Limelight Chihuahuas

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, causing a "sugar attack." When levels of glucose in the blood drop rapidly, the dog's body and brain are deprived of essential nutrients. The results of hypoglycemia can be weakness, seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death. Because Chihuahuas are so small, they can be prone to hypoglycemia, especially when they are very young. Hypoglycemia is usually caused by stress, change of environment, illness, lack of food, or by using up stored energy without it being replenished. It is important to make sure that young puppies and very tiny Chihuahuas eat regularly throughout the day. Another preventative for hypoglycemia is regular feeling of a high calorie supplement called Nutri-Cal, available at local pet stores or through your vet. Symptoms to look for include vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness, pale to white gums, staggering gait, and refusal to eat. If the dog does not receive treatment for this, the "sugar attack" can progress into the more serious stages of this condition. Behavior such as inability to hold down food and diarrhea can become progressively worse to the point of seizures, complete unresponsiveness, and even death. Prevention Hypoglycemia can be done by giving your puppy frequent meals and treats. Treating Hypoglycemia can be a little more difficult. The first thing I would recommend is rubbing some Karo Syrup (NOT DIET SYRUP) on the gums and tongue of your puppy. Once your puppy begins to show interest in his/her food again, I would increase his/her meals to six small meals throughout the day. Hypoglycemia tends to fade off by the time your puppy reaches six months of age.

Like humans, dogs and cats start with baby (deciduous) teeth that get replaced by permanent teeth as the animals mature. In some cases, an animal gains a permanent tooth without losing the baby tooth first, resulting in what vets call a "retained deciduous tooth."

Baby Teeth Versus Permanent Teeth

Baby teeth are also known as primary, puppy, deciduous or milk teeth. These early 28 teeth in dogs and 26 teeth in cats are replaced by the permanent teeth by 6 to 7 months of age.

Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth, and cats have 30 permanent teeth.

Sometimes the permanent teeth come in but the baby teeth do not fall out. This often happens with the canine teeth or "fangs" (called canines in both dogs and cats). Usually, a vet removes any retained baby teeth when he or she spays or neuters a pet to avoid future dental problems.

Left in place, the baby teeth can trap food and debris, leading to early decay, tooth loss or gum disease. They can also distort the bite, affecting the other teeth and gums.

Overcrowding leads to weakened teeth, often resulting in tooth decay or loss.

The retained baby teeth are not as large or as hard (mineralized) as the adult teeth and risk being broken during play or chewing, which can lead to pain or infection at the site.

To Pull or Not to Pull

In short, baby teeth that do not fall out on their own by 7 months should be pulled. Most vets check for retained teeth at the time of spay or neuter and remove any additional teeth for a small fee (or free, in some cases) while they have your pet under anesthesia.

If you do not have plans to spay or neuter your pet, please see your veterinarian to discuss removal of any retained teeth before dental problems occur.

Patellar luxation is a genetic condition in which the kneecap (patella) slides out of its normal place, which is frequently off to the side. In a healthy canine, there are grooves at the base of the femur where the kneecap gently slides in and out of as the canine walks and moves about. These cartridge grooves are necessary to create a smooth surface for the knee to move back and forth. However, when the bony sides of the groove are compressed, the area too small for the kneecap to fit; therefore, it slides or luxates out of place.

Patellar luxation is generally broken down into one of two different categories -- medial and lateral. A Chihuahua suffering from medial patellar luxation will have their kneecap slip toward their body, while a Chihuahua suffering from lateral will have their kneecap slip out to the sides and away from their body. An experienced veterinarian should be able to tell what type of patellar luxation your Chihuahua is suffering from by a simple examination and x-ray.

Here are the (4) levels of severity with patellar luxation:

Grade I - The most minor grade of patellar luxation where the Chihuahua may or may not exhibit visible symptoms. When the patella slips out of place, it can oftentimes be manually maneuvered into the socket by hand. You'll want a skilled veterinarian to show you exactly how to do this before trying it on your own.

