**Note** This page is only to be used for temparory first aid while on the way to the vet. This is not intended to take the place of professional vet care. As with any emergency, the first step is to call your vet and tell them exactly what has happened so that they can prepare to treat your animal. Once again, THESE ARE MEASURES TO TAKE WHILE IN ROUTE TO YOUR VET!!

Normal Chihuahua Vitals (at rest)
Pulse: 70-120 beats per minute
Respiration: 10-13 breaths per minute
Temp: 101.5 - 102.5 degrees F
Gum color: pink with no other discoloration
Hydration: neck scruff should fall back within 3 seconds of being lifted

Your first aid kit should contain, at a bare mininum, the following items:

~Rectal Theromometer
~Tweezers
~Scissors
~Karo Syrup
~Hot Water Bottle
~Sterile Gauze
~Self-Adhesive Bandage
~Disposible Instant Cold Compress
~Anti-diarrhea Medication(you can use a common OTC for people such as Imodium, Pepto or Kaopectate)
~Soap
~Hydrogen Peroxide
~Sterile Sponge
~Oral Syringe
~Clean Towel
~Antiseptic Skin Ointment
~Vet's Office Phone Number and Emergency Clinic Number
~Childrens Liquid Benadryl
~Alcohol
~Charcoal for poison absorption
~Aspirin
~Robitussin
~Triple Antibiotic Ointment
~Nutra Cal
~Pedialite
**Other reccommended Items**
~Eye Wash
~Iodine
~Medication for Hot Spots
~Rubber Gloves
~Hand Sanitizer
~Cotton Balls
~Q-Tips
~String/Thread
~Arnica Herbal Pill for Pain
~Septic Powder or Cornstarch for small cuts
~Worm Medicine
~Ear cleaner
~Pet Tonic
~Flea Spray
~Mineral Oil

Drug	Uses	Amount
Aspirin (buffered)	Relieves pain reduces inflammation	up to 5 mg/lb every 12 hours
Benedryl	Relieves itching/ allergies	up to 2 mg/lb every 8 hours
Dramamine	Relieves car sickness motion sickness	up to 4 mg/lb every 8 hours
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%	Induces vomiting after ingesting poison	5 ml by mouth every 10 min.
Kaopectate	Controls diarrhea	up to 1 mg/lb every 6 hours
Mineral Oil	Relieves constipation	up to 4 Tbsp. per day
Pepto -Bismal	Relieves gas, vomiting & diarrhea	1 tsp / 5 lb. every 6 hours
Robitussin	Soothes Kennel cough	1/4 to 1/2 tsp. every 4 hours

NEVER NEVER NEVER give any animal any product with acetaminophen!!

Special Chihuahua Diet
This is a good recipe if you have a chihuahua that has had a serious accident, injury or surgery and cannot tolerate the dry kibble that he is used to.
~Esbilac(available from most pet stores, it is a milk like subistuite made for puppies)
~Strained Chicken(baby food section but make sure that it is the one WITHOUT onion powder)
~Baby rice cereal(baby food section)
~Granular Dog Vitamin Supplement(If you can't find the granular kind, you can grind up the tablets).

Mix all of this together until it is a creamy mixture. As the dog begins to feel better, start to gradually mix in the hard kibble until he is back on his regular diet.

Remember that the most important part of a speedy recovery is to have contact with you daily. This will help to alleviate stress, illness and pain. Also speak comforting words and pet him. If you pet is in the hospital, try to visit him daily and take a favorite toy from home to him.

