Hi everyone,

I just wanted to get some advice really. I have just recently obtained a jack russell pup, I saw her with her mum and brothers on Sunday which was all good. The trouble is I was told she and her sister were the small ones in the litter. Lola we have called her, and she is half the size of her brothers, who were picking on her biting her etc. She has the markings of a jack russell, but a very rounded head and big eyes, she looks more like a chow, sorry not sure how to spell that ! She has also got her soft spots still on the top of her head. The lady we got her from, had taken her to the vet and the vet had just said she is a very late developer, but he can see nothing wrong with her. What concerns me is that her hearing and her being able to sniff things out is fine, it's just her sight, she doesn't seem to react quick, or see has much as she should? Is this just because of her size, her being a late developer or should I be concerned?

Perhaps someone could advise me?

Thanks

Kind Regards

Donna

You know, I am not sure of an answer for your question.  But I know, I would take my pup to the vets, and have them do an eye exam.  Then you would know for sure either way.

Thanks Crespin

I was meant to say a Chihuahua, not chow ! She looks just like one at the moment, I can't remember if I asked if her dad was a JRT or not, I guess I may have just pressumed this?!

Hmmm, certainly sounds like she could be a chihuahua mix. If the breeder advertised them as JR's then maybe she was aiming to get 'teacup' JR's out of it as these, as for some reason they are one of the latest fads.

Just ring and ask her, Im sure if shes a regular nice lady she will tell you what the dad was.

If the vet recons shes ok then I wouldnt worry to much (just watch that she doesnt have any trauma to the soft spot, being as shes still young)

Paula

The open fontanelle is a bit of a give-away that there's something other than JR in there.

Hi Pugnut

Thanks for your reply. They are advertised as just Jack Russell Puppies, but the 5 boys look just like mum, but the 2 girls do look like Chihuahua mix. I just worry as she is so very small!

I think I will contact her, she did seem really nice, and so I have no reason to think she wouldn't tell me.

Okay so I think my next stop is the vet just to get her checked over.

Thanks

Donna

Thanks for your message Jeangenie

I never knew that? I guess this will close in time? I hope so, i do hope she does get a little bigger also, but saying all that as long as she is fit and healthy then we don't mind, we love our lola.

thanks

Donna

My auntie has a "Jack Russell" which to me looks nothing like one, has a really furry coat etc.

Chi's and other toy breeds can have problems with Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) so you need to make sure she eats little and often, and also keep her warm.  For this reason reputable chi breeders and other small toy breeders do not home their pups until they are about 12 weeks of age.

Here are some Google results http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Open+fontanel+in+dogs&meta= on Open fontanelle which is  a birth defect when found in dogs (unlike being normal for human babies).

Hydrocephalus would be a concern as the open fontanel can be a symptom, and as you are seeing other symptoms pressure to the Brain would be a worry.

A visit to you own vet is needed anyway to arrange her vaccinations so I would raise these issues with your vet.  Hopefully they can put your mind at rest and she is just rather slow.

I hope you have your pet insurance already sorted just in case - fingers crossed everything is okay

Maxine

Hi

Well I have just found out that her dad is also a Jack Russell, but something is right about her that's for sure.

Thanks for your message

Donna

Hi, thanks for your message.

I have just found out her dad is also a jack russell. So now I am stumped as to why she looks the way she does !

Thanks for the link.

Donna

Hi

The owner did mention Hydrocephaulus to me, the vet mentioned it to her, but the vet thinks that she didn't have it. I am sure she has something wrong with her eyesight, and now looking on the web site about this condition, she does look down and looks very unsure on her feet. I know she was a free puppy, but I desperately didn't want anything to be wrong with her.

We bought a PJR last year and he sadly injured his leg whilst chasing his ball in the park, fell awkward and broke his leg he was only 9 weeks old, and the vet said he would need an operation, but he wasn't concerned, as he was a healthy little pup. Sadly he died under the ansthetic (sorry for the spelling!) we were devstated, my daughter and I. It's taken me until now to get another pup, I am not sure I could go through the pain of loosing her too !

Thanks for your messages, I shall visit the vet, and hope for good news.

Kind Regards

Donna

Thanks Maxine

I haven't got it sorted yet as only picked her up sunday !

Donna

If they are both JR's I wonder if it could be dwarfism?  Depending on the type of dwrfism there may be more or less problems.  I think you need to see youe own vet, and it may even need a specialist opinion.

The breeder didn't have another dog in residence did she and kept the bitch away from other dogs at her receptive time as litters have been known to be sired by different dogs? The deed can be done in a matter of seconds without the owner knowing.
Angela