WELCOME TO HALL'S COUNTRY PUPS

Where we raise Chihuahua's for quality, not quantity!!

You will find these valuable important information below:
  1. Our Veterinarian
  2. Why we do not vaccinate our puppies with the vaccine that contains Lepto
  3. Chihuahua Puppy Growth Chart
  4. Some common poisonous plants
  5. The Bad Foods for Dogs List
  6. Hypo-Glycemia
  7. Puppy Mill vs Hobby Breeder
  8. The Hidden Killer- Store bought flea shampoo
  9. Health Testing
  10. The Danger of Bubblegum
  11. Flea Control and Prevention
  12. How to induce vomiting
  13. Benadryl for Dogs

1. Our Veterinarian

'Strafford Veterinary Clinic' and Dr.Kenneth R.Mallard are highly reguarded in the veterinary profession for their high standards of pet medical care, exceptionally trained HealthCare Team, and outrageous Client Service!

Dr. Kenneth R. Mallard

Strafford Veterinary Clinic

601 W. Evergreen St.

Strafford, MO 65757

417-736-3131

Directions: From Springfield take MO-744 (I-44) E toward St. Louis. Take Exit 88 for MO-125 toward Stafford/Fair Grove.

Turn left at MO-125/ N MO-125, Then turn left on W. Evergreen St. and drive for about .25 mile and it's on the left.

Dr. Mallord has told us that if you have any questions regarding our Chihuahua's...don't hesitate to call him. He said he would gladly sit and talk with you if you have any concerns. He has stated that our Chihuahua's meet the standards and conformation of the breed and are in exceptional health. We take pride in our Chihuahua's and will only breed healthy Chihuahua's.

2. Why we do not vaccinate our puppies with the vaccine that contains the Lepto

Please be advised that we do not vaccinate our puppies with the vaccination that contains Lepto.

Vaccination against Leptospira interrogans is only available for the serovars called canicola, grippotyphosa, pomona and icterohaemorragiae..  As a result of long standing use of this vaccine, it is hard to assess how important it is to vaccinate against leptospirosis. (As you might imagine, most recent outbreaks involve serovars for which vaccination does not exist.)

Vaccination against the four serovars mentioned is commonly included in the basic distemper shot (DHLPP - the “L” stands for “leptospirosis”).  The vaccine can be made up to omit the leptospirosis portion. Of all the sera in this basic vaccine, it seems to be the leptospirosis portion that is associated with hives, facial swelling, and even life-threatening vaccination reactions much more than any of the other fractions. If there is any question of an animal having a vaccine reaction, leptospirosis vaccine is left out of the mix
This is why we choose to leave out the vaccine:
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF OUR PUPS AFTER A VET. GAVE HER THAT VACCINE.
Poor Ivy!!


    3. THE CHIHUAHUA PUPPY GROWTH CHART (IN OUNCES)

     
This chart is a guide to what the future weight of a Chihuahua puppy might be. There are many factors that affect the final size a Chihuahua may attain upon reaching adulthood and this chart cannot predict the final outcome with full certainty.
Birth 2½ oz. 2¾ oz. 3 oz. 3½ oz. 4 oz. 4¼ oz. 4½ oz. 5 oz. 5½ oz.
1 week 3¾ 4 5 5½ 6½ 7 8 9 9½
2 weeks 5 5½ 6½ 7 9 10 11 12½ 13½
3 weeks 6 7 8 9 11 13 14 16 17½
4 weeks 7 8 9½ 11 13 15 17 19½ 21
5 weeks 8 9 11 13 15 17 19½ 22 24
6 weeks 9 11 12½ 15 17½ 20 22 24 27
7 weeks 10 12 14½ 17 19½ 22 24½ 27 30
8 weeks 11 13 16 19 21½ 24 27 29 33
9 weeks 12 15 17½ 20 23 26 29 32 35
10 weeks 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 38
11 weeks 14 17 21 24 27 31 34 37 42
12 weeks 15 19 22 26 30 33 37 41 45
13 weeks 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 49
14 weeks 17 22 26 30 34 39 43 47 52
15 weeks 19 23 28 32 37 41 46 51 56
16 weeks 20 25 30 34 39 44 49 54 59
17 weeks 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 57 62
18 weeks 22 28 33 37 43 48 54 60 65
19 weeks 23 29 34 39 44 50 56 62 67
20 weeks 24 30 35 41 46 52 58 64 70
21 weeks 25 31 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
22 weeks 25 32 37 43 49 56 62 68 74
23 weeks 26 33 38 44 50 57 64 70 76
24 weeks 26 33 39 45 51 58 65 71 78
25 weeks 27 34 40 46 52 59 66 72 79
26 weeks 27 34 40 47 53 60 67 73 80
18 months
(full grown)		 2 lb. 2½ lb. 3 lb. 3½ lb. 4 lb. 4½ lb. 5 lb. 5 ½ lb. 6

 

4. Some Common Poisonous Plants

Below is a non-inclusive list of some of the plants that may be harmful to your chihuahua. Some are found outside and some are found inside the home. Never assume that your chihuahua knows the difference between a poisonous plant and a non-poisonous plant. If you suspect that your pet has injested a poisonous plant , please seek veterinary attention immediately.

