There are many small breeds of dogs that face unique medical issues, some of which are not commonly seen in larger breeds. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most common medical issues faced by small breeds of dogs and discuss how to treat them. We will also provide tips on how to increase your dog’s lifespan and ensure they stay healthy throughout their lifetime. Whether you have a small breed of dog or are just interested in learning more about their medical issues, this blog is for you!
There are many small breeds of dogs that suffer from a range of medical issues, some of which are relatively rare. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the more common small breed health issues and how to best care for them. From allergies to heart disease, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of these conditions and provide tips on how to treat them.
We hope you find this information helpful as you care for your small breed dog. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the topics in this post, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to hear from you!
It was ten o’clock Sunday night so when the phone rang I knew it meant only one thing…I was about to head for work. “She’s doing it again, Doctor. Her pups are three weeks old now and she’s got that shaking and trembling condition and she can’t even walk!” My client bred Chihuahuas and recognized a serious condition seen often in small breeds but only rarely in larger dogs… canine eclampsia. (You can see a video of an actual case of eclampsia on this page.) Because the nursing dog’s metabolism favors the production of calcium-rich milk, the shifting of calcium reserves into the mammary glands to support growing pups can lead to dangerously low blood calcium levels. A serious and even life threatening situation results and veterinary intervention is needed. These patients often have high fevers, low blood sugar levels and require slow and careful intravenous calcium therapy to get them through the crisis.
A normal dog’s metabolic processes strive to maintain homeostasis, which is a state of balance of chemicals and functions within narrow ranges. Any deviation outside normal ranges will have an adverse impact on the dog and could lead to rather sudden death. By their very nature, small breeds of dogs have less tolerance to deviations outside the homeostatic ranges. One of the easiest homeostatic issues to envision is tolerance to temperature changes. Large breeds of dogs, due to their surface to weight ratio, can tolerate extremes of environmental temperatures for longer times than a tiny breed. That’s precisely why veterinarians are acutely aware of body heat loss with small breeds during surgery and postoperative recovery.
SMALL BREEDS OF DOGS
Blood levels of glucose must be maintained within homeostatic ranges and small breeds find doing that much more challenging than larger breeds. Internal Medicine Specialist
M. Alexis Seguin, MS, DVM, describes the blood sugar issue in small breeds. “Small breed puppies commonly develop clinically significant hypoglycemia especially as a sequel to any vomiting or diarrhea. It is more important to have them seen by a veterinarian in a timely manner if they are not eating or if they have a gastrointestinal upset.” But that’s not all! Seguin mentions a number of issues facing the small breeds. “Small breed dogs also have an increased predisposition to certain congenital disorders of the vasculature through the liver. Extrahepatic portosystemic shunts can occur where the blood vessels from the intestines bypass the liver entirely and the liver does not detoxify the blood as usual. Some of these shunts may be corrected surgically. Microvascular dysplasia, which is essentially the same blood shunting process but at a microscopic level within the liver itself, cannot be corrected surgically. These blood vessel shunts make small breeds more prone to hypoglycemia.
“Another congenital disorder that is common in very small dogs is called hydrocephalus. In these cases normal caverns within the brain overfill and expand with cerebrospinal fluid. The resulting brain dysfunction can lead to seizures, blindness, and behavioral changes including difficulty training a puppy in common tasks such as obedience and house-breaking. Lethargy, lack of responsiveness, and occasionally hyperexcitability can be noted in hydrocephalic dogs. Lastly, as small dogs head into adulthood, they are more prone than their large breed friends to mitral valve endocardiosis. This leaky heart valve causes a heart murmur and in some cases may eventually progress to congestive heart failure.”
