I had my first, and hopefully only, seizure the other day. At least my daddy thinks it was a seizure. It was scary for daddy because his last Chihuahua had seizures her whole life.
Seizures in Chihuahuas sometimes happen after age 2.
I turned 2 last October. What happened was, I was napping in my office bed and woke up, restless. Daddy came to pick me up, as he often does, and I suddenly stiffened up. This was not normal behavior for me.
So daddy put me down on the floor and I sort of stood there without moving as he held me. It only lasted a few seconds. He tried picking me up again and it happened again. Only a few seconds. I never lost consciousness, or control of my bladder or bowels. But I did have a little trouble standing for a minute or so.
What causes seizures in dogs?
There could be many reasons for a seizure. Some are scarier than others, such as brain tumor, lyme disease and epilepsy. Try not to panic too much. Talk to your vet first.
After the seizure, all things normal.
After a little bit I was back to normal. Daddy contacted my vet, who said to wait and see if it happened again. That was a few weeks ago and so far no more seizures.
It may not have been a real seizure. Since I am eating and drinking and playing as I normally do, daddy decided to wait and see. The Chihuahua before me had seizures once or twice a year for many years. As she got older, she had more seizures and eventually had to be put on medication to control them. She also stiffened up but it lasted longer than a few seconds and took longer to recover.
Hopefully this was a fluke that will not happen again. You know how much I hate visiting that doctor. And medicine is yucky, no matter how my daddy tries to hide it.
Tips if Your Dog is Having a Seizure
- Keep your pet safe. Clear the area around them or hold them if possible.
- Remain calm. Your Chihuahua will not feel safe and secure if you’re screaming and wailing.
- Don’t try to hold your Chi’s tongue. Dogs can’t swallow their tongue and may bite you unconsciously.
- Reassure your Chi both during and after the seizure. They may be confused and scared.
- Keep a close eye on your pet after the seizure passes to make sure they are okay and that another one doesn’t happen soon after.
- Call your vet for further instructions. Better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on this scary subject, read “My Chihuahua Has Seizures” , “Chihuahua Seizure Symptoms” and “What Causes Seizures in Dogs?”
1. Walk your Chihuahua daily
Comfort at work is important.
My daddy insists on making me walk several miles a day. No matter what the weather is like. He thinks exercise is good for you. I disagree.
Some Chihuahuas, like me, do not enjoy long walks. We prefer long naps.
I do everything I can to make walking with me difficult. I plant my feet. I pull back. I move to the side. I stop in the middle of the street. All to no avail.
Pulling never works. But walking behind me and gently nudging me seems to get me going.
When all else fails, pick up your Chi for a few blocks and then try again. Eventually I give in, especially when I realize we’re heading home.
Or you can take your Chihuahua to obedience school and learn the right way to teach them to walk.
2. An alternative to brushing your Chihuahua’s teeth
If your little Chihuahua absolutely refuses to let you brush their teeth, the next best thing is to give them a dental treat. There are many available today. Find one recommended by your vet and/or favorite pet store and give it a try. It couldn’t hurt. Unless you give them too much. Then you run the risk of making your Chihuahua obese. The result would be your human companion will make you walk. See #1 above.
3. A bed for your Chihuahua in every room
If you don’t want to have your Chihuahua sleep in your bed, the next best thing is to give them their own bed right next to yours. Then your Chi will feel like part of the family. And for added convenience, I enjoy having a bed in every room of the house. That way I can take a nap without being disturbed in the best location of the moment, meaning wherever my daddies are.
4. If we’re awake, it’s time to play with your Chihuahua
Most Chihuahua’s love to play. Make sure you get your dog plenty of toys. You want a sturdy toy that’s not too big or small.
I love my stuffed animals with squeakers. I have several mice, a porcupine, a bunny, and more than I can remember, or find. Some are bigger than my head.
I grab the toy of the moment and toss it to my daddies. If one is busy, I go to the other. If they ignore me I scratch their leg.
The object of the game is I toss the toy to you, and you throw it far away so I can run and bring it back.
This results in hours of fun and exercise. A little tennis ball is also good.
5. Give your Chihuahua a back and neck massage
We love massages, just like people do. If you’ve got a spare moment in between play time, walk time, eating and napping, a gentle massage is greatly appreciated.