  • Alfalfa
  • Amarylis
  • Asparagus (Sperengeri)
  • Fern
  • Azalea
  • Beach Tree
  • Belladonna
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Black Locust Tree
  • Caladium
  • Castor Bean
  • Chinaberry
  • Coriaria
  • Daffodil
  • Daffne
  • Datura
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Elephants Ear
  • Euonymus
  • Foxglove
  • Henbane
  • Honeysuckle
  • Hydrangea
  • Iris
  • Ivy (Especially English, heart, needlepoint, and ripple)
  • Jack-in-the-Pulpit
  • Jerusalem Cherry
  • Jessamine
  • Jimsonweed
  • Larkspur
  • Lily-Of-the-Valley
  • Mistletoe Berries
  • Monkshood
  • Moonseed
  • Morning Glory
  • Mums (spider and pot)
  • Nightshades
  • Oak trees (acorns)
  • Oleander
  • Periwinkle
  • Philodendron
  • Plant Bulbs (most)
  • Potato (green parts and eyes)
  • Poinsetta
  • Poke
  • Precatory bean (rosary pea)
  • Rhododendron
  • Rhubarb (leaves and the upper stems)
  • Skunk Cabbage
  • Tobacco
  • Tomato Vines (plant and green tomatoes)
  • Tulip (including wild varieties)
  • Umbrella Plant
  • Water Hemlock
  • Wisteria
  • Yew Tree (Japanese, English, American, and Western)

 5. The Bad Foods For Dogs List

Here is a list of common foods that are bad or poisonous for your dog. If you suspect that your dog might have eaten any food that might be toxic, contact his/her vet immediately.

NAME
INFORMATION
Alcohol Do not give your dog sips of any alcoholic beverage. Ingestion can lead to injury, disorientation, sickness, urination problems or even coma or death from alcohol poisoning. Some dogs may be attracted to alcoholic drinks so don't leave one setting where a dog can reach it.
Anti-freeze The Dangers Of Antifreeze
Apple The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can result in cyanide poisoning.
Apricot The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.
Avocado Avocado contains a toxic element called persin which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. Avocadoes are high in fat content and can trigger an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis. The seed pit is also toxic and if swallowed can become lodged in the intestinal tract where it may cause a severe blockage which will have to be removed surgically. Since avocado is the main ingredient in guacamole be sure and keep your dog out of the dip.
Baby Food Before feeding any baby food to your dog checkk the ingredients to see if it contains onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Feeding baby food in large amounts may result in nutritional deficiencies.
Bones Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your dog. Bones become brittle when cooked which causes them to splinter when broken. The splinters have sharp edges that have been known to become stuck in the teeth, caused choking when caught in the throat or caused a rupture or puncture of the stomach lining or intestinal tract. Especially bad bones are turkey and chicken legs, ham, pork chop and veal.
  • Symptoms of choking are:
    • Pale or blue gums
    • Gasping Open-mouthed breathing
    • Pawing at face
    • Slow, shallow breathing
    • Unconscious, with dilated pupils
Raw bones (uncooked in any way) like chicken necks or beef knuckle bones are generally considered safe and help keep your dog's teeth healthy by removing plaque. A caution - bones have a high calcium content and too many can cause severe constipation.

Bread Dough When bread dough is ingested your dog's body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. During the rising process alcohol is produced as the dough expands. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. A pet needs to eat only a small amount to cause a problem, because bread dough can rise to many times its size.
Broccoli The toxic ingredient in broccoli is isothiocynate. While it may cause stomach upset it probably won't be very harmful unless the amount fed exceeds 10% of the dogs total dailey diet.
Caffeine Beverages with caffeine (like soda, tea, coffee) acts as a stimulant and can accelerate your pet's heartbeat to a dangerous level. Pets ingesting caffeine have been known to have seizures, some fatal.
Candy Sugarless candy containing xylitol has been recognised by the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) to be a risk to pets (first published July 2004). This compound can cause liver damage and death in some dogs. This information is recent and some vets may not be familiar with xylitol poisoning. If your dog has eaten sugarless candy you can contact the NAPCC by telephone, 1-888-426-4435 for more information.
Cat Food Cat food is not formulated for canine comsumption. It is generally too high in protein and fats and is not a balanced diet for a dog.
Cherries The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.
Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. When affected by an overdose of chocolate, a dog can become excited and hyperactive. Due to the diuretic effect, it may pass large volumes of urine and it will be unusually thirsty. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common. The effect of theobromine on the heart is the most dangerous effect. Theobromine will either increase the dog’s heart rate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Death is quite possible, especially with exercise. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity, irregular heartbeat and seizures.

Larger quantities of chocolate can poison or even kill a medium or large dog. An ounce or two of chocolate may not seem like much but it can be lethal to a small dog that weighs 10 lbs. or less. After their dog has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours.

Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog sick. The next most dangerous forms are semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate, however the high amount of fat found in milk chocolate can lead to an attack of pancreatitis.

  • 1 ounce per pound of body weight (2 ounces per kg of body weight) for milk chocolate.
  • 1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight ( 1 ounce per 1.5 kg body weight) for semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight ( 1 ounce per 4 kg) for baker's chocolate.

During many holidays such as Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter and Halloween, chocolate is often accessible to curious dogs, and in some cases, people unwittingly poison their dogs by offering them chocolate as a treat or letting them lick a frosting bowl.

