Chihuahuas are small, playful dogs, but many people are concerned about whether they may be allergic to them. Despite the fact that this is a smooth-haired animal, a negative reaction to its fur and saliva occurs quite often, since along with them a protein is released into the air, which is a strong allergen for people predisposed to it.
To protect yourself and your children from the disease, you need to know why it occurs and how it manifests itself, how you can cure it, and how to prevent the development of pathology if you don’t want to give your pet to other people.
Diagnostic tests
Chihuahua allergies cannot be detected by visual examination and history alone. To clarify the diagnosis, the following examinations will be needed:
- blood test for the presence of antibodies;
- skin tests with application of a provoking substance to lightly scratched skin of the forearm.
When both tests show a positive result, we can talk about the presence of an allergic reaction to the protein secreted by the animal along with saliva and fur.
Symptoms
Manifestations of allergies look like this:
- coughing, sneezing, pain in the eyes and excessive lacrimation;
- gastrointestinal disorder;
- decreased blood pressure;
- headache;
- rash and pustules on the body;
- redness, peeling and itching of the skin.
All of the above symptoms may vary in intensity. In severe cases, the occurrence of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock is possible. If the patient’s condition worsens before his eyes, he has difficulty breathing and his pulse gradually drops, then it is necessary to call an ambulance as soon as possible.
Treatment
Treatment for the disease is as follows:
- the patient is prescribed antihistamines, which reduce the production of antibodies and help remove the main symptoms of allergies;
- sorbents help remove toxins from the body;
- anti-inflammatory ointments eliminate redness and flaking of the skin;
- drops in the nose and eyes eliminate discomfort and help cope with rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
In cases where the above-described treatment regimen does not bring results, patients are recommended to undergo immunotherapy. In this case, the allergen is introduced into the body in small quantities, but its dosage is gradually increased. The body ceases to perceive it as a threat, and the manifestations of the disease disappear. It is important to remember that this treatment is carried out only in a hospital setting, so that if negative reactions occur, the patient can be helped as soon as possible.
The most common diseases of Chihuahuas
This cute "pocket" dog is in good health and rarely gets sick. Chihuahua diseases are often associated with improper care, maintenance or nutrition.
Diet errors
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If you deviate from the rules in nutrition, the dog begins to develop constipation, diarrhea, and obesity with all the ensuing consequences.
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Constipation occurs with monotonous, disordered feeding, lack of mobility, and an abundance of bones. The fact that a dog has constipation is indicated by symptoms: sitting down, squirming, straining, stools are insignificant, dark, dry.
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Constipation is indicated by squealing and groaning. When palpating the intestines, a hard area is detected indicating constipation.
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If a dog is constipated, the owner can usually easily cope on his own. If constipation is caused by objects or bones swallowed by the dog getting stuck in the intestines, you should contact a veterinary clinic.
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Diarrhea in Chihuahuas usually occurs from low-quality dry or natural food, poisoning, or too many worms. If diarrhea is a one-time episodic event, there is no reason to worry about your dog.
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If, after taking measures, diarrhea stops, the cause is poor nutrition. Diarrhea or, conversely, too hard stools can be caused by sweets, cakes, smoked meats and other goodies.
If diarrhea does not stop despite the diet, consult a veterinarian.
Obesity and its consequences
Obesity in Chihuahua dogs is very common. There are certain standards for the weight and appearance of dogs, and if they do not meet these standards, the dog is considered obese. So, if a Chihuahua does not have a depression on its stomach, it is noticeably rounded - it is obese.
Obesity leads to diabetes, hypertension, and other health problems. Small dogs diagnosed with obesity often develop tracheal collapse.
This pathology leads to serious breathing problems, sometimes to death of the Chihuahua. Tracheal collapse can also be a congenital pathology. It doesn't appear for some time. As your dog gains weight, problems arise.
Collapse of the trachea, that is, its narrowing occurs when its rings soften. The collapse of the trachea is usually accompanied by a cough, and the dog develops suffocation. She rushes about, not finding a place for herself.
