14 Signs Your Chihuahua Is Sick

This post is all about knowing the most common signs your Chihuahua is sick so as to take action before it’s too late.

These tiny, adorable dogs are great for small spaces and make great companions.

However, they can also be prone to some serious health problems that require veterinary care.

If you notice any changes in your Chihuahua’s health or behavior, it’s important to get them checked out by a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible!

More on the 18 Common Ways To Care For A Chihuahua.

Signs Your Chihuahua Is Sick

Here are the most common signs of sickness in Chihuahuas:

Persistent coughing

Persistent coughing is a common sign of an infection and can be caused by many different things, including allergies, foreign bodies in the throat, or heart disease.

If your Chihuahua is coughing more than usual and not getting better over time you should take them to a veterinarian right away.

A vet will be able to determine what’s causing their persistent cough and prescribe treatment for it if necessary.

Persistent sneezing

Persistent sneezing is one of the most common symptoms of many canine illnesses, and it’s easy to mistake for a sign your dog is sick.

However, sneezing should always be taken seriously if you see it in multiple locations on your dog.

If a sneeze lasts longer than one second, there may be something wrong with their nose or throat, and they will need medical attention right away!

One possible reason for this symptom could be allergies: Your pet may have gotten into something that irritates them (like pollen).

Causing them to develop an allergic reaction as well as some type of respiratory infection.

Another possibility would be foreign objects entering through their mouth while eating.

This might take place if your Chihuahua put food down their throat without realizing what was placed in front of them first.

Read more about the 11 Common Chihuahua Old Age Problems.

Watery eyes

If your Chihuahua’s eyes look watery, it may be infected. Watery eyes are a common symptom of an eye infection in dogs, and it’s important to rule out any other causes before jumping to conclusions.

It’s hard to tell if your Chihuahua has an infection by looking at its eyes alone—you’ll need to get a vet exam that includes checking for redness and swelling around the eyelids or in between them (this is called a foreign body reaction).

If there’s no visible sign of damage at this point, then you can assume that the dog doesn’t have an eye problem but rather some sort of irritation due to allergies or stress from poor hygiene practices (like dirty paws).

If your vet finds something wrong with one or both of their eyes, she might prescribe antibiotics for treatment purposes.

However, if all else fails and nothing seems wrong except for some redness around the eye area then perhaps there isn’t anything seriously wrong after all.

Runny nose

Does your Chihuahua have a persistent runny nose?

A runny nose is actually a common symptom of many diseases and can be caused by a cold or allergies, as well as other infections.

If you notice that your dog has been sneezing and snorting for several days at once.

It could be something serious like an upper respiratory infection (URI) or some kind of sinus problem.

If you think that your pet may have developed one of these illnesses due to his/her physical condition alone.

That is to say, if he/she doesn’t seem sick enough for a URI but does consistently have green mucous membranes.

Then talk with your vet about whether there may be some kind of underlying issue causing this type of congestion.

Read more about the 10 Potential Chihuahua Dying Symptoms & Tips.

Ear discharge

Does your Chihuahua have any ear discharge? Ear discharge can be a sign of infection, allergies, mites, or yeast infections.

Chihuahua ear infections are common in dogs and often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

If you notice an unusual amount of discharge from your dog’s ears it may mean that something is preventing the proper drainage of fluids from those parts of their body (e.g., crusting or scabs).

Sometimes dogs will also experience this type of symptom if they’ve been swimming or playing with water for too long.

As well as having an allergic reaction to something in its environment like grasses which contain spores that cause skin irritation when touched.

Excessive panting

Excessive panting is a sign that your Chihuahua may be overheating. If you’ve noticed your pet panting, it could be because he’s experiencing severe pain or heatstroke.

If you suspect that your dog has become sick due to excessive heat, there are some things you can do to help him recover.

First and foremost is making sure the room in which he’s staying is cool enough for him to lie comfortably.

If necessary, get him into an air-conditioned room until his body has time to acclimate itself back to normal living conditions.

You should also keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day; this will help keep both yourself and your pooch energized!

Read more: Understanding Chihuahua Separation Anxiety: Signs, Causes & More.

Vomiting and diarrhea

If your Chihuahua is vomiting and having diarrhea, it’s possible that he has food poisoning.

This can be caused by eating something bad, or even something as simple as swallowing a tennis ball that the dog has chewed up.

However, if the vomiting persists for more than 24 hours after eating the item, then you should contact your vet immediately to make sure nothing serious is happening.

If your Chihuahua is vomiting and having diarrhea, but his symptoms don’t seem like they could be caused by food poisoning (he doesn’t have any other symptoms).

Then he might have an infectious disease such as EPI or parvovirus—and those require immediate attention from a veterinarian if left untreated!

If this happens to your pet too often over several weeks straight without any other signs showing up first (like excessive exhaustion).

Then there’s probably something seriously wrong with them; call the vet right away so we can assess their health status and figure out what needs to be done next before it gets worse than necessary!