Cigarettes see Tobacco Products
Citrus Oil Extracts Citrus oil extracts ave been known to cause vomiting.
Corn Cobs Many dogs have suffered and, in some cases, died after eating corn-on-the-cob, because the corn cob caused a partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Never allow your dog access to corn cobs.
Dairy Products Most dairy products are digested poorly by dogs who have little or none of the enzyme required to digest the lactose in milk. Just like lactose-intolerant people, lactose-intolerant dogs can develop excessive intestinal gas (flatulence) and may have foul-smelling diarrhea. It is best to avoid most dairy products altogether, although small amounts of cheese or plain yogurt are tolerated by most dogs, since these products have less lactose than most.
Food Preparation Items When chewing food remnants from
  • aluminum foil or pans
  • candy wrappers
  • paper plates and cups
  • plastic forks, spoons, knives
  • plastic beverage rings from six-packs
  • roasting bags
  • turkey skewers, lacing
a dog may swallow pieces which can cause abdominal discomfort, intestinal blockage, internal bleeding and in some cases, death. There is also a possibility if choking or suffocation. Dispose of food preparation items in a manner that your dog or another animal cannot get to it.
Eggs (Raw)

Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your dog of biotin, one of the B vitamins. Biotin is essential to your dog’s growth and coat health. Additionally, raw eggs are often contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, and you could end up giving your dog food poisoning in addition to biotin deficiency.

Symptoms of biotin depletion are hair loss, weakness, growth retardation and skeleton deformity. If your dog is suffering from these symptoms the situation is urgent, and veterinary treatment is needed. Cooked eggs are high in protein and make an excellent treat. It is only the raw eggs that should not be given to your dog.

Grapes or Raisins Although the minimum lethal dosage is not known, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities. The symptoms are gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea, and then signs of kidney failure with an onset of severe kidney signs starting about 24 hours after ingestion. The amount of grapes eaten varied between 9 oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight. It has been reported that two dogs died directly from the toxicity, three were euthanized due to poor response to treatment and five dogs lived.

Due to the severity of the signs and the potential for death, the veterinarians at the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) advocate aggressive treatment for any dog believed to have ingested excessive amounts of grapes or raisins, including inducing vomiting, stomach pumping and administration of activated charcoal, followed by intravenous fluid therapy for at least 48 hours or as indicated based on the results of blood tests for kidney damage.

Hops Spent hops as used in making beer.
Household Products Bad Household Items List
Liver

Many dog treats and prepared foods contain liver so it may surprise you to find liver on the bad foods list. In small amounts liver is good for your dog, but if the liver intake is too high it can cause nutritional problems because liver has a high content of vitamin A. Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A. If your dog eats raw liver or consumes three servings of cooked liver a week it could lead to bone problems. Feeding liver to a dog taking Vitimin A supplements can lead to an overdose of Vitamin A.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis A are deformed bones, excessive bone growth on the elbows and spine, weight loss and anorexia. If left unchecked, hypervitaminosis A has in some cases caused death.

Macadamia Nuts The toxic compound is unknown but eating as few as six nuts without the shell has been known to cause elevated body temperature, accelerated heartbeat, tremors in the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs have difficulty or are unable to rise, are distressed and usually panting.Some affected dogs have had swollen limbs and showed pain when the limb was manipulated. Dogs did recover from the muscle weakness and pain and it is not known if there have been any fatal cases. Macadamia butter is included in this warning.
Mouldy or Spoiled Foods The common mold found growing on many foods contain toxins such as Penicillium mold toxins or tremorgenic mycotoxins. Symptoms of poisoning include severe tremors and seizures that can last for hours or even days. This is considered an emergency and medical treatment is needed to control the seizures and detoxify the dog.

Spoiled foods can cause food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning are severe vomiting, diarrhea and shock.

Prevention is the best course, don't feed your dog moldy food left in the refrigerator and don't allow him to raid your garbage cans or compost bin (or your neighbor's).

Mushrooms Mushroom poisoning can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. The most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroon in the US is Amanita phalloides, but other Amanita species are also toxic. They can cause severe liver disease and neurologic disorders. The recommendation is to induce vomiting when these mushrooms are ingested and to give activated charcoal, as well. Supportive treatment for liver disease may also be necessary.
Nutmeg Nutmeg is reported to be a hallucinogenic when ingested in large doses. Nutmeg has been known to cause tremors, seizures and in some cases, death.
Nuts Nuts in general are not good for dogs as their high phosphorus content may lead to bladder stones.
Onions

Onions cause hemolytic anemia, which means that the red blood cells break down leaving the dog short of oxygen. Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. The condition generally improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onion. The poisoning may occur a few days after the dog has eaten the onion. At first dogs affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, weakness and show little or no interest in food. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected dog's urine making it dark colored. The dog will experience shortness of breath because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number. Other symptoms are elevated body temperature, confusion, and increased heart rate. Seek veterinary care immediately.

The quantity of onions, raw or cooked, required is high enough that dogs can generally tolerate small doses of onions without any problem and moderate amounts of onion without apparent signs of onion poisoning. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

Peaches The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.
Pears The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.
Plants Dogs can become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Keep all unknown types of plants and any plants suspected of being poisonous out of reach of your pet.

