Chihuahua Health
5 Health Problems Common To Chihuahuas
Taking Care of Your Chihuahua's Health
Someone once said "If you have health, you have problems tagging along as well?. This veritable truth applies to our best friends as well. Our doggies are often subject to some common health disorders that should be treated without delay and with as close attention as is humanly possible. I am sure all of us agree that dogs are probably the best things that have happened to mankind.
The five most common health disorders that are associated with Chihuahuas are:
Digestion Disorders, Constipation, Tick Bite, Lack of Energy and Skin and Coat Problems.
Let us take a closer look at these problems.
Digestion disorders:
Chihuahuas, like us, are often victims of the ill effects of cooked food, food additives and processed food, environmental pollution and the usual stress of modern day life. These are the main factors that disrupt the digestive process and lead to multiple digestive disorders.
Some vets hold over-vaccination responsible for the rise in digestive complaints. Despite advertisements trying their best to mislead us in what we think is the best for our doggies, all of us try (and often, very hard) to feed them healthy, nutritious and harmless food.
With more attractive options to choose from, our dogs often have the same digestive complaints and disorders as us. The discomfort and pain associated with acute digestive disorders are often treatment-resistant.
Constipation:
An improper diet is the most common cause of constipation in dogs. A diet lacking fiber (and sometimes too much of it) can cause a problem. Often, our dogs swallow indigestible bones that cause a cork-like blockage in the digestive tract. This restricts bowel movement and results in constipation.
Constipation may also occur due to worm infestation and lack of exercise. However, symptoms of bladder infections should not be mistaken for constipation.
Constipation leads to toxin development, which can, in its own turn, cause other numerous health problems.
Tick Bite:
Ticks often play havoc with Chihuahuas. Lyme disease is one example of an infectious tick-borne bacterial disease that severely affects dogs.
Studies have revealed that very few animals contract the disease and older the dog, more the severity of the disease. It also depends on the strength on their immunity.
Lack of Energy:
Lacking in energy is not a disease. It is a general feeling of not being well disposed. There are some causes for lack of energy in dogs. Depression and boredom due to loneliness can cause lethargy. Nutritional deficiency, inadequate or inappropriate diet and even obesity can lead to inactivity and lack of energy. Bodily dysfunctions like liver sluggishness or intestinal worms can cause dogs to be indolent and indifferent. Diseases like anemia, hypothyroidism, kidney failure, diabetes, poisoning and heatstroke can cause such drowsiness and sloth.
Skin and Coat Problems:
Skin and coat problems often come hand in hand with pet Chihuahuas. The usual problems are: Abscesses, Eczema, Dandruff, Skin odors, Hair loss, Puppy Acne, Warts, Seborrhea and Dermatitis (both allergic and contact)
What are the usual causes of skin and coat problems?
Toxins are regularly eliminated through the skin. So, skin and coat problems are good indicators of toxin overdose, thyroid problems, anxiety and a poor immune system.
Besides toxins, dietary allergies, fleas, bacterial and fungal infections and product-specific allergies can also cause coat and skin disorders.
In brief, these are the five most common health disorders your Chihuahua may become victim to.
About the Author: Susan Ross is a Chihuahua lover for more than 8 years. She is currently working with The Chihuahua Institute. She not only helps other Chihuahua owners to train their dogs, she also experiments with different dog training techniques. https://www.chihuahuatrainers.com