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.
My chihuaha was attacked mildly by my cat but wasn’t injured. No bleeding of any sort and it lasted for a few seconds before I broke it off. The next day he seemed to be very tired and weak. He’s eating and drinking a lot, he is not vomitting and doesn’t have any diahrrea. He sometimes seems to be ok and runs around but at times he seems weak. May it be the attack by my cat? He seems to be scared but acts normally around my cats and wasn’t injured seriously when my cat attacked him.Do u have an idea what it may be?
We took our Two year old Chihuahua to the ER vet this evening because out of nowhere she started licking her lips and swallowing hard. They charged us almost 300.00 to sedate her and check her throat and wanted to charge us about 300.00 to do blood work, we opted not to get the blood work done as this made no sense to us. She was sleeping while we watched a movie she woke up than walked down the couch to my back as normal, than started with the licking and hard swallow. I read on line that is could be from nausea but I am not a vet and we took her to one but they had no idea what could be wrong with her after the exam. They gave Dexamethasone SP 4mg/ml injection, and Cerenia injection. Was this the correct treatment for her condition? Her normal vet was not open today so we had to take her to the ER vet.
hi, i have a question, my husband and I have just adopted a chihuahua from a shelter , weve had her 4 days. from what they know she is 4 months old. this is our first chihuahua, so we are not sure what to expect. i was concerned about one thing, she seems to be fine, she eats, drinks plays fine. what concerns me is how she will be sitting up , or even standing and she just starts falling asleep ..she will like start swaying and wake up but then start falling asleep again. she could be standing propped up on my leg, lay her head down and while standing , she will be sleeping… is this something to be worried about? or is it just because she is still young? thanks , Kimberley
My daisy lou……is an apple head. she is half the size of her sister. But her sister is a pear head. why are they totally different sizes??? it scares me somewhat. though she is happy n a sweetheart. she dont act sick. but i dont know much about pups!!!
anyone able to help me. email me at [email protected]
thank u
twyla
I just got my chihuahua yesterday. He seemed to be very calm and laid around a lot. Today I noticed that he kept looking up and leaning his head back all the way. And look back down. And then look back up. He would keep doing this. He is a lil over 1 yr old. He hit a hyper mode, and then it began to happen a lot. Why would he be doing this? Is it just because he is in a new place and nervous or what? I am just worried about him and want to make sure he is ok.
hi my mom brought home a 7 week old chihuahua and wen I came home and seen her I noticed her left eye is swollen with white discharge. I fed her the hartz puppy formula replace and she had diarrhea. Could she have diarrhea due to the formula or a possible infection in her eye.?
Alright, this article is great. It pinpoints specific things that owners should watch for, and prepares them for questions that might be asked of them when seeking medical attention for their pet.
With that said, people please realize that this article was meant to aid you in seeking advice for your pets, and you really need to CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN and NOT rely on the blogger/author of this article to answer your medical questions. 1. you may not receive a response in a timely manner. 2. there needs to be a dialogue. 3. while the article is intelligently written and very resourceful, you have no idea what veterinary education this person has and while they may point you in a direction for more information – the best place to seek help is from your veterinarian.
I really think this person have been more than accommodating to the pleads for help, but seriously, you cannot rely on this person to save your pet in this manner and should not in any way be held responsible.
Please – if you have a medical concern – seek assistance from your vet.
My 6 month old femal is throwing up frothy substance & has diaherra…she WILL NOT EAT OR DRINK!! PLESSE HELP!!!!
I wish more people understood what they were signing up for when they adopt a chi. The are a sweet natured but nervous breed. They can hold their own in many packs but also need some extra care. Please, if your baby is sick take him to the vet. You have a responsibility for their life and health. Often emergency vets have deferrred payment options, call around. If you cannot care for them you may wish to consider an animal shelter who can provide them with the urgent care they may need. Call a good local breeder, often they can help you with questions, or an AKC registered handler. Chi lovers are a breed to themselves and no-one wants to hear of an animal suffering. Consider your pets family members and treat them thusly. Much love and snuggles for all of you and your fur-babies! <3
samantha, your story wrenched my guts out. i’m praying to my God for both or pets. if you believe, you will see all your pets in heaven. no preaching here, just facts. anyway please leave a comment & let us know how faith is doing. sissy needs a good home, where we’re going she’s eagle bait, can’t take her.
sissy is 2yr, has hard stomach and she seems to be in distress. my funds are limited & 0 from 0 is still $0. this dog is my life. i’m afraid she’s going to die. i’ve tried pumpkin that was sug. by a vet asst. I’m still waiting. please, can you tell me what to do for her at home. I’m afraid my heart might break before this is over. what would be the best and the worst things i could do ? thank you, HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Sorry I Wrote Sooo Much.. I’m Just Freaking Out.. I Want Her To Be Okayy.. <3
We Named Her Faith..
