Many owners are very careful with their dogs and any symptoms, noise or wheezing is a cause for concern. But why do chihuahua dogs wheeze? To answer this question, let’s talk about the main causes of wheezing in dogs.
Chihuahua wheezing
Chihuahua dogs are extremely healthy animals but in some situations these dogs can get sick and various symptoms can be shown. The wheezing in the chihuahua dog can have several meanings such as
- Allergies
- Pneumonia
- Infectious disease
- Tumors
Allergies
Chihuahua dogs, no matter how healthy they are, can have some allergies that can be varied. Allergy, particularly respiratory allergies, can result in the airways inflammation. Inflammation of the airways causes the animals to have edema and nasal discharge. Along with the secretion, wheezing can accompany these animals.
To treat allergies in dogs, a veterinarian should be consulted to better diagnose the patient and treat them in the most appropriate way possible, avoiding aggravation of the conditions. The dog’s contact with the allergen must be avoided to prevent the animal from showing allergy symptoms again.
Infectious diseases
Several viruses and bacteria can lead to upper and lower respiratory tract infection in chihuahua dogs. Therefore, the characteristic symptoms of these diseases must be observed so that the animal is treated before the frame evolves into a worse health situation.
Some diseases such as canine flu can be prevented by vaccination. The flu vaccine is recommended for dogs that will have contact with more animals, such as animals that go to exhibitions, kennels, dogs’ hotels and dogs day care. Canine flu can result in symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and wheezing.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be an evolution of infectious diseases that are not properly treated. Thus, the lungs of these animals may present injuries and a lot of mucopurulent secretion. In addition, the wheezing may be characteristic and may be accompanied by constant coughing. The veterinarian must be consulted at an emergency level to avoid the Animal’s death.
Tumors
Tumors can be a big problem as they can be primary, i.e., of target organ origin or result from other tumors metastasis. Many metastatic tumors can lodge in the animal’s lungs, bringing various health problems to the animal.
In addition to lung tumors that can lead to wheezing, tumors in the upper airways can impede the air flow, leading to this type of symptomatology. When diagnosing tumors in dogs, it is important that the animal undergoes a consultation with a veterinary oncologist to perform the best treatment of the dog.
Chihuahua dog general care
Short-haired dogs do not need clipping, while long-haired animals may need clipping. Bathing these animals must be done constantly and they must have their fur brushed at least twice a week.
Baths in this breed are indicated with specific shampoos for dogs and neutral shampoos. Bathing should be done very carefully, especially to avoid getting water into the ear. The animal must always be very dry after bathing to avoid the growth of microorganisms that can lead to dermatitis.
Brushing the dog’s teeth is necessary to prevent tartar buildup. Brushing the teeth should be done every 48 hours, using specific toothpaste for dogs. As for nail clipping, the nail should be cut once or twice a month. Cutting the nails prevents the animal from getting hurt or even hurting the tutor.
What to do when your dog starts to wheezing
The dog should be taken to the veterinarian for physical and laboratory tests to be carried out for the correct diagnosis. Thus, the veterinarian will define the best treatment for the dog, avoiding health problems and even the death of the animal.
Some animals may be hospitalized, others may go home. Treatment for dogs may include vaporization with decongestant medications in addition to the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Conclusion
A healthy Chihuahua should not have wheezing, so when the dog starts to show this type of symptom, a veterinarian should be consulted. Some pathologies can be very aggressive and can even lead to the death of the animal. That’s why it’s important to stay tuned for the symptoms of dogs and always make sure to check them out with a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Chihuahua wheezing
How heavy is a chihuahua?
The Chihuahua’s weight should be between 1 and 3 kg.
How long does a chihuahua live?
Chihuahuas usually live between 12 and 20 years, depending on their genetics and general care.
Does the chihuahua bark a lot?
Yes, because they are dogs that have great hearing and any noise they find suspicious they will bark. Thus making them good dogs to guard.
Reference
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Confederation, 2015 Official Breed Standard: chihuahua. Available at: https://cbkc.org/application/views/docs/padroes/padrao-raca_187.pdf, accessed January 22, 2022.
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