My dog Carmen has been slowing down a bit, but I have only just noticed it this year. When she prepares to lay on the bed, she goes into her "circular dance" at a snails pace. It seems as though her joints hurt, and its getting harder for her to get comfortable. I notice that she wakes up more often in the night to stretch and reposition herself. Additionally, she has been wanting to sleep on the pillow more often and not just the bed itself. She still plays hard and runs fast (she's only 7.5 lbs), but the other day I witnessed her knee give out when she jumped a small step. She had a Vet appointment last week and she checked out fine, but I am still concerned. Isn't six years old young for a Chihuahua? I was under the impression that they can sometimes live for 15 to 18 years.
2007-05-25 19:29:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, to ensure that your dog lives a good and long life it is important to take care of issues as they come along. What you did, by taking your pet to the doctor is the best thing you could have done. Now you have some type of ease. I dont own a chuhuahua, but I own 3 Lhasa Apso's. One of which is 15 years old, 13, and 12 all of which run around like puppies. Things I have done to elongate their health and happiness was to avoid dog food, have them sleep elevated off of the floor, and lots of love and kisses. I have my dogs on a chicken and rice diet because there is too much junk in dog food.... fatty oils and other things that cause heart issues. Her turning at night is merely to get comfortable, sometimes... they get hot sleeping in the same position. Maybe you are just noticing this more recently?!?! But that is totally normal, many humans do it too. YOU control how long your dog lives. Proper exercise and care is an absolute necessity. Sleeping on a pillow is good, shes just trying to be more comfy. Dogs, like people, get arthiritis at different ages. I have been blessed because we have not incurred such problems. However, if the vet advised you that Carmen is fine you should believe it. If you have any concerns... continue to contact your vet or try for a 2nd opinion elsewhere. Best wishes with your baby!
2007-05-25 19:38:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can live a long time, but arthritis can hit anytime. Poor thing. Make sure she's comfortable, you might want to start a joint therapy supplement and anti-inflammatory, and you might also want to put a mild heat pad under her bed....
Also, if she's having trouble...don't let her get overweight. More weight is harder to carry around. I don't know much about Chi's (7.5lbs seems so very tiny)...is that how small they normally are? Sometimes if they are bred to be too little, they end up with other problems. Just a thought.
2007-05-26 02:51:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jupiter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is probably getting a touch of arthritis. Your chi is still young and may live a long life, but things sraer going downhill just like with people as they start to get older. I have a 9 yr old chi that has a touch of arthritis, but overall he is in very good health for his age. Chihuahuas actually can live to be 20-25 yr old. The vet can give you some meds for arthritis.
2007-05-26 02:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
okay do you want to see a difference in her ? feed her holistic food and then go from there after it gets into her system you should see a different dog . My mom has a husky and it is 14 and she started feeding holistic and now her vet says the dog has the blood work of a 7 yr old and why ? because my mom feeds her holistic food . yes 6 yrs old is still young for a chi because of they do live to be 16 or 17 yrs of age . I would have her checked by a 2nd vet in case it is arthritis .
2007-05-26 09:29:25 · answer #4 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there defenitly is a problem there. My tea-cup had the same problem. It ended up being arthritise in the weirdest places. One was in the bone. Also, she may be a little over weight. Some dogs must be thinner than normal or even larger than normal to fit their bone structure.
2007-05-26 02:46:24 · answer #5 · answered by helperwhoneedshelp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor baby! Maybe she has arthritis and the Vet could have missed it. Maybe you should get a 2nd vet opinion, but yes, she is still young.
2007-05-26 02:32:15 · answer #6 · answered by Kimmi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. She is getting old. But this is the begining stage.Dont worry.
2007-05-26 06:32:22 · answer #7 · answered by ♥D♪vya♥ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