& For X-mas I Was Asked What I Wanted & I Said I Just Want Faith Too Be Okay & Health..
I've Been CRying Non Stop..
I Can't Bare To Loss Her..
Pretty Sad.. We Have English Bulldogs & Our Oldest One Penny Wants Too Be Mama Too Her.. <3
So.. On Dec. 20th
My Sister Came Home With A Tea Cup Chihuahua.. Who Was Very Weak..
She Wouldn’t Move & My Mom Was Talking To The Owner Outside.. He Told My Mom That She Was Dieing.. & Too Put Her In The Zip Lock Bag & Throw Her In The Trash.. He Told My Mom That The Other Puppies Died & That His Kids Where Upset. My Mom Saw That She Was Breathing.. & Called A 24- Vet.. My Mom Handed Him The Phone & The Guy Was Like Ohh Will I Got To Go I Left My Kids Home Alone.. & Drove Off.. Without Telling My Mom Any Info.. He Left Her Behind She Had Nothing To Warm Her ..
When I Took A Look At Her I Knew Something Had To Be Wrong.. I Was In Tears Crying..
She Looked Maybe 2 Weeks.. My Sister Said That They Didn’t Take Care Of The Mom & That The Mom Was Bitting Her.. The Mom Had No Milk To Feed Her.. & That She Was Pooping Runny Pure Black Poop The Smell Was Sooo Bad.. We Thought It Was Parvo But They Was No Blood In The Poop.. Soo I Rushed To Petsmart To Get Formula They Where CLOSED.. The Only Store That Was Open Was Frys.. & They Only Had Kittens Formula.. Soo I Had To Make Due Until In The Morning.. Soo Our Vet Could See Her..
Then The Next Day.. The Vet Saw Her He Said She Looked Like She Wasn’t Gonna Make It..
He Said She Is About 4 Weeks Old.. She Was 8 0z.. & Extremely Weak.. Then Gave Her A Shot & That She Was Malnutrition & Gave Us Nerti-Cal & Goats Milk Formula..
Sooo I’ve Been Nursing Her Back To Health..
Feeding Her Every 3 Hours With A Tiny Pet Bottle.. & Giving Her A Dab On The Finger Of Nerti-Cal..
I’ve Noticed A Big Different In Her..
We’Ve Had Her For 4 Days Now.. & She Could Stand On Her Own & Eat Without Me Fourcing Her To Eat.. & Can Keep Her Head Up High.. & Is Pooping Brown Normal Poop..
On Dec. 22 She Woke Me Up With Her Eyes Wide Open. They Where Like Cloudy Blue And Hard Too Close Soo I Used Warm Water To Close Them.. & That Seemed To Work..
But On Dec.23 We Had To Take Her To Our Vet Again.. EveryBody Was Suprised She Was Alive.. But They Noticed Her Eyes Had White-Yellow Pus Coming From Them.. That’s Why We Took Her To Get Them Clean & To Firgure Out What Was Wrong.. The Vet Tech Said That She Could Be Blinded.. Then The Vet Came In & Opened Her Eyes Without Water.. & He Said She Has Uclers In Both Eyes & Gave Us Some Eye Drops.. He Wants To Have Her Back In A Week To See How She Is Doing..
But He Said By The Looks Of It She Will Have To Her Eyes Removed. & That It Could Kill Her.. I’m SCARED OUT OF MY MIND..
She Is The Sweetest Pup I Have Ever Met.. & Seems She Was Too Cling Too Me.. She Wont Go To Anybody Else But Me.. My Dad Says She Acts Like I’m Her Mom..
I’ve Been Up 4 Days Straights Running On 7 Hours Of Sleep.. I Want Her To Be Okayyy.. I’d Hate Too See Her Go. ;/ Do You Think That The Ulcers Will Go Away.. She’s Been Trying To open Them & The Eye Drops Are Helping Turning The Pus Dryed Up & Crushy..
I Really Dont Know What To Do..
She Seems To Be Giving Me Signs That She Wants To Live.. When She Lays On My Chest She Wants To Be Next To My Ears, Soo I Can Hear Her Breathing..
