DEPOSITS:
A deposit (holding fee) is placed to hold a particular Chihuahua for a buyer. The goal of Black Jade Chihuahuas is to place our Chihuahuas in loving homes in a timely manner so they may bond with their new family. If a Chihuahua is held specifically for a buyer, a change of mind can quite often jeopardize the chance for that particular Chihuahua to be placed in a home while still at a desirable age. The minimum required amount is three hundred dollars ($300.00). When the sale of the Chihuahua is consummated, the holding fee shall be applied towards the balance owing on the purchase price.
We accept cash and money orders ***NO PERSONAL CHECKS***
Deposit are Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable to another puppy so be sure you do want the puppy. Deposit are only refundable if something happens to your puppy in my care.
SHIPPING:
We will only accept postal money orders at this time. The remaining balance is due 3 weeks before shipping.
Shipping is available via Continentals. The cost is $300 additional and includes cost of flight, vet exam (Health Certificate), crate. I will look for short fly with no lay overs or short lay overs.
Here is a list of Airlines: Air Canada, Frontier, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Horizon Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines,
**Delta, Northwest: I am no longer using to ship puppy's/adults**
We will be selective in the areas to be shipped to. The weather will also play a roll. We will NOT ship over seas unless you come her to pick up your puppy/adult.
**Please note that all puppy's being shipped must be 10-12 weeks old and 2lbs.**
**If puppy needs 3rd shot and rabies before shipping, this will be done at buyer expense($40)!**
Once we have picked a time for the puppy to be shipped on and I let you know when its to arrive . You will need to be there and feed him or her food(which will be taped on the out side of the crate) right away and give him or her nutra-cal(buyer must bring this with them).
The Myth of the
"Teacup"
The Chihuahua is a Chihuahua
Teacup is a misleading term that does not apply to Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are small dogs categorized by AKC in the "toy" group of dogs. The breed standard states they should weigh no more than 6 pounds. A very small Chihuahua is sometimes referred to as a"teacup" or a "tiny teacup" for exceptionally small ones. There are breeders who use these term to make you think you are getting something special and will charge more. Please don't be fooled just as in other breeds some will be smaller than usual size and some be bigger. You shouldn't be paying more for a smaller size Chihuahua, in fact what you be getting is a dog that will be susceptible to allot of health problems not to mentions its fragility will make it prone to allot of nasty accidents which often lead to shortened lifespan.
Chihuahua's Health Issues
Luxating Patella:
Luxating patella, or trick knee, is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. The luxation is usually medial, but can be lateral. It can be caused by some form of blunt trauma, or may be a congenital defect. In congenital cases, it is usually bilateral. Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 to 6 months. It also occurs in cats, especially the Domestic Shorthair.
Diagnosis is made through palpation of the knee. X-rays are necessary in some cases. The Luxating patella often causes no or very slight symptoms. There may be intermittent limping in the rear leg. Osteoarthritis can develop secondarily. There are several stages in patellar luxation, ranging from minor (the patella's position is normal most of the time) to very serious (the patella is permanently luxated). The more serious stages require surgery to correct, if the animal has difficulty walking. The surgery involves deepening the groove that the patella sits in.
Additional help can be given with the use of pet ramps, stairs, or steps. These can help the dog travel from one place to another, especially up and down, without adding any pain or damage to the patella.
Watch those eyes:
It's certainly not a condition, but because Chihuahuas have big eyes and live close to the floor, they are more prone to eye injuries than a lot of other breeds. Put several drops of saline solution in your dog's eye if the injury seems minor. That's often all it takes to flush out a foreign object that was accidentally kicked up by someone's shoe. If that doesn't relieve the problem, or if the injury appears more serious, take your Chihuahua to the vet.
Heart murmur:
Heart murmurs are relatively uncommon in Chihuahuas and even those that have one usually have the functional type. As in people, that means they can be as active and athletic as they want and live long, normal lives.
