MidnightBlue Chihuahua's of Walkerton,Indiana

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Coccidia

Coccidia generally appears when your Chihuahua is going through a stressful period in their life.

Coccidia could appear from stress of weather changes, a puppy weaning, overcrowding, long car or plane ride, going to a new home with their new owners, unsanitary conditions, food changes, or any new situation for your Chihuahua.

Coccidia is a single cell organism that infects your Chihuahua's intestines. Coccidia can only be detected in a fecal test because the parasites are microscopic and can't be seen by the naked eye.

A Coccidia infection can cause your Chihuahua to have watery diarrhea which can also be bloody (this is in severe cases) and can be life threatening in young and small Chihuahuas.  The reason it can be life threatening, is when your Chihuahua loses fluid and causes your Chihuahua to become dehydranted.  However, Coccidia can cause mild symptoms, which can go unnoticed and disappears out of your Chihuahua.

Young puppies can be infected with Coccidia, even if you get your Chihuahua from a good breeder because the puppies can recieve it from their Mother's feces.

Symptoms

1.  Watery, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter.

2.  Straining when trying to have a bowel movement.

3.  Rapid dehydration.

4.  Weight loss

5. Bloody diarrhea is noticed in severe cases.

Treating Coccidia doesn't cost a lot of money and is extremely effective and routine.  Your Veterinarian can diagnose coccidia through a feces sample from your Chihuahua, which should be done at the first check up after you purchase your Chihuahua because you will want to have your Veterinarian check your Chihuahua for any worms any way!

Your Veterinarian will prescribe medication that can eliminate or reduce the level that your Chihuahua's immune system can make it's own progress against the infection.  Permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare and your Chihuahua will most likely make a complete recovery without long lasting negative effects.

The most common drugs used to treat Coccidia infections are Albon, Bactrovet, or Tribrissen. (These drugs shouldn't be given to dogs that are pregnant.)   Using these drugs will stop the production of coccidia organisms and will let your Chihuahua's immune system to catch up and wipe the infection out. 

 Usually a good 5 days of medication of the above drugs should be enough to help your Chihuahua's immune system to take over fighting this infection.  However, the medication should be given until the diarrhea stops.  If your Chihuahua continues to have diarrhea and you have given the above drugs for 5 days and your Chihuahua's diarrhea hasn't stopped, then I would contact your Veterinarian and have your Chihuahua checked out again!

Cockroaches and flies can carry coccidia from one place to another.  Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when they are killed and eaten by a dog, can infect the dog with coccidia.  So it is important that insects and rodents are under control, to prevent Coccidia.

The coccidia species of dogs and cats don't infect humans!

Kennel Cough

Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis  Kennel

Kennel Cough is a misleading term because Kennel Cough can be contracted by dogs who never been near a kennel!  Dogs can pick up the disease in many different situations, such as dog shows, dog groomers, training classes,  at your Veterinary, contact with other dogs, taking them to your local pet store, on walks, and passing dogs in the street.  Kennel cough is an airborne virus.  Kennel cough is very contagious disease which affects the respiratory system of your Chihuahua.  It can be influenced by many environmental factors, which is usually produced by a combination of bacterial and viral agents. Your Chihuahua may not display any symptoms of kennel cough for a period of 8 to 10 days, that is the incubation period from the time your Chihuahua was exposed to kennel cough.

Kennel Cough Symptoms

A spontaneous, dry hacking cough or a honking sound, a non-productive cough, (which is easily induced) wheezing, retching, a sound that is described like something was caught in their throat, sound like they are choking, watery nose and eye discharge,  lack of appetite, not drinking as much water as they normally do, lethargic, fever, and just acting sick.

There are several different organisms that can cause different viruses and bacteria, that includes, Bordetella Bronchiseptia (airborne bacteria), Canine Parainfluenza (virus), and Mycoplasma (an organism between a virus and a bacteria).

The treatment of the disease is dependent on how severe the case of Kennel Cough is.  Treatment could be cough suppressants, antibiotics, bronchodilators, and sprays.  You should wash you Chihuahua's bedding often.  In most cases kennel cough will resolve in 10 days to 3 weeks.  Your Chihuahua should be seen by your Veterinarian, if their cough lasts longer than 2 weeks.  

Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.  You can also cup your hands, and pat your Chihuahua's chest and you can also use steam inhalation to help your Chihuahua's cough.

Kennel Cough can last for 4 weeks and your pet will be contagious to other dogs for up to 3 months.  So preventing kennel cough is the best thing to do!

Since there are so many different strains and mutations of the virus that is out there, the vaccine Bordatella won't cover them all!  So even though your Chihuahua may have been given a Bordatella vaccine, they still can get kennel cough!

There is no cure for kennel cough but time!