That said, as with all breeds, these adorable small dogs are predisposed to some nasty Chihuahua health problems. But fear not! Most of these conditions are entirely treatable, and many Chihuahuas live long, healthy lives.
What diseases and illnesses should you look out for as a Chihuahua parent? What symptoms are harmless, and what warrants a visit to your veterinarian? Described below are the top 10 Chihuahua health problems that every Chihuahua owner needs to know about.
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1. Luxating Patella
A luxating patella, also known as patellar luxation, is the dislocation of the kneecap. It is a hereditary disease that usually starts to present about four months after a puppy is born.
A Chihuahua with a luxating patella may limp or avoid using the affected leg completely. If it affects your dog’s hind legs, you may notice him/her holding their hind legs in the air for several minutes at a time. This is to relax the affected legs’ muscles and ease their kneecaps back into place.
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Thankfully, patellar luxation isn’t very painful; your pup will only be in pain when their kneecap first dislocates.
Surgery is used to treat extreme cases of patellar luxation. Most of the time, your vet will just want to monitor the disease to keep track of any future complications.
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2. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Your Chihuahua may act weak, dizzy, disorientated, unusually drowsy, or even lose consciousness.
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Always take your Chihuahua to the vet right away if you suspect they are hypoglycemic. They could need a new diet or other measures to keep them healthy. Hypoglycemia can be a symptom of a larger disease, such as diabetes or liver disease which only a veterinarian can diagnose.
Make sure your Chihuahua is eating enough food throughout the day if they are prone to hypoglycemia. Missing one or two meals is enough for small breeds to suffer a drop in blood sugar levels which can result in severe consequences such as seizures.
3. Tracheal Collapse
The trachea is the tube that carries your Chihuahua’s breath from their mouths and noses to their lungs. If it collapses, your Chihuahua will have trouble breathing and develop a chronic honking cough.
When a tracheal collapse is severe, your dog may have blue gums or faint, because they can’t breathe. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment by your vet or local animal hospital.
Collapsed tracheas are very common and have a good prognosis when treated proactively. Your vet may prescribe cough suppressants or a steroid to open your Chihuahua’s airway as much as possible.
4. Tooth and Gum Disease
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