Common Chihuahua Health Problems

When you decide it is time to bring a Chihuahua into your family you are going to need to know what to expect in the way of common Chihuahua health problems so you know what to look out for and what symptoms to look for. Some problems the Chihuahua is born with and others are developed over time. But you should never hesitate to get your Chihuahua to the vet if you think something may be wrong or if you think emergency medical care for your Chihuahua is necessary.

Before you bring your Chihuahua home have a long talk with your vet about what health issues to expect from your new dog and also discuss identifying the symptoms. If you have normal behavior explained to you and then you are given the warning signs to look for you are better equipped to help your dog should something happen. Your breeder should also send you home with a great deal of information about what to watch for with your new dog and how to identify any prospective health issues.

Many Chihuahua health problems are part of the breed’s character and are usually present at birth. Some of the problems develop over time but you should be able to identify the serious conditions right away. One common Chihuahua health problem is a floating kneecap. Sometimes their legs do not develop properly and the material that is supposed to hold the kneecap in place is weak and causes the kneecap to float in and out of place. This is very painful and needs medical attention right away.

A male Chihuahua will have its testicles drop from its abdomen almost right at birth. If it does not happen at birth then it will most certainly happen by the time they reach adulthood. If the testicles do not drop this is the sign of a serious medical problem and needs attention from your vet right away so this is something you should monitor if you notice any abnormality early in your male dog’s life.

Some Chihuahua health problems you can see coming and some you cannot. Some health issues are difficult to see yet can be very dangerous if they are left untreated. The brain in any animal constantly has fluid going to and from it and in a Chihuahua that flow of fluid can sometimes get blocked causing a swelling on the brain.

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.

Either way it is important to monitor your Chihuahua’s health at all times as you never know what could happen and you should always make sure you get your dog to regular vet appointments.

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