The Canadian Family

Bringing a little Chihuahua into your family represents a lot of responsibility that you will have for the little dog. As a toy breed they are prone to many Chihuahua health problems and as a responsible owner it is up to you to familiarize yourself with potential symptoms as much as you can. You will need to know what is standard behavior for a Chihuahua and what classifies as a symptom to a Chihuahua health problem if you are going to truly care for your new pet.

You are going to want to have a long talk with your vet about what to look for in your Chihuahua before you bring the little dog home so that your vet can take you through normal Chihuahua behavior and what to look for if something is wrong. Not only can your vet help you, but also your breeder can also be a vast fountain of knowledge on the care of your Chihuahua and will probably give you information to take home.

Chihuahua health problems are like any other breed’s problems in that some will appear right when they are born and other conditions take time to develop or can be contracted over time. One condition of the Chihuahua is weak leg tendons and ligaments that cause the kneecap to float in and out of place on the dog’s leg. This can be very painful and if you notice that your Chihuahua is having difficulty walking at times then this could be the source of the problem and it requires medical attention for your Chihuahua from the vet immediately.

Another common Chihuahua health problem is that for the males their testicles do not drop and they need a vet to look at them. A normal Chihuahua male will have their testicles drop from their abdomen almost from birth or certainly by the time they reach adulthood. If this has not happened then contact your vet right away, as your Chihuahua will need medical attention for this condition.

Chihuahua health problems can be quite serious but sometimes difficult to detect. One problem that is almost exclusive to the Chihuahua is very difficult to see in the beginning stages and get quite serious if untreated.

Fluids go back and forth from the brain to the body in any animal and in the Chihuahua these fluids can sometimes get blocked causing a swelling around the brain and severe discomfort for the dog. This can usually be found with regular appointments to the vet but if you notice your dog behaving strangely then get it to the vet right away.

Many toy breeds of dog can get crystal in their urine and this can cause a blockage and major health issues. A Chihuahua shares this potential condition with the other toy breeds but some health issues are exclusive to the Chihuahua.

So keep an eye on your Chihuahua and make sure you take them to the vet on a regular basis.