Symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua often can go unnoticed. Your chihuahua can not explain its symptoms, so it’s your responsibility to keep him or her healthy and to determine whether or not they need veterinary care. Chihuahuas tend to want to hide their illness, so it is up to you to check your chihuahua for abnormalities.
Not knowing if your chihuahua is feeling sick or how to care for your chihuahua when they are sick can be VERY stressful! This article will help you determine if your chihuahua is showing signs and symptoms of being ill and when you need to take them to see a veterinarian.
Be Prepared: Questions Your Veterinarian May Ask
Your veterinarian may ask additional questions to help localize or diagnose the problem. It may help to be prepared to answer some of the following questions:
- How long have you owned your chihuahua?
- Where did you get your chihuahua (adoption center, breeder, previous stray)?
- What other type of pets do you have?
- What is the age of your chihuahua?
- Has your chihuahua experienced any previous illnesses?
- Is your chihuahua currently under treatment for an illness or disease?
- What preventative medications is your chihuahua currently taking?
- Does your chihuahua receive consistent flea treatment?
- Are any other pets ill?
- Has he/she been vaccinated? if so, when? which vaccines?
- Have there been any recent pet acquisitions?
- Have there been any recent activities such as boarding, grooming, trip to the park?
- Is a majority of your chihuahua’s time spent indoors or outdoors?
- Have there been any recent changes in diet or eating habits?
- What brand of food, how much and how frequently does your chihuahua eat?
- What type of table scraps are offered and how frequently?
- What type of treats are offered and how frequently?
- How much water does your chihuahua typically drink per day?
- Have there been any recent changes in water consumption?
- Have you noticed any coughing or sneezing?
- Have you noticed any lumps or bumps on your chihuahua?
- Is your chihuahua urinating normally?
- Is your dog having normal bowel movements?
- When is the last time he/she had a bowel movement?
- Have you noticed any recent weight loss or weight gain?
After answering some general questions, more specific questions need to be answered. A brief cursory exam of your chihuahua at home can help you determine the answers. These questions are also commonly asked when chihuahua owners are seeking help over the phone.
Be prepared to answer the following questions, depending on the problem with your chihuahua:
Regarding the eyes
- Have you noticed an increase or decrease in tear production?
- Do the eyes appear cloudy or red?
- Have you noticed any discharge coming from the eyes?
- Do the eyes appear bloodshot?
- Are the pupils the same size in both eyes?
- Have you noticed your chihuahua rubbing or pawing at the eyes?
- Is your chihuahua squinting?
- Do the eyes appear to be sunken or excessively protruding?
Regarding the ears
- Do you notice any swelling or discharge from the ears?
- Are the ears drooping when they normally stand erect?
- Are the ears red and inflamed?
- Do you notice any odor to the ears?
- Is your chihuahua rubbing or pawing at the ears?
- Have you noticed a lot of head shaking?
- Have you noticed any pain or crying when you rub or scratch your chihuahua’s ears?
Regarding the nose
- Have you noticed any congestion, sneezing or coughing?
- Have you noticed any blood coming from the nose?
- Have you noticed any nasal discharge?
Regarding the mouth
- Have you noticed any swelling of the lips or tongue?
- Have you noticed any bleeding from the mouth?
- What color are the gums – tissue just above the teeth?
Looking inside the mouth
- Are there any foreign objects such as bones or sticks stuck on the roof of the mouth or around the teeth?
- Is your chihuahua able to open and close the mouth normally?
- Is there any pain involved in opening or closing the mouth?
- Have you noticed any excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth?
- Is your chihuahua able swallow food normally?
Regarding the chest
- Is your chihuahua experiencing any difficulty breathing?
- Have you noticed excessive panting?
- Is there any pain when the chest area is petted?
- Have you noticed any recent coughing?
- Is the heartbeat steady and consistent?
- What is the heart rate?
Healthcare Tip: How to check your chihuahua’s heart rate:
Place your hand or your ear on the left side of your chihuahua’s chest, just behind the elbow. You should be able to feel or hear the heartbeat. Count how many beats the heart pumps in one minute.
Regarding the abdomen/stomach area
- Has your chihuahua been having any diarrhea or vomiting?
- Is your chihuahua able to eat and drink normally?
- Does the abdomen/stomach area appear swollen or distended?
- Does your chihuahua appear to be in pain when the stomach area is petted?
- iIs your chihuahua known to chew on non-food items such as clothing, towels, rocks, or other items?
Regarding the urinary and reproductive systems
- Have you noticed any difference in urinating?
- Does your chihuahua seem to strain to urinate or cry in pain?
- Does your chihuahua repeatedly try to urinate with no urine produced?
- Is there any blood in the urine?
- How frequently does your chihuahua urinate?
- Is your female chihuahua spayed?
- Has your female ever had puppies? if so, at what age?
- If your female is not spayed, when was her last heat cycle and was she bred?
- Do you notice any discharge from the vaginal area?
- Is your male chihuahua neutered? if so, at what age?
