HEALTHY CHIHUAHUA

Chihuahua breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care.

Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters, and care must be taken to provide them with adequate nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to overfeed this tiny breed, because overfeeding can be a grave danger to the small dog's health, shortening their life and leading to diabetes. 

Overweight Chihuahua are can cause : 

• Joint injuries
• Tracheal collapse
• Chronic bronchitis
• Shortened life span

Chihuahua can also be at risk for : 

• Hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar )
• Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma.
• Eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. His prominent eyes are susceptible to corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma.
• Chihuahua also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. One reason for this may be because small dogs have a higher metabolism than larger dogs and therefore dissipate heat faster. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.
• The Chihuahua tends to wheeze and snore, because of his short nose.
• Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsyand seizure disorders.
• Prone to slipped stifle, gum problems, colds, stress, and rheumatism.

Chihuahua and other toy breeds are also prone to the sometimes painful disease hydrocephalus.Chihuahua puppies are born with large heads, frequently necessitating cesarean deliveries by a skilled veterinarian. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable ( since a large head is such a broad description ).Chihuahua puppies exhibiting hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.

Chihuahua are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls and an unclosed section of the skull which can remain open throughout life. This makes the dog prone to injury.Chihuahua are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahua as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis. 

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