My chihuahua sounds stuffed up. When should I take her to the vet?

Lola is very cute! Her symptoms could be a sign of heart disease, which can be common in older dogs. They could also be caused by allergies or a respiratory disease. The only way to know for sure what is causing her symptoms is to have her seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing them, and what treatment options are available to her. I recommend calling the vet today to make an appointment for her next week. Best of luck.

No, it's not her age, she is suffering from respiratory distress and it could be caused by various conditions such as heart failure, heartworm or lung infection, you need to take her to the vet ASAP in order to get it checked and treated.

My biggest concern is that she may have have heart disease/failure causing the dizzy spells and fainting. This can also cause them to have difficulty breathing. The other possibility is that she has something wrong with her upper respiratory tract that is not allowing her to adequately get oxygen. This could be a functional obstruction like a cyst or tumor; or could be due to long-standing progressive disease. The shaking and seeming like she can't breathe when held could be an issue, but I would want to know how long this has been happening. Chihuahuas do a lot of shaking/shivering normally, and not for any significant reason. They can also breath-hold when being picked up, so I wouldn't be too concerned if she's done this her whole life. Considering there is a possible problem with her heart and/or lungs it's best to have a vet evaluate her sometime soon. They can easily help determine if there is any need for concern with a good physical exam and thorough consultation. I hope that helps and all is well with Bunz.

Hello, sorry to hear about Luna. Most dogs with upper respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics as these tend to be bacterial in origin. If her signs are worsening then she may need to see a veterinarian to obtain medications for these. Unlike humans, dogs do not typically get influenza or the flu, and it they do, it tends to be much more severe than it is in humans. In the interim, you can try to run a hot shower and have Luna sit in the bathroom to see if this helps decongest her. Otherwise, make an appointment with your veterinarian and have her evaluated for an upper respiratory infection. Other causes of nasal congestion/coughing and nose discharge may include kennel cough, tooth root abscess, or even some form of mass in her nose, especially in an 11 year old dog. Hope this helps and best of luck.

I'd have Ginger checked out by a vet for this problem. It could be she has a respiratory infection or she could have heart disease causing this wheezing. It could also be she is suffering from a condition called a collapsing trachea. This needs to be checked out by a vet so she can be treated as needed. Best of luck.

It sounds as Rain is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti nausea injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

I'm so sorry to hear that! Please get him in to see a vet. Your vet will probably recommend a chest X-ray to get a better idea of what is going on. In a 9 year old chihuahua some possible causes include heart failure, pneumonia, or cancer. If he seems labored in his breathing, do not delay, please take him to the vet right away.