If your Chihuahua is older, or has arthritis, a more thorough massage could work wonders. Read a little more about How to Massage a Dog on eHow.com.
It’s Always Best to be Informed of Your Chihuahua’s Health
Waiting for the doctor at my annual visit.
When my daddy took me out to the car for a ride I thought I was going to see my grandpa. This is something we do regularly.
But alas we went back to that place where they stick me with needles, lock me in a cage and cut me open on occasion.
From my daddy’s point of view, a yearly checkup is important. He say’s it’s to make sure I am healthy and that my teeth, ears and heart are all okay. He also wanted to make sure my kneecaps were completely healed and working fine.
I could have told him that and avoided a $70 visit. I’m not paying for it.
Obesity is bad for dogs too.
Unfortunately the scale was not my friend. It showed me weighing in at 11 pounds. A standard AKC Chihuahua should weigh no more than 6 pounds.
I am not standard. Nor am I AKC. Nobody gave me any papers which is why I was sold cheap. How barbaric is that?!
The thing is, I am larger than the average Chihuahua. Even still, the doctor says I need to lose a few pounds. Being overweight can have a bad effect on my heart and legs.
I hope I do not have to give up all my treats. And those long walks are quite taxing. I prefer napping.
Why the Freak-Out
My daddy asked the doctor why I sometimes stop what I’m doing and run to my bed, hiding under the covers.
He says it’s probably because I hear something my daddy doesn’t and it scares me. I have keen hearing, although sirens do not bother me.
I can even hear when a little food drops on the kitchen floor. I’m there in a flash to gobble it up. Diet or not, I will find and eat anything that falls on the floor.
Knowing I have no real physical problems is always good. As I get older it will be even more important.
Check out Weight Issues with a Chihuahua from PetChiDog.com for more information on this touchy subject.
This is not always an easy task. I, for one, do not want medicine. Especially if I don’t feel well. Keep those pills and ear drops away from me.
On the occasion when I do need medicine, my daddy thinks he’s cleverer than I am. He tries to hide pills or liquid medicine in tasty food treats. I know better. If it’s a nasty liquid I won’t eat the treat. If it’s a pill, I can often detect it and spit it out. Especially if it’s bitter. Once in a while I would give in and eat the whole treat, just to please my daddy. But it has to be a premium treat, like meat or ice cream.
Pills
The easy way to give a pill is to hide it in a premium treat. There’s peanut butter, cheese, pieces of meat, canned (really!) dog food, and my favorite, ice cream.
The hard way is to gently open your Chihuahua’s little mouth and stick the pill at the back of their throat. Then close their mouth and wait for them to swallow. If you’re Chi is like me, that will never happen. I’d just as soon bite you rather than let you put your hand down my throat.
Check out How to Administer Pill Medication to Your Dog by Dr. Dawn Ruben for more information.
Topical Medication
This could be anything from ointment for bites to flea medicine. I hate anyone touching my feet. Especially the front ones. But I do enjoy biting and licking them myself.
The trick is to get me when I’m really tired and too sleepy to resist. I may let my daddy put ointment on my feet but he must be quick before I wake into the biting stage.
I hate flea medicine. It’s cold and yucky and smells. How would you like somebody to squeeze a smelly liquid onto your back and feeling it drip down. Can you blame me for hiding after that ordeal?!
Wait a few days after a bath before using flea medicine. Give the skin’s oils a chance to come back to normal levels so that they can absorb the medicine. Plus your pet will not enjoy ruining that fresh, clean after bath feeling with yucky flea medicine.
How to Apply Topical Medication to Your Dog from PetPlace.com
Ear Medication
Worse than flea medicine, when I had an ear infection my daddies had to put COLD liquid medicine in my ears. Why that medicine needs to be refrigerated is beyond me. But it’s the worst. It takes two daddies. One to hold me and one to annoy me with the drops in my ears. I know, I know. It’s for my own good. But I still reserve the right to bite.
How to Administer Ear Medication to Your Dog by Dr. Dawn Ruben
Eye Medication
Try to get your Chihuahua still so you can put the drops in their eye(s). Good luck with that. I have not needed eye drops but I’m sure I would not like it.
