Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 6 year old female Chihuahua. She's my baby and I think she has a problem.
She often has diarrhea (once a week) and throws up every couple of weeks and does not eat when she has these problems. We have had her to 2x vets and they say the same thing "small dogs are more sickly" and "if the diarrhea goes away in a day or two it is probably nothing to worry about". It does go away and she is fine for a few days and it happens again. I find it hard to believe that this is normal for ANY dog. We also have a 1 yr old Shih Tzu and she is always fine. I can see it happening very occasionally but this happens often. I watched a tv show (Dr 90210) where their 6 yr old Chihuahua had similar problems and died of organ failure after a week decline. Maybe I'm panicing(?) but it would be devastating if she died. Any help or insight will be appreciated. Sincerely, Jeff/hardman1

Chihuahuas have been in my family for years and none have ever been like you describe, except when they were sick and needed treatment. This is not normal for this breed.

I would actively search for a vet with a good reputation with small dogs.

Yes Chihuahua's can have health defects, and if that's what it is then a good vet should be able to diagnose it and then work with you to come up with a plan.

Maybe try going through the parent AKC breed club for Chihuahuas and find a breeder who can help you find a good vet in your area? Or maybe another toy breed, Yorkshire Terriers for example.

Here's a link to the Chihuahua Club of America's web page that has the people to contact to find a breeder in the different regions. Maybe they can help you find a local breeder to point you to a local vet who's knowledgable about Chihuahuas.
www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/directory.htm

Good luck with your little girl.

Please keep us updated.

.
-----
tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'

>>I have a 6 year old female Chihuahua. She's my baby and I think she has a problem.
>> She often has diarrhea (once a week) and throws up every couple of weeks and does not eat when she has these problems. We have had her to 2x vets and they say the same thing "small dogs are more sickly" and "if the diarrhea goes away in a day or two it is probably nothing to worry about". It does go away and she is fine for a few days and it happens again. I find it hard to believe that this is normal for ANY dog. We also have a 1 yr old Shih Tzu and she is always fine. I can see it happening very occasionally but this happens often. I watched a tv show (Dr 90210) where their 6 yr old Chihuahua had similar problems and died of organ failure after a week decline. Maybe I'm panicing(?) but it would be devastating if she died. Any help or insight will be appreciated. Sincerely, Jeff/hardman1

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Besides what tabitha said, take a very, very, VERY close look at everything this dog is eating. People sometimes give tiny dogs a lot more junk food than they realize, because it's so hard for us to comprehend just how much smaller they are than us and than other dogs, and what is a proper portion.

It takes very little to give them too much of something that will cause a gastro-intestinal upset. That may be a food that is okay in moderation, or a food that is never okay in any amount. Somebody in the family may be doing this--or a neighbor over the fence--and it hasn't been recognized as the problem. Rawhides and other chew items can cause it, too.

For a week, write down every single thing the dog eats--and that includes cat poop, bugs, something off someone's dinner plate, food dropped on the floor--everything. For most of us, it's quite an eye-opener. Show the list to the veterinarian and/or specialist when you find one who doesn't just shrug off your concerns. And strike serious fear into the hearts of anyone who is giving that dog food without getting your permission first! Easier said than done, I know so well!
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47