moggy

We had a Chihuahua who lived to 15 1/2 years on a diet of Goodos. This was about 20 years ago when there was not so much emphasis on the quality of food for dogs. Now I am constantly worrying about my present Chihuahua's diet. Makes you wonder sometimes?

Update on Sophie. After 5 days on Prednil she is very lethargic but from articles I have read on the net that is a side effect. No more scratching her right ear or shaking her head. Great. Poor Huey though, he is missing their chasing games and just sits beside her probably wondering what is wrong. I think it is strange though, only her right ear was affected and no smell. I thought there was supposed to be a smell with a yeast infection.

She has improved so much in the 3 days of medication. We take her back in about 10 days so the vet can check her progress. It is only in one ear luckily. Will keep you updated.

Excuse me Greytmate, this is the first time I have had Sophie to the vet because of an acute problem. She did have very bad tearstains a couple of years ago for which we tried everything INCLUDING an op at the vets which did absolutely nothing and made them worse. It wasn't a health problem just a cosmetic problem. The only product which removed her tearstains was Angels Eyes, fantastic product. I have over the years posted about her diet because I worry both our babies are not getting the right nutrition. This is the first time we have taken her to the vet because of a health issue. I have also posted about Huey, her "brother" and he is very healthy.

Sophie will be 4 in July. This is the first time she has had any health problems. I am feeding her Optimum weight management dry food. I have been on the internet all day researching and have decided to change her kibble for something grain free. Looking at Orijen but will do a new post asking for advice. We love her so much and worry when something like this happens. We have another Chihuahua, Huey, who eats the same food and is very healthy.

I have every intention of completing the medications advised by the vet and returning for a check up in a fortnight. What I meant was remedies to PREVENT the yeast infection recurring. Sophie is a Chihuahua and does not have floppy ears. Anyway after one day of treatment, Dermotic ear drops and Prednil tabs, she already seems better. Just looking for ideas to prevent the infection returning.

Took my dog to the vet today because of her head shaking and scratching ears. He diagnosed yeast infection and gave me some tablets and ear drops. I have to return in two weeks time for him to inspect again. It cost me $131 for the consultation and meds. Wow!!! There must be a natural remedy to to cure or prevent this happening again. Anyone have any ideas on this subject?

Who free feeds their dogs? I just wondered is it better to feed at certain times of the day or free feed. Our Chihuahuas have about 1/3 chicken neck in the morning and then about 1/2 cup dry food at around 5pm. Also my husband usually gives them a couple of bits of toast, around 1/2 inch square and a small spoon of ice cream if he has it for dessert. Of course they want some too. They are a bit overweight. They run and play with each other during the day for exercise. Both have been desexed. Friends of ours have 2 Chihuahuas and they are free fed and not at all overweight. They have not been desexed.

Update on Sophie's ear. Well after researching a lot on the net we decided the problem is probably earmites so decided to try the treatment drops. After using it for 3 days the change is remarkable. She is not scratching her ear and her restless behaviour has settled down. She is our little Sophie again. We are keeping up the treatment for the rest of the week. If it recurs it is off to the vet.

Hi Atua. It is available in Australia with a changed formula. It is vegetable based instead of meat based. The link is in my previous post. It is the best and only product that works.

My white Chihuahua had very bad tear stains. Tried every, and I mean EVERY treatment suggested as well as $300 on an op on her tearducts. Nothing worked. Then I discovered Angels Eyes. Initially I was unable to get it as it was only available in USA and could not be shipped to Australia because of its beef base. Now it is available in Australia with a vegetable base. It is expensive at first but now Sophie only has 1/2 scoop once a week. I thoroughly recommend this product to anyone with this problem. It is the ONLY product which works. Here is the link. http://www.angelseyesqld.com.au/page1.aspx

Thanks for your replies. There is a slight smell in her right ear, the one she keeps scratching. We have started treating it with earmite drops. If it doesn't improve after a week or so or treatment will take her to the vet.

