Breeding Chihuahuas

High Point, North Carolina

Holly & Sean

805-794-1447

™

Breeding

Things To Watch, Know Or Have If You Plan To Breed

I will continually be adding to this section

The first thing you need even before you have a male and female Chihuahua to breed is a lot of money and the second thing is a vet that understands and is comfortable with small breeds and that is experienced in doing c-sections and whelping issues. He also should be available to you day and night. If he is not, then the first thing that was needed will come in handy because you will need a lot of money if you need to go to an emergency clinic in the middle of the night. Don’t breed your dog unless you can be there while she is pregnant. Do not go to work and leave her unattended. Before breeding your Chihuahua please consult your vet, as with people, pre-natal care is important in bitches. Do not breed if you just want your children to experience the miracle of birth. If you breed and have puppies, you are responsible for them whether you, keep them or place them in a home. Even if you cannot place them, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE, they should never be taken to the animal shelter or an animal rescue. If you cannot keep and care for all the puppies no matter what, then DO NOT BREED. Think of breeding Chihuahuas as the same as bringing a child into the world.

Canine Pregnancy

Dogs generally give birth 58-68 days after conception. It's always a good idea to have a veterinarian check over your dog during pregnancy, just to be sure she's eating enough, getting all the nutrients her growing body requires, and there are no obvious complications. You'll know your dog is nearing the birthing time when her appetite increases and her need for playtime and attention decreases. During this time, she may begin hiding in various areas of the house, trying to nest.

We feed By Natures Organic – 95% Chicken, plus we add chicken, chicken broth, rice, egg and Show Stopper (this is a supplement) in with the food. This makes a high calorie, puppy food for your pregnant mom. We also feed this to our pups once we started weaning them. If you have pups that just do not want to eat or have gone hypoglycemic we recommend feeding the chicken and rice mixture.

Chicken and Rice Recipe

1 skinless boneless chicken breast

1 cup minute rice

1 cup low fat and low sodium chicken broth

1 egg

1 scoop Show Stopper

Grind uncooked chicken breast in meat grind and then cook in pan. Do not add oil or anything. If you do not have a meat grinder you will need to boil the chicken breast. After the chicken breast is cooked cut into tiny, tiny little pieces not any bigger than the rice. Do not use ground turkey.

In a microwave safe bowl add rice and chicken broth. Whip egg in bowl and add to rice and chicken broth mixture. Mix all together. Microwave for 5 minutes.

After chicken is cooked and rice mixture is cooked add Show Stopper and mix together. Let cool before feeding. Refrigerate any unused chicken and rice. If you want to warm it up add a little chicken broth after heating to keep moist.

This is great for picky or sick pups and also turns a high quality adult food into a puppy food.

Maternity Ward

Most dogs will decide on their own where they're most comfortable giving birth. Pets seem to favor enclosed areas that are dark and quiet with not much foot traffic. Favorite places include closets, stairwells, behind objects, under the bed and in the bed under the comforter. Always be aware of where she is hiding. It helps if it is in a place where you can be comfortable and get to her. Chihuahuas do not do well whelping on their own, they need help. Do not leave your dog home alone, outside, in the garage.

A "whelping box," is nothing more than a box in which the dog will have adequate privacy. You can make your own box at home with a cardboard box, an unused litter box, a low plastic tub or container. I like canvas crates with the opening on the top and the front (so you can open and reach in when needed. (I like this for once the pups are born). The box you use should be large enough for mom to stretch out and still leave enough space for small pups. One side should be low enough for the mother to crawl in and out of, but high enough to prevent the puppies from doing so. Sides should be tall enough that you can put a towel over the top so you can make her feel secure. Whatever you decide to use, try to acquaint your pet with her maternity ward early so she'll be more likely to feel comfortable there when the time comes.

Make Her Comfortable

Line your box or tub with as many towels or sheets that you can find. Remember, your dog has a long night ahead of her. Tossing in her favorite toy or blanket will encourage your pet to use her whelping box. Making your dog comfortable during this time should be your top priority.