PLEASEEEE HELPP ME! i have a 6 month old male chihua he suddenly just layed down in his bed and will not get up. i stood him up and he sat there and suddenly looked like he was stiff rolling onto his back. and he shakes when uncovered and looks like hes stretching in a stiff way. PLEASE HELP! i dont know if they are strokes…he seems sad but his ears show hes still alert but will not walk at all
My long hair blue chihuahua 8 yrs old…he diagnosed with respiratory infection and was given antibiotic about a week ago (they took his blood works..it’s fine). First thing he gets up great!….then after he ate and went out side to do his business then came back in the house… he barely walking and want to be left alone ( under the bed) and this morning same thing feeling great happy tail, then all sudden after he did his business and try to lay down on his little bed then he starting to whine like he was hurting? I dont understand., can you help me what I need to do?????
MY LITTLE CHIHUAHUA POOTER IS 1 AND A HALF AND IS ALWAYS PLAYFUL BUT FOR TWO DAYS HE HAS HAD RUNNY STOOL AND NO OTHER SYMPTOMS SHOULD I TAKE HIM TO THE VET
Hi Gina, yes please bring little Pooter to the vet asap and have him checked out.
I know a lot of people on this site might freak out about this, but when i got my first chihuahua he was just six weeks old and would fit in the palm of your hand. although i’d read about chihuahua’s i wasn’t really prepared for dealing with such a tiny baby. he started getting hypoglycemic almost immediately and i took him to the vet. they set me up with a tube of some kind of protein mix and appetite producer. he hated it, he would spit it out and i was trying to force him to eat it over and over again and wasn’t getting anywhere. i was freaked out that we were going to watch him die. on or about the 3rd day of this my kid had some chicken mcnuggets and my puppy was very interested. he ate part of a nugget and obviously felt much better. i had to feed him almost exclusively nuggets for a few weeks, and then weened him onto puppy food only. he’s a happy & healthy 4 year old now. i know fast food is far from healthy for dogs & especially puppies, but it did help mine through his first days with us.
I have a 3 year old chihuahua that has been scratching where she urinates from and it has become swollen. It seems to have started after i gave her a bath yesterday evening. Is there anything i can do for her or should i bring her to a vet?
My Little Chihuahua Is 2 Months In A Half. Just Today She Has Been Having Lots Of Gunk In Her Eyes And One Of Her Eyes Does Not Open. She Also Seems Week, And Shes Shaking Most Of The Time. She Eats Ok, She Doesnt Drink Water. Her Little Brother Is Strong And Healthy And Very Active And They Are The Same Age, And They Sleep Together. What Is Wrong With My Little Baby? Im Very Concerned 🙁
i think that it doesn’t matter what type of animal if you have it take care of it >Love the animal>
My chihuahua threw up yesterday a lot at one time. Since has not been very energetic and only urinated once. He does not want to eat or drink. Today he started with excessive drooling and it is foamy. He does not spend much time outside except to go to the bathroom or walks and is always with us. Does this sound like a normal sickness or should i take him to the vet?
Take him to the vet for a check up please.
My very lively 1-year-old chihuahua has been ill for three days now, vomiting, has had diarrhea, only wants to sleep, has difficulty walking, and won’tt eat or drink anything. Do you have any idea what this might be? Or what sort of treatment actions I should take? It’s getting worse.
Travis, please take your chihuahua to the vet. His symptoms indicate that something is not right, so why haven’t you taken him already? Your chihuahua can’t tell you what’s wrong and this isn’t enough information for us to make a diagnosis, so go immediately to the vet and have your chihuahua thoroughly examined and bring a list of all these symptoms and be sure also to report anything he may have eaten that could be attributing to his illness.
I have a 4 month old chihuahua & i think he has a cold because when he sleeps he snores and he’ll wake up and start coughing for about a sec and go back to sleep. I dont know know if when he coughs its suppose to sound like if he is about to throw up and doesnt… can i give him benadryl?
hola tengo un chiguagua machito de 22 meses y presenta una especie de jadeo cuando come y bebe agua,es como si no pudiera respirar y de repente se pone afonico,y se siente cuando respira como si se estubiera quejando.se le aplico un tratamiento para para la traquiatitis pero no tubo ningun efecto…me podrias ayudar a enterder que le pasa… gracias
I think my chihuahua is sick. He’s shaking bad, and just wants to sleep. His eyes are normally big but today they seem huge and bulging out. His mouth is really watery and hes slobbering a lot. What could be wrong? These symptoms just started about an hour ago.
Abigail, please take your chihuahua to the vet immediately for a check up. Do not wait.