Common Poisonous Plants List

Plastic Food Wrap Dogs have been known to ingest pieces of plastic wrap while trying to eat food remnants left on its surface. Plastic food wrap can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Dispose of plastic wrap in a manner that your dog or other animals cannot get to it.
Plums The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning.
Play Dough Home made play dough contains high levels of salt. When ingested this can cause salt poisoning which can be fatal.
Potatoes Solanum alkaloids can be found in green sprouts and green potato skins, which occurs when the tubers are exposed to sunlight during growth or after harvest. The relatively rare occurrence of actual poisoning is due to several factors: solanine is poorly absorbed; it is mostly hydrolyzed into less toxic solanidinel; and the metabolites are quickly eliminated. Cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for dogs, actually quite nutritious and digestible.
Raisins or Grapes See Grapes
Rich Fatty Foods Rich, fatty foods can be very dangerous to dogs susceptible to attacks of pancreatitis. Often you may not know that your dog is susceptible until he is very sick with his first attack. It is often the smaller, more energetic breeds like miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels, miniature schauzers, and other small terrier-type dogs who seem particularly prone. However, any dog may have a problem. It is best to avoid these foods altogether.
  • turkey skin
  • bacon, sausages, hot dogs
  • fruit cake, plum pudding
  • deep-fried
Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting (sometimes with diarrhea) and abdominal pain, which may be evidenced as a hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.
Rhubard Leaves
Salmon (Raw)

Commonly called "Salmon Poisoning Disease" (or SPD), this can be a problem for anyone who feeds their dog a raw meat diet that includes raw salmon, but it is mostly seen in the Pacific Northwest and California. The cause is infection by a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. The rickettsial organism does not directly infect the dog but is carried instead by a parasite (a flatworm or fluke) called Nanophyteus salmincola through two intermediate hosts - freshwater snails and salmonid fish.

Nanophyteus salmincola are found to infect some species of freshwater snails. The infected snail is ingested by the salmon as part of the food chain. Neither the fluke nor the rickettsial organism are lethal to the fish. The dog is exposed only when it ingests the secondary host - an infected fish. After the dog ingests the fish, the encysted fluke larvae burst and embed in the dog’s intestinal tract and the rickettsia are introduced. The cycle continues when ova are excreted in dog feces to infect more snails.

A sudden onset of symptoms occur 5-7 days after ingestion of fish. Initial symptoms include lethargy and anorexia. Peaking of temperature between 104-107 in the first two days and then slowly returns to normal. Persistent vomiting by the fourth day. There is bloody diarrhea within a few days of vomiting onset. The diarrhea is often bright yellow color. There are enlarged lymph nodes.

In the acute stages, gastrointestinal symptoms are quite similar to canine parvovirus. Nasal and ocular symptoms can resemble canine distemper. If left untreated, SPD has a mortality rate of up to 90%. SPD can be diagnosed with a fecal sample and is treatable if caught in time. Treatment may include supportive hydration, an antibiotic to kill the rickettsial organism, and a "wormer" to kill the parasite. Improvement may be seen in as little as two days.

Prevention is simple, cook all fish before feeding any to your dog. If you are outdoors hiking or camping or live near streams and rivers were salmon spawn, keep a close eye on your dog on don't let your pet run free to insure that no fish carcasses are ingested. Please see your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested raw salmon.

Salt Iodized salt and salty foods can cause stomach ailments and pancreatitis. Some dogs, especially large breeds, have been known to gulp too much water after eating salty foods and developed a life threatening condition called bloat during which the stomach fills with gas and twists, leading to a painful death unless emergency treatment is received immediately.
Table Scraps Table scraps are not a nutritionally balanced diet for a dog. If fed at all scraps should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat and all cooked bones discarded. Also see "Rich, Fatty Foods" above.
Tobacco Products Cigarettes and cigarette butts, cigars, pipe tobacco, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and chewing tobacco can be fatal to dogs if ingested. Signs of nicotine poisoning can appear within an hour and include hyperactivity, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Advanced signs include muscle weakness, twitching, collapse, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest. If anyone who lives in or visits your home smokes, tell them to keep tobacco products out of reach of pets and to dispose of butts immediately. If you suspect your dog has ingested any of these seek veterinary treatment immediately.
Tomatoes and Tomato Plants These contain atropine which can cause dialated pupils, tremors and irregular heartbeat. The highest concentration of atropine is found in the leaves and stems of tomato plants, next is the unripe (green) tomatoes and then the ripe tomato.
Water Yet another surprise to find on the Bad Foods List is water, but there are dangers lurking in water that you need to be aware of.

  • Stagnant water in ponds, bogs, small lakes, canals, seasonal creeks and other places where water sets still may contain harmful bacteria (Leptospira interrogans) and parasites such as giardia.
  • Toilet water with freshner or cleaners in the tank or bowl contain toxic chemicals.

An excellent resource for emergency poison consultation (in addition to your veterinarian) is your local Poison Control, and the
National Animal Poison Control Center

6. Hypo-Glycemia

I always send home a packet of information regarding this subject, but would gladly explain to you the importance of preventing your Chihuahua going into a hypo-glycemic shock.
This is a problem commonly known in small breeds, but seen more often in Chihuahuas. It basically means that your puppy has low blood sugar and can happen easily if  they do not eat. This can be brought on by stress or even after a hard play time. Being weaned, going to a new owner, changing food, being scared or lonely in their new surroundings can trigger this condition.
Prevention is best, but if caught early enough, it can be reversed.
If this condition is left untreated, it becomes life threatening.

All new owners need to be aware of the sign and take immediate action. Early signs are pale gums, listlessness, lethargy, refusal to eat, and staggering.
If not treated immediately, it can progress to a more critical stage that includes the following, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, unresponsiveness and even death.