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| Cataracts in the eyes of small breeds can be a major problem for them as they grow older. | Easy to train, anxious to please… Small breeds are pure joy! | Many small breeds do require grooming and bathing routines to stay healthy and happy. | Small breeds can become dehydrated very quickly and veterinary attention may be needed. |
Orthopedic difficulties can plague our tiny friends, too. Veterinary orthopedic specialists are kept busy trying to assist small breeds overcome some of their unique problems. Veterinary surgeon Janice Buback mentions that patella luxation (dislocation) in small breeds is very common. “We also do see 
some congenital shoulder luxations (dislocations) in the little dogs. Small and toy 
breeds are also more prone to radius and ulna fractures because small dogs are so often carried about by their owners. If they jump out of their owner’s arms or are accidentally dropped it doesn’t take much to break those fragile bones. Radius and ulna fractures usually do need rigid fixation such as a bone plate and don’t heal as well with simple casts as larger bones partly because there is very little soft tissue in these areas and hence poor blood supply.” Buback mentions it is easier to physically care for these small breed patients in the hospital and at home but their small size can present difficulties with the technical aspects of “fixing them”.
Specialists often deal with highly challenging cases, but your local general veterinary practitioner routinely works on an assortment of health issues of small breeds. Reproduction difficulties are more prevalent in small breeds due to anatomical and physiological differences between large and small breeds of dogs. Just ask any breeder of Pugs or Boston Terriers about dystocia (difficulty whelping) and they’ll tell you the anxiety they deal with in hoping that the whelping goes smoothly. Cesarean section surgeries are done far more commonly on small breeds than large breeds, and litter size doesn’t approach the bakers dozen expected in such breeds as the Saint Bernard.
Anesthetic concerns in small breeds are the same as larger breeds with just a few exceptions. One is that administering the proper dose of injectable anesthetics and sedatives requires more precise dose parameters. Give two tenths of a cc more anesthetic than needed to a four-pound Manchester Terrier and the consequences may be vastly different than the same amount given to a one hundred and sixty pound Bull Mastiff.
Medication dosages such as antibiotics and wormers need to be fine-tuned to the little body sizes of small breeds. Caution is a key word to keep in mind when dealing with dietary changes in our little pals, too. It doesn’t take much to upset the intestinal bacterial flora in the small breeds so any changes in the diet need to be made gradually and with discretion. Even a half-teaspoon of fat, if the dog is not used to it in the diet, can trigger a severe pancreatitis episode with vomiting, pain, bloody diarrhea and dehydration.
Gingivitis and dental problems seem to occur more commonly in small breeds compared to larger breeds. In pups under five months of age retained deciduous teeth often need to be removed so that adult permanent teeth can erupt properly. In older small breeds one of the most hazardous and often overlooked health threats is chronic gum infection and loose, eroded teeth. Oral bacterial invasion into the tissues and presence of bacteria and toxins in the blood stream can lead to severe kidney and heart damage.
Strong of character and packed with personality, small breeds do have some special medical needs. It’s a good idea to research your particular small breed’s medical issues and then be on the alert for any signs of trouble.
Small breeds of dogs are popular among pet owners for a variety of reasons. They are typically considered to be more friendly and easier to care for, which can make them a good choice for those who are new to pet ownership or those who have limited space in their home. However, small breeds of dogs are also prone to a number of medical issues that may require treatment. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common medical issues that small breed dogs face and how to address them. If you’re planning on getting a small breed of dog, be sure to keep these issues in mind and consult your veterinarian regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the very smallest dog breed?
Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is frequently referred to as the world’s tiniest dog breed. Miracle Milly, a Chihuahua, was the tiniest dog ever. She stood 3.8 inches tall and weighed about one pound.
What is the most wanted small dog breed?
The French Bulldog was it. The cute French Bulldog has more registrations than any other small breed dog, according to the American Kennel Club. The Poodle, Beagle, Dachshund, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are more well-known tiny dog breeds.
What is small dog called?
A extremely little dog or a collection of small and very small breeds of dogs is typically referred to as a toy dog. Any of the several dog breeds can be a toy dog. Smaller-bred terriers, spaniels, and pinschers are examples of the breeds referred to as toy dogs. All lap dogs are not toy dogs.
