Just because a vet has a dog for a patient doesn't necessarily mean they know everything about Chihuahua care. Before you get a Chihuahua, make sure your vet knows about Chihuahua care. How do you choose a vet for your Chihuahua? Hopefully, you will have a choice of vets in your area, but any vet is better than none! Pick one that is close to you, but also professes to know about Chihuahua care, including care of Chihuahua allergies.

Chihuahua allergies that affect the breathing are one of the most alarming and yet least threatening parts of Chihuahua care. Chihuahuas can be allergic to cigarette smoke, incense, perfume, pollen, house dust or certain plants. This can trigger the pharynx to go into a spasm. The spasm then produces noises that sound like the dog is either having an asthma attack or choking. These signs seem to worsen the more agitated the dog is. With a feisty Chihuahua, this can happen often.

The noises of Chihuahua allergies are quite alarming and varied. If you have never heard them before, talk to friends who have Chihuahuas, Chihuahua breeders or call your vet who is familiar with Chihuahua care. The noises will sound like the dog is choking, suffering a case of emphysema or asthma.

Food allergies are treated in Chihuahuas just like in any other dog. First, the allergen needs to be identified so that can be eliminated from the Chihuahua's diet. The dog is put on a plain diet of rice and chicken for a couple of weeks, and then gradually one food is added to the dog's menu until symptoms return.

Chihuahua allergies to fleabites are treated just the same as any other dog, except any medication given is in a lot smaller a dose. Chihuahuas can also show red, itchy skin and digestive problems if they are allergic to a particular irritating chemical. Check and see what plants are growing where the Chihuahua walks, or if the dog has access to any gardening or cleaning products. When you have a suspect contaminant, call the vet.

Signs to look out for include the tongue tuning blue, fainting or seizures. These are emergencies that need to be dealt with right away! The vet will need to examine and possible X-ray your dog in order to be sure there isn't anything like a growth that may be completely cutting off air. But Chihuahua care for Chihuahua allergies is usually not so dramatic. The attacks usually go away on his or her own when the dog calms down.

Getting the Chihuahua to calm down is usually the best (and only) way of dealing with breathing attacks. Distract the dog with play or petting, but don't make too much of a fuss. But smoking can really aggravate Chihuahua allergies and make the attacks stronger and more frequent.

And smoking can also cut down your life expectancy, too! If you ever needed the inspiration to stop smoking, a Chihuahua can give you one.