For my smaller pups, I will always have hard food and fresh water readily available at all times. Only during crate training do I start to schedule feed.
Usually a puppy will show signs of this condition soon after weaning and should have outgrown it prior to leaving the breeder.
However, for some tiny puppies, especially those projected to be "teacups", the condition can present it self the first time as late as 16 weeks old.
And could possibly continue throughout their lifetime.
It comes on fairly quickly, but can be reversed just as quickly.

I recommend that anyone obtaining a chihuahua puppy from me or anyone else, continue to feed the puppy the same food that it has been accustomed to eating. Changing the food can cause stress, which can lead to refusal to eat, that can lead to hypo-glycemia.
I also recommend that you also buy a tube of Nutri-cal and always have this handy, especially if you are a owner of Chihuahuas.
At the first sign that your puppy is not acting normal or hasn't eaten much, squeeze a bead, the size of a marble onto your finger and let the puppy lick it off or gently rub it off inside the roof of the puppy's mouth or inner cheek.  Continue this ritual every 2 hours until your puppy starts to act normal again. Having Nutri-cal readily available should snap your puppy right out of it in minutes
I have also included in your packet information to making a emergency solution out of  White Karo Syrup thinned (50/50 with water) or you can also give them a little bit of honey.

I will also administer Nutri-cal to your puppy 24 hours before going to their new home. This is to prevent hypo-glycemia occurring en route to you.
This is also known as "carb loading". If you have Nutri-cal on hand when puppy arrives, please give the puppy a dose and then every 2 hours until you see them eating normally. You will need to keep a close eye on your new puppy for at least a couple of weeks until they are settled in and comfortable with their new surroundings.
Give them a small dose of Nutri-cal if you must leave them alone for a long time during the first few days before you leave and when you return. Remember that even tough you want to play with your new baby, they are just that- a baby!
They need plenty of rest and eat very often. Playing too hard for too long can also bring on this condition.
Again, in most cases, hypo-glycemia doesn't occur, but you need to be prepared to recognize the symptoms and know what to do when you see them. Prevention is key and having Nutri-cal on hand to give any time you think your little baby isn't getting enough to eat can prevent the condition from happening. Those who want to travel with their chihuahua will find this very handy to take along with them until the puppy becomes used to going to new places with you. It doesn't need to be refrigerated and has a long shelf-life.
IF AT ANY TIME YOU NEED MORE INFO. ON THIS CONDITION, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK. YOU CAN CALL ME AT ANY TIME.

7. Puppy Mill vs Hobby Breeder

What is a Puppy Mill?

A puppy mill is a operation whose purpose is to produce as many puppies of as many breeds as fast as possibly for the sole purpose of turning a profit. Although these commercial kennels are licensed and legal, many keep dogs in deplorable conditions. The smell alone is disgusting.
By USDA guidelines, dogs must be kept in kennels away from living quarters with wire runs, causing their toes to splay. Many dogs have no human contact except to fill food and water containers and to hose down the kennels whenever they get around to it. The ones with long coats are shaved to prevent problems and short-coated dogs are seldom groomed at all.
A male and 2 or more females are placed together in one "run". When they notice a female is pregnant by showing belly, she is moved to a seperate kennel until she gives birth. If they happen to witness a breeding occur, they may jot down the date, but they usually have no idea when she is due as they have no idea when she was bred. She remains there until the puppies are old enough to be weaned and then she is put back in with the male and the other females to be bred again as soon as she comes into season. This is her life. Her pups are sold to brokers who will take virtually any and all pups produced. They in turn sell to pet stores. A kennel operation that sells to brokers and/or pet stores must be USDA licensed.

Dogs produce as many offspring as possible for 6 or 7 years and then they are destroyed or given away to some unsuspecting person who is never able to get thenm to adjust to family life and they end up in a shelter. Adult dogs from commercial kennel operations can almost NEVER adapt directly to family life.

Why am I a small home/hobby breeder?


I raise Chihuahuas only because I love the breed, which is the case with most home breeders. We have one breed that is our favorite and only raise that breed. My Chihuahuas are all housepets and I share my home and life with them. They are house trained and pampered. According to USDA guidelines, this is unacceptable. They are not confined to cages with wire bottoms in a building away from my living quarters. Because of this, I do not have a USDA license required to sell to pet stores and brokers, and do not want one!
According to state law, as a licensed small hobby breeder, I may have up to 10 unspayed females without having a commercial license. A state commercial license requires virtually the same living conditions as a USDA license- outdoor kennels with wire bottoms. This is absolutely not the way I want my dogs to live, so I will limit myself to only 4 Chihuahuas inside city limits and within the limits as a hobby breeder within my state and sell my puppies to individuals, not to brokers or pet stores, so that I am not required to be USDA licensed or have a commercial breeder's license. There is a reason that Missouri has some of the strictest regulations and is also known as the state with the most puppy mills in the nation.

My Chihuahuas live amongst our family under foot. They are only ever in crates when we leave. They each sleep in whatever bed they choose on any given night..
My mommies and babies are the only ones to ever be ina a kennel. And at that time, that's exaclty where they want to be-alone with their babies without the curiosity of others.
They all have toys, fresh food and water at all times, and go outside every 2-3 hours to relieve themselves. I am in the process of switching my puppies to be litter boxed trained. So, in case of extremely inclement weather they may use the litter box instead.
Time to time there may be an accident or two inside the house, but is cleaned up immediately and we have our carpets shampooed often to prevent any tell-tale kennel odor.

