Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I just bought a blue chihuahua pup friday. He is six weeks old. The chihuahua has a fairly large belly. I don't recall my other chihuahua having quite as big of a belly when I got him at the same age. It's not so much that the stomache hangs low, It's the width that concerns me. It bulges on the left and right sides, seemingly abnormally. I haven't had a lot of pups so it may be nothing, just something I have never noticed.

The gentleman told me that he didn't let his pups out very much to keep them safe and said that the pups would work off the belly after a month or so of activity.

Does that sound right or is there cause for concern?

I'm taking him tomorrow to a vet to have a check up just in case.

Thanks,

Bobby

>>Hi,
>>
>>I just bought a blue chihuahua pup friday. He is six weeks old. The chihuahua has a fairly large belly. I don't recall my other chihuahua having quite as big of a belly when I got him at the same age. It's not so much that the stomache hangs low, It's the width that concerns me. It bulges on the left and right sides, seemingly abnormally. I haven't had a lot of pups so it may be nothing, just something I have never noticed.
>>
>>The gentleman told me that he didn't let his pups out very much to keep them safe and said that the pups would work off the belly after a month or so of activity.
>>
>>Does that sound right or is there cause for concern?
>>
>>I'm taking him tomorrow to a vet to have a check up just in case.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Bobby

>>>>>>>>>>>>

I expect the vet will find the dog needs to be wormed. A good breeder would not place a toy breed puppy at 6 weeks. Any puppy, but especially a toy breed.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Definately have the puppy checked out by a vet. It doesn't sound "normal."

I'm really surprised any breeder would let a chi puppy go to a home at 6 weeks old. That's far too young for any breed, much less a chihuahua.
-----
PHReign
Email me: HReign@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">PHReign@pethobbyist.com
Dear dog,
I can not buy anything larger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to your fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straigt out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing more than doggy sarcasm.

>>I'm taking him tomorrow to a vet to have a check up just in case.

I think this is exactly what you should do. While there you might talk with the vet about how to care for your little one.

As already mentioned, six weeks is too young for a breeder to be sending this pup to a new home. For this reason you might want to get as much information as you can from the vet. Ask about how to watch for low blood sugar and what to do if it happens (typically they'll tell you about NutraCal and suggest you keep some on hand).

Also make sure to find out about vacinations. You MUST get a little breed like this out to socialize and learn but you want to make sure that you only start this when your pup is safe from things like Parvo and distemper - those are horrible illnesses.

I'd love to hear an update after you take your little one to the vet. Any chance you can post some pictures?

Congratulations on your new family member!

.
-----
tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'

Thanks for the help everyone. The vet said that it was more than likely worms. She dewormed him so he should be fine. Everything else checked out great with the exception of some ear mites that they prescribed some medication for.

It is interesting about the six week thing. We got our other chihuahua (2yrs old now) six weeks old as well but from a different breeder. People I talked to then said that six weeks was a little young to be placing. Must be a new thing or something cause I've seen several ads that say 6week pups for sale. Guess breeders are just getting restless.

When I get a pic I will post it.

Thanks again!,

Bobby

>>Thanks for the help everyone. The vet said that it was more than likely worms. She dewormed him so he should be fine. Everything else checked out great with the exception of some ear mites that they prescribed some medication for.
>>
>>It is interesting about the six week thing. We got our other chihuahua (2yrs old now) six weeks old as well but from a different breeder. People I talked to then said that six weeks was a little young to be placing. Must be a new thing or something cause I've seen several ads that say 6week pups for sale. Guess breeders are just getting restless.
>>
>>When I get a pic I will post it.
>>
>>Thanks again!,
>>
>>Bobby

>>>>>>>>>>>>

This would be related to looking for a dog via advertising. The best breeders have a waiting list for pups and are not likely to be advertising pups from a specific litter as being for sale. Tiny dogs are in HUGE demand, and good breeders don't need to advertise in order to place their pups. They can't produce enough of them, which unfortunately creates an opportunity for breeders who are much less ethical.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

If you are getting your puppy from an ad in the newspapaer, then you are typically getting a puppy from a "Back Yard Breeder."

There can be some wonderful pets from BYBs, but in general, the main goal is to get money from the selling of puppies. They have the puppies go to new homes so early because puppies cost more money to them the longer they stay at their place and they take up time and space for the next litter.

You have a wonderful puppy, but next time you are looking to get a puppy, find the national breed club for Chihuahuas and search for a responsible breeder. You will have to probably be on a waiting list and have to wait until the puppy is about 14 weeks old to take it home, but trust me, it will be well worth the wait.
-----
PHReign
Email me: HReign@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">PHReign@pethobbyist.com
Dear dog,
I can not buy anything larger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to your fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straigt out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing more than doggy sarcasm.