Health Information For Your New Puppy 

We want to insure the health and well-being of our puppies and provide the following complementary health and care information for Teacup and Toy Breeds, especially during the first 16 weeks of a puppy's life.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace the care of a veterinarian. It is also not intended to dissuade you from obtaining a Tiny Teacup, Teacup or Toy puppy. After about 6 months of age, Chihuahuas are generally healthy little dogs which live a long lifespan. 
                                                                                    
                                                                                            

                Health Issues, Symptoms, and Treatment Pre-Vaccination Susceptibility to Disease

Description: Even though Puppies need to be socialized at an early age, it is best to avoid taking your pet to the park, on walks in the neighborhood, or around other unknown pets until it has been fully vaccinated and has a fully developed immune system (usually 16 weeks of age).

This is because until your puppy has had its full set of vaccinations, its immune system may not be properly equipped to handle diseases with which it could come in contact.

Your puppy could easily get worms, parvovirus, or coccidia from contaminated feces or ground. Unfortunately, these diseases can live in feces and on the ground for many days and can be easily transmitted to a puppy.

Puppies are very curious of their new surroundings and will go smelling around the ground and trees where another contaminated dog or cat may have left their markings.

Symptoms: Symptoms could vary widely, depending on which disease your puppy has come in contact with. Parvovirus often causes either depression, vomiting, diarrhea and/or cardiac problems (Myocarditis). Myocarditis usually results in the puppy stopping nursing, crying out, and gasping for breath.

Coccidiosis; can cause diarrhea, dehydration, appetite loss, and anemia and sometimes death. If not treated immediately. That is why most breeders recommend a stool sample be taken on your first office visit. It can only be detected under a microscope.
Treatment: Seek veterinary treatment immediately if your puppy has come in contact with any of these diseases and has not been fully vaccinated, as they can cause death in your puppy. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid contact with other animals and unknown places prior to full vaccination of your puppy. Have those people who handle the puppy wash their hands before handling.

Since parvovirus can also be carried on the bottom of your shoes, it is a good idea to keep shoes that you wear outdoors from contacting any area where the puppy sleeps/plays. 

                                                                                                   
Feeding
Since Toy Breeds are prone to low blood sugar, it is especially important to make sure that they do not go without food for too long. For this reason, we recommend either free feeding or feeding several small meals a day. For the first week that they are with you. With free feeding, you will need to insure that your pet does not overeat and that other pets do not keep any one pet from eating. We recommend feeding a premium small bite puppy food, such as Eukanuba Small Bite Puppy Food or Eukanuba Puppy weaning formula for your new puppy. You can run warm water over dry dog food thru a strainer. If your puppy has very small teeth. We also highly recommend Science Diet AD Prescription Puppy food if your puppy appears weak or has problems eating especially if you have a very tiny puppy. Science Diet AD can be purchased at your local vets office. 

Let the vet know you are purchasing a tiny dog. And you want to make sure that your puppy gets off to a good start. 
                                                                       
                                                                                                  
Temperature Preferences Chihuahuas prefer warmer temperatures and really enjoy sunbathing (just beware of the dangers of heatstroke). They don't tolerate cold well at all. If you have to take them out in the cold, try putting a "doggie" sweater or coat on them to help keep them warm. Exercise Because of their small size, Chihuahuas don't require a lot of exercise. Most of the exercise they need can be obtained by playing with a few dog toys. However, if you do take them for a walk, just remember that their legs are a lot shorter than yours and they practically have to run to keep up with an adult's stride. Consequently, a short walk for you would be a long run for them. Once again, make sure the Chihuahua's blood sugar doesn't drop too low. Malte Poos and Maltese on the other hand enjoy a nice stroll thru the neighborhood. And love to go for a walk in the park. Mainly because they love people. They also like to show off a little, and show their charm. In the presence of strangers. I have sold a lot of these puppies to young adults and teenagers, that are somewhat shy themselves. And need a little help in making new friends. Because they seem to attract everyone that walks their way. They tilt their head in the cutest way. When fascinated by a new person or sound. Socialization Once your new puppy has been vaccinated and has a strong enough immune system (usually 16 weeks), it's very important to socialize them at an early age so that they will be more accommodating of new people, pets, and situations.

