Just got a Chihuahua mix. What health problems should I be aware of?

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!

Hello there and thank you for posting your question! Chihuahuas can be great dogs! With this particular breed, I would say that they tend to be scared of other people or dogs typically. Dental disease is also a big problem in this breed. I would suggest getting his teeth cleaned once to twice a year to prevent periodontal disease if you are able to. Make sure you keep the nails trimmed regularly as they can grow fast and if not taken care of, can grow into the paw pads. If you haven't gotten him on any heartworm prevention I would also do this. If he is over the age of seven, I would make sure a blood panel is checked with him once per year. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am also available via phone and text consultation if needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Chihuahuas can be great pets! They tend to be a little anxious about their feet and mouths sometimes, so diligent practice at home is very helpful to the veterinary team. (Of course some chihuahua's could care less and are happy to see us!) From a medical standpoint, I will note that they are prone to significant dental disease. Usually from age 2 or 3 on, they will need a professional, anesthetised dental cleaning with the veterinarian every 9-12 months. The only exceptions I have seen to this are the chihuahuas whose teeth are brushed 4-6 times weekly. If you can commit to that, you can save yourself the frequent dental cleanings. Chihuahua's may be slightly more prone to heart murmurs later in life, though this infrequently causes a problem. Otherwise, they tend to be very healthy, long-lived dogs (I would estimate my average chihuahua patient lives to about 14) and are a great choice! Best wishes to you and your fur family!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dogs. I find heelers to be hardy dogs. I have seen obesity and subsequent joint problems. Mainly I see behavioral issues. They are very intelligent dogs and need both physical and mental stimulation. If an owner is unable or unwilling to provide this, problems can result. Labradors are powerful chewers and will eat anything. I see a lot of foreign objects ingested that require surgical removal. As far as the chiweenie, dental disease will be a huge issue with that breed combination. I would start brushing her teeth daily now so that she becomes accustomed to it. You should also plan on her first professional dental cleaning (under anesthesia) around one year of age. If you commit to her oral health it will make a huge difference for her in the longterm. The other problem that could arise is back pain. Having a longer back, could make her more prone. Keeping her at a healthy weight is the best prevention. Congratulations on your new dogs and I hope this information helps!

It can be tricky to diagnose because tracheal collapse can be present part time and the rest of the time it will not be seen. it is recommended to do a series of XRAYs in order to try and diagnose tracheal collapse.

It would certainly be very nice of you to adopt two special needs dogs. You should however be prepared to have some medical expenses in the future if you do intend on doing something like this. My suspicion is that the chihuahua's knee cap is not actually missing but simply sliding in and out of place which is known as a luxating patella, an extremely common condition in very small breeds of dog. Depending on the severity of the luxation it might just be left alone or could potentially require surgical procedure to fix it at some point. IN terms of bleeding from the ears I am not aware of any sort of genetic abnormality that would cause this sort of clinical sign but that is not to say that it's not possible. In general genetic abnormalities can certainly happen in multiples but there is no guarantee either way.

It could be that Princess has a collapsing trachea. This is a common problem in toy breed dogs, and it can be brought on when drinking water or eating. I would have Princess seen by a vet. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, a urinalysis, and x-rays to diagnose if she does have it. Should Princess have a collapsing trachea, it can be treated medically, but it may need to be treated surgically. When a dog is obsess, that also contributes to the problem, and weight loss may be suggested. Using a harness to walk her is also recommended, as is staying away from respiratory irritants like cigarette smoke and air fresheners.