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Instantly recognizable for his or her quick, lengthy our bodies, small, squished faces and large brown eyes, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in Tibet, the place the shaggy little dogs had been purportedly stored for companionship and as watchdogs to assist alert the bigger guard dogs.
Known as a pleasant, affectionate canine, the Shih Tzu is completely content material sitting in your lap and doesn’t require lots of house, making it the right apartment-dwelling canine.
While Shih Tzus are typically wholesome dogs, their breed traits do include sure well being points that house owners ought to pay attention to when bringing the lovable breed into their houses.
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Common Health Issues for Shih Tzu
For essentially the most half, Shih Tzus are generally healthy dogs, and accountable breeders do display screen their dogs for the extra frequent well being circumstances, together with hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipped kneecap), and eye anomalies, in keeping with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The modern-day Shih Tzu is believed to be a cross between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingnese, which resulted within the lovable, candy face that’s beloved by so many canine house owners—however these cute options are additionally the most typical explanation for well being points.
Breathing Problems
The Shih Tzu is a member of the brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, says Dr. Megan Conrad, D.V.M., a veterinary advisor at Hello Ralphie, a telehealth web site for pets.
“(Shih Tzus) can be prone to a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome,” Conrad wrote in an e mail to Forbes Advisor. “This involves having overly narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate and everted laryngeal saccules (tissue that’s sucked into the airway when the dog breathes).”
These airway abnormalities could make respiratory tougher and could be probably lethal, she provides. Symptoms of those respiratory points embrace loud night breathing, noisy respiratory, train intolerance and warmth intolerance.
According to VCA Hospitals, other signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome embrace coughing, gagging, retching and vomiting. Symptoms are sometimes worse in sizzling or humid climate.
In addition to making sure your canine is a wholesome and correct weight, gentle instances can usually be managed by monitoring train, avoiding sizzling and humid circumstances, and avoiding stress.
More extreme instances do require surgical procedure, together with eradicating tissue from the nostrils, surgically shortening an elongated palate, or eradicating everted laryngeal saccules, in keeping with the VCA.
Hip Dysplasia
While extra frequent in giant breed dogs, hip dysplasia may also happen in small breed dogs, together with the Shih Tzu.
The situation is genetic however different components, together with an extreme development price, sure varieties of train, improper weight, and an unbalanced weight-reduction plan may also contribute to the onset of hip dysplasia, according to the AKC.
“Hip dysplasia can cause lameness and discomfort in dogs after physical activities or running for long periods of time,” Dr. Paula Simons, D.V.M. and veterinary guide at K9 of Mine, an academic web site about canine coaching, wrote in an e mail to Forbes Advisor.
Other symptoms of hip dysplasia embrace the next:
- Decreased exercise
- Decreased vary of movement
- Difficulty or reluctance rising, leaping, working, or climbing stairs
- Lameness
- Swaying gait
- Grating within the joint throughout motion
- Loss of thigh muscle mass
- Enlargement of the shoulder muscular tissues
- Pain
- Stiffness or limping
The simplest therapy of hip dysplasia in dogs is a total hip replacement, in keeping with the AKC.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation happens when the knee cap rides exterior the femoral groove whereas the canine flexes its knee. It can be one of many most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, in keeping with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
A 2018 medical research study on patellar luxation discovered the Shih Tzu is among the many most typical breeds affected by the issue.
Owners ought to look out for signs together with lameness, skipping in a single or each hind legs, or their canine working on three legs, says Dr. Caroline George, D.V.M. at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic, a veterinary care heart in Laguna Beach, California.
“This condition is generally mild and does not require treatment,” George wrote in an e mail to Forbes Advisor. “In more severe cases or when the dog is in pain, surgery may be necessary.”
Eye Anomalies
“The big and slightly protruding eyes of this breed make them more susceptible to some eye issues, including dry eye and proptosis (where the eye pops out of its socket) as well as eye injuries,” Conrad says.