Never had a problem with earmites. Will look them up on the web and see what they look like. Thanks for the suggestion Sebastion.

Lately our Chihuahua, Sophie, has been shaking her head then scratching her right ear with her back leg then licking the foot. Sometimes she spends about 1/2 hour repeatedly doing this. She shows no sign of pain and otherwise is normal. Does anyone else know of this behaviour? Is it habit or should we get her checked out.

I have a white longcoat Chihuahua who had very bad tear staining. I tried every remedy on her eyes, none worked. I tried the vinegar thing, no good. Took her to the vet who examined her eyes, nothing wrong, and even operated on her tear ducts to clear them. After nearly $400 still no cure. I looked at Angels Eyes but at the time USA was not exporting the product to Australia because it is meat based. Then stumbled upon an online seller in Australia who supplies it. The product is from USA but has a vegetable base so able to be imported to Australia. It is very expensive for the first couple of months but after that we only put it in Sophies food 2 or 3 times a week, and believe it or not HER TEAR STAINS HAVE DISAPPEARED. I don't know if I can reveal the seller on this forum but can be messaged privately.

Thanks for your replies. She has never had this problem before. I know she doesn't have fleas and she certainly gets a lot of attention. I am leaning towards an allergy. Will take her to the vet.

Lately Sophie (Chihuahua) has been scratching all the time in one spot. It is down on her tummy area and we can't see any rash etc. She is 2 years old and a longcoat. She scratches and bites at it often. Any ideas or remedies? Thanks in advance.

Stormie, I saw an ad for it in our local newpaper. Their premises is in Howarth Court, Breakwater which is not far from us. They stress all their products are made from human grade ingredients.

Just found their website. http://www.auspetess.com/

My first post lists all the ingredients. The product name is "Australian Pet Essentials Holistic Pet Food Lamb and Rice".

Just discovered an Australian dry food which my Chihuahuas just love. Would like opinions on ingredients please. Holistic Pet Food Lamb and Rice. Crude Protein 22% Crude fat 12% Crude Fibre 4.50% Crude Ash 11.0% Phosphorus 1.50% (max) Calcium 1.45% (max) Moisture 10.00% (max) INGREDIENTS: Lamb Meal, Ground rice, Ground oats, Rice bran, Flaxseed, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbyl Palmitate) Brewers dried yeast, Lecithin, Natural Lamb flavour, dried carrots, dried kelp, choline chloride, calcium ascorbate (source of vitamin c) zinc amino acid chelate, yucca schidgera extract, dried blueberries, dandelion, peppermint, rosemary tomato meal vitamin E supplement, iron amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, cobalt amino acid chelate, biotin, vitamin a acetate, calcium pantothenate niacin, pyrodoxine hydrochloride (B6), thiamine mononitate (B1), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, D-L-Methionine, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity) folic acid, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite calcium iodate. Phew.....lots of ingredients. I am assured it is all good by the manufacturers. Now, opinions please?

We have the same problem with Sophie and Huey. I just feed Huey in the kitchen and Sophie in the laundry with the door shut between then. No problem!! Huey also is like a vacuum cleaner with his food but Sophie eats slowly. Even when Sophie is finished eating and I open the door Huey races to her bowl and licks it out just in case there is a tiny morsel left.

Hi my 4 yr old chihuahua has been scratching his ears, lower hind and lower belly, them seems only to be a bit of redness on his soft part of his lower belly, as i have checked everywhere else and cannot see anything thats inflamed. He does not have fleas. His diet has not changed, and he gets a bath every fortnight. After a good scratch he settles down ...then gets up suddenly then burps and off he goes again with his scratching. I have also notices he is dragging his bum across the floor. I am at my wits end, can anyone suggest a good anti bacterial wash, or knows why he could be scratching.

Such expressive eyes. She is a cute girl.

Mine drink from our water feature even though they have fresh water in their bowls. Can't figure them out!!!