When I know a female is due to come in season, she stays in the kitchen away from all the males until I know she is ready to breed. But, I do not breed them every time they come in season. I choose the sire, and date and time of breeding. In all my years of breeding so far, we have only had one accidental pregnancy. I know exactly when she is due to whelp and she gets her own private bed in my bedroom a week or so before she is due. When she is due to whelp, I do not leave he ralone for more than a few minutes at a time and never leave her while she is in labor.
I deliver the puppies and leave them in my room for the first week or so before moving them into the front room, so that I may keep a vigilant eye on them for the first few days of their lives.

At 5-6 weeks old, the puppies are moved into a playpen in my front room where they become socialized with lots of people, daily household noises and to get them used to being away from Mom.. They go back into the crate with mom and night until they are 7 weeks old. By that time they are weaned and have become used to the tv, vacuum, and other things that will be exposed to in their new homes.
The puppies are wormed at 6-8 weeks old and given their first vaccination at 8 weeks old. This is the first of the sets of shots that your puppy will acquire to be vaccinated against the canine diseases.
I will continue to keep the puppies up to date on their vaccinations until they are with their new owners. I take pictures and weigh the puppies at every stage (week) of their lives and weight them weekly to determine their projected adult weight. Larger puppies are ready to go to a new homes at 8 weeks old, smaller ones at 10 weeks old and the tiniest ones at 12 weeks old. All my dogs are bathed and toenails clipped monthly, receive their annual vaccinations and are happy healthy members of our family. Every one of them gets daily hugs and kisses. Playing with them daily is one of my favorite things to do.

Which conditions sound best for the dogs to you? We have at one time or another have bought a dog from a kennel. They sometimes do not adapt to their new found freedom (not living in cages) But with work and lots of love they come to love living here with us. Eventually they become house trained after watching the others go outside. It is so wonderful to watch them play and see them so happy.
At some time or another, I will have to place a female or male available for adoption. I like to place them in forever homes where they can be the only pampered pooch for the rest of their lives. If a female must have a c-section, she is spayed at the same time. Consider adopting a retiring adult. I will only place those that I know will adapt sucessfully to family life. Most females will already be spayed, males neutered, and be up to date on shots. They will already be house trained. They are not used to a collar and leash, however, because they go outside to a large fenced backyard to run and play.

And that is why I am a small hobby breeder!

8. The Hidden Killer- In your Home- That you use on your Pet


Right now, you might have this under your sink.You might of just used it recently. What could it be?

The flea shampoo or flea drops that you think is completely safe. Well, you are sure it's safe. I mean, would all the major stores sell an item that could harm your pet or even kill your pet?
Yes, they would!

You would think that it would be pulled from the shelves, but no.
By the request of the E.P.A: they were told to just re-label their labels, but continue to sell these poisons, readily available on store shelves to unsuspecting buyers.
We assume since we are familiar with the brand, and trust the stores we buy from..that the products we buy must be safe.
This information is still a work in progress.I will continue to add more information as I research.
Please visit my "IN MEMORY" page where you can read the story of one of my puppies that tragically died after being washed with Sergeant's Gold Flea & Tick Shampoo.


9. Health Testing:

All of our breeding Chihuahua's must pass the tests below before they are bred:

BAER, CARDIAC, CERF, PATELLAR LUXATION, MERLE ALLE

10.The Danger of Bubblegum


Certain kinds of bubble gum that contain a product called "xylitol" can cause serious problems when ingested by your dog. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar alcohol that looks and tastes like sugar. Many products on the market, including sugar-free candy, gums, breath fresheners, toothpastes, sunblock, and other nutritional supplements contain xylitol.

Xylitol Can Be Beneficial to Humans

In 2005, the number of reported animal toxicities related to xylitol increased 150% over the previous year. The use of xylitol as a sugar substitute has gained popularity in recent years because in people it has very poor absorption (less than 30%) and subsequently causes only minor increases in blood glucose and insulin levels. This makes it a great product for diabetics and people looking to loose weight. Xylitol also has reported anticavity effects which explains its frequent use in chewing gums.

Xylitol Can Be Harmful to Dogs!

Conversely, xylitol in dogs has a much higher absorption rate (approximately 70%), and causes an insulin surge that can lead to a rapid drop in blood glucose levels. In fact, the same gram/kilogram dose of xylitol ingested by dogs causes an increase 6 times greater than that caused by glucose. This means that a dog's blood sugar can fall to dangerous levels despite eating a relatively small amount of "sugar substitute". Dosages of 0.2-0.4 g/kg of xylitol have been shown to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Toxic Doses Vary, and So Do Symptoms

Different products contain varying amounts of xylitol. Products whose primary ingredients consist of xylitol (such as the breath fresheners "Koolerz" and "Ice-breakers") contain as much as 1.5-2 g/piece. This means that a 10 kg dog (22 lbs) need only ingest 1-2 pieces to have signs of hypoglycemia. On the other hand, popular gums, such as "Orbit" contain about 0.3-0.4 g/piece, so the same weight dog would need to eat 6-7 pieces to have a similar effect. Since manufacturers are not required to report the exact amount of xylitol that is in their product, it is best to assume ANY ingestion of xylitol by your dog to be potentially toxic. Signs of hypoglycemia can begin as early as 30 minutes after ingestion and can persist for 1-2 days. Some dogs have a delayed onset of hypoglycemia, up to 12-18 hours later. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include: weakness, depression, disorientation, ataxia (unsteady walking), collapse, and seizures.

