Tholexnic Chihuahuas Health
| Jana Runnels Email: tholexnic@verizon.net |
The Chihuahua Club of America has many terrific articles on Chihuahua Health. Please Click here for the CCA link to view
them.
One of the best way to guard your little one is to buy your dog form an ethical breeder. One who studies the breed and tries
to improve on not just the breed standard but on physical health as well. This is not always a guarantee. But it helps.
them.
One of the best way to guard your little one is to buy your dog form an ethical breeder. One who studies the breed and tries
to improve on not just the breed standard but on physical health as well. This is not always a guarantee. But it helps.
Luxating Patella-
This is a huge problem that plagues many wonderful toy breeds. To the left is an image
of a healthy patella (or kneecap).
It is a structural problem of unsound hind legs. What happens is the kneecap (patella)
slips out of its groove and moves against the thighbone instead of along it's natural
grove. This is an inherited trait. This condition can be aggravated with a very active dog
especially one that leaps off of furniture. Surgery will fix the problem in severe cases.
How to spot it-
A dog that shifts its weight from one hind leg to Another hopping or rear-leg lameness,
or the inability to extend the leg fully. Or a dog that will for no apparent reason have its
rear leg sticking out at an odd angle.
I think this is the most common health concern in the Chihuahua breed.
This is a huge problem that plagues many wonderful toy breeds. To the left is an image
of a healthy patella (or kneecap).
It is a structural problem of unsound hind legs. What happens is the kneecap (patella)
slips out of its groove and moves against the thighbone instead of along it's natural
grove. This is an inherited trait. This condition can be aggravated with a very active dog
especially one that leaps off of furniture. Surgery will fix the problem in severe cases.
How to spot it-
A dog that shifts its weight from one hind leg to Another hopping or rear-leg lameness,
or the inability to extend the leg fully. Or a dog that will for no apparent reason have its
rear leg sticking out at an odd angle.
I think this is the most common health concern in the Chihuahua breed.
Some common Chihuahua Health issues include the following. PLEASE note that just because you have a chihuahua or
other toy breed does not necessarily mean that your dog will have these Problems they are however predisposed for them
and must be screened for them.
Cancer- This is less common in Chihuahuas than in other toy breeds but is still a concern. You want to look out for a visible
lump, your vet can tell you if it is cancer after he/she extracts the entire lump or cells of it and examines it.
The most common form of cancer in chihuahuas is Melanoma. Usually cropping up at about 9 years of age.
Collapsed Trachea- This condition is characterized by a narrowing or collapse of the windpipe. Signs include wheezing,
difficulty breathing, or a hacking cough. Check with your vet in server cases. In mild ones a calming neck rub often helps.
Cystinura- The formation of crystals in the urine. If left untreated it can cause kidney and bladder stones. Chihuahuas are a
high risk breed. Signs include blood in the urine. Having to urinate often while only leaving small puddles. Treatment includes:
a special diet and increasing water intake. Surgery is sometimes nessisary.
Chihuahuas are also prone to a variety of eye conditions:
Conjunctivitis- Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the eye. Their may be discharge. If your dogs eye looks red take
him/her to the vet. Dogs with allergies are more prone to this condition.
Keratitis-
Type 1- Chronic Superficial Keratitis or degenerative pannus- Not painful but affected dogs can loose vision in the eye.
TYPE 2- Keratoconjunctivitis- Dry eye, Occurs where their is insufficient moisture in the tear film. It is usually accompanied by
a thick discharge. Treatment is: anti-inflamatories and tear stimulants.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)-First starts to appear as night blindness. Eventually the dog becomes totally blind. This is
characterised by accumulations of pigment in the layer of pigmented lining of the retina. Eventually the dog will become totally
blind their is no cure. This is why it important to have these tests preformed before breeding a dog.
Hypoglycemia- (Low-blood sugar).-
This is a big problem in all toy breeds who do not have a significant amount of fat around their liver. Most often seen in young
dogs. Sometimes called juvenile hypoglycemia. Symptoms: lethargy, weakness, lack of coordination. If left untreated coma or
Death simple treatments include: karo syrup, nutrical (puppy) , or honey on the roof of your dogs mouth. Always seek medical
help. And follow up with your veterinarian.
Metal Valve disease- This is a heart Condition characterised by the degenerative thickening and progressive deformity of one
or more of the heart valves. It is usually accompanied by a heart murmur. Males are more susceptible than females.
Symptoms include: weakness,fainting,night coughing. No prevention. Early detection and correct treatment may give your
cherished pet more years to live. It is completely unethical for dogs with this condition to be bred.
Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas. Diet too high in fat can cause this condition. Symptoms are: lethargy , loss of
appetite, vomiting,diarrhea and abdominal pain. EMERGENCY!
Retained baby teeth- VERY COMMON- Sometimes a pup may fail to shed his/her baby teeth. A veterinarian can remove these.
