The ‘world’s tiniest X-ray’ saves 4-week-old puppy after urgent visit to the vet

Puppies are known for their boundless energy and playful nature, but sometimes the tiniest ones face unexpected challenges. This was the case for a 4-week-old Chihuahua mix puppy named Tyler, who has been under close care due to some concerning health issues. As reported by Good Good Good, Tyler, who is about the size of a large guacamole from Chipotle, as stated by Austin Pets Alive, hadn’t been showing the usual energy or appetite expected from a growing puppy.

“Tyler has been on our medical team’s radar for not having much energy or appetite,” mentioned the shelter on their Instagram post. These unusual signs led the team to closely monitor him, and things took a worrying turn when the little Chihuahua mix began struggling to go potty and cried out in pain. “That can mean an emergency in a male dog,” they explained, so Tyler was immediately rushed to the clinic for an urgent check-up.

At the clinic, Tyler underwent what was described as the “world’s tiniest x-ray” to investigate possible internal issues. Thankfully, the x-ray showed that Tyler wasn’t dealing with any blockage or urinary problems. The diagnosis revealed that he had been severely constipated. “He’s now on lots of medications to help him; he’s not out of the clear,” said the medical team. Although Tyler is still smaller than his siblings and has struggled to gain weight, he is now receiving the care he needs. Tyler is living with a foster family, his mom, and four siblings, and will be ready for adoption in a few weeks once he has recovered and is strong enough to find his forever home.

Tyler undoubtedly experienced something unusual, as constipation is not that common in younger canines. According to a report by the National Library of Medicine, a study found that the most common cause of anorexia (loss of appetite) in dogs was due to food issues, which were recorded in 144 cases, making up 6.1% of the overall health problems. When it comes to constipation, the main causes were swallowing foreign objects and problems with the anal sacs, each seen in 4 cases, representing 0.16% of all health issues. The study also revealed that age plays a big role in digestive problems. Puppies under 6 months old were more likely to get diarrhea, while dogs between 6 months and 3 years old were more prone to anorexia. Older dogs, on the other hand, were more likely to experience vomiting than other digestive issues. 

According to Animal General, there are certain signs of constipation in dogs that one should monitor; these can include excessive circling, scooting on the ground, and crying when trying to defecate. You may also notice a tense abdomen if you press on their stomach or lower back. Furthermore, common causes of constipation include a side effect of medication, lack of exercise, an enlarged prostate gland, blocked or abscessed anal sacs, and orthopedic issues that make it painful for a dog to position itself to defecate. Other factors like excessive self-grooming, changes in diet, or excessive/insufficient fiber in their food can also contribute to the health issue.