Keep the Noise Down

Your dog will want some privacy on the big day. Loud noises, company and constant interruptions will only make your dog nervous. Keep the kids out. She needs to feel comfortable and know that you are there for her.

Is it Time?

Approximately 6-24 hours before giving birth, your dog may begin shivering, pacing, panting or acting out of character. She may run around nervously or claw at the floor, looking for a place to nest. If your dog does begin to nest elsewhere and refuses to use her whelping box, let her go. Provide fresh bedding and newspapers where she is and move the whelping box close to her. As the puppies are born, you can move them into the box, which will encourage mom to follow.

*Taking your dogs temperature and recording it will tell you, within 24 hours, when labor will begin.
Did you also know that 12-24 hours before it drops it will rise higher then it's been in weeks.
This gives you more time to prepare for the birth of her puppies.

1. Begin taking your dog's temperature at your estimated day 56 of her cycle.
2. Record it in the Am and PM (best time is when the dog is calm).
3. Don't miss taking a temp

You will notice a huge increase in temperature right before it drops. Any temperature recorded lower than 98.4 indicates labor should begin within 24 hours. If your dog goes beyond 24 hours and labor has not begun, call your veterinarian.

A dog’s normal Temperature is 101 - 103.

In the last trimester of pregnancy the pregnant bitch will have a temperature around 100. This is contributed to hormone levels.

Dogs can safely whelp their litters 58 days after conception. After 58 days the pup’s lungs are fully developed and they can breath on their own.

Not all thermometers are created equal. Do not use tape on the forehead thermometer or in the ear thermometers, and please don't use the under the arm pit method. I find the most accurate thermometers to be a digital thermometer. Always use the same thermometer, don't switch back and forth, or you will not get accurate readings.

Take your dog's temperature in the morning and in the evening. The best time to get an accurate reading is when your dog has been sleeping or is calm, not after a run in the yard or playtime.

How to take your dog's temperature

Stick the thermometer in a jar of clean petroleum jelly or KY. In an emergency you can use cooking oil or spit.

Make your dog lay down and do not let the dog sit down and break the thermometer while it is inserted in her rectum. Hold on to the thermometer so you don't lose it.

Keep the thermometer in until it beeps.

Take out and wipe it with a tissue.

Read it, and record the temperature on your chart..

There are many signs to let you know when the time is near.

1. Temperature has dropped under 98.4 degrees.

2. Pupils will dilate.

3. She will hide in dark places.

4. Digging

5. Panting

6. She will stare at her rear end in confusion.

7. She will start licking her rear end.

A note about emergencies:

Most Chihuahua births require assistance. Watch for signs of danger and act immediately, if necessary:

1. Your dog passes dark green fluid before delivery. A placenta has started to degrade.

2. Your dog has been straining (without delivering) for more than two hour.

3. Your dog is weak, restless and nervous for more than thirty minutes after labor stops.

4. Your dog begins shaking, trembling or begins vomiting days or weeks after delivery.

Should your pet exhibit any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. These are emergency symptoms and time is of the essence.

The Birth

Chihuahuas generally need help. You will need to act as a midwife.

1. If a puppy seems to only come out half way, despite extensive straining by its mother, you'll need to jump in and assist. Have someone hold your dog's head and gently grab the puppy with a clean towel and pull firmly. If the pup is coming out with feet presented first you will want to pull on the contraction and when pulling, pull and curl towards the belly as if a horseshoe, do not pull straight. Be careful not to break the sack. If it is a head first presentation once the head pops out everything else should be easy. Once the puppy is out grab onto the umbilical cord so that when pulling the placenta out it does not pull out of the pups stomach If the puppy doesn't immediately slide out, call your veterinarian immediately.