How to Administer Eye Medication to Your Dog from PetPlace.com
Human Medication Not Good for Your Chihuahua
Do not give your Chi human medicine unless your vet says it’s okay. Remember, we are little dogs and human medicine is for big people. Don’t ever overdose your little Chi. Even a bit of aspirin can be dangerous if not given properly.
3 Medications You Should Never Give Your Dog By Dr. Jon
Leave a commentI’m not proud of it, but I do find flies fascinating. I love to chase them if they happen to get in my house.
I don’t feel that they are welcome and it is my job to get rid of them. Nobody else seems to care.
Fly Adventure
So the other day I chased a fly all around the office where my daddy works. I believe the fly was on getting old because he wasn’t flying very high.
I persevered and eventually won. I caught that fly in my mouth. In hindsight I should have spit him out but no. Being a creature of instincts I ate the fly and it tasted funny.
Freakout
The experience sort of freaked me out. So I ran under my daddy’s bed and hid there for a few hours. Then I ran under the blankets of my own bed and hid there for a while.
Finally daddy came to take me for a walk and I snapped out of it.
If another fly comes into my house I’m afraid I will try to get him too. What can I say. Flies belong outside.
Is swallowing a fly safe for your dog?
Your dog is probably okay. Daddy researched this interesting topic online and found some people say nothing will happen. Others say they could get a disease or tapeworms. And still others say you get tapeworms from eating fleas, not flies.
Do you know the answer? Let us know.
1 CommentChihuahuas make very good stress busters.
Lucy relaxing on her daddy.
Having a pet can be very relaxing and may very well extend your life. Chihuahuas make great companions, are loyal and very portable. Some may be a bit yappy but no one’s perfect.
Chihuahuas travel well.
We are small so you can take us almost anywhere. Unfortunately most indoor theaters and restaurants don’t allow pets. Why not find one that does? Eating outside with your Chi can be fun and relaxing. Although if you live in a cold climate this could be problematic.
Chihuahuas are low maintenance.
I get a bath every month or two. It takes less than 15 minutes. Then I’m towel dried and good to go. It’s all stress free and fun.
Massaging your Chi relieves your tension.
Plop your Chi in your lap and give a gentle back massage. Your Chihuahua will love it and reward you by falling asleep.
It’s take your Chi to work day.
We make great work companions too. Why not place an extra bed next to your office desk and take your Chi to work. Some people may have to ask permission for this, though. I don’t see why.
Walking your Chihuahua is healthy and fun.
Exercise is good for everybody. It extends your life and feels good. Taking your little companion along benefits both you and your Chi. We’re sturdy little dogs and we love to sniff and explore our world.
When you burn calories by walking you can maintain a healthy weight and enjoy an occasional treat. My daddy says I’m a one tissue dog. Make sure you carry something to collect your pup’s little presents and dispose of them properly.
Read more on how dogs can help you deal with stress from PetPlace.com.
Here I am, resting on my "tuffet".
I am one lucky Chihuahua. I have four beds, each in a different room, and a “tuffet” (fluffy pillow) on the sofa.
My daddy insists on walking me several times a day so I do get a bit dirty. At least on the bottom of my feet. That means my beds get a bit dirty, a little bit at a time. I don’t notice it, but my daddies do. So occasionally my beds need to be cleaned.
Cleaning Your Pet’s Bed
Make sure the bed, blanket and pillows are machine washable. Surprisingly so many pet blankets and beds must be hand washed and line dried. Dogs tend to get messy and so does their bedding. How inconvenient to have to hand wash your dog’s bedding. Especially if they have more than one bed.
Machine Washable Pet Beds
When you do machine wash your dog’s bedding, use the most gentle cycle available. Preferably the hand washable or gentle setting.
Try to use scent free detergent. Our noses are very sensitive to all smells, and we prefer our own. Perfumed soaps and softeners can be overwhelming.
Wash your pet’s bed in sections.
If possible, wash parts of your pet’s bedding on different days. Blankets one day. Bottom pad another. Main bed the next day. This way, we have some familiar smells mingled with the clean smell we have to get rid of.
Don’t forget to dry your pet’s bedding on low so you don’t shrink it.
