely had the strength to lift it's head. Abbie doesn't drive and so she got a taxi, arrived at the Vet's only to be told they couldn't deal with the puppy their and told her to go to the Vet at Anston. (I think it's Anston, somewhere around the Birmingham area).

Abbie was already distraught because the puppy was so ill, but she paid another 40 pounds for a taxi to Anston. On arrival the puppy had a seizure, it then had another seizure whilst the Vet was checking the puppy. This particular Vet told Abbie that she herself bred Chihuahuas and this ailment was not unusual in these dogs.

The ailment is apparently hypoglycaemia, Abbie's puppy has now been put into a controlled coma for 3 days, hooked up to a drip and she has been told not to worry ! Poor girl is distraught, her father is doing his best to reassure her, but she is so upset.

Her mum flies home tomorrow, and has been up to our house twice today to update us and she too is upset and in tears.

I've never had much to do with Chihuahuas but we looked this complaint up and it does appear this is not an unusual complaint with these dogs.

Now we are all hoping this little puppy recovers well and we've told Abbie to ask the Vet for the correct feeding instructions and how often the puppy must feed. Many sites we looked at regarding this complaint recommended always having sugar water, honey, or similar with you whenever you take the puppy out.

Has anyone else ever come across this?

Re: chihuahua puppy

I hope the little chap gets better clumsy
I have never had a chihuahua it is a dog that just doesn't appeal to me they are just too undog like !
Poor little beggars it can't be natural or much fun being that small.
The large head causes birth difficulties too.

Re: chihuahua puppy

Hi Loretta poor puppy. Hypoglycemia is something that affects some of the toy breeds.

It is due to low glucose levels in the blood, they can't store it in their tiny bodies .It is important the all puppies are fed little and often but toy breeds in particular should not miss meals.

It is not the fault of the breeder or a genetic disorder but a breed trait.

I recommend anyone getting any kind of puppy reads up on the breed to find out if there are any health issues connected to the breed or anything they need to do.


I hope the puppy will be ok, it should be now it has been caught in time

Re: chihuahua puppy

I have never had such small dogs but I know people who do and thats why they feed a spoonful of food every couple of hours with the puppies.

As Meg says its so important to reserch a breed before buying just to check up on anything you may have to pay special attention to.

Re: chihuahua puppy

Spot on Meg.

Re: chihuahua puppy

Main reason I feed Betty several meals a day, she gets this if we try to feed less than 4 meals a day for her. I really hope the pup pulls through.

Chihuahuas aren't for everyone you do have to adjust your life style to accommodate their specialist needs. We love them would fill the house with them if we could afford it.

They are 100% real dog though love their walks and playing ball games. Its very important people get them realise that and do allow them walks through woods and on beach and any where else dogs usually love. It does them so much good to have a fun filled varied life just like any other dog.

Only time they need picking up is if you are walking through prickly stuff like holly and chestnut hulls Betty hates them.

Re: chihuahua puppy

My friend who lived up in the Highlands had a long haired Chihuahua and he was a tough little cookie.
He was used to living and exercising over rough terrain and even did a couple of 10 mile marathons with her and her bigger dogs. All her dogs are very fit, regardless of size.

Re: chihuahua puppy

That's great to hear mups I hate hearing they are just handbag dogs or aren't really dogs at all. I've had two one a long hair called Rosie had to keep up with her companions a jack russel lakeland cross and the other a tough corgi they all loved their walks and camping trips in all weathers.

Betty is our second a short coat who is quite disgusted if we try to treat her different to our Labrador.

Such fun little dogs full of spirit. More dog like than some bigger dogs

Re: chihuahua puppy

Says it all really...

Re: chihuahua puppy

Thank you for the replies all. I too hope the puppy will be okay. Perhaps I will hear how things are going tomorrow, if not then it will be a couple of days before I hear. I appreciate the replies, thank you.