Chihuahua Health 101: Common Concerns and Cancer Risks Explained

When it comes to health, Chihuahuas have a lot going for them, but like all breeds, they are not completely immune to health challenges, including cancer. The good news is that understanding the risks and signs can make a world of difference in keeping your little companion thriving. Early detection and proactive care can help your Chihuahua enjoy many vibrant years, making preventative health measures and regular veterinary visits more important than ever. 

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Common Health Concerns in Chihuahuas 

Chihuahuas are known for their spirited personalities and long lifespans, but their small size can make them more prone to certain health issues compared to larger breeds. 

Dental Problems 

Chihuahuas are prone to dental issues due to their small jaws, which can lead to overcrowded teeth. This increases the risk of plaque buildup, and tooth loss. Poor dental hygiene can lead to many other diseases including heart disease. Regular brushing and professional cleanings are key to keeping your pup’s smile healthy and pain free.^1,2

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place, which can cause discomfort and mobility issues. Many Chihuahuas manage this condition with monitoring from their humans, maintaining a healthy weight, and in some more intensive cases, corrective surgery.^1,2 

Heart Issues 

Chihuahuas are more likely than some other breeds to develop heart problems, particularly mitral valve disease. Regular veterinary checkups are essential, and watching for signs like coughing, fatigue or difficulty breathing can help catch problems early.^1,2 

Hypoglycemia

Due to their tiny size, Chihuahuas can experience low blood sugar, especially as puppies. Symptoms may include lethargy, weakness, or tremors. Frequent, small meals and careful monitoring can prevent hypoglycemic episodes. Some Chihuahua parents may even opt to keep a small bowl of food out all day and allow their dog to graze on it throughout the day as needed, just like a water bowl. This method, however, only works for dogs with controlled appetites, so take your dog’s personality into consideration.¹ 

Obesity

Like any breed, there are some Chihuahuas that like to eat more than their fair share.¹ It’s important to keep your Chihuahua within a healthy weight range of around 6 pounds (unless you have a teacup chihuahua). While being overweight may not be an immediate health concern for your Chihuahua, it can lead to higher chances of developing other health concerns later in their life like heart disease, arthritis, and back pain, as well as worsen joint problems or metabolic and digestive disorders. A small amount of food for us can be a huge amount for a 6 lb chihuahua!

Tracheal Collapse

Due to their small size, Chihuahuas are prone to having a more sensitive trachea, which leads to a higher likelihood of tracheal collapse, which may present as a persistent cough or difficulty breathing. For our smaller friends, using a harness instead of a collar and keeping them at a healthy weight can help reduce stress on the trachea.¹ 

Eye Problems

One of the lovable features of Chihuahuas are their large expressive eyes. However, their eye size also makes them more susceptible to injuries, dryness and infections. Regular eye checks and keeping their face clean can help prevent long-term issues.¹ 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a very common diagnosis in larger dogs because of the speed with which they grow into their full size. By contrast, in Chihuahuas, their small and fragile frame makes them more prone to hip dysplasia development post injury or fall; it is also possible that an injury can make hip dysplasia more likely in the future, if it doesn’t occur immediately. Some signs of this can be lameness, an abnormal gate, signs of pain when their hind legs are touched, and difficulty walking.²

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Cancer in Chihuahuas 

Unlike many other breeds, Chihuahuas have a pretty strong track record when it comes to avoiding a cancer diagnosis.⁴ According to a Nationwide Survey in 2022, the Chihuahua breed has one of the fewest cancer claims. That said, having a small number of cases statistically doesn’t mean that every Chihuahua is safe from a diagnosis. 

For those pups that do develop cancer, the most common to be diagnosed include:³

• Hemangiosarcoma
• Melanoma
• Transitional cell carcinoma 
• Lymphoma 

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Lymphoma in Chihuahuas

The most common form of lymphoma in Chihuahuas, along with most other breeds, is multicentric lymphoma. This type of lymphoma affects lymph nodes in multiple parts of the body, and often a pet parent will notice enlarged lymph nodes in the outer nodes on the body including the neck, shoulders, behind the knees, armpits, and groin. 

