Genetic Conditions
Patella Luxation
The kneecap fits into a groove on the front part of the leg and it slides up and down depending upon the motion. Sometimes the kneecap slips out of its groove. This condition is called Patella luxation.
There are a few causes of Patella luxation. It can be an inherited disorder, it can be caused by an injury due to jumping etc, or if the dog is obese.
Dogs with this disorder may hop, skip, or avoid putting weight on the affected leg. Patella luxation can cause arthritis in the knee.
Most chihuahuas do not require treatment for this condition. Dogs with severe cases are treated with weight management, anti-inflamatory medication or surgery.
Hydrocephalus
Thankfully Hydrocephalus is not very common nowdays.
Hydrocephalus is water on the brain and many puppies with severe hydrocephalus are stillborn or die shortly after delivery.
There is no cure for this often fatal disorder.
Chihuahuas with hydrocephalus have abnormally large heads, eyes that gaze outward, physical and mental retardation and they do not grow, develop or learn as quickly as healthy dogs. The symptoms of mild hydrocephalus are controlled with medication.
Hypoglycemia
Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia, is brought on by fasting and is usually seen in puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age.
Stress, low body temperature, poor nutrition, sudden change in feed, water and schedule paterns, infections and premature birth may precipitate the onset of hypoglycemia. Most common signs of hypoglycemia are drowsiness, muscle weakness and tremors, shivering, collapsing, seizures and depression. Sometimes a dog will outgrow this condition.
For more information, please read my wright up on Hypoglycemia found in the drop down bar ''more''.
Mitral Valve Disorder
Mitral valve disorder is a genetic heart disease. This is when the left antrioventricular valve, or mitral valve, does not pump blood correctly. The blood backflows into the valve.
The early symptoms are breathing difficulties, coughing and an inability to exercise for extended periods of time. Later symptoms include weakness and fainting. The condition leads to heart failure.
Low sodium diets, minimal exercise and medications are used to prolong the dogs life.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the dog to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. When this occurs the dog may appear frightened and dazed. When the seizure(s) begin, the dog will fall on its side, become stiff, chomp its jaw, salivate profusely, urinate, defecate, vocalize, and/or paddle with all four limbs. These seizure activities generally last between 30 and 90 seconds.
As a rule, when onset is before age 2, the condition responds positively to medication. Behaviour following the seizure, include periods of confusion and disorientation, wandering, compulsive behavior, blindness, pacing, increased thirst and increased appetite. Recovery following the seizure may be immediate, or it may take up to 24 hours.
The characteristics associated with genetic epilepsy usually manifests from 10 months to 3 years of age, but has been reported as early as six months and as late as five years.
The kneecap fits into a groove on the front part of the leg and it slides up and down depending upon the motion. Sometimes the kneecap slips out of its groove. This condition is called Patella luxation.
There are a few causes of Patella luxation. It can be an inherited disorder, it can be caused by an injury due to jumping etc, or if the dog is obese.
Dogs with this disorder may hop, skip, or avoid putting weight on the affected leg. Patella luxation can cause arthritis in the knee.
Most chihuahuas do not require treatment for this condition. Dogs with severe cases are treated with weight management, anti-inflamatory medication or surgery.
Hydrocephalus
Thankfully Hydrocephalus is not very common nowdays.
Hydrocephalus is water on the brain and many puppies with severe hydrocephalus are stillborn or die shortly after delivery.
There is no cure for this often fatal disorder.
Chihuahuas with hydrocephalus have abnormally large heads, eyes that gaze outward, physical and mental retardation and they do not grow, develop or learn as quickly as healthy dogs. The symptoms of mild hydrocephalus are controlled with medication.
Hypoglycemia
Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia, is brought on by fasting and is usually seen in puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age.
Stress, low body temperature, poor nutrition, sudden change in feed, water and schedule paterns, infections and premature birth may precipitate the onset of hypoglycemia. Most common signs of hypoglycemia are drowsiness, muscle weakness and tremors, shivering, collapsing, seizures and depression. Sometimes a dog will outgrow this condition.
For more information, please read my wright up on Hypoglycemia found in the drop down bar ''more''.
Mitral Valve Disorder
Mitral valve disorder is a genetic heart disease. This is when the left antrioventricular valve, or mitral valve, does not pump blood correctly. The blood backflows into the valve.
The early symptoms are breathing difficulties, coughing and an inability to exercise for extended periods of time. Later symptoms include weakness and fainting. The condition leads to heart failure.
Low sodium diets, minimal exercise and medications are used to prolong the dogs life.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the dog to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. When this occurs the dog may appear frightened and dazed. When the seizure(s) begin, the dog will fall on its side, become stiff, chomp its jaw, salivate profusely, urinate, defecate, vocalize, and/or paddle with all four limbs. These seizure activities generally last between 30 and 90 seconds.
As a rule, when onset is before age 2, the condition responds positively to medication. Behaviour following the seizure, include periods of confusion and disorientation, wandering, compulsive behavior, blindness, pacing, increased thirst and increased appetite. Recovery following the seizure may be immediate, or it may take up to 24 hours.
The characteristics associated with genetic epilepsy usually manifests from 10 months to 3 years of age, but has been reported as early as six months and as late as five years.