Grade II - The kneecaps are more likely to slip out of their normal position in Grade II patellar luxation. Typically, this occurs when the Chihuahua is running, walking or jumping, but it can also happen for no reason at all in Grade II. A Chihuahua suffering from this condition may begin to show signs of pain and discomfort, and they may also begin to develop arthritis as a result.

Grade III - This is one of the more severe grades of patellar luxation in which the kneecap tends to stay out of place most of the time. This prevents the Chihuahua from walking or running as they normally do, except when/if it pops back in place. Most Chihuahuas with Grade III patellar luxation will have their kneecap remain out of place most of the time.

Grade IV - The kneecap is permantantly out of its normal position and doesn't go back on their own. Most Chihuahuas suffering from Grade IV patellar luxation will have a difficult time walking, which is why they hold their leg up. You should consult with a veterinarian to see if surgery is a viable option for Chihuahuas suffering from this condition.

Owners must know what vaccines their Chihuahua needs and when. If your Chihuahua has a low risk of infection for a "non-core" disease, vaccination isn't necessary. Like pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines carry their own risk of adverse side effects (we'll get to that later). Nonetheless, veterinarians agree that healthy dogs, particularly puppies, should be vaccinated for several common viral and bacterial diseases. Follow the schedule and advice below to keep your canine companion healthy and disease-free.

Core vs Non-Core Vaccines

Canine vaccines fall under one of two categories: core and non-core. Core vaccines are generally recommended to all dogs because they are highly effective at preventing many common and potentially life-threatening viral and bacterial diseases.

Non-core vaccines are optional, depending on your Chihuahua's risk of infection. Factors such geographic location, overall health, contact with other animals, and expected travel to other regions will affect your Chihuahua's risk of infection. If your Chihuahua has a high risk for a non-core disease, your veterinarian may recommend vaccination. If he has a low risk for a non-core disease, vaccination typically isn't necessary.

In 2011, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) revised its list of core and non-core canine vaccines. Core vaccines now consists of the following:

• Canine parvovirus

• Canine distemper virus

• Canine adenovirus type 2 (cross-protects against both adenovirus type 1 and type 2)

• Rabies

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Non-core vaccines include the following:

• Leptosporosis

• Parainfluenza (kennel cough)

• Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

• Lyme disease

• Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)

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What About Coronavirus and Leptosporosis Vaccines? NO LEPTO!

The AAHA Canine Vaccination Task Force no longer recommends the canine coronavirus vaccine, citing two specific reasons:

1. The vaccine offers limited-to-no protection from the coronavirus.

2. The coronavirus is a relatively mild disease, with many infected dogs showing no symptoms at all.

3. It's also worth noting that only puppies under 6 weeks of age show symptoms of the coronavirus disease, meaning there's no benefit in having an older dog vaccinated.

Owners should also think twice before having their Chihuahuas vaccinated for leptosporosis. Caused by the bacterial pathogen Leptospira, leptosporosis is transmitted to dogs (and people) by direct contact with contaminated urine, water or soil. It attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and organ failure.

Current leptosporosis vaccines don't protect against all 200+ versions of the pathogen. For the few versions that it does protect against, the vaccine has a 50 to 75% effectiveness rate for about one year.

Chihuahuas Have a High Risk of Reaction to Vaccines

According to a report by Chihuahua Club of America, Chihuahuas and other toy breeds -- Pugs, Boston Terriers, Dachshunds and Miniature Pinschers -- have a higher risk of adverse reaction to canine vaccines than medium and large breeds. After analyzing the vaccine records of 1.25 million dogs, epidemiologists at Purdue University found the risk of vaccine-associated adverse events (VAEE) decreased as a dog's weight increased. George Moore, DVM, PhD, Director of Clinical Trials and Professor of Epidemiology at Purdue, explained by saying "Dogs weighing 22 to 99 pounds had about half the reaction risk as dogs weighing 22 pounds of less."