Trembling

The first sign of a sick Chihuahua is trembling. If your dog is shivering, it may be due to the cold or pain.

It could also be exciting and anxious about something—if you see this, don’t force him out of his crate; let him rest until he calms down (or takes a little nap).

If your Chihuahua isn’t responding well to any of these suggestions, there are other signs that something’s wrong:

Weakness in its legs and tail – This indicates low blood flow. Your dog’s heart will pump harder than usual when there’s not enough oxygen reaching their muscles because they’re not breathing as deeply as they normally would with more energy available from eating food rich in protein and vitamins A & C which help build stronger bones while providing additional energy needed by dogs who need it most during times like these!

Persistent weight loss

If your Chihuahua is losing weight, it’s important to find out why. Is your dog getting into a lot of food?

Is he eating too much or not enough? These are all signs that something could be wrong.

The best way to check your dog’s weight is by using a scale that can measure small animals such as chihuahuas and dogs.

You should also take note of how much time it takes him/her to eat his/her food and make sure he/she has access to water at all times (especially if you know he’s eating too fast).

Changes in appetite and thirst

Changes in appetite and thirst are often a sign of illness in Chihuahuas.

If your Chihuahua is eating less, or not eating at all, it could be a sign of illness.

Or if they’re drink more water than usual, it could be a sign of illness.

If your Chihuahua refuses to eat for more than 24 hours you should contact your veterinarian, it could be a sign they have a worm.

Trouble moving around or general weakness

If your Chihuahua is weak and not moving around as much, it may be because they’re having trouble getting up or down.

They may also have a stiff gait, which means their legs are spread apart when they walk.

If your chihuahua isn’t eating well or acting lethargic and then suddenly starts acting sicker than usual.

He or she could be coming down with an illness such as pneumonia or canine influenza (CIV).

This condition causes flu-like symptoms including fever, coughing, and sneezing, and many dogs show these signs before going into shock!

Difficulty breathing or unusual sounds when breathing

Your Chihuahua’s breathing should be regular and gentle.

If you notice any signs of distress, such as panting or gasping for air, he may have an upper respiratory infection.

This condition can cause coughing and sneezing as well as drowsiness or lethargy.

If you hear gurgling sounds when your Chihuahua breathes in through his nose, this could mean that he has a lower respiratory infection (LRI).

LRI symptoms include difficulty breathing due to mucus build-up in the lungs; wheezing; fever; loss of appetite; severe lethargy followed by vomiting and diarrhea; diarrhea lasting longer than three days without improvement.

If you notice your Chihuahua has difficulty breathing then take him or her to the veterinarian immediately.

Changes in activity or behavior

If your chihuahua is experiencing any of the following changes, it may be time to take her to the vet.

• Changes in activity or behavior
• Changes in appetite, thirst, and weight
• Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea.

If you notice these symptoms, take your Chihuahua to a veterinarian immediately.

Changes to the skin, coat, and paws

The first sign of a sick Chihuahua is a change in the skin, coat, and paws.

Redness, itching, and abnormal hair loss are common signs of illness in your pet.

If you notice crusty, scabby, or flaky skin around their mouth with pus or discharge coming from it.

If they have to peel skin on their feet and legs; or if they lose hair around their ears this could be an indication that something is wrong with them.

Take your Chihuahua to the veterinarian if you notice changes to the skin, coat, and paws.

When to take a sick Chihuahua to a veterinarian

When to take a sick Chihuahua to a veterinarian is a question that many pet owners face.

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is dependent on the specific illness and the age of the dog.

Some of the more common illnesses that might require veterinary care include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Parasites
• Food allergies
• Respiratory infections
• Skin conditions (e.g. fleas, ticks, hotspots)
• Congestive heart failure

If you’re not sure whether or not your Chihuahua is experiencing an illness, it’s best to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Ways to care for a sick Chihuahua

The following are some common ways to care for a sick Chihuahua:

1. Get the dog to a vet as soon as possible if you notice any signs of illness.
2. Provide plenty of fresh water and food.
3. Keep the dog warm and comfortable.
4. Keep the dog calm and relaxed.
5. Provide plenty of loving attention.
6. Keep the dog clean and tidy.
7. Make sure to keep a close eye on the dog’s health.
8. Give the dog plenty of fluids and food to encourage hydration and keep them healthy.
9. Brush and bathe the dog regularly to remove any accumulated dirt, debris, and fleas.
10. Keep the dog away from drafts and hot surfaces to reduce the risk of overheating.
11. Supplement their diet with high-quality dog kibble and fresh water to help them maintain a healthy weight.

Conclusion

The signs of a Chihuahua being sick are very similar to that of other pets.

With a little knowledge and care, most dogs can be treated for common illnesses.

However, if your dog is showing any of the symptoms listed above then it’s best to get them evaluated by their veterinarian as soon as possible!