                                                                                                 
Even though it is especially important that Toy Breeds be socialized at an early age, it is best to avoid taking your pet to the park, on walks in the neighborhood, or around other unknown pets until it has been fully vaccinated and has a fully developed immune system (usually 16 weeks of age). This is because until your puppy has had its full set of vaccinations, its immune system may not be properly equipped to handle diseases with which it could come in contact. Children and Common Care Questions Generally, most breeders like to sell their puppies to families with either older children or no children for two reasons.
 
Teacup and Toy breed puppies are so small that a rambunctious child could easily injure then. Or even an accidental dropping or fall could result in broken bones or death to this little pet. It is also another reason toy breeders emphasize on the fact that, the puppy you purchase will not be replaced. If death or injury was accident related they do not want to be responsible for the loss of puppies due to neglect, abuse or because the puppy was mishandled. If a teacup or toy breed is left on the bed unattended, it can easily break a leg. I don't want to make them sound as if they are extremely delicate. I just hope that my customers will realize that their is a little more care involved in handling a tiny dog. Similar to having a baby. Meaning some are just common sense, for example: You would not leave a baby on the bed unattended. Or sit with your baby near a door that is opened frequently in the winter time, because the drafty cold air would make them sick. You feed them more often than you would a adult. Because their digestive systems are tiny and do your best to insure that they are being kept in a room that has a comfortable temperature. If someone asks me, is it o.k. to have a Teacup, Tiny Teacup or a toy breed if you have children?
I do not like to say YES, because if they have a accident. They become upset at me. If I say no, they think I am against children. All I can say is you know your children better than I do, If you feel that they will be gentle with the puppy. And can be taught how to properly care for one. Than I feel that it is a decision only you as a parent should make.

Chihuahuas that are not properly socialized at an early age can be rather intimidated by small children and may become snappy. For this reason, families with small children who adopt a Chihuahua should teach the children proper handling and care and should never leave the child unsupervised with the pet. Even a careless adult could accidentally step on the pet and injure it. If you are worried that your toddler may chase or intimidate the new puppy. You may want to consider getting a Malte Poo or Maltese. They have a very carefree and easy going personality. And do not become skittish or pervious if being chased by a playful puppy or child. They would be less likely to bite if they were ever cornered by a curious toddler. Other Pets Most toy breed are more comfortable with other toy breeds, kittens or a playful cat. And may feel intimidated by larger dogs if they are more dominate. Also, having a much larger dog could injure a puppy accidentally in much the same way a child could.

Puppies are sold AS IS with no Health Guarantee if a signed copy is not returned to us by certified mail, within 3 days of the time that you receive your new puppy. Your health guarantee must be postmarked within 3 days of the time that you have received your puppy. We will send you a refund for postage if a postage paid envelope was not included. If for any reason you cannot open.
E-mail or call Becky right away. And she will send it to you in a e-mail or in a separate envelope. Along with your new puppies shot records.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Description: Because Toy Breeds have such a small fat reserve around their liver, they are prone to low blood sugar. Although this can occur at any time, it's especially important to watch your new puppy due to his small size.
Symptoms: Lethargy, lack of coordination (stumbling, falling, staggering), followed by coma and death if not treated.
Treatment: Although you should always consult your veterinarian for the proper treatment of your particular puppy, you can keep some sugar handy (e.g. Nutri-Cal, Nutri-Stat, Vitacal, Karo Syrup, honey, sugar water) to boost your little friend's blood sugar level stays when it starts dropping.