Researchers also found that for every additional vaccine a dog received during the same visit, the risk of VAEE increased by 25%. This is another reason why owners should avoid combination vaccines containing leptosporosis and coronavirus, especially if their dog isn't at risk for these diseases. A combination vaccine for the core diseases plus leptosporosis and coronavirus is 50% more likely to trigger an adverse reaction than a combination vaccine for only the core diseases, according to the study.

These findings were also reflected in the 2011 AAHA Vaccination Guidelines, which now recommends non-core vaccines be administered two or more weeks after core vaccines in toy breeds.

To reduce the risk of adverse side effects, let your veterinarian know if your Chihuahua is currently taking any medication before vaccination. You can also wait 30 to 60 minutes before leaving the office, so if a reaction does occur, the veterinarian can provide immediate treatment.

**According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs at low risk of exposure may not need annual booster shot vaccinations. The AAHA now recommends 3-year vaccines for core diseases, with the exception of rabies which is either a 1-year or 3-year vaccine depending on the state.

Titer Tests to Prevent Unnecessary Vaccination

Because the risk of adverse reaction is higher in toy breeds, many Chihuahua owners use titer tests as an alternative to mass vaccination. Titer tests don't protect against infectious disease. Rather, they reveal the strength of the dog's natural immunity towards a specific viral or bacterial disease by measuring levels of antibodies in the blood. If your Chihuahua has a high titer count for leptosporosis, it's unlikely he will catch the disease, even when exposed to the Leptospira pathogen. Therefore, vaccination for leptosporosis offers little-to-no benefit.

Titer tests are available for most common canine diseases, but they should not be used as a substitute for the rabies vaccine. Due to the disease's high rate of mortality (100%) and legal implications, all Chihuahuas should receive the rabies vaccine as per state law.

Source:

Retrieved from: http://www.chihuahuawardrobe.com/chihuahua-vaccine-and-booster-shot-schedule/

Oral disease is the most common health problem diagnosed in dogs. By three years of age, most dogs and cats have some evidence of periodontal disease (AVDC). In humans, periodontal disease has been linked to several health problems such as diabetes mellitus and increased severity of diabetic complications. Oral disease is also related to renal, hepatic and cardiac disease.

The American Veterinary Dental College defines periodontal disease (gum disease) as the development of plaque from the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. Plaque sticks to the surface of teeth and then minerals in the saliva harden it into dental calculus (tartar), which is firmly attached to the teeth. When there is a substantial accumulation of plaque and calculus under the gum line, the tissues that support teeth are damaged and this can lead to tooth loss.

WHY CHIHUAHUAS TEND TO BE PRONE TO DENTAL PROBLEMS?

Chihuahuas and other small breeds are more susceptible to the development of oral disease. Small breeds such as Chihuahuas have a much higher ratio of tooth to jaw, which leads to the overcrowding of teeth and makes the natural teeth cleaning process through chewing more difficult. Since there is less space between teeth, plaque containing bacteria accumulates in inaccessible areas and it can result in gum disease and tooth loss.

Diet plays an important role in the development of oral disease. Dry dog food is abrasive to the teeth and this is needed to loosen plaque from the teeth. Unfortunately, small dogs are often fed with soft diets that do not have this abrasive action.

TREATMENT OF DENTAL DISEASE

If you detect any sign of oral disease you should take your Chihuahua to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment of oral disease begins with a through oral examination followed by a professional dental cleaning, which includes scaling and polishing. In some cases the veterinarian will need to take Xrays to assess the current teeth and gums damage. Severely damaged teeth may need to be removed, however, there are several options that can be employed to save your dog’s teeth.

PREVENTION OF DENTAL DISEASE

Home oral hygiene is essential to prevent oral disease and to improve the health of Chihuahuas that already have some degree of periodontal damage. Appropriate home oral care may decrease the frequency of or eliminate the need for professional dental cleaning. It is important to implement an oral hygiene routine early in the life of your dog so that he/she allows oral manipulation during his/her adult life.

Source: The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). Retrieved from: http://www.avdc.org/periodontaldisease.html on August 12, 2015.

