Unser Haushund: Eine Spitzmaus im Wolfspelz? - Wolf-Ekkehard ...

85Chihuahuas have a notorious problem with dental issues. Dental care is a must for these little creatures.Human food should be avoided. Due to their small size, even tiny high fat or sugary treats can result in an overweightChihuahua. Overweight Chihuahuas are susceptible to increased rates of joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronicbronchitis, and shortened life span.Chihuahuas are also known for a genetic condition called 'luxating Patella,' a genetic condition that can occur in alldogs. In some dogs, the ridges forming the patellar groove are not shaped correctly and a shallow groove is created. In adog with shallow grooves, the patella will luxate or slip out of place, sideways. It causes the leg to 'lock up' and willforce the chihuahua to hold its foot off the ground. When the patella luxates from the groove of the femur, it usuallycannot return to its normal position until the quadriceps muscle relaxes and increases in length, explaining why theaffected dog may be forced to hold his leg up for a few minutes or so after the initial displacement. While the musclesare contracted and the patella is luxated from its correct position, the joint is held in the flexed or bent position. Theknee cap sliding across the femur can cause some pain due to the bony ridges of the femur. Once out of position, theanimal feels no discomfort and continues with activity.Chihuahuas are also prone to some heart-related disorders, such as heart murmurs and pulmonic stenosis, acondition in which the blood outflow from the heart's right ventricle is obstructed at the pulmonic valve.[19]Chihuahuas, along with other miniature dogs such as Chinese Cresteds, are prone to physical deformities,especially in old age; several chihuahuas and cross-bred chihuahua/Chinese crested mixes have rated highly in theWorld's Ugliest Dog Contest, including a purebred chihuahua named Princess Abby (winner of the 2010 contest) and acrossbreed named Yoda (the 2011 winner).”Das angegebene Alter von 10 bis 18 Jahren kann der typische Chihuahua offerbar nur mit expertveterinary attention und hingebungsvollem menschlichen Pflegeaufwand erreichen und erinnertvielleicht etwas an das oben zitierte Laron-Syndrom (people with this syndrome "are somewhat protectedagainst aging"). Aber je kleiner der Chihuahua desto geringer die Lebenserwartung.Ein recht ähnliche Beschreibung findet sich unter http://www.dog-illnesses-nsymptoms.com/chihuahua-health-problems.html.Hier zu den oben zitiertenAusführungen vielleicht ein paar Ergänzungen (nur Auszüge):"The Chihuahua is susceptible to several health problems that commonly affect small breed dogs, such as:Dental Problems: Small breed dogs such as Chihuahuas tend to have tooth and gum diseases - as theirmouths are so small, teeth are overcrowded, making it easy for dental problems to arise. For example, foodtends to be trapped between the teeth, causing plaque and tartar buildup which, overtime if left untreated, canresult in periodontal disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as premature tooth loss.Keeping your Chihuahua's teeth clean by daily brushing and regular dental check-ups areessential. Also avoid snacks rich in starch and sugar.[…] Tracheal Collapse: This condition occurs primarily in older small breed dogs, particularly Chihuahuas,Pomeranians, and Toy Poodles. Obese dogs are especially vulnerable to this health problem. Tracheal collapseoccurs because the tracheal rings do not possess normal rigidity resulting in the collapse of the trachea wall asthe dog inhales. The collapse of the trachea wall leads to a narrowing of the windpipe.[…] Chronic Valvular Disease: Small and toy breed dogs (such as Chihuahuas) are predisposed to thiscommon heart disease of unknown cause. Dogs with this heart disease have degenerative changes in their heartvalves. Specifically, the leaflets of the valves grow thick and the shape become distorted. As a result, the freeedges of the valves cannot make contact. This causes lowered valve function and cardiac output."Ein Wolf, "born with an incomplete skull", mit der Tendenz zum"hydrocephalus", "at risk for hypoglycemia", – ein Wolf, von dem gesagt werdenmüsste "Collapsed trachea is a health concern that is characteristic of the Canislupus lupus breed”, und der auch noch "prone to some heart-related disorders”und "to physical deformities” wäre, – ein Wolf, der wegen Platzmangels nichtweiß, wo er mit seinen Zähnen hin soll ("as their mouths are so small, teeth areovercrowded”) und dem jeden Tag die Zähne geputzt werden müssten ("Dentalcare is a must”), weil er sie sonst vorzeitig verlieren könnte, für den Geburtshilfeangezeigt ist und der bei sinkenden Temperaturen schnell friert, so dass er einMäntelchen braucht etc. – das wäre nun wirklich ein ein Musterbeispiel für "ThePrimrose Path to Macro-Evolution" (Dawkins; siehe "primrose path" oben). 149149 Vgl. auch http://www.ciao.de/Chihuahua__Test_1851621: "So niedlich der kleinste Hund der Welt unbestritten ist, so ist es doch eine Qualzucht. Die Züchterhaben bewußt viele Krankheiten in Kauf genommen, z.B. eine Fontanelle (Schädelnaht) die oft ein Leben lang nicht zuwächst, um den Hund immer kleiner zuzüchten. Manche Chihuahua bringen keine 1000 Gramm mehr auf die Waage."