My Chihuahua Seemed to Have an Anxiety Attack

A chihuahua is often the baby of the family, spending time in his owner's lap, sleeping alongside humans in the bed and enjoying treats for his spinning and dancing tricks. When your chihuahua starts acting strange, or as if he is having an anxiety attack, your best response is to take him to the vet. The vet will address the possible causes of your pet's attack.

  1. Hypoglycemia

    • An anxiety attack in your dog can be triggered by a medical issue. Chihuahuas are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which may cause them to tremble and convulse. In the case of a hypoglycemia attack you should feed your chihuahua a sugary substance like honey or syrup.

    Hydrocephalus

    • Chihuahuas frequently suffer from hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid around the brain. This condition may present itself when the dog is young or show itself suddenly in adulthood, resulting in listlessness and seizures that may appear to be an anxiety attack.

    Other Medical Issues

    • Chihuahuas have small mouths and if their teeth are not cared for properly, they can get infections that can spread throughout the body from the heart to the kidneys to the liver. If your chihuahua is suffering from an infection he may act strangely and seem as if he is having an attack.

    Social Problems

    • Chihuahuas are often very fond of their owners. They may be treated differently than larger dogs, often picked up, carried along in shoulder bags and spoiled in ways big dogs simply cannot be. This makes the chihuahua very protective of his owner, and any new stimuli can cause the dog to react in an anxious or panicked way. The dog may not like a new person in the house, a sound or especially children grabbing at him. He may also not like to be left alone, and panic or become destructive if he is. If your dog has frequent anxiety attacks due to new stimuli or environmental factors, proper training or medication are the only ways to solve the problem.