Other, somewhat less common, forms of cancer that Chihuahuas can develop include:

• Alimentary (gastrointestinal) —affects the digestive system
• Mediastinal (chest) — affects the lymph nodes in the chest impeding lung and heart performance
• Cutaneous (skin) —found outside of the lymph nodes, specifically on the skin 
• Or other Extranodal versions —located anywhere in the body outside of the lymph nodes. 

You can learn more about the different types of lymphoma in dogs in our post here.

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Symptoms of Lymphoma in Chihuahuas

The severity of lymphoma symptoms that every dog may experience is different for every patient. Some dogs may not show any outward signs of the change inside their body, with the concern appearing through routine blood work at their annual vet appointment. Others may experience one or many different symptoms, including: swollen lymph nodes, low energy, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, labored or heavy breathing, or in some cases an occasional fever. 

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How Lymphoma is Diagnosed

Diagnosing lymphoma usually involves a fine needle aspirate (FNA) of an enlarged lymph node. This allows your vet to examine the cells and identify if lymphoma is present. From there, you have a couple of options for confirming the diagnosis or starting a more precise treatment plan. 

‍You can learn more about how lymphoma is diagnosed and how a personalized treatment is found for your individual pet in our post here about the future of veterinary medicine. 

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Treatment for Chihuahuas with Lymphoma

Treating lymphoma in Chihuahuas usually consists of chemotherapy treatment, so as to address the entire lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an integral part of the immune system, so it has to be everywhere throughout the body. This makes lymphoma more difficult to treat than a localized tumor-based cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are processed through the entire body, so they’re able to attack the cancer cells in the lymphatic system anywhere that they may be. 

Chemotherapy medications can be given either orally or through infusions, and for lymphoma it is very common to use a multi-drug protocol to approach the cancer cells from multiple different avenues. Treatment plans based on traditional veterinary medicine would have your Chihuahua go through the CHOP protocol—Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (sometimes called Hydroxydaunomycin), Vincristine sulfate (brand name OncovinⓇ), and Prednisone—which is considered the gold standard for treating canine lymphoma. 

‍You can learn more about the CHOP protocol in our post here. 

However, the CHOP protocol relies on evidence based medicine from multiple clinical trials done over the years. The CHOP protocol is considered the gold standard for treating lymphoma, but over the years, oncology scientists have learned there are many different subtypes of lymphoma beyond just the stage and location of lymphoma in the body. These differences can affect how lymphoma responds to chemotherapy and what drugs work best. While CHOP is still the standard, this therapy has not changed much in the last few decades meaning advances in lymphoma care have been slow. Additional testing like flow cytometry and other protocols are helping to move the needle in treating canine lymphoma. There are many other single agent therapies and even small molecule inhibitors that can treat lymphoma for families and pets that CHOP is not the best option potentially for time and financial reasons.

Another method for treating lymphoma in a Chihuahua would be through a palliative care plan. Rather than seeking remission for your pet, this treatment method would prioritize their comfort through the end of their journey with you. Palliative care for lymphoma is a method that uses steroids and other medications to reduce symptoms and is often used for multiple reasons in different families and different patients that are maybe diagnosed later in their lives, or for financial or time reasons within their household. 

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How ImpriMed Can Help Find the Most Efficient Treatment for Your Chihuahua

While the traditional method of treating canine lymphoma has been working for years and will continue to work for many dogs out there, your Chihuahua can get a tailored treatment plan based on their individual needs as a lymphoma patient. With ImpriMed’s Personalized Prediction Profile, a patient’s live cancer cells are used to determine what chemotherapy drugs would make the most effective treatment for that patient. ImpriMed uses your dog’s cancer cells and a database of other canine lymphoma patients with their treatment information to pull together the Prediction Profile that will tell your vet which drugs, and how much of them, to use for your furry friend—and when you can likely expect a remission. 

With this individualized approach, you and your veterinarian can move forward with confidence, knowing that your Chihuahua’s care plan is specifically designed for their unique lymphoma type. 

Learn more about how ImpriMed can help your Chihuahua receive a customized treatment plan for a lymphoma diagnosis.