The FDA is investigating potential links between canine heart disease and diet — specifically grain-free dog food diets. We’ve compiled the information you need to know to understand this ongoing investigation.

Why Is the FDA Investigating Grain-Free Dog Food?

It is easy to panic anytime we see an FDA headline about pet food. After all, keeping our dogs healthy is essential to us, and we know that diet can make a big difference in a dog’s well-being. We reached out to Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC, to hear his thoughts on the ongoing FDA investigation.

“The FDA is investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain grain-free dog foods. The foods of concern are those containing legumes such as peas or lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes listed as primary ingredients. The FDA began investigating this matter after it received reports of DCM in dogs that had been eating these diets for a period of months to years. DCM itself is not considered rare in dogs, but these reports are unusual because the disease occurred in breeds of dogs not typically prone to the disease.”

Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM (515 dogs, 9 cats), and most reports were submitted after the FDA’s first public alert in July 2018. The total number of pets affected is greater than 524 because some reports included multi-pet households.

What is Canine Heart Disease or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure.

Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds, have a predisposition to DCM. These breeds include Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards. While DCM is less common in medium and small breeds, English and American Cocker Spaniels are also predisposed to this condition.

The reports submitted to the FDA span a wide range of breeds, including many without a known genetic predisposition. When early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicated that recent, atypical cases in breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus all consistently ate grain alternatives in their diets, the FDA took notice.

Should you be Concerned About Grain-Free Dog Food?

In the FDA’s July 2019 update on diet and canine heart disease, they examined labels of dog food products reported in DCM cases to determine whether the foods were “grain-free” (defined as no corn, soy, wheat, rice, barley or other grains), and whether the foods contained peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans, or potatoes (including sweet potatoes). Their report states that more than 90 percent of foods reported in DCM cases were grain-free, 93 percent of reported foods contained peas and/or lentils, and 42 percent contained potatoes/sweet potatoes.

According to Dr. Klein, “At this time, there is no proof that these ingredients are the cause of DCM in a broader range of dogs, but dog owners should be aware of this alert from the FDA. The FDA continues to work with veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the effect, if any, of grain-free diets on dogs.”

The FDA’s July 2019 update includes the names of dog food brands that were named 10 times or more in reports submitted through April 30, 2019. Most reports were for dry dog food, but raw, semi-moist and wet foods were all represented.

• Acana (67 reports)

• Zignature (64 reports)

• Taste of the Wild (53 reports)

• 4Health (32 reports)

• Earthborn Holistic (32 reports)

• Blue Buffalo (31 reports)

• Nature’s Domain (29 reports)

• Fromm (24 reports)

• Merrick (16 reports)

• California Natural (15 reports)

• Natural Balance (15 reports)

• Orijen (12 reports)

• Nature’s Variety (10 reports)

• Nutrisource (10 reports)

• Nutro (10 reports)

• Rachael Ray Nutrish (10 reports)

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In the Dec. 1 version of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, provided an update to the research on DCM and emphasized the issue is not just grain-free diets. She calls the suspected diets “BEG” diets (boutique companies, exotic ingredients, or grain-free diets).

“The apparent link between BEG diets and DCM may be due to ingredients used to replace grains in grain-free diets, such as lentils or chickpeas, but also may be due to other common ingredients commonly found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits,” Freeman wrote.

Freeman emphasizes that although there appears to be an association between DCM and BEG diets, the relationship has not yet been proven, and other factors may be equally or more important.

The FDA encourages pet owners to report cases of dogs and cats with DCM that they suspect to be linked to diet by using the Safety Reporting Portal. As a general rule of thumb, the best thing you can do for your dog’s dietary health is to consult your veterinarian. Together you can weigh the pros and cons of your dog’s diet, consider whether grain-inclusive dog food or grain-free dog food are right for your dog, and, if necessary, monitor your dog for signs of DCM.

Retrieved from: FDA Grain-Free Diet Alert: What Dog Owners Need to Know (akc.org)