- Do you notice any discharge from the penis?
- If your chihuahua is not neutered, do you notice any swelling of the testicles?
- Have you noticed your chihuahua excessively licking or grooming the genital area?
Regarding the musculoskeletal system – bones and joints
- Have you noticed any limping?
- Are any legs or joints swollen?
- Has your chihuahua been excessively licking at one area of his/her legs?
- Does your chihuahua show signs of pain when walking?
- Is your chihuahua able to walk normally?
- Does your chihuahua walk on his/her knuckles?
- Does your chihuahua drag any legs when walking?
- Does your chihuahua seem to be in pain when petting him or her?
By supplying the answers these questions, your veterinarian will be in a much better position to help your chihuahua. Additional tests may be necessary to find out what the problem is, but the answers to the above questions can greatly narrow the area of concern.
Please note: famous chihuahua is providing this information to chihuahua owners as a guide so you know when to take your chihuahua to see your veterinarian. If at any time your chihuahua is showing signs or symptoms of illness and discomfort, don’t wait! Just go the vet!
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550 Comments.
Nanileke. i FEEL FOR YOU AS i HAVE BEEN STRETCHED HARD WITH FUNDS AT TIMES FOR VET VISITS TOO. eXAMINE YOUR DOG’S DIET AS AN OPTION FOR HELPING HER WITH THIS. iF THERE ARE NO PHYSICAL THINGS SHOWING THEN MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING SHE IS EATING. MY CHI HAS RESPONDED WELL TO HOMECOOKED MEALS FOR VARIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS SHE HAS ENCOUNTERED. yOU MAY WANT TO LOOK AT DOGAWARE.COM FOR SOME IDEAS OF SOME HOME COOKING YOU COULD DO FOR HER. mAYBE ELIMINATING SOME ITEMS IN COMMERCIAL FOOD COULD HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. mIGHT BE WORTH A TRY.
Hi i have a beautiful chiahuhua dog, and she is bleeding from her so called “Private Part”. Does this mean she is in heat? Btw, i am 12 yrs of age. I am hoping nothing is wrong cause my uncle has a cute chuahuahua dog too. He has mated with several sexy chiahuha dogs.
i adopted my neglected chihuahua named rosie, so we aren’t quite sure of her age although the vet said that the tests indicated she was about 3 or 4. if that is the case, she would be around 11 years old now. she has just recently been having these “mini-seizures” that last about 5 seconds in which she shakes and sometimes topples over. she does usually shake from being cold, as many chihuahua’s do but this is very different. we took her to the vet and they said they couldn’t see anything wrong but if we would pay some $800 dollars or so they could look into it some more. i am a college student and currently have no source of income which concerns me if this is actually something very serious instead of her just aging. you couldn’t possible understand the lengths i would go for this little girl. she is my best friend and if this is serious i would like to do everything in my power to make her better. if you have any insight on my problem please contact me, rosie and i would greatly appreciate it. thank you.
hey ‘Retardo’ from Nov. 13th. Your name really says it all, you moron. People post here for help and to share tribal knowledge about their beloved pets. Go post your bile elsewhere.
my dog is the sweetest dog ever all of a sudden 2 days ago she sits inside her house and she doesn’t want anyone to pick her up or she’ll start to growl she starts barking to any noise she hears whenever she ends up leaving little dog house if someone goes towards here she runs and gets back in whats wrong with my dog
hii. ive had my chihuahua for at least 4 years my neighbor gave her to me when she was only a few weeks old. well recently i noticed that she seemed depressed and not so active as she usually is. also shes been barking at the littlest things or the people that she usually doesnt bark to she just attacts anyone in her sight other than me, idk why shes being soo sensitive? i thought she was pregnant but i guess it turned out to be a “fake” pregnancy i really dont know what to do. PLEASE! i need some info. help me please???
On Sunday, my 9 year old chihuahua had a stroke, today (tuesday 12/6) my husband and I had to make the one decision that we did not want to make. We feel it is time to let her be, and plan to have her euthanized tomorrow. I walked into the kitchen , to her little area and it seems like she has already left us. This is very hard because she was one of our children. She was such a sweet pet. I keep telling myself that I do not ever want another dog, but i dort of feel that if I had the chance to own another chihuahua like her, I would probably want her/him. If I ever own another, I hope it is as sweet as my chaka.
My 3 month chi. Has a lil water coming from his eyes. Not sure what are why, but he is pretty normal appit. And everything. Any sugg? Thnx
Molly 11 year old chihuahua mix pomeranian has alway been active, but for the last month I have noticed she is shaky and very slow walking and always wanting to be alone. She has a lump behind her right leg. What could be the problem? She is not acting like herself. Some time she wimpers.
My grandma’ s dog is allways yellping and crying. sometimes when he is walking or when he is being petted. what should we do? what could it be?
my chihuahua will want to sleep but cant . she also shakes all the time but its not because shes cold. we think shes going to have a baby but shes not getting bigger. she always was so active until she had 8 babies then she became calm but after that she got hyper again. some days shes “sick” and some days shes “happy”.