The Vitacal supplement is essential for any pet owner's medicine chest. It is specially formulated to give your pet the nutrition it needs and fast. It has been known to bring a puppy suffering from low blood sugar immediately out of the beginning stages of a coma. It also has high potency vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates which your puppy needs. Because it is high in B vitamins, Vitacal can actually stimulate your pet to start eating right again.
We recommend it be taken home or purchased immediately after taking home a puppy weighing less than two pounds. It can very easily save his life. It costs less than $15.00, much less than an emergency trip to the vet. VitaCal or Nitrical is especially beneficial for pets that are stressed (due to a change in environment or a new home) or recovering from illness or injury. It is also specially formulated to be gentle on sensitive digestive tracts, and can also be used for kittens.

Each ounce provides 90 kiloCalories of usable energy. VitaCal / Nutrical can be ordered from  our Teacup And Toy Pet Boutique Or you may be able to obtain it through your veterinarian. For severe cases of low blood sugar, your veterinarian may need to give an IV of a sugar solution. As a precaution, you can always make sure that when you're going to be away for a while that your little friend eats before you go and that you leave him food for when you're gone. Don't feed him candy, as this can cause the blood sugar level to surge and then drop drastically. Slipped Stifle (Luxating Patella) Description: Slipping knee joints (also referred to as luxating patellas, slipped stifles) are a common problem in small breeds. In this condition, the kneecap slips out of its groove and moves against the thighbone (femur) instead of along its natural groove. Although this has been found to be a heritable condition, small, active breeds are likely to aggravate it through the course of their natural activities (jumping up and down) around taller objects such as furniture. Symptoms: Rear leg lameness, shifting from one leg to another, hopping and/or skipping, and an inability to fully extend the leg, and can result in arthritis over time.

Some breeders recommend doing one of the following when buying a puppy to determine if it may have a predisposition to a slipped stifle:
 (1) See if a young puppy's back legs cross at the ankles when lying on its back.
 (2) See if a young puppy sits up straight, rather than leaning, when sitting on his haunches.

Treatment: See a good veterinary surgeon who can diagnose the severity of the problem and recommend the correct treatment. Treatment usually involves correcting the problem surgically, where the type of surgery is determined by the severity of the condition. If treated early enough, the condition can be repaired such that the pet can lead a normal, healthy life.
Stress Description: Because Chihuahuas, Maltese and malte Poos are such a small breed, stress (such as diet changes, moving to a new home, etc) can affect them physically.
Symptoms: Coughing, Diarrhea, Hypoglycemia, Infection Treatment: Always check first with your veterinarian to rule out a more serious reason for these symptoms, but coughing, diarrhea, and low blood sugar are fairly common responses to stress. Many of these symptoms are temporary and will go away once the puppy gets used to their new environment or situation.
Of course, you need to treat low blood sugar as described above. Because stress can cause the immune system to become depressed, this may make the puppy susceptible to bacterial and/or viral infections. Your veterinarian will best be able to diagnose this and prescribe antibiotics in the case of a bacterial infection.

Vaccinosis Description: Because Toy Breeds are so small as puppies and because vaccine manufacturers recommend giving the same amount of vaccine to a Tiny Chihuahua, Maltese or Malte Poos as to a Saint Bernard, these small breeds may be more susceptible to vaccine related problems. Possible Symptoms: Lethargy, depression, and possibly death

Treatment: Vaccines are a very controversial subject and one you should discuss with your veterinarian. The information presented here is just an opinion and not to be used as a substitute for proper veterinary advice. Many Chihuahua breeders were losing puppies a few days after giving vaccines (especially the tiny ones) and once they started giving half doses of vaccines (the killed vaccines rather than the modified live ones), and they quit losing their puppies.

Logically, you would wonder: "Why give the same dose of a vaccine to a 90 pound dog that you would to a 3 pound dog?" Even within the breeding community, there is dissension about which vaccines to give.

One breeder has quit giving the Leptospirosis Vaccine to their puppies based upon research at Kansas State University that suggests that there are more reactions to this vaccine than to others, and that Leptospirosis is pretty rare.

Another breeder has not had any problems with this particular vaccine, although it is not given to their pups until 4 months of age. In the final analysis, the decision when and how much to vaccinate is left to the owner's and their veterinarian's discretion.