Chihuahua is a rather capricious breed, and its genetic feature is a predisposition to gastritis. But with proper care and feeding, knowing the causes of the onset of the disease and excluding them, this trouble can be avoided.
Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed. These babies were domesticated back in the Middle Ages and strongly influenced the formation of many other dwarf breeds. Chihuahua is distinguished by courage, activity, sociability and rather good health. Perhaps the only weak point in this breed is the digestive system.
When a beloved pet, for some unknown reason, refuses to eat, pulls its hind legs, has problems with stool, then the first thing the owner should do is contact the veterinarian. The most common diagnosis is gastritis.
There are several reasons for the onset of the disease.
An improper diet leads to irritation of the stomach lining. What suits a person is most often contraindicated for a pet. The desire to treat your pet to a “sweet morsel” from your table quickly leads to digestive problems.
Incorrect selection of dry food, as well as its poor-quality composition, can also provoke the appearance of gastritis. In order to find the correct brand and dosage of food, it is best to consult with experienced Chihuahua breeders.
A natural way of feeding unbalanced with vitamins causes a violation of fermentation, which means that it also leads to problems of the digestive system. In this case, supplementation with vitamins is required.
There are several other less common causes, such as poisoning with stale food or a foreign body in the stomach. These dogs are playful, and it is not a problem for them to swallow a part of a small toy. And then the owner - to cope with more than serious consequences.
Treatment of the disease should be prescribed by a competent veterinarian, since there is a high risk of a chronic form. In no case should you try to apply "human" methods and medicines to a sick dog. Nutrition during an exacerbation of the disease should be strict, and the diet should also be discussed with an experienced veterinarian.
Treatment begins with a fasting diet that lasts 24 hours. Next, you can add ground rice porridge in low-fat meat broth. The introduction of meat products is allowed after a week, it is best to start with chicken. If your pet's diet consists of dry food, you should select food from a special treatment line with your veterinarian. As a rule, the time of consumption of such feeds lasts from 2 weeks to 1 month.
It is important to monitor the Chihuahua's diet after symptoms have subsided. In order not to provoke the reappearance of signs, deworming should be carried out in a timely manner, the animal should be vaccinated, the treats from the table should be limited, and the composition and quality of the diet should be carefully monitored.