The collapse of the trachea causes an inflammatory process, and mucus accumulates in the trachea. In Chihuahuas, collapse of the trachea provokes rapid breathing and severe shortness of breath. Pathological changes occur.
Tracheal collapse is a serious pathology. It requires additional research and qualified treatment.
If the collapse of the trachea is caused by the dog's obesity, a special fasting diet is more important. It helps to reduce the weight of a Chihuahua and eliminate obvious symptoms of pathology.
The inflammatory process that provoked the collapse of the trachea should be treated with medications prescribed by a veterinarian. In most cases, with timely treatment, tracheal collapse can be eliminated.
Allergies and some other problems
With improper nutrition, chihuahuas often develop allergies. Its symptoms:
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Skin redness
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My eyes are watering
icon-bell
Hair loss
Food allergies in Chihuahuas are easily treated. If the dog is on dry food, low-allergenic food is selected. If the dog is on natural food, the products are replaced.
Chihuahuas are also allergic to chemicals, medications, and dust. In most cases, there is no need to treat the pathology. It is enough to eliminate the allergenic source.
A runny nose can develop as a reaction to an irritant. The symptoms then are as follows: copious secretions, the dog sneezes, and constantly rubs its nose with its paws. The mucous membranes swell and have a reddish tint.
A runny nose is one of the symptoms of allergies. When foreign objects get into the nasal passages, a severe runny nose also develops. A runny nose is always a symptom of an unhealthy dog. If the runny nose does not go away, you should consult a veterinarian.
Pregnancy and puppies
Pregnancy lasts 58–64 days. Long-term pregnancy is observed when carrying one or two puppies. The shorter the pregnancy, the more fetuses there are.
Pregnancy in the first month does not cause trouble for the owner. When pregnancy approaches the second month, the Chihuahua needs to be switched to special food that contains calcium.
Two to two and a half weeks before birth, the puppies begin to move, which makes it possible to distinguish a true pregnancy from a false one. The fact that pregnancy is coming to an end and childbirth will soon be indicated by swelling of the loop and mucous discharge.
The behavior of newborn puppies should be monitored, as they often have hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus develops due to the failure of the growth of the skull bones to keep pace with the increase in brain volume.
Hydrocephalus has symptoms:
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Aimless movement in circles
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False epilepsy
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My eyes run wild
https://hidogs.ru/bolezni/samye-rasprostranennye-zabolevaniya-chihuahua.html
Prevention
An allergy to a Chihuahua is not a reason to permanently give your pet to new owners. The following recommendations will help reduce the likelihood of illness or alleviate the condition of an existing illness:
- Careful care of the animal. It is important to prevent situations when the dog begins to shed heavily or becomes urinary incontinent. This usually happens if the pet is often stressed, receives unbalanced food, or the owners wrap the pet in special clothes even in warm weather. If necessary, the dog is washed only with hypoallergenic shampoos, regularly given anthelmintic treatment and taken to the veterinarian for vaccination.
- Dog training. It is important to wean your pet from sleeping in the same bed with its owners, climbing onto the dining table, or licking plates.
- Home hygiene. Wet cleaning should be carried out daily, the home should be ventilated several times a day, and carpets, upholstered furniture with non-removable covers, numerous figurines and other dust collectors should be abandoned.
If an allergy occurs despite all the tricks, in its most acute stage you can give the pet for foster care if the owners do not have the strength to part with it forever.
Chihuahuas are sweet and cheerful dogs, ideal companions for urban families. To make life with a pet easy and enjoyable, it is important to properly care for it and never forget about home hygiene.
The most common diseases of Chihuahuas
This cute "pocket" dog is in good health and rarely gets sick. Chihuahua diseases are often associated with improper care, maintenance or nutrition.
