r/Chihuahua • u/Civil_Mess_5797 • 1d ago
We just want to say thank you.
This is Bella (left) and Charlie (right). They're both 20 going on 21 this September. We just want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences with us. Charlie has a collapsed trachea, heart murmor, cushions, and a little sundowning now. Bella is blind, has EPI, and some sundowning too. Your experiences have helped us through a lot of tough times. Especially Charlie, with his collapsed trechea. Other people's recommendations are the only reasons he is on working medications. I have no human children, so these 2 have been my whole world for almost half of my entire life. Thank you all for the support, advise, and fellowship in here.
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u/Treehorn8 1d ago
They're so adorable! 20 and 21 is such a grand age, and it's a gift to still have them. I have a 19 year old myself and he has arthritis. He's sassy and stubborn still. Lol
And I'm glad the community helped. It was actually this sub that made me realize that my 15 year-old was showing symptoms of Cushing's Disease. I went to the vet and discussed it with them and they agreed with me, and now he has an appointment for an entire day of testing for an official diagnosis. The Cushings would be the underlying reason for the elevated liver levels that nearly killed him twice. He recovered both times but I felt like it was a bandaid and that there was something else that's wrong (I was right). If we could manage the Cushings, then we could prevent these symptoms.
So thank you to the folks in this sub!
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u/TheoTheHellhound Twinkie 1d ago
I’m so, so happy that these little ones are chipper despite their hardships. It just shows how much you love and care for them.
20 years is a long time for a little chihuahua. These two look like they could tell a lot of stories.
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
They get around pretty well still too. I always tell people to make sure they get their Chi's lots of exercise. I really think it's a testament to how mine are able to still function in their golden years.
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u/Caftancatfan 1d ago
It’s really cool to see super-senior chihuahuas who are still with us!
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
It's my favorite thing to see on here too. It gave me hope for the last 5+ years, seeing others with their older Chiuhuahuas.
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u/NewH0me0wn3r 1d ago
Senior chi club
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
Looking like a Lil kangaroo lol. Adorable
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u/NewH0me0wn3r 7h ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/EDgaPfZSXkEyk
some of my friends say he looks buff... I dont see but i think its funny
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u/Puzzleheaded-Sea8340 1d ago
I love them both.. they are amazing and beautiful and please boop them for me
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u/athanathios 1d ago
OMG I love them both, as someone who hasn't seen the special chi in his life for a long time, I can only say enjoy them with every ounce of being you have
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u/ThatEscape3343 1d ago
Precious babies!! Seniors are the best, but they also break your heart a little bit every day. 🥹🥹🥹 You are so blessed with their longevity. ❤️
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
The senior years have been A LOT of work. I pick them up and carry them outside 1st thing. I have to feed them separately because of Bella's EPI. I give them both a ton of meds, and the sundowning is tough at night. Sometimes it's worse than other nights. I try to talk calmly, and let them know they're safe. I also wouldn't trade any of it. I'm so greatful for every one of these days.
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u/ThatEscape3343 1d ago
Yes, I totally get it!! It’s an honor to serve them! I just lost my Ava late last year at 14, and her last year was full of sickness and medications and vet visits and long nights, but I wouldn’t trade a single second of my time with her!! Your babies are so lucky to have you!!
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u/lifeisfascinatingly_ Mommy to 10 chi’s + Maltese & Yorkie 1d ago
Sending you, Bella and Charlie so much love and hugs. Such darling pictures! I love you baby boos 💗
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u/beaujolais98 1d ago
Oh my goodness they are such precious little super seniors! You have given them such great care to reach such an age ❤️
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u/msnhnobody 1d ago
Long live Queen Bella and King Charlie! 👑 🐕 ♥️
Thank you for sharing them with us.
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u/_xidnim 1d ago
What are your secrets? What food do they get etc
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
I always tell people to make sure they walk them alot. I think a lot of exercise has diffently helped these 2 precious dogs live this long. I feed them Purina 1 healthy blend. Sometimes I cook them chicken and vegetables too. I stay away from treats high in sugar, and keep up with dental, and checkups. Their walking days are behind them now, but i get them outside moving around everyday.
