What to know before adopting rescue puppies with health problems?

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This is most certainly a congenital problem, essentially a birth defect. Whether there are any treatments depends on how severe the problem is, does it involve all the long bones in the legs, it this mainly a problem with joint & tendon laxity, or are certain structures underdeveloped or missing all together. X-rays are imperative. Depending on what is seen, & how much time & money you wish to spend on this poor little guy would determine a treatment plan. Surgery may be an option, but leg braces & splints may be appropriate, too. In the short term, he will probably do fine, but with time & age, he may be very prone to developing abrasions & pressure sores, & most likely arthritis. If you decide to adopt this sweet guy, go in with the anticipation of higher than normal care costs, & unexpected problems that can arise. A special needs pet needs a very special owner. Thank you for considering adoption. Take care.

Oh my goodness, what cuties! Congratulations! While there are certainly problems that we know that are more common in certain breeds, we know less about whether or not mixes that are from those breeds are as likely to have these issues, or not. Certainly chihuahuas are prone to "small dog problems", such as luxating patellas (laxity in the kneecap) and dental disease are common, and in dachshunds back disease is a big problem, so these would be the first things I would worry about and want to do what's necessary to prevent. Tooth brushing and good weight management are key in these issues. Blue Heelers are hearty dogs and don't have a lot of hereditary problems but be careful with overfeeding because they are predisposed to obesity. Enjoy your new pets!

It is hard to know without a full physical assessment - some cases may have problems with the position of eyelids and either inturned eyelashes or failure to blink fully, possibly requiring corrective surgery. A full vet report would be recommended prior to adoption

Yes, adoption fees have become quite high for rescue/shelter dogs. But there is something else for you to consider before you sign on the dotted line. The adoption fee is just the beginning. You must also be able to afford food, routine veterinary care, vaccinations, special medications, possibly grooming, and any other "surprises" that may come up over the course of the dog's life. If you feel you will be able to handle additional, unforeseen costs, you might try city or town shelters rather than the private ones. You can Google "dogs for adoption in (your state)" and you will see all the dogs available in that state. But please remember that the only thing worse than a dog being in a shelter is that dog having to return to the shelter if money runs out.

I would not recommend purchasing such a puppy prior to repair and full recovery. I would be concerned not only about surgical repair and recovery but where one external birth defect is present, additional internal defects are often detected as a pup matures also

Chihuahua are typically healthy dogs but a few common problems associated with the breed include patella luxations, collapsing trachea, and dental disease. The best thing would be to have him examined by a vet for a check-up to identify any abnormalities. I also recommend having him neutered.

It is not a good idea to get this puppy. When puppies are this young and already having seizures, usually it is usually due to an underlying congenital problem like with the brain, liver, kidneys, etc. It is probably not just epilepsy.