About the Health of Chihuahuas

Because of their size and delicate constitution, chihuahuas are more prone to certain medical issues than larger breeds. While some of these issues are hereditary, most can be treated and many can be prevented if the owner learns in advance what needs to be done.

Because chihuahuas' eyes are rather protruding, they are more likely to suffer eye injuries than other breeds of dogs, including many toy dogs. Owners need to be particularly careful about pulling the skin on top of the head, as this can cause damage to the eyelids. It's also important to make sure there are no dangerous or exposed corners at eye level, so hyper chihuahuas won't run into them when playing. Chihuahuas are also prone to developing progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), in which the retina develops lesions in the form of pigment accumulation, eventually leading to blindness. Chihuahuas that suffer from hypoglycemia may experience temporary blindness when their blood sugar is too low, although this is usually solved by changing dietary habits.

Chihuahuas, as well as other small toy dogs, tend to suffer from low blood sugar. This is mostly genetic, although the amount of activity and the eating habits of your pet will also have a say in whether your dog develops diabetes. To lower the risk of developing diabetes, chihuahuas should be fed several times a day small servings of food, rather than only having two large meals a day. Also, it would help to choose high-quality dog food, where fillers such as corn or other grains are not listed as the main ingredients (meat should be number one in the list). Have your chihuahua checked for low blood sugar at least once and keep your eyes open for symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as glassy eyes, dizzy-like walk and lack of energy.

Dislocated kneecaps (luxation of the patella) are also rather common in chihuahuas. This is congenital disease that progresses with age and often requires surgery to be corrected. When not addressed properly and on time, it can lead to deformity and difficulty walking.

Chihuahuas are also highly susceptible to seizures, which in most cases come about unexpectedly and may be difficult to diagnose, given the characteristic shaking and nervousness of the breed. However, chihuahuas who experience seizures are likely to urinate on themselves and experience severe shaking (sometimes dropping to the floor). In many cases, this is directly related to hypoglycemia, while in other it's due to a chemical malfunction or a brain issue. Medication is available to treat this problem and many dogs do regain a normal level of life in spite of this medical issue.

Many owners assume, incorrectly, that the small size of the chihuahua makes it immune to respiratory diseases. In fact, it's the small size of the trachea and lungs that makes it more likely for them to experience breathing problems. This is especially common in young dogs, who get overly excited and active and may then have trouble getting enough oxygen to their lungs. The trachea of the chihuahua is also very delicate and can easily collapse, leading to severe breathing difficulties. Air irritants such as strong chemicals and smoke can make breathing harder for small dogs, even in cases where the animal has no diagnosed issues.