HEALTH ISSUES FOR CHIHUAHUAS
It's O-K to be ignorant!!!! But there is no excuse for being STUPID!!!!!
Webster defines "ignorant" as---destitute of knowledge; knowing little
or nothing; uninformed.
"
" "stupid"---deficient in perception
and understanding; dull-witted.
It has become apparent to me lately that,
as a whole, we are failing in our attempt to educate the public about our
beautiful breed of dogs, the chihuahua. Our breed, along with some other
toy breeds, do experience some health problems that need to be explained
in layman's terms so people that are ignorant can understand just what
is going on and handle it in an "adult" fashion. We can no longer rely
on the Veterianarian's across the country to tell people the honest truth
about certain ailments that their little furkids may be harboring. There
is a big movement across the country by certain organizations to take away
our rights to own and breed dogs, cats and other small animals. These people
have filtered into the humane societies, Veterianarian Universities and
any other place where they can have an impact on your ability to own and
love a healthy dog. It is nearly impossible to find a Veterianian that
is "pro-breeder". Anything and everything that ails an animal or makes
it sick has now become the sole responsibility of the breeder. Don't
misunderstand, I'm not against the Vets. My Vet is also my best friend.
But why can't pet owners be told the truth? Dogs
and cats have an immune system. Sometimes this immune system can fail!!!!Dogs
and cats are active creatures that run, climb, jump and eat some strange
things. This can cause problems. Most Vets
are not breeders. They only know what they have been taught or read in
books. Breeders deal with dogs and puppies on a daily basis. No matter
how good a breeder is (or thinks they are) there will still come a time
when they get a first hand look at most every instance listed below. This
experience for any breeder while not always pleasant, is most definitely
educational and priceless.
Everything that occurs
or goes wrong is not necessarily the breeders fault or responsibility.
Responsible breeders will always screen their breeding stock for health
defects but there are forces that are beyond our control. Below is a list
of some of these things that go wrong. Additions will by made as they are
brought to our attention. So if you are ignorant (like myself) please read
about some of these problems and get an education. If you are just plain
STUPID,
then
you might as well go and surf on E-Bay.
EARS
EYE DISORDERS
HEART
HYDROCEPHALUS (water
head)
KENNEL
COUGH
LUXATING PATELLAS (bad knees)
PARVO
SKIN
DISORDERS
WORMS
If you need information on an ailment or disease,
please click on the link below and submit your request. We'll add it to
our list as soon as we have had adequate time to research it for you. The
links will become active when the information is posted.