Hypoglycemia is a blood sugar disorder, prevalent among toy breed dogs like Chihuahuas. Mostly young pups
suffer from this disease of extremely low sugar levels in their blood. As a result of which the pup’s brain becomes
devoid of essential nutrients. The effects of the above syndrome can be fatal. In some cases low blood sugar can
also cause coma in puppies.

Even healthy Chihuahua pups can develop this problem. Absence of fat stores in their body, which they could
have used for energy, might cause hypoglycemia. Inadequate sugar produced by the liver, that could have been
used as energy, is also one of the factors for hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia may also occur if the pancreas produces excessive sugar and the dogs do not do away with this
additional energy through ample exercise. Moreover, puppies that take insulin supplements on a regular basis
may become hypoglycemic due to excessive insulin intake.

There are several external factors that contribute to such disorders. Some Chihuahuas suffer from stress arising
due to change of home or out of traveling. Most Chihuahua puppies are so very playful that they exhaust all their
energies using up all their fat reserve. Missing meals at frequent intervals might cause hypoglycemia in
Chihuahuas as well.

Several symptoms may indicate that the puppies actually suffer from hypoglycemia. These include excessive
sleeping, depression, weakness, staggering, seizures, restlessness, disoriented looks and glassy eyes.
Chihuahuas might even have brain damage if hypoglycemia is not treated as a medical emergency.

Chihuahua puppies six to ten weeks of age are prone to this disease. This is the most stressful phase of their life.
Changes such as de-worming and vaccinations are introduced at regular intervals. Moreover, it is a stage when
they are bathed and their nails are clipped for the first time. They have to be weaned away from their mother’s
milk, which is the source of nutrients and thus become vulnerable to diseases. They are then sold to their owners
where they face a completely different ambience. Socialization problems in a new environment can cause such
disorders in Chihuahua puppies.

There are lots that can be done to prevent dogs from succumbing to this fatal disease. Owners should be careful
till the puppy attains 16 weeks of age. If the pup is falling asleep frequently, he should be awakened and made to
stand on his feet. If he staggers, glucose water or else a vet, are immediate calls. Feeding puppies at proper
intervals with high quality food and giving him glucose and karo syrup will help if such a deficiency occurs.

If the puppy gets unconscious due to hypoglycemia, rubbing the syrup on their gums and their tongues might help
regain his consciousness. If the pup is conscious, Small Amount given at 15 minute intervals will  most time get the
puppy back to correct levels .. Other than karo syrup, pancake syrups, nutri-cal vitamin paste, nutristat could also
be fed. Injecting insulin may also prevent mishaps but a vet should be  consulted before this is even considered ...
In spite of all possible measures, if the puppy continues to have attacks of hypoglycemia, then a vet should be
consulted without any delay.

We highly suggest that a puppy be free fed their food in order to help keep blood sugars at a level keel.  This way
they can eat as they wish or need to.  Also, if a pup has problems with sugar drops, be sure to give them some
(pea size) Nutra Cal (or similar) on a regular basis, usually once or twice a day.

Hydrocephalus

The presence of a molera in a Chihuahua DOES NOT make the dog any more or less susceptible to brain injury,
seizures or hydrocephalus.

The molera should not usually be any larger than the size of your thumb print, and there should be no swelling,
bulging or throbbing. Check carefully on the sides of the head for normal bone there as well; make sure there is
no more then one molera, on the top of the head only, as more than a single molera is not normal.

Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and is not normal for any breed, nor
is it curable. Hydrocephalus is also known as "water on the brain" or "hydro". When fluid accumulates in the brain,
it compresses the brain against the skull. A puppy can be born with this disorder, or it can be caused by a brain
infection or head injury later in life. Chihuahuas born with "hydro" do not generally live more than a few months,
and they do not grow normally, often staying extremely tiny.

Signs of hydro include wide-set or protruding eyeballs (often with a lot of "white" showing at the corners),
blindness, abnormal behavior, walking in circles, slowness (mental and physical), seizures, abnormally slow growth
and lack of coordination.

