Chihuahua health problems

Chihuahuas aren’t just clever and chatty, they also love spending quality time with their pet parents!

For centuries, Chihuahuas have been devoted companions to people around the world. The Chihuahua’s charm is partly linked to their dainty appearance, but also due to the fact this little dog is good to train (with the right reward, of course!).

Your Chihuahua’s grooming needs will depend on whether they’re short-haired or long-haired, with long-haired Chihuahuas requiring daily brushing to keep their coats in tip top condition.

Explore our Chihuahua breed guide for more information about this characterful dog breed!

Potential health conditions linked to the Chihuahua breed

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in the Chihuahua breed, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by Chihuahuas. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Chihuahua for more information.  

Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.   

Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Dental disease

Some dog breeds, including the Chihuahua, are prone to dental disease.

Most dogs have their full set of 42 permanent adult teeth by the age of around six months, so dental disease could start to develop at any time after this.

Pet parents may prevent dental disease by following vet advice to brush their dog’s teeth, provide dental-care toys, and offer dry dog biscuits as part of a balanced diet. However, certain dog breeds, like Chihuahuas, are at higher risk of dental disease due to factors including the shape of their head or mouth and the way they chew food.

Signs of canine dental disease can be easily missed, since some dogs won’t display symptoms. So, it’s essential to take your Chihuahua to a vet for regular dental check-ups. For dogs who are suffering from dental disease and do show symptoms, you might notice:

• Bad breath.
• Tartar build-up around their teeth.
• Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums.
• Excessive drooling.
• Repeatedly head shaking or rubbing their face.

In more advanced dental conditions, like periodontal disease (a bacterial infection of the gums and teeth caused by the build-up of plaque), you may notice additional symptoms, including:

• Difficulty eating and/or lack of appetite.
• Swelling around their face.
• Behavioural changes, e.g. refusing to play or irritability.
• Loose teeth.
• Tooth loss.

A vet can diagnose dental disease by examining your Chihuahua’s mouth. Sometimes, vets recommend dental x-rays (under general anaesthetic) to assess the health of your Chihuahua’s teeth in more detail.

Usually, canine dental disease is treated by a vet through a scale and polish performed under general anaesthetic. Following a dental procedure, your vet may prescribe pain-relieving medication and/or antibiotics, alongside a long-term aftercare plan for your Chihuahua.

Patellar luxation

Patellar luxation is another health condition seen in the Chihuahua breed. Despite its complicated name, a ‘luxating patella’ is the veterinary description for a dog’s kneecap slipping out of place.

There are four grades of severity for patellar luxation. A grade one patellar luxation describes a kneecap that almost instantly pops back into place – whereas grade four is when a kneecap can’t fit back into place (which is rare).

Symptoms of a patellar luxation include a ‘skipping’ lameness and/or ‘bow-legged’ appearance.

Treatments for patellar luxation depend on the grade, though treating low-grade patellar luxation could involve anti-inflammatory medication, adjusting exercise routines, and physiotherapy. High-grade patellar luxation in dogs usually requires surgery.

Dry eye

Tears are essential for keeping your Chihuahua’s eyes healthy. Dry eye is caused by a lack of tear production and can develop in one eye or both eyes.

While many different illnesses (including diabetes and hypothyroidism) might cause this condition, dry eye is also known to lead to other conditions (like conjunctivitis, eye ulcers, and eye loss).

Symptoms of dry eye in dogs can include:

• A thick, yellow discharge.
• Red, itchy, or inflamed eyes.
• Repeated rubbing or pawing at their eyes or face.
• Signs of being in pain, e.g. uncharacteristic irritability.
• Eyes that are cloudy or lack shine.

To treat dry eye in your Chihuahua, a vet could prescribe treatments such as a course of hourly eye drops to replace their tears, medicated eye ointment, or surgery.

Mitral valve disease

Mitral valve disease, commonly known as ‘MVD’, is a condition affecting one of the four valves of a dog’s heart. Each of these valves open as the heart beats to allow blood through, then close to prevent blood from leaking. When one of these valves (the mitral valve) thickens and causes blood to leak backwards, it forces the heart to work much harder to pump blood around the body.

Due to being a degenerative disease (that worsens over time), MVD develops in stages (A, B1, B2, C) and can eventually progress to heart failure. The most common symptoms of MVD include a heart murmur, coughing that’s worse at night, and breathlessness or panting.

Vets tend to use several diagnostic tests to confirm MVD in dogs, including:

• Ultrasound scans and X-rays.
• Blood tests.
• ECG (electrocardiogram).

If your Chihuahua is diagnosed with mitral valve disease, treatments could involve weight management, medication, and surgery.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus, also known as ‘water on the brain’, is a condition that causes a dog to suffer a build-up of fluid that causes pressure around their brain. The two main types of hydrocephalus are ‘congenital’ (present at birth) and ‘acquired’ (developing later in life due to an infection or tumour, for example).

Unfortunately, certain dog breeds – like the Chihuahua – are at risk of congenital hydrocephalus.

Symptoms of hydrocephalus can vary greatly, though could include:

• A dome-shaped head.
• Walking strangely or circling.
• Sudden changes in behaviour (e.g. aggression).
• Blindness.
• Seizures.

MRI or CT scans of a dog’s brain are usually needed to diagnose hydrocephalus. Treatments for hydrocephalus will vary depending on each dog’s individual case, yet might involve anti-inflammatory medication, anti-seizure medication, or surgery.