Chihuahuas tend to be a very health breed, and your dog will probably live between 15 to 22 years of age. This doesn’t mean there are not some health concerns that you should be aware of in you dog. With any breed, there are certain health risks associated with Chihuahuas, as well as you should be aware of some genetic disorders.
Hydrocephalus (water in the brain) is one of the genetic disorders that Chihuahuas are faced with. This is a condition where there is too much fluid around the brain which will cause the head to be larger. This is a fatal condition! Dogs are born with an incomplete skill, which can create spots that are soft towards the top of the head. If a dog is hit in one of these soft spots they can be killed. Some of the dogs skulls will close up over time, but some dogs soft spots will never completely close.
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar and can occur in any dog or person. Hypoglycemia is another condition that you should be conscience of since it can cause coma or death. Chihuahuas have a very high metabolism and if they are fed improperly, or frequently enough, they can suffer from a lower blood sugar than is normal.
With these dogs being so small and close to the ground they are prone to foreign objects in their eyes. Add that to the fact they have another issue with protruding eyes, they often get eye infections. So it is important at the first sign of redness or irritation you bring your pet into the vet so they can avoid any type of eye infection.
Chihuahuas are small dogs and being overweight can affect their health considerably. So obesity is another concern. You must make sure you take care to provide proper nutrition for the health of your dog. Check with your vet to make sure you are not overfeeding them, or feeding them a poor quality food that can contribute to obesity.
New owners of Chihuahuas wonder about the shivering and trembling they see in the dog, but this is seldom due to any health issue. Most of the time it actually indicates that your dog is full of energy that they want / need to expend, or it could simply mean your dog is cold and you need to cuddle with them.
If you are planning on breeding your do make sure you seek out medical assistance during the birthing process. It is very important because Chihuahuas are so small that it is not uncommon for both the mother and pups to be lost in the process. These small does should NEVER give birth without assistance.
As with all dogs you should bring your Chihuahua into the vet at a minimum of two times a year to be looked at. This will help you prevent many health problems and allow you to detect something that could be more serious in its early stages. With your diligence in caring for you dog, you can expect a long time companion.