Last time my daddy washed me and all my bedding at once and I was not happy. All my familiar and comforting smells were gone. I freaked and did not want to go in my bed. My daddy had to put his used jammies in my bed in order to give it that comfy and familiar smell before I would give in and use the bed. Daddy won’t make that same mistake again. I never get to sleep in the big bed.
For more tips check out How to Clean a Pet’s Bed from eHow. Also Washing and Drying Instructions for Dog Beds from Orvis.
Leave a commentThe holidays can be a fun and busy time. It can also be stressful, especially for your little Chihuahua.
What’s that tree doing in my home?
We are curious beings. The sudden arrival of a tree in the middle of the living room can mean new indoor plumbing to a little dog. You should probably let your Chi know that tree is not an invitation to relieve himself. Make sure this would be difficult by putting the tree on a platform or put a fence around it. Just make sure the fence itself is not a chewing temptation.
Ooh, lots of gifts to unwrap
Not only is there a tree, but there are wrapped packages and bags under it. And lights on strings. And ornaments, hooks, tinsel, garlands, fake cookies, holiday plants and so much more. How can a dog resist the temptation to chew, chew and chew.
If your Chi companion is a chewer, make sure they can’t get at the goodies under or on the tree. And watch out for those fallen needles, they can’t be digested. We don’t care what something tastes like, if it’s there, we chew and sometimes swallow. So it’s best to protect us from ourselves.
So many people to greet
Sometimes I’m in a friendly mood. But sometimes not so much. If you like to entertain your friends and relatives, make sure your Chihuahua has a safe haven to hide in. I have one of my beds in my daddies’ bedroom and can easily escape there, under the covers. Just make sure your guests know that when you’re dog is in it’s safe place, do not disturb.
For more information you’ll also want to read “Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Winter Holidays” by Linda Perney from PetPlace.com
Leave a commentChihuahuas like to be warm and cozy.
Chihuahuas do not have a lot of body fat (hopefully) and very little hair, unless they’re long-hair Chis. Nonetheless, we like to be warm and it’s very cozy under a blanket or two.
Completely Hidden
It should be perfectly safe for your Chihuahua to sleep under a blanket. It’s what we prefer, especially in Winter. As long as we have a way out, we won’t smother. Believe me, we want to be warm, not suffocated.
So many beds, so little time to nap
I love to sleep under my blankies. I have several. I also have several beds. My main, nighttime bed is next to my daddies’ big bed. It has high sides and three blankies, so it’s like a tent. I can run in whenever I want to escape and can easily get out.
I also have a bed in my daddy’s home office. When I’m not on his lap or in my night bed, I’m often next to him in my office bed. He covers me with my blankie where I can burrow inside. If it’s too warm I can escape and sleep on top of the blankie.
There’s a pillow I adopted on the sofa. It’s fluffy and comfy. My daddies calls it my “tuffet”. I don’t get it. But I often lay there. Although there’s another blankie for me next to the pillow, I have to wait to be covered or do without. This is a lighter blankie. Sometimes when I’m covered up and run off, the blankie goes with me like a cape. There probably will be a picture of that here, someday.
Chihuahuas do not like to be disturbed while sleeping
I understand my daddy’s previous Chihuahua slept in bed with him and was often completely under the covers. Like me, she got a bit grumpy when you disturbed her while she was sleeping. That’s probably why I have to sleep in my own bed next to the big bed. Also it’s too high for me to get into and out of. Oh well, I have more freedom this way. Although I do understand they make stairs for Chihuahuas…
Yes. We Chihuahuas, like all “dogs”, are very intuitive. We can sense when our human companions are stressed, sad, happy or any other emotion. Mostly because people don’t hide their feelings from us. Dogs are like a therapist you can talk to all the time and they never talk back. At least not in English.
Dogs feel emotions. If you’re yelling at your dog, they know they did something wrong. They may not know what, but they know enough to hide. And if you’re yelling at your spouse or other human companion, your dog knows to stay out of the way.
If you’re happy, your dog will sense that too and want to be a part of it. Dogs are very social creatures. If we see two humans kissing or what-not, we want part of that action.
If you’re playing, we want to play. If you’re watching TV or reading, we want to play. If you’re busy working, well, we want to play. And then take a nice, long nap.
Read more about how your dog can tell how you feel from PetPlace.com. And feel free to share your experiences with your dog and emotions.
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