Are Chihuahuas prone to any specific illnesses or conditions/disorders?
Young Chihuahuas have a soft spot on their head that must be watched carefully and not allowed to be injured. This is referred to as the open fontanel (molera). Larger chis normally lose this open spot when they reach adulthood. Other common disorders include weak knee or patellar luxation (dislocation of the knee cap), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Don’t be alarmed though. All dog breeds have a list of things that can become disorders or conditions. Some Chihuahuas have also been known to perform reverse coughing. This really scared me when my Chihuahua first did this. However, the pet has a great Vet and was good at explaining the problem letting me know it was not as bad as it appeared. It’s basically that the palate sticks together in the back or is soft and keeps the dog from breathing well, so the dog clears its throat and opens the air path. If you chi has experienced this, I’d like to hear about it and what you first did. Please email me here: http://www.bigchihuahua.
