What to do When Your Chihuahua has Wheezing/Seizure-Like Episodes
My husband and I have a chihuahua named Bugsy. We found your web site while trying to find health information. We absolutely love it. Do you have any information about wheezing and their seizure-like episodes. Ours sometimes acts like he can’t catch his breath…
Many chihuahuas owners do not realize that chihuahuas are bred to be small. Breeders create them and as much as we love them, cross breeding can have effects. Trachea issues are common in chihuahuas and can usually be identified by episodes of wheezing. Their trachea collapses on them and the wheezing is usually their immediate response. However, it is ineffective. Instead take firm hold of your Chihuahua, calm them and then plug their noses. This will force them to swallow and breath through their mouths. This is the only remedy so please make a mental note of this.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Beth M // Jul 2, 2007 at 1:18 am
I was wondering if you had any info about chi’s that have what I can only describe as mini seizures? Carlos is perfectly alert but his back legs seem very stiff and dont want to work ( like his balance is very off) He has only had maybe 3 or 4 in two years one lasted a minute or so but the others were very brief 30 seconds or so. the last one that he had he actually jumped down out of my arms and ran and played with his brother. Any info will be helpful
Thank you
Beth
2 Admin // Jul 4, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Beth, here is some info that may help your chihuahua seizure situation:
Are Chihuahua’s prone to seizures?
http://www.faqs.org/qa/qa-5600.html
Why do dogs have sezures..
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061120172125AA4VBUx
How to help prevent seizures in Little Chihuahuas..
http://www.ehow.com/how_2020316_help-prevent-seizures-little-chihuahuas.html
If anyone has additional info please comment.
3 polarchip // Dec 12, 2007 at 9:23 am
My chi has had two episodes, both occurred when she was SO EXCITED about having a bite of my food (she trembles when excited) but then the trembling became larger and larger until she was shaking, bug-eyed, and unable to walk. I think too much emotional stimulation caused them.
Also I hear that macadamia nuts will cause tremors, do not feed to dogs.
4 admin // Dec 12, 2007 at 11:05 am
Hi Polarchip,
May I ask what it was that you were feeding your chihuahua when she reacted this way?
Cheers,
editor@famouschihuahua.com
5 Julia // Mar 19, 2008 at 8:42 pm
My Chis getting pretty thin, I’ve been trying to find feeding guides on the net but can’t seem to find much help. He’s eating dry food but he seems to lose interest in his meal after the first kibble. Can you help?
6 admin // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:17 am
Julia, here is a link you may want to review regarding your pet’s nutrition http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-nutrition/what-to-feed-your-chihuahua/
Please also review the links http://www.famouschihuahua.com/category/chihuahua-health-concerns/
http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-nutrition/chihuahuas-essential-fatty-acids/
7 Tracy // Jun 13, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Someone please help!! I dont know whats wrong with my chi. she is just a baby and in the past week she has had a few weird episodes. Her limbs stiffen and she acts like she cant breathe. I took her to the vet and they said she might be hypoglycemic and to feed her every 3-4 hours. I have done this and it seemed to help but she had another today right after i fed her. I called the vet and told her, and she said shes probably having seizures and her prognosis didnt look bright. I am so very sad and i am searching for different oppinions so if anyone can help me please reply. She is sooo cute and seems completely normal besides these episodes.
8 Yvonne // Sep 13, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Thanks so much for this article! My chihuahua mix Fudge has these episodes a LOT and I found out accidentally that if I hold him to calm him down, the wheezing stops. I never remember to bring it up to my vet because they are so brief and he seems perfectly fine otherwise. He had one just now and I decided to go online to see what it could be. I am glad to know what is causing these fits and I’m going to try the “plug his nose” technique the next time it happens.
Great site; glad I stumbled upon it!
9 famous chihuahua editor // Sep 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hello Yvonne. Thank you for visiting famouschihuahua.com. I’m glad the pet health information on wheezing and seizures was helpful for you.
editor @ famouschihuahua.com
10 Karen // Sep 30, 2008 at 6:19 pm
My chi does not wheeze, but does have grand mal seizures. She is currently taking phenobarbitol. I am concerned about the liver damage factor, is there any natural remedy I could try?
11 Nicole // Oct 24, 2008 at 2:10 pm
We have two chis and our tiny male has always done the reverse sneeze as the vets call it, but more of a wheeze when extremely excited/nervous/scared. Recently, our female who is a standard size (5+) has began to tremble immensely while simultaneously wheezing, similarly to our male. however, while she is wheezing she gags herself, as if she swallowed something? If I hold her she begins to calm, but still trembles which is not typical of her personality. I also noticed that the insides of her ears will redden. I am a chronic hypochondriac and have taken her to er vets a number of times. Am I overreacting?
Ps she whelped in July for the first time, I have no idea if this has anything to do with that. Oh, and she is shedding quite a bit but that should be typical due the season. *fall*
Thanks,
Nicole
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