Concerns about Chihuahua moleras and/or hydro should be addressed to a licensed veterinarian. Be aware,
however, that many veterinarians not familiar with Chihuahuas have WRONGLY told owners that their puppy is
unhealthy and/or hydrocephalic just because of the presence of a normal molera. Diagnosis is based on the signs
in conjunction with techniques to image the brain. In dogs with a molera, ultrasound can be performed by scanning
through the molera to detect the excessive accumulation of fluid within the brain.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for hydrocephalus. Mild cases can be treated with steroids and diuretics to reduce
pressure, or with a surgically inserted shunt to divert fluid from the brain to the abdomen

Thank you Sue Sunnenberg for allowing me to use your information on our website.

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While Chihuahuas have some genetic defects that other breeds may not see as often ( many breeders are trying
hard to eliminate problems), no breed is perfect. The following sections show you some idiosyncrasies — a few
serious but most not — that are sometimes seen in Chihuahuas and other Toy breeds.

Subluxation of the patella

In dog lingo, subluxation of the patella is called slipped stifles or loose kneecaps. When it occurs, the kneecap
(we're talking about the rear legs) slips out of its groove — sometimes often and sometimes rarely — depending
on the severity of the problem. If your dog is one of the unlucky few whose kneecaps slip often, surgery may be
the solution. A dog with a mild case can live a normal life, kind of like a person with a trick knee. Subluxation of the
patella is a relatively common problem in small breeds and some large ones as well.


Collapsing trachea

Collapsing trachea is a problem for Toy dogs of many breeds. The symptoms include coughing, shortness of
breath, and exhaustion. Although it appears more often in dogs older than 5 years, an occasional puppy has it
from birth. To understand the condition, think of the trachea as a straw made of cartilage that carries air from the
neck to the chest. When the cartilage collapses, breathing becomes difficult, kind of like sipping soda through a
flattened straw.

Your vet can treat the condition with medication, but if you smoke, your Chi's prognosis may be poor. Secondhand
smoke is a proven contributing factor to the problem . . . and smoke tends to settle low, where a little dog's nose is.

Heart murmur

Heart murmurs are relatively uncommon in Chihuahuas and even those that have one usually have the functional
type. As in people, that means they can be as active and athletic as they want and live long, normal lives.

Molera

The Chihuahua's molera(a.k.a. fontanel) is considered a breed characteristic and not a defect. Most Chihuahuas
(80 percent to 90 percent) have a molera — a soft spot on the top of their head similar to a human baby's soft
spot. But unlike babies, most Chihuahuas don't outgrow it. Although it usually shrinks as the dog matures and
ends up between nickel- and dime-sized, Pepe's molera won't be a problem as long as you're gentle when petting
or handling his head.

In rare cases, the molera remains quite large and can be a sign of a serious problem called hydrocephalus (see
the next section). But don't borrow trouble. Hydrocephalus (see above information) has several other signs
besides a larger-than-usual molera.

Going under anesthesia

The possibility that your dog may someday need anesthesia is one main reason why you need to choose a
veterinarian who is accomplished in treating Toy dogs. Although anesthesia-related deaths are rare, and usually
the result of an allergic reaction, its use is potentially dangerous. Your vet uses anesthesia only when necessary
(before surgery, for example).

Be sure you know how to clean Pepe's teeth properly so that cleaning them under anesthesia isn't necessary.
When your dog has to go under anesthesia (during spaying or neutering, for example), ask your veterinarian if
any necessary dental work (such as pulling impacted baby teeth) can be done at the same time.

Be sure your vet uses one of the modern gas anesthetics. They are much safer than the old fashioned
intravenous products.

Watch those eyes

It's certainly not a condition, but because Chihuahuas have big eyes and live close to the floor, they are more
prone to eye injuries than a lot of other breeds. Put several drops of saline solution in your dog's eye if the injury
seems minor. That's often all it takes to flush out a foreign object that was accidentally kicked up by someone's
shoe. If that doesn't relieve the problem, or if the injury appears more serious, take Pepe to the vet.

Taken From CHIHUAHUA’s For DUMMIES 2nd Edition ……………….