Chihuahuas tend to have less problems than some of the other breeds out there, although no breed is perfect. As a pet owner, you want to make sure your pooch is in top shape at all times, regardless of whether you owned them a month or a year. They are a part of your family and need to be taken care of if something seems off right away. Here are a few things to look out for on your pet Chihuahua.
Patella Subluxation
To put it simply, patella subluxation is known as loose kneecaps. When this happens, your dogs' kneecaps will end up slipping out of their natural groove. For some Chihuahuas, it might occur quite frequently, while others might only have it happen every once in a while. If your pooch happens to be one of those that has it happen quite often, you might need to look into surgery. Dogs that only have a mild case will often be able to deal with the issue without any surgical intervention. Think of it as their having a trick knee.
Hypoglycemia
Just as with humans, dogs can have low blood sugar. It tends to affect younger puppies and most outgrow it as they age, but there are some that end up being stuck with it years down the road. Common symptoms to watch out for are a staggering gait, limpness or glassy eyes. If you don't get your dog the medical attention they need right away, they could end up suffering through seizures and potentially dying. The best thing to do is to give your pet some sugar and head to the vet. Once properly diagnosed, you can change their feeding schedule around to compensate for the condition.
Hydrocephalus
Chihuahuas that struggle with water on their brain will end up having a larger than normal head. The swelling will cause them to suffer from seizures, fall down a lot and have a large amount of white showing where their eyes should be darker. These pets are in a tremendous amount of pain and often don't live very long. The best thing you can do is to put your pet down and allow them the peace and relief they need.
Your Chihuahua needs the proper care and attention to make sure it doesn't have to suffer through a debilitating condition. Get them checked out by the veterinarian on a regular basis to prevent something from progressing when you could have prevented it. Visit http://www.1stPetVet.com for more information.