Hypoglycemia:
This is the scientific name for a condition where the sugar level suddenly drops in a small animals system. The first signs of this problem is usually staggering and falling over, as though they are drunk. Or they can be observed lying on their side paddling with their front feet as though they are swimming. If these symptoms are observed, you must act very quickly in order to save your puppy's life. YOU HAVE TO GET THE SUGAR LEVEL UP TO BRING THE PUPPY OUT OF THIS SITUATION. AND IT MUST BE DONE VERY QUICKLY. Usually you do not have time to get them to a Vet before they suffer irreparable damage. Nutra-Cal is the best remedy for this situation. But if nutra-cal is not available, use Honey or Karo syrup or anything that is super sweet. If you don't have any of this on hand, then run about an inch of water in a coffee cup and stir in 2 or 3 teaspoons of sugar and stir quickly until it dissolves, then, get some of this mixture into the puppy. At this point, you will find the puppy clinches it mouth shut and will not lap it up on its own. By inserting a finger in the corner of the puppy's mouth you can pry it open far enough to get a fingertip covered with nutra-cal into its mouth. Or in the case of the sugar water, an eyedropper, straw, or even dropping it through the opening in the mouth one-drop at a time from a spoon. Once the puppy gets a good taste of the sweet substance, it will usually start licking it's tongue out and will start to recover in a very short time. Please note that if it was necessary to use Honey and Karo syrup, this mixture is also a natural laxative. Do not be surprised if diarrhea should follow when relieving itself. If your puppy is experiencing episodes of hypoglycemia, it is usually a sign that it is not taking in enough food or it has an underlying problem that may need medical attention. Sometimes, this problem can be corrected by just stirring in a teaspoon of sugar to the puppy's water daily until the episodes subside.
Coccidia:
This is an "opportunist protozoon" that lives in the bowels of all dogs. Did you understand that? ALL DOGS carry coccidia. But something has got to weaken the immune system of an animal for the protozoa to have an opportunity to take hold and start multiplying. That "something " is usually stress of one kind or another. A loose, stinky stool that can even have streaks of bloody mucus in it usually accompanies coccidia. Some Vets will explain coccidia to their clients by saying the animal is loaded with parasites. This is sometimes interpreted by that client that the animal has worms. Coccidia are not exactly a parasite but can be just as hard to get rid of. A daily supply of yogurt prevents coccidia from getting a foothold as it keeps a good balance of bacteria in the G. I. tract. So long as the good bacteria exist in an ample supply in the gut, coccidia can not grow. Coccidia are shed in the stool like a virus. If the animal is not shedding it when a stool sample is taken, the animal can be misdiagnosed as being free of the protozoa. If your puppy is put on antibiotics of any sort feed yogurt to replenish the good bacteria that are killed off by the antibiotic. It will in no way affect the antibiotic from completing its job but may save your animal from secondary infections caused by an imbalance of good bacteria. When coccidia does exist in the G. I. tract of your puppy, it can easily spread up through the system and into the lungs and if unchecked, it can cause pneumonia and eventually death. The first signs of coccidia is usually a lack of eating properly accompanied by a loose stinky stool and sometimes escalating into bouts of hypoglycemia. Coccidia can be transmitted to humans if hands are not washed and contaminated utensils are handled improperly. Coccidia should never be allowed to progress to a point that the puppy's life is threatened. If your puppy shows signs of this disease, immediately seek professional advice and treatment.
Molera:
Historically, the Chihuahua developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "soft spot" on the top of the head. In the Chihuahua this spot, or fontanel, is known as a MOLERA; and is the same as that found in human babies. In the past, this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the breed, and it is still mentioned in most Chihuahua breed standards the world over. It is important to note that while many Chihuahua puppies are born without the molera, there are probably just as many born with one and its presence is nothing to become alarmed over. As shown in the illustration below, the molera in a Chihuahua will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.
Unfortunately, many people and some veterinarians not familiar with the Chihuahua have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many new-comers to the breed serious concern and undue worry. The truth is that a domed head with a molera present does not predispose the Chihuahua to this condition. Along with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement.
Many clinically normal toy breeds may have open fontanels without associated hydrocephalus. That there did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of a fontanel and the condition of hydrocephalus.
