The following are website links and articles which CCC feels may be of interest and not to be assumed that all or any of these conditions will be found in your Chihuahua.  The information provided in this column is to be used for "reference only" not for diagnosis or treatment.

Atlantoaxial Instability in Toy Breeds

The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of animals by advancing veterinary health care, learning and research.

One of the ways we do this is by providing an innovative and comprehensive clinical environment that supports the development of new treatments to benefit our animal companions. This letter is to inform you and members of the Chihuahua Club and you about a new initiative under way at OVC aimed at better understanding a disease called atlantoaxial instability. This disease frequently affects small and toy breed dogs and Chihuahuas in particular.

To help get the word out, we’re asking you to share a brief article with your members explaining what this disease is, how it can affect their pets and how they can participate in or support ongoing research at OVC.  Please click here to read or download the article.

For more information, or if you have questions, please contact us at (519)-823-8830 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Luis Gaitero, DVM, Dipl ECVN, Assistant Professor Neurology and Neurosurgery
Guillaume Leblond DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) Candidate, DVSc (Neurology) Candidate

Ontario Veterinary College Health Science Centre (OVC-HSC)
University of Guelph, Canada

 MERLE CHIHUAHUAS:

READ ARTICLE: The Long Road to a Ban on Merle Chihuahuas - Edna St. Hilaire

CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB POLICY ON MERLE CHIHUAHUAS

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT ARTICLES:

Special thanks to Dr. Leanne Bertani for the article "Endocardiosis in the Toy Dog".

Special thanks to Dr. Cheryl Cullen for the article "More Than Meets The Eye: Inherited Ocular Diseases" and Dr. Aubrey Webb for the article "Inherited Deafness In Dogs: What You Should Know and Why" - CullenWebb Animal Eye Specialists

In response to the discussions on SM/CM in North America/UK - Permission was acquired from neurologist/specialist Dr. Simon Platt for the article "Does Size Matter? The continuing riddle of Chiari and Syringomyelia" authored by Platt, Kent, Schatzberg, Journal of Small Animal Practice - Vol 50 - August 2009 - British Small Animal Veterinary Association

BEING UPDATED - With permission from Dr. Platt, his results of all testing on Brussels Griffons in North America was added to The Brussels Griffon Forum website - also added was the complete slideshow on SM/CM which was presented at the 2012 ABGA Specialty. Although the testing is on the Brussels Griffon, there is much relevant information specifically on the conditions of SM and CM which some viewers may find of interest.  

PERMISSION IS NOT GIVEN FOR THIS INFORMATION TO BE DISTRIBUTED FROM EITHER THE BRUSSELS GRIFFON FORUM WEBSITE OR THE CCC SITE.

Dr. Jean Dodd's Vaccine Protocol
New Tick-Borne Disease Found - Looks Like Lyme Disease (Human)
Canine Lyme Disease
Does Size Matter? The continuing riddle of Chiari and Syringomyelia
Malocclusion of Dog Teeth
Inherited Ocular Diseases
Inherited Deafness
Hypothyroidism
Biliouis Vomiting Syndrome
Tracheal Collapse
Pulmonary Edema and Degenerative Valve Disease
Endocardiosis in the Toy Dog
GME (Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis)
Fatty Liver Syndrome In Puppies
Feeding: Association of American Feed Control Officials
Canine Brucellosis
Eclampsia
Raisin & Grape Toxcidity
Grieving Dogs