Medical Issues

This is not to say that all Chihuahuas are going to have the problems that are described below. As a matter of fact, the well-bred Chihuahua is likely NOT to have any of these problems. However, as with any dog, there are certain problems that are more likely to occur depending on the breed. The issues described here are more likely to occur in very small dogs, such as the Chihuahua. Although this page is quite wordy, you should take the time to become familiar with the terms and information.

Hypoglycemia

Hy-po-gly-ce-mi-a is commonly referred to as low blood-sugar. Dogs that go into hypoglycemia suffer from weakness, they can collapse, and/or go into seizures.

HYPOGLYCEMIA
by Lee Weston
Hypoglycemia is the medical term used to describe abnormally low levels of blood glucose. Blood glucose, which is another term for blood sugar, is regulated by insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by cells that are called "beta cells", that are part of the endocrine pancreas. Dogs that go into hypoglycemia suffer from weakness, they can collapse, and/or go into seizures. Some toy breeds suffer from hypoglycemia as a metabolic disorder. Sometimes in hunting dogs hypoglycemia occurs at the beginning of the hunting season, and is usually the result of poor conditioning and can also be related to poor nutrition.

It is imperative that owners of breeds of dog that are susceptible to attacks be aware of some of the clinical signs of the onset of an attack of hypoglycemia. These signs can include the dog becoming noticeably confused, disoriented, becomes drowsy at unusual times, shivers, and/or staggers about. An advanced stage is the dog collapses, and goes into an unconscious state. The entire sequence of clinical signs is not always seen, so close observation of your pet and knowing when your dog is going into a distressed state, can mean the difference between life and death of your dog. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative, as recurrence of, or prolonged attacks, can cause permanent damage to the brain.

Sometimes a dog will outgrow this condition since it affects puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age most commonly. However, if the dog is high strung, or has a lot of nervous energy, the dog will need to be watched carefully, and kept in a calm state. Some instances that precipates an attack might be: the puppy being placed in a new home, or while being shipped. It may occur if a puppy misses a meal, becomes chilled, or becomes exhausted from too much play.

What can you do for your dog if you notice the early signs of hypoglycemia? You may want to let the dog have some sugar water, or Karo syrup, or even some honey. Just a teaspoon or so, depending on the size of your dog. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog becomes unconscious, have someone call your vet, and get the dog to the vet immediately. Place the dog on a rigid surface for transport, and have a rider check to make sure the dog has not inhaled its own secretions, or has strangled on its tongue.
If you are fortunate enough to have a veterinarian diagnose your dog with hypoglycemia, before any serious attacks occur, have the veterinarian go over symptoms, first aid for your dog, and any other emergency procedures that you may need to know.

Patellar Luxation

The patella (kneecap) is a small bone which guards the knee joint. The patella sits in a grove in the femur, and is held in place by a combination of ligaments and muscles. This bone can slip out of position due to injury, poor alignment, weak ligaments, or insufficient groove in the femur. Generally the dog will limp, carry the leg off the ground, or hop when running. If the problem is severe it can necessitate surgery.
Patellar luxation can be either hereditary or due to injury.

Patellar luxation is the dislocation (slipping) of the patella (kneecap). In dogs the patella is a small bone that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella slides in a grove in the femur. The kneecap may dislocate toward the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs. The most common occurrence of luxating patella is the medial presentation in small or miniature dog breeds. Shallow femoral groove, weak ligaments and malalignment of the tendons and muscles that straighten the joint are all conditions that will predispose a dog toward luxating patellas.

Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse is due to a weakness in the windpipe. This condition tends to occur more often in some family bloodlines, than others. In looking to purchase a Chihuahua pup, be sure that the "family" is healthy, sound and long-lived. For more information please see: Medical Index/Tracheal Collapse

Before studying the repercussions of tracheal collapse, it is important to understand the structure and functions of this part of canine anatomy. The trachea is the airway tube which connects the larynx to the main-stem bronchi in the lungs. Structurally, the trachea consists of "C" shaped cartilage rings and flexible tissue, covered by a specialized lining. This lining has cells with tiny hair-like projections (cillia). The primary function of the cillia is the removal of mucus, inhaled particles and inhaled bacteria. Between the movement of the cillia gathering this debris and the cough reflex, the trachea serves as a filter screening this debris from reaching the lungs.

Tracheal collapse is the name given to a syndrome in which the rigid structure of the trachea becomes weakened. This weakened area collapses due to external and/or internal pressure created during activity, thus interfering with normal respiration. The weakened area becomes irritated. Since coughing and respiratory exertion can cause further irritation, clinical signs will worsen and the condition can become self perpetuating. Tracheal collapse may occur alone or in association with another airway disorder (most often chronic bronchitis). A chronic "honking" cough can be an indication of this condition. In some cases the cough can become so severe that the animal behaves as though there is something caught in its throat. Other indications of this disorder include; breathing difficulty, tiring easily and exercise intolerance. Mild cases often respond well to cough suppressants and stress reduction (reduce intense exercise and excitement). These dogs can live long and healthy lives. In more advanced cases surgical correction may be necessary. In cases of combination airway disorders, treatment of the contributing disorders may be necessary before treating the tracheal collapse.

These are only a few of the concerns for Chihuahuas and other small breed dogs. For more information on health for your pet, please visit the Links to learn more at other web sites.