Tracheal Collapse:
Tracheal collapse is caused by a progressive weakening of the walls of the "Vertebrate trachea" Vertebrate_trachea"occurs in many toy breeds, especially very tiny Yorkies. a result of genetics, the walls of the trachea can be flaccid, a condition that becomes more severe with age, a disorder that causes production of excess steroid hormone by the adrenal glands, can also weaken cartilage and lead to "Tracheal collapse" There is a possibility that physical strain on the neck might cause or contribute to trachea collapse. Since this is usually caused by an energetic Yorkie pulling against his collar, many veterinarians recommend use of a harness for leashed walks. An occasional "goose honking" Cough, especially on exertion, is usually the first sign of this condition. Over time, the cough may become almost constant in the Yorkie’s later life. Breathing through the obstruction of a collapsed (or partially collapsed) trachea for many years can result in complications, including chronic lung disease. The coughing can be countered with cough suppressants and bronchodilators. If the collapse is advanced and unresponsive to medication, sometimes surgery can repair the trachea.
Reverse Sneezing:
An occasional bout of sneezing, snorting, honking and wheezing are not unusual in Chihuahuas, and are sometimes referred to as a reverse sneeze. A "reverse sneeze" is caused by a elongated soft palate that has become misaligned, (temporarily). It is a well known trait in small dog breeds. There are many things that will set-off an episode of reverse sneezing such as, pulling hard on a leash, drinking too fast or getting overly excited. Many people confuse reverse sneezing with tracheal collapse. Reverse sneezing can sound very disturbing but is only an episode that lasts a short time. One way to help alleviate this is by massaging the dog’s neck and throat to encourage the dog to swallow or lick. You can also clap your hands to distract your dog and pinch closed the nostrils, forcing him/her to breathe through its mouth and to swallow.
Hydrocephalus:
Hydrocephalus is the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain. It occurs when there is an obstruction along the fluid pathway, which prevents the fluid from being absorbed. When this happens, the continuous production of CSF eventually leads to excess fluid.
The most common form of hydrocephalus is congenital hydrocephalus. In congenital hydrocephalus, the excess fluid accumulates before or soon after birth. We are not sure why this happens in all cases, but possibilities include an inherited malformation of the fluid pathway or infection or injury around the time of birth. Less commonly hydrocephalus occurs in adult dogs, usually due to a tumor or infection in the brain that obstructs the CSF pathways.
Congenital hydrocephalus occurs in young puppies. Sporadic cases can occur in any breed, but it is most common in small and toy breeds. If hydrocephalus occurs in a puppy there is usually an abnormally large, dome shaped head. The fontanel (morula, "soft spot") on the top of the skull is usually abnormally large and can be felt. If hydrocephalus occurs after the skull has stopped growing, the head will not enlarge.
Hydrocephalus can cause a variety of neurological signs, including seizures, incoordination, abnormal behavior, a tendency to walk in circles, and blindness. These signs may come and go or become worse over time. Diagnosis is based on the signs in conjunction with techniques to image the brain. In dogs with a fontanel, ultrasound can be performed by scanning through the fontanel to detect the excessive accumulation of fluid within the brain. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are also useful.
Young dogs with mild signs may improve without treatment, as they get older. Medications, such as corticosteroids, are sometimes helpful. In some cases, surgery is performed to implant a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This is a device that transfers the excess fluid from within the brain to the abdomen, where it is absorbed.
Going under anesthesia:
The possibility that your dog may someday need anesthesia is one main reason why you need to choose a veterinarian who is accomplished in treating Toy dogs. Although anesthesia-related deaths are rare, and usually the result of an allergic reaction, its use is potentially dangerous. Your vet uses anesthesia only when necessary (before surgery, for example).
Be sure you know how to clean Chihuahua's teeth properly so that cleaning them under anesthesia isn't necessary. When your dog has to go under anesthesia (during spaying or neutering, for example), ask your veterinarian if any necessary dental work (such as pulling impacted baby teeth) can be done at the same time.
Be sure your vet uses one of the modern gas anesthetics. They are much safer than the old fashioned intravenous products.
Please click on this link to read about these definitions. I found these quite informational.
*WE SHIPPING NOW, AT BUYER EXPENSE*