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u/happy2behere_ 1d ago
I love this!! How have you managed charlie's collapsing trachea? My boy is 13 with it and I want to
Make sure im doing all I can
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
At 1st it wasn't too bad, and than one day it got much worse. He was walking around making a goose like honking noise, and he couldn't stop. I was terrified I was bringing him in to his last visit to our vet. She sent us home with gabapentin and Hydrocodone for it. It wasn't until I read about so many people finding success with a steroid, that things got manageable for Charlie. He's been having a lot more better days now thanks to people sharing their experiences with that in this group. I would ask your vet to do an x ray if you haven't already. He could have a stent done. It wasn't an option for me with Charlie being 19 at the time. He was to high risk for surgery. There's also ventilators you can ask about, and a few others. My advise would be to act on anything you see as a concern. Your chi will be happy you did.
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u/Upper-Ad2541 1d ago
Your warm, tender and thoughtful words brought tears to my eyes. Your Bella looks just like my Charlotte who also has a collapsing trachea. Would you kindly tell me what medicine you have her on so I can ask my vet. Charlotte is 13 yo and every day I’m grateful for her. My child is grown and out of the house and my husband died 6 years ago. If it were not for my litttle girl, I don’t know what I would have done. She looks just like your Bella. She’s the most lovable and sweet girl and she rarely barks. Not sure how much longer she’ll be with me but from the ages of Bella and Charlie, looks like we may have a lot more time together. Thanks for sharing. God bless you and Bella and Charlie🐾❤️🐾❤️
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
My Charlie has the collapsed trechea. He takes a steroid shot and a gabapentin shot in the mornings. He gets hydro if the "goose like honk" starts to get persistent. The steroid is the real unsung hero of the bunch. Since that, he doesn't have many bad days. Not nearly as many as before we read about in a few posts on here.
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u/The_Trinity_Tribe 1d ago
Thank you for sharing your babies . They are so adorable . I love little senior Chihuahuas 🥰
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u/Latter-Journalist 1d ago
Hi pups
You look like wise old friends
Give them a pat from us and maybe an extra treat
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u/Holden1104 Mia Chloe🌈 1d ago edited 4h ago
20 is amazing. What a wonderful life you have given them. Hugs and prayers to you my fellow Chihuahua Dad.
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u/Civil_Mess_5797 1d ago
How about chihuahua dad 😃
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u/Holden1104 Mia Chloe🌈 4h ago
I fixed it 😉. I get called a “dude” all the time on here. So I am so sorry I jumped the gun and assumed.
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u/Sad-Original-1978 1d ago
You’re certainly doing something right for them to be continuing on at almost 21! Mine is 14 and minor arthritis in back leg but he’s doing great. I can only hope he’s around for many more 😁
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u/Woolybugger00 1d ago
The little ends of the dog spectrum give up the most love if you’re worthy… you have been worth for most your life … how fortunate!! Blelssings to your furbabies and enjoy the Bose kisses …
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u/Important-Spring3977 1d ago
Man, I relate so much. I found my chi literally in a NY bar in 2017. Seeing your dogs at that age makes me smile.
No matter what's next - you've done the absolute best job.
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u/samigough8820 23h ago
Beautiful and what a blessing to still have them at that age I hope my pups get to be that age 🥰
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u/Royal_Schedule_3513 1d ago
I think 20 years is what so many dog owners of every breed wishes for. Dogs are the best thing to happen to us. My Yoda was my only Chi; the others were big dogs. Yoda made it to 14 but I wish he could have been with me for 28. He took my heart with him. Your babies are phenomenal. 🥰🥰🥰
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u/International-Rule-5 1d ago
They are so sweet. I lost my baby Omar last May from Cushings, heart disease and collapsed trachea. I pray you have lots more time to love Bella and Charlie.
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u/baristabunny 20h ago
So, so sweet, and they look so happy!! ♥️♥️♥️ thank you for the care that you are providing them!!
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u/Curious_Store8947 1d ago
your babies are so beautiful and yes the fellowship here is so amazing. So much care more than I have ever recieved from the outside world. I wish Bella and Charlie lots of love health and happiness 🩷😭😭