Diet errors
icon-asterisk
If you deviate from the rules in nutrition, the dog begins to develop constipation, diarrhea, and obesity with all the ensuing consequences.
icon-asterisk
Constipation occurs with monotonous, disordered feeding, lack of mobility, and an abundance of bones. The fact that a dog has constipation is indicated by symptoms: sitting down, squirming, straining, stools are insignificant, dark, dry.
icon-asterisk
Constipation is indicated by squealing and groaning. When palpating the intestines, a hard area is detected indicating constipation.
icon-asterisk
If a dog is constipated, the owner can usually easily cope on his own. If constipation is caused by objects or bones swallowed by the dog getting stuck in the intestines, you should contact a veterinary clinic.
icon-asterisk
Diarrhea in Chihuahuas usually occurs from low-quality dry or natural food, poisoning, or too many worms. If diarrhea is a one-time episodic event, there is no reason to worry about your dog.
icon-asterisk
If, after taking measures, diarrhea stops, the cause is poor nutrition. Diarrhea or, conversely, too hard stools can be caused by sweets, cakes, smoked meats and other goodies.
If diarrhea does not stop despite the diet, consult a veterinarian.
Obesity and its consequences
Obesity in Chihuahua dogs is very common. There are certain standards for the weight and appearance of dogs, and if they do not meet these standards, the dog is considered obese. So, if a Chihuahua does not have a depression on its stomach, it is noticeably rounded - it is obese.
Obesity leads to diabetes, hypertension, and other health problems. Small dogs diagnosed with obesity often develop tracheal collapse.
This pathology leads to serious breathing problems, sometimes to death of the Chihuahua. Tracheal collapse can also be a congenital pathology. It doesn't appear for some time. As your dog gains weight, problems arise.
Collapse of the trachea, that is, its narrowing occurs when its rings soften. The collapse of the trachea is usually accompanied by a cough, and the dog develops suffocation. She rushes about, not finding a place for herself.
The collapse of the trachea causes an inflammatory process, and mucus accumulates in the trachea. In Chihuahuas, collapse of the trachea provokes rapid breathing and severe shortness of breath. Pathological changes occur.
Tracheal collapse is a serious pathology. It requires additional research and qualified treatment.
If the collapse of the trachea is caused by the dog's obesity, a special fasting diet is more important. It helps to reduce the weight of a Chihuahua and eliminate obvious symptoms of pathology.
The inflammatory process that provoked the collapse of the trachea should be treated with medications prescribed by a veterinarian. In most cases, with timely treatment, tracheal collapse can be eliminated.
Allergies and some other problems
With improper nutrition, chihuahuas often develop allergies. Its symptoms:
icon-bell
Skin redness
icon-bell
My eyes are watering
icon-bell
Hair loss
Food allergies in Chihuahuas are easily treated. If the dog is on dry food, low-allergenic food is selected. If the dog is on natural food, the products are replaced.
Chihuahuas are also allergic to chemicals, medications, and dust. In most cases, there is no need to treat the pathology. It is enough to eliminate the allergenic source.
A runny nose can develop as a reaction to an irritant. The symptoms then are as follows: copious secretions, the dog sneezes, and constantly rubs its nose with its paws. The mucous membranes swell and have a reddish tint.
A runny nose is one of the symptoms of allergies. When foreign objects get into the nasal passages, a severe runny nose also develops. A runny nose is always a symptom of an unhealthy dog. If the runny nose does not go away, you should consult a veterinarian.
Pregnancy and puppies
Pregnancy lasts 58–64 days. Long-term pregnancy is observed when carrying one or two puppies. The shorter the pregnancy, the more fetuses there are.
Pregnancy in the first month does not cause trouble for the owner. When pregnancy approaches the second month, the Chihuahua needs to be switched to special food that contains calcium.
Two to two and a half weeks before birth, the puppies begin to move, which makes it possible to distinguish a true pregnancy from a false one. The fact that pregnancy is coming to an end and childbirth will soon be indicated by swelling of the loop and mucous discharge.
The behavior of newborn puppies should be monitored, as they often have hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus develops due to the failure of the growth of the skull bones to keep pace with the increase in brain volume.
Hydrocephalus has symptoms:
icon-bolt
Aimless movement in circles
icon-bolt
False epilepsy
icon-bolt
My eyes run wild
https://hidogs.ru/bolezni/samye-rasprostranennye-zabolevaniya-chihuahua.html
