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.
As with any other situation involving the health of your pet one of the best places to get advice is your vet. Sit down with your vet and ask them about standard Chihuahua behavior and then have them tell you some of the tell tale signs that something may be wrong. You don’t need to be a vet but you should know what type of behavior indicates an issue. Your breeder will also supply you with a lot of helpful information that you should review and ask your breeder any questions you may have.
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.
When male Chihuahua pups are born their testicles are up in their abdomen. Almost right after birth a healthy male Chihuahua will have its testicles drop from the abdomen and if it doesn’t happen at birth then it needs to happen by the time they reach adulthood. If you notice that this trait is lacking in your Chihuahua then you will want to get them to the vet right away, as this is the sign of a very serious health issue that your vet will want to take care of as soon as possible.
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.
A Chihuahua has a series of health issues that are exclusive to it and then some that are common among toy breeds of dogs. For example, a Chihuahua shares a condition also found in breeds like a Basset Hound in that crystal can form in their urine causing blockages and major problems. So keep an eye on your Chihuahua and make sure you take them to the vet on a regular basis.
