The chihuahua standard tells us that the ears of these dogs must be large, wide at the base, with rounded tips and must be carried erect, although at rest they can fall to the sides in a 45º angle. Dropped ears are considered a disqualifying foul. But this data will only be relevant if we live with a purebred specimen that we want to present at exhibitions. So, if my chihuahua has folded ears, is it normal? The answer is yes, as long as it is not due to any disease, as we explain in this article from our site.
At what age do Chihuahuas perk up their ears?
As we have mentioned, the chihuahua, as stated in its standard, is a dog that has its ears erect, but they are not born that way, rather they take a while to adopt the typical disposition of adult specimens. Specifically, it can take between 5-8 months without implying any problem. Therefore, it will be normal to see a Chihuahua puppy with floppy ears until that age. In addition, it is a progressive process, both ears do not have to be raised at the same time and each puppy will have its own rhythm. Only after these months can we think that some circumstance prevents the ears from rising.
Why do my chihuahua have folded ears?
Although the standard of a breed tells us that the ears should be held erect, there may be specimens with one or both drooping ears without this being more than an aesthetic problem. Sometimes it is due to genetic issuesFor example, if a male or female dog does not raise his ears, it is more likely that her offspring will do the same
Another cause could be Improper feeding, although today, with the spread of commercial dog food, it is less It is common for drooping ears to be due to this reason. We must also bear in mind that some pathologies, such as otitis, can end up affecting the shape of the ear and causing it to fall out.
In these cases the dog will present clear clinical signs of discomfort that should make us go to the veterinarian's office. If we treat an otitis quickly, it is less likely that it will have consequences for the ear. Otherwise, not only do we run the risk of otitis advancing into the ear, aggravating the clinical picture and making it difficult to heal, but what is known as otohematoma could occur.
Otohematoma is an accumulation of blood under the skin of the ear that can appear when the dog scratches intensely or hits himself against different surfaces while shaking his head in an attempt to relieve himself. If left untreated, the blood can be reabsorbed and the result will be an ear that appears shrunken, misshapen or bent. Hence the importance of going to the vet soon and not waiting until the damage to the ear is irreversible.
The first signs of ear problems are usually a tilt of the head and the emission of a foul-smelling discharge. Mites or foreign bodies are other causes of discomfort in the ears. In addition, sometimes a otitis media can affect a branch of the facial nerve that crosses the eardrum, causing the ear and lip on the damaged side to droop. Logically, you have to visit the vet.
Other times the ears suffer injuries, for example, due to bites from other dogs. Keep in mind that the ears are very vulnerable and easily accessible, so it is not uncommon for them to receive some damage during a fight or attack. If we detect any wound, except that it is slight and superficial, it is advisable to go to the veterinarian. Bites from other animals run the risk of becoming infected and complications could arise, such as abscesses, which are accumulations of pus, or the aforementioned otohematomas, to the point of affecting to the shape of the ear.
What to do if my chihuahua has floppy ears?
In principle, the position of the ears is only a matter of aesthetics, which means that if a chihuahua's ears are bent or drooping no need to do absolutely nothing, of course unless it is due to a he alth problem like the ones we have mentioned.
Some home remedies are circulating or even products are marketed that claim to lift the ears of dogs and thus solve a problem that is not such. This type of advice is not only not going to achieve what it promises, but it can even be counterproductive, hurt the dog and achieve the opposite objective to the one sought. Examples are bandages or food supplements that caregivers self-administer in the belief that they will strengthen the ear and lift it up. But any supplement has to be prescribed by the vet. They are not harmless and can negatively affect the dog's he alth.
Since your well-being is above all else, don't risk trying any miraculous remedy. If you are concerned about the position of their ears, go to the vet. There are surgical techniques that can raise the ears of dogs, but before considering putting a dog in the operating room for this reason, you should know that all operations have risks and that the postoperative period of this type of intervention is particularly painful. An aesthetic issue should not justify putting a dog through this. It doesn't matter what your ears look like even if they don't match the standard image. Your dog is unique and special just the way he is