It Gets Worse...

Xylitol has also been shown to cause liver failure in dogs. There is much research that needs to be conducted in this area, but it seems that many dogs that do not show symptoms of hypoglycemia can go on to develop problems with their liver if left untreated. Dosages of greater than 1.5-2 g/kg are thought to cause hepatic necrosis (death of liver cells). Therefore, pets eating large amounts of products containing xylitol should seek immediate veterinary assistance. Symptoms of liver failure can include: vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking, lack of appetite, jaundice and bleeding abnormalities.

What can I expect my veterinarian to do if my dog ingests something containing xylitol?

Appropriate treatment of xylitol toxicity will depend on the amount of ingestion and severity of symptoms. If ingested within 1-2 hours, your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting in your dog. Unlike many other toxins, the use of activated charcoal is not helpful as it does not bind to xylitol. Your veterinarian will likely recommend blood work (to check for hypoglycemia and elevated liver enzymes). Your pet may need to be placed on an IV dextrose drip and kept in the hospital for supportive care. It is recommended to feed frequent small meals and blood may need to be monitored up to 72 hours after ingestion of xylitol.

There are many new products coming on the market containing this toxic substance, so be on the lookout and don't let your dog eat anything that contains xylitol!

11.Flea Control and Prevention

The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect that uses specialized mouth parts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. For millions of pets and people, it is a remorseless enemy.

When a flea bites your dog, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to prevent blood coagulation. Some animals may have fleas without showing discomfort, but an unfortunate number of dogs become sensitized to this saliva. In highly allergic animals, the bite of a single flea can cause severe itching and scratching. Fleas cause the most common skin disease of dogs - flea allergy dermatitis.

If your pet develops hypersensitivity to flea saliva, several changes may result:

  • A small hive may develop at the site of the flea bite, which either heals or develops into a tiny red bump that eventually crusts over.

  • The dog may scratch and chew at himself until the area is hairless, raw and weeping serum ("hot spots"). This can cause hair loss, redness, scaling, bacterial infection and increased pigmentation of the skin.

    The distribution often involves the lower back, base of the tail, toward the back, the abdomen, flanks and neck. It may become quite generalized in severe cases, leading to total body involvement.

    Remember that the flea spends the majority of its life in the environment, not on your pet, so it may be difficult to find. In fact, your dog may continue to scratch without you ever seeing a flea on him. Check your dog carefully for fleas or for signs of flea excrement (also called flea dirt), which looks like coarsely ground pepper. When moistened, flea dirt turns a reddish brown because it contains blood.

    If one dog in the household has fleas, assume that all pets in the household have fleas. A single flea found on your pet means that there are probably hundreds of fleas, larva, pupa and eggs in your house.

    If you see tapeworm segments in your dog's stool, he may have had fleas at one time or may still have them. The flea can act as an intermediate host of the tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. Through grooming or biting, the animal ingests an adult flea containing tapeworm eggs. Once released, the tapeworm grows to maturity in the small intestine. The cycle can take less than a month, so a key to tapeworm prevention is flea control.

    The Life Cycle of the Flea

    The flea's life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The adult flea uses your dog as a place to take its blood meals and breed. Fleas either lay eggs directly on the dog where they may drop off or deposit eggs into the immediate surroundings (your home or backyard). Because the female may lay several hundred eggs during the course of its life, the number of fleas present intensifies the problem. The eggs hatch into larvae that live in carpeting, cracks or corners of the dog's living area. The larvae survive by ingesting dried blood, animal dander and other organic matter. To complete the life cycle, larvae develop into pupae that hatch into adults. The immediate source of adult fleas within the house is the pupa, not the dog. The adult flea emerges from the pupa and then hops onto the host.

    This development occurs more quickly in a warm, humid environment. Pupae can lie dormant for months, but under temperate conditions fleas complete their life cycle in about three weeks. The inside of your home may provide a warm environment to allow fleas to thrive year round.Fighting the Flea

    Types of commercial products available for flea control include flea collars, shampoos, sprays, powders and dips. Other, newer, products include oral and systemic spot-on insecticides.

    In the past, topical insecticide sprays, powders and dips were the most popular. However, the effect was often temporary. Battling infestations requires attacking areas where the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults all congregate. Because some stages of a flea's life can persist for months, chemicals with residual action are needed and should be repeated periodically. Sprays or foggers, which required leaving the house for several hours, have been used twice in 2-week intervals and then every two months during the flea season.

    Treating animals and their living areas thoroughly and at the same time is vital; otherwise some fleas will survive and re-infect your pet. You may even need to treat your yard or kennel with an insecticide, if the infestation is severe enough.

    The vacuum cleaner can be a real aid in removing flea eggs and immature forms. Give special attention to cracks and corners. At the end of vacuuming, either vacuum up some flea powder into your vacuum bag, or throw the bag out. Otherwise, the cleaner will only serve as an incubator, releasing more fleas into the environment as they hatch. In some cases, you may want to obtain the services of a licensed pest control company. These professionals have access to a variety of insecticides and they know what combinations work best in your area.