My Chi is 7yrs..have had her for under 2yrs
Al of a sudden she does not want t jump or is scared to come down her stairs..
This just happen as we were going o bed last night..
She hs had two surgerys but has been almost a year sin,e those..
I do have a vet that she goes to ,but I do not want to stress her if there is something I can do at home…
I always do he same outine with hr and for sme reason .
As I was writing this my neighbors dog was barking and I do own two CHINS and another chi..
They statred barking and to my surprise MEGAN strated growling..which is wonderful..LOL normal of her…
She nows seems to be slowly coming out of whatever it was..
But does anyone have advice..or comments?
please send me a email what i need to do i have grown to love this dog as if she was my own child my email is [email protected]
the chihuahua i have found that her last owner had a banded and left in the freezing cold to be left to die. i have never really owned a chihuahua but i do know that they can not survive the cold. after a few minutes of having her i noticed her back left leg when she runs is up and she only runs on three legs is that normal? on top of that im not sure what her age is but her breath smells really bad you can smell it across the room she is missing a few teeth in the front and she has brown tare build up but she wont allow me to go near her mouth. she has a nasty coughing that only happens when she is cold, she acts like she might have asthma is that possible? all she wants to do is lay next to me or across the room she only gets up when i walk around and wags her tail in excitement but something doesn’t seem right im not sure if thats because ive never raised a chihuahua please help me.
look at you people, coming to this site for help because why?, your dog pees on you and your husband and you seriously dont know what to do? Holy crap man, the reason your dog is sick is because your dumb chihuahua is simply a reflection of your inability to lead! You know what I do with my dog? I put her outside and she pees all she wants. If she pees inside, guess what…back outside and you but I wouldnt put up with peeing in my bed, my domain…that dog would be GONE.
Grow up kids, get some balls and own your dog.
Hi, I have a 13 year old male chihuahua. for the last 3 weeks- a month he has been loosing weight and is vomiting and can’t keep anything down. I can hear his stomach growling at night very loudly. I took him to the vet and they ran some tests on him, but found nothing. She gave me a special canned food but he wont eat it. I made him boiled chicken breast and rice, he ate it the first day and tries to eat it but can’t keep it in. I don’t know what to do. it happened so suddenly that I don’t think it’s old age. he’s still active-ish. he runs around and wags his tail but is emaciated. I feel so bad for him and the vet bill is huge and she says nothing shows up on his blood tests. any help would be appreciated. [email protected] thank yoU!
i have a 7 year old female chihuahua and every time i pet her stomack after she snifes her whole stomack area then she reapideily does that every time i pet her stomack
I have a 10 year old chihuahua in good health who has recently developed some very odd behavior. he has started urinating on myself and on my husband. he has been housebroken for years and a couple of weeks ago jumped on my lap on the couch (after going out for potty) and started peeing all over me, the blanket and couch. later that night, he jumped on the bed, started shaking and urinated all over my husband. i took him to the vet and they ran tests and found nothing. he has been fine until today. I was sitting in the kitchen and felt something warm on my ankle. meiko had urinated all over my foot. i had just let him outside less than an hour before and he went potty outside. we have not had any lifestyle changes, and i can’t figure out what to do. does anyone have any idea what is going on with my poor dog?
I have a 3 yr old Chihuahua, she is bleeding for about a week now. She is very shaky, hiding and barely eating.. she never hides like this and I don’t recall her bleeding this long.
My 14 year old chuhuaha seems to miss her toilet pads and goes to pee and poop around the house. What to do?
I have a year old chi. (Brody) just resently my dog has started getting boners!? Like all the time all my other dogs are fixed so none in heat but after a week of boners he stopped using his back legs just drags them behind him..? I’m not sure why and it’s truly sad and I hate to see him like this…. His hips and joints all seem to be fine! He eats and drinks and uses the bathroom just fine!? Idk what to do about his legs please email me if you have any clue please!!!!! [email protected] thanks
My dog woke me up he was crying and shaking and his toungue sticking out tried to give him water but didn’t want but tried to bit me what should I do
pls.help my 1 and 26 days old chihuhua, is think dehydrated, she eats a little, and maybe her siblings try to grab all the food all the time, and mom dont have enough milk now. pls.help. thanks and GOD BLESS!
Hi my 10 and a half year old chihauha broke his leg 2 months ago and now whenever i touch his leg i feel bumps on his vains is he sick are the blocked idk wat to do
my chihuahua is 2 months and 1 week, and he vomited last night and right now is my dog sick and he looks sad cause we haven’t gave he attention cause we’ve been busy ,but he looks sad is my dog sick because he is used to be active and hes been sleeping all day we think its because we didn’t give him attention, is my dog sick because my other chihuahua is the same age and we haven’t gave him attention ether but we’ve been busy, but he is still active so the one that we think is sick his name is Clark and the one that is not sick his name is LEX so is Clark is or what? WE ARE REALLY WORRIED PLSE HELP US.