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Chihuahua Healthy
Puppy Check Up
Most reputable breeders will offer a health guarantee on
their puppies, but before you buy your new puppy you can give
him the once over yourself. This should not be instead of taking
him to the veterinarian. It is recommended that after you bring
him home take him to your local veterinarian within the first 72
hours for a more complete exam.
Nose:
Nose should be cool and moist and not running. Squeeze the
nostrils to see if there is mucus present. If there is a nasal
discharge or frequent sneezing this may be a sign of a
respiratory tract infection.
Mouth:
Check the teeth and gums. Most breeds have a scissor bite which
is when the upper incisors tightly overlap the lower. Gums
should be pink and healthy looking. Pale gums indicate anemia.
He should have clean smelling puppy breath.
Throat:
Check the back of the throat, enlarged tonsils can mean
tonsillitis. Pinch the windpipe gently. This should not elicit a
coughing spasm. If it does the puppy may have bronchitis.
Head:
Feel the top of the head for the soft spot. If present the
fontanel is open. In Toy breeds a large dome, sunken eyes and
open fontanel may suggest hydrocephalus.
Ears and Eyes:
Eyes should look straight ahead and not deviate to the side. If
tear staining is present on the muzzle look for eyelids that are
rolled in or out, extra eyelashes or conjunctivitis. White spots
on the surface of the eye could be scars from prior injuries or
infections. Ears should stand correctly for the breed. Tips
should be healthy and well furred. Crusty tips with bare spots
suggest sarcoptic mange. Ear canal should be clean, wax free and
sweet smelling. A buildup of wax or a rancid odor may be caused
by ear mites. Head shaking and tenderness about the ear
indicates an infection of the ear canal.
Chest:
Feel the chest to see if the heart seems especially vibrant.
Puppies should breathe in and out without effort. A flat chest,
when accompanied by trouble breathing in may indicate an airway
obstruction.
Coat and Skin:
Skin and hair around the anus should be clean and healthy
looking. Signs of irritation such as redness or hair loss
indicate the possibility of worms, chronic diarrhea or digestive
disorder. Coat should be bright and shiny. Excess scale or
itching in the coat suggests mites, fleas or other parasites.
Pull apart the hair of the coat, skin should range from pink to
black.
Structure:
Legs should be straight and well formed. Structural faults
include legs that are bowed in or out. Gait should be free and
smooth. A limp or faltering gait may be the result of a sprain
or hurt pad or hip dysplasia or other joint condition.
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