by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: January 04, 2010

Chihuahuas have always been rather popular pets, but in recent years, they have gained a sort of celebrity status, as they have been toted by stars such as Paris Hilton. Of course, one should remember that a dog in a photo shoot, all decked out in their Sunday best, is not all that there is to one, no matter the breed. Looks alone, however, shouldn't be the only factor in a person's choice of dog breed to acquire. A person that is going to get a new dog should always educate themselves well about the breed beforehand. Having a pet is a serious commitment and one that should be made for the life of the pet, whenever possible. Some things that are very important to know are the health problems that the breed you are considering is prone to. The following are some of the most common health problems that Chihuahuas, and their owners, have to deal with.

*Demodicosis-This is a skin condition caused by mites living in the folds of the skin.

*Progressive Retinal Atrophy-This is a genetic eye disease that affects the rods and cones (nerve receptors)of the retinal tissue. The rods are typically affected first, which makes it difficult for the dog to see in the dark or dim light. The cones are often affected later, causing the dog to have vision problems even in the daylight.*Patellar Luxation-This is the dislocation of the kneecap that occurs when the knee slips out of its normal groove. It occurs in many miniature breeds and can typically be seen from birth. Surgical correction can be performed or the condition can be treated with steroid injections if it is not overly severe. Occasionally, the dog will have to have the leg removed, but can function quite well on the other three.

*Cryptorchidism-This is an undescended testicle in the male dog. If both testicles remain undescended, the dog will be sterile. If only one is, they may be able to breed, but they will not be allowed in dog shows.

*Hydrocephalus-In dogs with this condition, the fluids of the brain cannot drain properly into the circulatory system. T here is a buildup of the fluid between two chambers and the brain and skull will become enlarged. The signs of this condition include depression, severe loss of movement coordination, eye abnormalities, seizures, vision problems, and skull enlargement. It can be acquired or hereditary.

*Bladder Stones-This can often be avoided with proper diet and hydration. This breed needs to have plenty of distilled water and will thus need to urinate frequently. If your dog is not urinating, he or she should be taken in to their veterinarian immediately. The bladder can actually burst from urine back-up and this is life-threatening. It can occur quite suddenly and may take the life of your dog within 24 to 72 hours. Owners must be attentive to monitoring their dog's fluid intake and output due to the fact that the breed is prone to developing bladder stones.

One of the jobs of a responsible pet owner of any breed or species is to ensure that the animal is kept in the best health possible. This includes regular vet checks and vaccinations, as well as watching for and attending to any signs of illness as soon as possible. A Chihuahua that is cared for and in good health can live well into his or her teen years.

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