Big issue in all toy breeds. This often displaces permanent teeth.
Skin disease- Bacterial, fungal, allergies or hormones are the major cause, as well as hereditary. Baldness (alopecia) is a
common type of baldness and cannot be treated. Blue chihuahuas are especially prone to this condition.
Molera - Very common in chihuahuas. It does not harm the dog in any way (It actually helps them during birth). It used to be in
the breed standard. Todays chihuahuas are accepted as purebred with or without an open molera.
Health screens recommended for Chihuahuas
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) www.offc.org
This service was set up for breeders who wished to improve their lines by not breeding dogs with any orthopedic problems
they have sense branched out into other areas as well. I recommend that anyone interested in k-9 health look here.
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
Was established by breeders who wanted their lines to be free of hereditary eye disease. CERF was established with board
certified veterinary ophthalmologists and organized as a centralized national registry.
other toy breed does not necessarily mean that your dog will have these Problems they are however predisposed for them
and must be screened for them.
Cancer- This is less common in Chihuahuas than in other toy breeds but is still a concern. You want to look out for a visible
lump, your vet can tell you if it is cancer after he/she extracts the entire lump or cells of it and examines it.
The most common form of cancer in chihuahuas is Melanoma. Usually cropping up at about 9 years of age.
Collapsed Trachea- This condition is characterized by a narrowing or collapse of the windpipe. Signs include wheezing,
difficulty breathing, or a hacking cough. Check with your vet in server cases. In mild ones a calming neck rub often helps.
Cystinura- The formation of crystals in the urine. If left untreated it can cause kidney and bladder stones. Chihuahuas are a
high risk breed. Signs include blood in the urine. Having to urinate often while only leaving small puddles. Treatment includes:
a special diet and increasing water intake. Surgery is sometimes nessisary.
Chihuahuas are also prone to a variety of eye conditions:
Conjunctivitis- Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the eye. Their may be discharge. If your dogs eye looks red take
him/her to the vet. Dogs with allergies are more prone to this condition.
Keratitis-
Type 1- Chronic Superficial Keratitis or degenerative pannus- Not painful but affected dogs can loose vision in the eye.
TYPE 2- Keratoconjunctivitis- Dry eye, Occurs where their is insufficient moisture in the tear film. It is usually accompanied by
a thick discharge. Treatment is: anti-inflamatories and tear stimulants.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)-First starts to appear as night blindness. Eventually the dog becomes totally blind. This is
characterised by accumulations of pigment in the layer of pigmented lining of the retina. Eventually the dog will become totally
blind their is no cure. This is why it important to have these tests preformed before breeding a dog.
Hypoglycemia- (Low-blood sugar).-
This is a big problem in all toy breeds who do not have a significant amount of fat around their liver. Most often seen in young
dogs. Sometimes called juvenile hypoglycemia. Symptoms: lethargy, weakness, lack of coordination. If left untreated coma or
Death simple treatments include: karo syrup, nutrical (puppy) , or honey on the roof of your dogs mouth. Always seek medical
help. And follow up with your veterinarian.
Metal Valve disease- This is a heart Condition characterised by the degenerative thickening and progressive deformity of one
or more of the heart valves. It is usually accompanied by a heart murmur. Males are more susceptible than females.
Symptoms include: weakness,fainting,night coughing. No prevention. Early detection and correct treatment may give your
cherished pet more years to live. It is completely unethical for dogs with this condition to be bred.
Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas. Diet too high in fat can cause this condition. Symptoms are: lethargy , loss of
appetite, vomiting,diarrhea and abdominal pain. EMERGENCY!
Retained baby teeth- VERY COMMON- Sometimes a pup may fail to shed his/her baby teeth. A veterinarian can remove these.
Big issue in all toy breeds. This often displaces permanent teeth.
Skin disease- Bacterial, fungal, allergies or hormones are the major cause, as well as hereditary. Baldness (alopecia) is a
common type of baldness and cannot be treated. Blue chihuahuas are especially prone to this condition.
Molera - Very common in chihuahuas. It does not harm the dog in any way (It actually helps them during birth). It used to be in
the breed standard. Todays chihuahuas are accepted as purebred with or without an open molera.
Health screens recommended for Chihuahuas
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) www.offc.org
This service was set up for breeders who wished to improve their lines by not breeding dogs with any orthopedic problems
they have sense branched out into other areas as well. I recommend that anyone interested in k-9 health look here.
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
Was established by breeders who wanted their lines to be free of hereditary eye disease. CERF was established with board
certified veterinary ophthalmologists and organized as a centralized national registry.
Problems highlighted with a Are Problems chihuahuas are especially prone to.
At the bottom of this page their is also information on chihuahua health screens.
At the bottom of this page their is also information on chihuahua health screens.
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