    Treatment and Prevention

    As one might expect, flea control through these methods is very time consuming, expensive and difficult. The good news is that currently, with the newer flea products on the market, flea control is much safer, more effective and environmentally friendly. Current flea control efforts center on oral and topical systemic treatments. These products not only treat existing flea problems, they also are very useful for prevention. In fact, prevention is the most effective and easiest method of flea control.

  • One group of products works to control fleas by interrupting the development of fleas by killing flea larva and eggs. These drugs are called insect growth regulators (IGRs). These products do not kill adult fleas, but they dramatically decrease the flea population by arresting their development. One common oral product used is lufenuron (Program®). Lufenuron is given monthly, and is combined with heartworm protection in the product lufenuron/milbemycin Sentinel®. Lufenuron is also available as an injection that lasts 6 months. Methoprene and pyriproxifen (Nylar®) are also very effective IGRs that are available as sprays or collars.

  • Other products kill the actual flea (adulticides) and work quite rapidly. These include both spot-on and oral products. Spot-on products are usually applied on your pet's skin between the shoulders. The medication is absorbed into the skin and distributed throughout the body. Fleas are killed rapidly on contact with the skin. Spot-on products include fipronil(Frontline®), Metaflumizone (ProMeris® and ProMeris Duo™), imidacloprid (Advantage®), and Selamectin (Revolution®). A recently developed oral adulticide is nitenpyram (Capstar®), that when given begins to kill fleas in 30 minutes.

    All these products are safer, easier to use and, if used correctly, the most effective method of flea control. Additionally, some have the added benefit of efficacy against other parasites. Some veterinarians are even recommending a combination of an adulticide and insect growth regulator (Frontline Plus®) as a more complete method of flea control.

    With all these choices it is best to consult your veterinarian as to the best flea control and prevention for your pet. The choice of flea control should depend on your pet's life-style and potential for exposure. Through faithful use of these systemic monthly flea products, the total flea burden on your pet and in the immediate environment can be dramatically reduced. Keeping your pet on monthly flea treatments, especially in areas of high flea risk, is an excellent preventive method of flea control. These products often eliminate the need for routine home insecticidal use, especially in the long run. Although it may still be prudent in heavy flea environments to treat the premises initially, the advent of these newer systemic flea products has dramatically simplified, and made flea control safer and more effective.
    •  

    12.How to induce Vomiting

    Frequently, dogs ingest items, chemicals or foods that have the potential to be dangerous or even toxic. If you see this ingestion, you may be able to avoid the potential danger by making your dog vomit.

    Inducing vomiting should be done only if instructed by your veterinarian. The procedure can be hazardous. We strongly encourage you to contact your family veterinarian or local veterinary emergency center for advice regarding the appropriateness of inducing vomiting for each specific incident. The item or substance ingested, the time and amount of ingestion, as well as the overall health of your dog should be considered prior to recommending the induction of vomiting.

    Methods to Induce Vomiting

    Hydrogen Peroxide

    Three percent hydrogen peroxide is quite effective in making dogs and cats vomit. You must be sure to use three percent peroxide and not hair coloring strength peroxide.
    Despite the label indicating that hydrogen peroxide is toxic, it is safe to give to dogs for this purpose. It is considered toxic since it induces vomiting and therefore does not stay in the body.

    The appropriate dose of hydrogen peroxide is one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. If you have an oral syringe, one teaspoon equals 5 cc or 5 ml. Once given, walk your dog around or gently shake the stomach area to mix the peroxide with the stomach contents. Vomiting should occur within 15 to 20 minutes. If no vomiting occurs, you can safely repeat the three percent hydrogen peroxide once. If it is still not effective, your dog may need to be seen by a veterinarian for stronger vomiting medication.

    Once the hydrogen peroxide is given, it is important to watch your pet so that he does not re-ingest the substance. If there is concern about toxicity, collect and take a sample of the vomitus to your veterinarian.


  • Syrup of Ipecac

    This medication is frequently used to induce vomiting in children. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous and even toxic to dogs so it should not be used unless specifically advised by your veterinarian.

  • Salt Water and Mustard Seed Water

    These are other alternatives that have been used to induce vomiting but have not been proven to be very effective. Therefore, it is not recommended to give salt water or mustard seed water for any reason to dogs unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian.
     

    • 13.Benadryl for Dogs

    Benadryl is a brand name for an anti-histamine (diphenhydramine).  Although it is considered fairly safe for use in dogs and cats,  please be aware that it does have potential adverse side effects.  It may interact with other meds that your pet is taking, so do not use it without first consulting your veterinarian. You should also use extreme caution using Benadryl in dogs that have glaucoma, prostatic disease, cardiovascular disease or hyperthyroidism.  

    Benadryl is quite effective when used in proper dosages.  
    Stops itching
    Controls vomiting
    Good for motion sickness
    Can be used as a mild tranquilizer
    Good for snake bites
    Useful for vaccination reactions
    Good for bee stings and insect bites

    Be sure to use only the plain Benadryl formula. Giving benadryl with other combination of meds could be fatal, so be sure to read the box.

    Liquid Benadryl is too high in alcohol content to be safely used for animals.  Please use capsule or pill form.  

    Dosage every 8 hours
    Dogs under 30 lbs and Cats :  10 mg
    Dogs 30-50 lbs:  25 mg
    Dogs over 50 lbs: 50 mg

           This product contains only diphenhydramine, with no additional medications added.


    This product contains a combination of medications with substantial potential for harm if given to a pet.