Why is my overweight chihuahua struggling to breathe and peeing?

I'm sorry Shanelle isn't doing well! Yes, I would take her into to see the vet. At her age, while it could be she has a respiratory infection, it's also possible that she is suffering from heart disease causing the sounds when she breathes. It's best she has a physical exam, geriatric blood tests, urinalysis, and chest x-rays to see what is causing her symptoms so she can be treated. If she did have heart disease, it cannot be cured but the symptoms can be managed with medication. I would have her seen by a vet on Monday or Tuesday. I hope this helps!

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.

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.

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.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bambi. I'm wondering if she has something like a collapsed trachea causing her breathing issues. You see problems with breathing in the condition with excitement and exercise, and it does worsen over time. This can explain what is going on with her. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain this is the cause. I recommend having her seen by a vet in the morning. The vet can diagnose what is causing her problems, and can discuss treatment options with you. If she does have a collapsing trachea, treatment options include medical management or surgery. I hope this helps!

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.

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.