Bleeding
Call your vet and explain what happened if bleeding is severe, or if an impaled object is present.
Elevate the wound if possible. Cover the wound with a clean gauze or towel and apply pressure to it. If the blood covers this, do not remove it, but countinue to apply clean gauze or towels over the wound, applying pressure. Only use a tourniquet if the wound is life threatening.
Burns
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Burns are characterzied by charred skin, or pearly white skin.
To Treat burns, apply cold packs, towels soaked in ice water, or, if less than 50% of the dog is burned, immerse them in cold water. Cover with a towel or clean gauze to prevent infection and seek professional help immediately. DO NOT apply pressure or wound cream. Watch for signs of shock.
Choking
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Signs of choking are repeated pawing at the mouth and nose.
If he is unable to breathe, or his tongue or gums are blue, open his mouth and look for the object that is blocking his airpassage. If you can reach it with your fingers or needle nose pilers, gently dislodge it and get him breathing again. If you can see the object, but can't reach it, turn your dog upside down and shake him. This will usually dislodge anything that is stuck. Visit the vet for a check up ASAP.
Electrical Shock
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Disconnect the plug or turn the power off before touching the dog. You can also knock the dog away from the power source by using a wooden handle. Keep the dog warm and watch for signs of shock.

Fractures
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Keep the dog still and cushion the limb, but do not splint as this usually cause more damage. Go to the vet ASAP.

Heat Stroke
You must start to cool your dog down even before you call the vet. Wrap the dog in towels that have been soaked in cold(NOT ICE) water. It is helpful to place your dog in front of a fan, or in a cool environment. Allow your dog to drink small amounts of cool water a little at a time. If he is too weak to drink on his own, use cool water to wipe the inside of his mouth. You must lower your dogs temperature quickly, but take care not to lower it under 100 degrees F. Place a cool towel in the bottom of his crate and take him to the vet ASAP.
Most heat stokes are result of a dog being left in a car unattended. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHI IN THE CAR, EVEN IF YOU ONLY PLAN ON BEING GONE A SHORT WHILE. This could be the difference between life and death.

Hypothermia
Call your vet and explain what happened.
This occurs when the body tempeture falls below 95 degrees F and the pulse and breathing are slowed. The dog may act sluggish and shiver excessively. If untreated it may result in a coma.
Warm the dog by wrapping him in a blanket, you can warm the blanket in the dryer. Use hot water bottles around the blankets, but not directly on the dog. You can use soda or milk bottles in place of hot water bottles. Stop warming when the temperature reaches 101 degrees F.

Hypoglycemia
Call your vet and explain what happened, if your dog is having a seizure.
Signs are weakness, disorientation, staggering, & muscle twitches. Can lead to seizures, coma and death if not treated.
Give food, karo syrup or honey.

Insect Stings
Call your vet and explain what happened if the dog is having an allergic reaction.
Remove any stingers by brushing them off with a plastic credit card. Do not pull it out with the fingers as this will inject more venom into your dog. Apply a paste of baking soda and water to bee stings. Apply vinegar to wasp stings. Clean the area and apply antibacterical wound cream. Childrens liquid benadryl may be given if the dog is having a reaction.

Poisoning
Call your vet and explain what happened, including any info you may have about the poison.
Signs may include vomiting, seizures, drooling, staggering and collapse.
Induce vomiting by giving saltwater, peroixide, or mustard and water except in the following cases:
If the poison was;
an acid
an alkali
a petroleum product
a solvent
a cleaner
a tranquilizer
if they swallowed a sharp object
or if two hours have passed since injestion.
In these cases, give the dog milk, vegetable oil, egg whites, or charcoal to dilute or absorb the poison. Treat for shock and get to the vet ASAP. Be prepared for seizures and breathing difficulties.
National Poison Control Hotline (900)680-0000. There is a fee charged if you call this number.

Prolasped Eyeball
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Signs include the eye partially or completely out of the eye socket.
Cover the eye with a damp cloth first, then go to the vet.

Seizures
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Treat for shock on the way to the vet.

Snake Bits
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Apply tourniquet between bite and heart tight enough to prevent infected blood from returning to the heart. Make parallel cuts to allow blood to drain, suction out blood, but do not use your mouth if you have any open sores. Get to the vet ASAP.

Shock
Call your vet and explain what happened.
Signs of shock are shivering, faint heartbeat, pale gums and weakness.
Keep the dog warm and calm, and control any other injuries as needed. Get to the vet ASAP.