Unfortunately, their outstanding eyes make them prone to a variety of eye-related well being issues, together with the next:
- Epiphora: This is likely one of the most typical eye issues brought on by a blocked tear duct. This is usually because of the pores and skin folding that’s frequent in short-faced dogs and their giant, protruding eyes. This situation results in the tears overflowing onto the face, inflicting red-colored tear-stains.
- Ocular proptosis: This is one other situation frequent to Shih Tzus due to the scale of their eyes. It happens when weakened muscular tissues across the eye trigger the eyeball to push out of the socket.
- Pigmentary keratitis: This most frequently exhibits up as irritation or discoloration in a single or each eyes. It is brought on by pigment migration onto the cornea and may result in blindness.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: This situation is brought on by a gradual progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells within the retina, which ends up in gradual imaginative and prescient loss, and finally, whole blindness.
- Cataracts: This situation most frequently happens in older Shih Tzus and is genetic. It results in a white movie over the attention and may result in blindness.
- Dry eyes: This situation, additionally known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is brought on by irritation of the cornea and insufficient manufacturing of the tear movie. It is believed to be a genetic dysfunction and generally present in Shih Tzus.
“Any signs of eye irritation such as discharge, redness, rubbing at the eye, or appearing to have vision loss should be checked by a veterinarian,” Conrad says.
Other Breed’s Common Health Issues
Each Breed Comes With Their Own Mix Of Common Health Issues. See Each Breed Below:
Does Pet Insurance Cover These Common Health Issues for Shih Tzus?
Whether breed-specific and hereditary circumstances are lined by your pet medical insurance will rely fully in your protection.
“Brachycephalic airway syndrome and luxating patellas are considered genetic and unlikely to be covered by most pet insurance,” George says.
It’s at all times a good suggestion to examine your coverage protection and do your homework to see what precisely your pet insurance coverage will cowl earlier than you select a plan.
Just like medical insurance for folks, pet insurance coverage varies relying on the protection you’ve chosen. Here’s what’s generally lined by pet insurance coverage:
- Accidents and accidents
- Chronic sicknesses
- Common sicknesses
- Serious sicknesses
- Hereditary circumstances
- Testing and diagnostics
- Procedures
- Holistic and different procedures
- Wellness procedures
- Behavioral remedy
- Accidents and accidents
Dog house owners ought to understand that pet insurance coverage will sometimes not cowl sure issues, together with:
- Pre-existing circumstances
- Experimental remedies
- Grooming
- Food, dietary and dietary dietary supplements
- Non-veterinary bills
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Are Shih Tzus Right for Me?
Shih Tzus usually make nice additions to a household, particularly since they’re small, pleasant bundles of cuteness.
They are nice companions for somebody who lives in an residence and is reasonably energetic, Conrad says.
Anyone occupied with including a Shih Tzu to the household ought to take into account the next in regards to the breed:
- They don’t require lots of train, however do want common each day walks
- Shih Tzus have a heavy coat that requires each day brushing to keep away from tangles, and common grooming
- Their giant eyes should be gently cleaned with a humid fabric
- Keep their prime hair trimmed quick or tied as much as keep away from eye irritation
- Trim their nails frequently
- They do properly with youngsters and make an incredible household pet
- With correct coaching and socialization, Shih Tzus do properly with different dogs
- Shih Tzus are glorious lap dogs
- This breed requires common wellness and preventive visits to the vet
Shih Tzu Health Concerns FAQ
Do Shih Tzu have lots of well being points?
The Shih Tzu belongs to the brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, which implies they’re vulnerable to a number of eye and respiratory points, together with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.
What is the common life expectancy of a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years, with a median of 13 or 14 years.
How a lot does pet insurance coverage cost for a Shih Tzu?
Pet insurance coverage for dogs ranges from $20 to $44 a month, with a median of $35 a month for $5,000 in protection. Multiple components can have an effect on the cost of pet insurance coverage in your canine, together with the animal’s age, the place you reside, pre-existing circumstances and the varieties of protection you need.