2. The mother will get more and more tired during large litters. Though dogs instinctively tear off the amniotic sac and bite the umbilical cord off, do it for them. First open the sack and peel away from the pups face so you can get the pup to breath. Start at the pup's mouth and work toward its tail. You can clean the mucus from its mouth with your finger or a baby mucus bulb. Also, be sure to vigorously rub the puppy for several seconds with a clean towel. This will keep the puppy's heart beating and help to integrate him in the outside world. You will If need be, you can cut the umbilical cord yourself with a sterile scissor or tie it off with sewing thread.

New Born Puppy Formula Recipe

1 Cup Goat's Milk - (you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Food's) Do not use cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is very hard for them to digest and may cause diarrhea.

1 Cup Plain Goat Yogurt - (you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Food's)

1 Raw Egg Yolk - Do not feed raw egg whites as a biotin deficiency may occur due to an enzyme in the white part of the egg. The enzyme is destroyed with cooking.

½ Tablespoon Karo Syrup – Do not use honey. Honey may contain bacteria, which may be fatal to the puppies.

5 Drops Nutri Drops (Vitamins)

Mix together with a whisk until no lumps.

Place in small container, enough for the day and put in refrigerator. Put the rest in small containers and put in the freezer. Thaw as needed in the refrigerator.

Make sure you warm the formula to 98 – 101 degrees before feeding puppy. Dispose of any unused formula from that feeding.

Canine Eclampsia

Introduction
Hypocalcaemia (Milk Fever, Eclampsia, puerperal tetany) is a startling and dangerous condition brought on by extremely low levels of calcium in the blood stream. The presence of a vet is very urgent if you want to save the animal's life.

Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but the condition is related to an imbalance between calcium uptake from the digestive tract and calcium outflow in milk, urine, and feces. It is most often seen in bitches with small litter and excessive milk production. The bodies of some lactating dogs and cats simply cannot keep up with the increased demands for calcium. Highest incidence is with the first litter. Animals with milk fever lack the ability to quickly move calcium into their milk without depleting their own blood levels of this mineral. Possibly eclampsia is worsened by use of calcium supplements during pregnancy.

Signs
Signs of hypocalcaemia include neuromuscular excitability and grand mal convulsions. It causes seizures, staggering, convulsions, muscle tremors, restlessness, high body temperature and excessive panting; it can be fatal if not treated promptly with injections of calcium. Your veterinarian will also prescribe oral supplementation with calcium and will recommend an appropriate diet of high quality adult dog food to prevent recurrence. The puppies should not be allowed to nurse the mother for 24 hours after emergency care; they should be hand fed a puppy or kitten milk replacement formula until they can resume nursing.
Eventually, the dog may be unable to walk and her legs may become stiff or rigid. The dog may have a fever, with body temperature even over 105º F. The respiration rate (number of breaths per minute) will increase. At this point, death can occur if no treatment is given.

Treatment
Dogs with eclampsia usually require immediate emergency care. Treatment usually includes:
• Intravenous calcium (calcium gluconate) given very slowly
• An intravenous or oral dextrose solution to increase blood sugar
• Anti-seizure drugs (e.g. Valium®) if seizures are unresponsive to calcium and dextrose
• Cooling of patients with severely elevated body temperatures
• Removal and hand raising of all puppies
• Oral calcium supplementation when the patient is stable
• Oral vitamin D supplementation to increase the absorption of calcium in the intestines

Prevention
The best way to prevent eclampsia is to avoid calcium supplementation during pregnancy and to feed the pregnant bitch a well-balanced, good quality food. Supplementation of the bitch with calcium may be helpful once the puppies are delivered and are beginning to nurse. Supplemental feeding of the puppies may also be beneficial, especially for large litters.
Once a dog has had milk fever, there is an excellent chance that she will also have it with future litters if preventive steps are not taken. Be sure to work closely with your veterinarian if your dog has had eclampsia in the past and is pregnant again.

In conclusion, it is of great importance for owners of pregnant or nursing dogs to be able to recognize the signs of eclampsia. If you feel your female dog is showing these signs, remove the pups to prevent further nursing and seek veterinary assistance at once.

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