Chihuahuas have a distinct liking for others of their own breed and an equally distinct dislike for dogs of other breeds. Therefore, if you want more than one dog, make the additional dogs Chihuahuas. And if you already have a dog of another breed, consider carefully before getting a Chihuahua. Like other small dogs, the Chihuahua faces a danger outdoors that does not threaten his canine cousins that weigh more than 15 pounds — he is just the right size for a meal for a bird of prey or a coyote.
Large hawks, eagles, and owls in some city fringes and suburbs have been known to swoop down on smaller pets and carry them away. The indomitable spirit of the Chihuahua also causes problems when the little dog wants to spar with a large breed dog, especially one with a dominant personality or more predatory nature. It is best to always keep a Chihuahua on a leash or carried in your arms so it cannot challenge a big dog to a duel it will surely lose.
If you are considering a Chihuahua, locate a responsible breeder, rather than scurry down to the local pet store, where puppies are more often purchased from breeders whose priority is profit without concern for the animals well-being or temperament. These small dogs are not the pet of choice for households with small children, and often a pet store will not share this information with you.
A quality breeder, adamant about finding good homes for their puppies, will rarely place a puppy in a home with children under the age of Chihuahuas have small litters, often only one or two puppies - so the number of puppies available from responsible, quality breeders can be scarce. Responsible breeders will check parent dogs for genetic abnormalities, back their puppies with warranties and support the buyer with advice and assistance - doing their best to breed only dogs of good temperament.
Learning as much as you can about Chihuahuas before choosing one as a companion, will help make your new pet a joy for many years to come. His loyalty and love will reward you well. Pet Assure is the largest veterinary network in the U. Pet Assure powers DVM Network, a brand built to support our participating veterinary professionals and help them grow their practice.
Visit www. He might then kick his leg out sideways to pop the kneecap back in place. These are common signs of patellar luxation. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication.
When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from luxating further. Young Chihuahuas may be prone to a painful degenerative hip condition called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The exact cause of this condition is still not completely understood, but it is thought to be caused by a reduced blood supply to the hip, which causes the femoral head the top of the thigh bone to become brittle and fracture easily.
Usually occurring between six and nine months of age, LCP causes pain and lameness in one or both rear legs, and often requires surgery. The trachea, or windpipe, is made up of rings of cartilage that look similar to the ridged hose of a vacuum cleaner. This ridged structure provides both flexibility and strength to the trachea. In Chihuahuas, these cartilage rings are sometimes weak or incorrectly formed. As a result, the trachea can collapse and become too narrow, leading to coughing or difficulty breathing.
Most cases of tracheal collapse are mild and can be treated symptomatically with medication. When symptoms are severe, however, surgery may be recommended. Your Chihuahua is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury.
Your Chi is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt PSS. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively.
Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Chihuahuas are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us at immediately! Breeds with a large head and small pelvis are more prone to difficulties during the birthing process. If you are interested in breeding your Chihuahua, speak with us first. We can help you make an informed decision based on the body conformations of both sire and dam.
Dogs normally begin to lose their primary "puppy" teeth at around 4 months of age. If the primary teeth don't fall out as the adult teeth come in, infection or damage to the adult teeth may occur.
Retained puppy teeth crowd the incoming adult teeth and can trap food and hair between the teeth causing cavities and infections. Painful gums, bad breath, and adult tooth loss can result if untreated.
Several neurologic diseases can afflict Chihuahuas. Symptoms of neurological problems can include seizures, imbalance, tremors, weakness, or excessive sleeping.
The health care chart included in this care guide will list the specific conditions we will be monitoring for. If you notice any of these symptoms, please seek immediate veterinary care.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common condition in young, small-breed dogs, like your Chihuahua. Physical signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, collapse, and seizures.
Hypoglycemia may occur after exercise, periods of excitement, or after missing a meal. If your little one shows any of these signs, call us right away! In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected.
Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies.
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How do two chihuahuas get along? Who makes chihuahuas? Study Guides. Trending Questions. What can you hold in your right hand but not in your left hand? Still have questions? Find more answers. Speak to your vet about the right diet for your Chihuahua puppy. Make sure you and your family members stay off those ears — no rubbing, no petting, no pulling. Warn your kids against it — even the slightest trauma can damage the cartilage which can cause the ears to droop permanently.
However, do talk to your vet before you use this technique. Check out next section for the steps of ear taping. Even Chihuahuas with drooping ears look cute and with proper care you can keep them infection-free as well.
In case you want your Chihuahua puppy to have perky ears, then use the following steps for taping:. Cropped ear is useful for working dogs like German Shepherds, etc. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association now warns against this cruel practice. This is because of the possibility of infections as well as extreme stress to the dog. Other signs of ear pain and ear infection including pawing the ears, tilting the head to one side, hair loss around the ear in long haired Chihuahua, excess dark ear wax, etc.
Keep in mind that certain health issues like thyroid, diabetes, etc. This small dog breed has big ears mainly due to its ancestors — the Techihi and Xolo dog breeds. Their big ears help protect your Chi from the hot sun and also prevent ear infections. They even help your Chihuahua hear better and in communicating their feelings.
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