Hello. I just bought a Chihuahua the other night, and he's not wanting to drink anything. He's playful and everything. He acts normal. He eats fine just he will NOT drink. He coughs sometimes and sneezes all the time. Sometimes when he breaths I can hear like a squeak. I'm really worried about him. The lady is coming to give him his first shots today. I'm hoping it will help.

Any ideas on how to keep him hydrated?
And what it might be that he has?
I don't have the money to go take him to the vet. And I really don't want to lose him.

If you don't want to lose him, find the money to take that baby to the vet, otherwise you will never forgive yourself if something happens to a pup so young. Upon acquiring a young dog, one should always seek a medical check up and inquire regarding vaccinations.

You paid for a dog but can't pay for a vet?
Take him back then. You need to be able to afford a vet.
He could have something that the 'first shot' won't cure at all, something like parvo or kennel cough. Meanwhile mix her dog food with water.
Unethical puppy mills and pet shops sell puppies underage and lie about it (7 weeks is 1 week too soon, and you may have an even younger one), and the pup isn't even ready to be weaned, and has all sorts of medical problems.

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Originally Posted by joypulv

You paid for a dog but can't pay for a vet?
Take him back then. You need to be able to afford a vet.
He could have something that the 'first shot' won't cure at all, something like parvo or kennel cough. Meanwhile mix her dog food with water.
Unethical puppy mills and pet shops sell puppies underage and lie about it (7 weeks is 1 week too soon, and you may have an even younger one), and the pup isn't even ready to be weaned, and has all sorts of medical problems.

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Actually 7 weeks is okay, but very small breeds are so susceptible and pups should be in a warm environment to start. Yes, then there are puppy mills that lie about age.

I fully support getting a new puppy checked by a vet as soon as you bring the animal home. It should be one of the first things you do. Call vets in your area and see if one might be willing to make a payment plan or if they know of any alternative methods for getting him checked out.

What type of food are you feeding him and how often? If you are feeding primarily wet food, he may be getting more water than you realize.

Does he have access to any sources of water other than his bowl? Puddles, snow, drinks left in his reach, etc.

If he is not wanting to drink from his water bowl, what type of material is it made of? You might try a different dish. You might try having the breeder (I take she is the one giving him his shots) bring a bottle of her water. If he will drink it, then it may be differences in water sources he doesn't like. Like new foods, you may have to wean him onto new water. Also make certain that the water dish is clean of soap residue.

If he is behaving like a normal puppy, playing, alert when he is awake, wearing himself out attempting to explore his environment, using the bathroom, etc. the sneezing and occasional coughing may be related to dust and/or dry air irritating his nose and throat. Is it getting worse or does it seem to be staying about the same?

Vaccinations will not help with his sneezing and coughing. That isn't what they do. They protect against future exposure not past. The pup is also not fully protected until days (a couple of weeks) after the last series of shots. During this time, limit his exposure to other dogs and try to take him out for pottying in areas not frequented by other dogs.

Is this your first small dog? If so, use a harness for walks. Do not use a collar. They are very susceptible to damage to their throats and wind pipes from pressure exerted by collars.

Can't add much here, everything has pretty much been covered. 7 weeks is a little young to be leaving the pack, and there are just too many possibilities out there. Everything from parvo to worms. You may need to force feed fluids with a syringe. Depending on the level of dehydration you might want to try a pedialite syringe in between water syringes.

I have a feeling OP is a young person, folks. I only mean, if this is the case, then our answers may be too complicated, but I hope TO THE VETisn't.

I also don't think a qualified breeder would let a very small breed dog go this young even if weaned. When you actually realize how small they are and fragile seven weeks is too young.

Thank you for everyone that answered. I'm taking him to the vet today just to get him checked over. He is fully alert and what not. He plays just fine. I've been keeping a very close eye on him. As for what type of dog food I've been giving him. The lady whom sold him to me told me to give him canned dog food. Which I'm only going to be doing for about another two weeks, then I'll be softening up his food with water. A friend of mine told me to get powerade and give that to him if he won't drink; seeing as it has all his electrolytes and what not in it. I'm just so scared he won't make it, it may be because I play so close attention to him that I realize everything wrong he's doing.

Pedialyte is better for him than Powerade. You can find it in the baby section of just about any store. It doesn't have the sugars other things that he definitely doesn't need.

By the way, Congratulations on the new family member. May you have a long and happy relationship. If you need advice on anything, just ask and we will do our best to help.

Koko are you in the UK? Just wondering because pedialyte may be called something else there. I know gaterade is sold there under that name, but not the same to provide electrolytes; a core provider in any warm blooded animal.