The Most Common Health Issues with Shih Tzus – Forbes Advisor

Instantly identifiable for their brief, long bodies, little, squished faces and huge brown eyes, the Shih Tzu is thought to have actually come from Tibet, where the shaggy little dogs were supposedly kept for friendship and as guard dogs to help signal the bigger guard dogs.

Known as a friendly, caring dog, the Shih Tzu is completely content resting on your lap and doesn’t need a great deal of space, making it the ideal apartment-dwelling dog.

While Shih Tzus are normally healthy dogs, their breed qualities do include particular health problems that owners need to know when bringing the adorable breed into their houses.

Common Health Issues for Shih Tzu

For one of the most part, Shih Tzus are normally healthy dogs, and accountable breeders do evaluate their dogs for the more typical health conditions, consisting of hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipped kneecap), and eye abnormalities, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The modern Shih Tzu is thought to be a cross in between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingnese, which led to the charming, sweet face that is enjoyed by numerous dog owners—however these adorable functions are likewise the most typical reason for health problems.

Breathing Problems

The Shih Tzu belongs to the brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, says Dr. Megan Conrad, D.V.M., a veterinary consultant at Hello Ralphie, a telehealth website for family pets.

“(Shih Tzus) can be prone to a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome,” Conrad composed in an email 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 respiratory tract problems can make breathing harder and can be possibly lethal, she includes. Symptoms of these breathing problems consist of snoring, loud breathing, workout intolerance and heat intolerance.

According to VCA Hospitals, other indications of brachycephalic obstructive respiratory tract syndrome consist of coughing, gagging, retching and throwing up. Symptoms are typically even worse in hot or damp weather condition.

In addition to guaranteeing your dog is a healthy and appropriate weight, moderate cases can typically be handled by keeping an eye on workout, preventing hot and damp conditions, and preventing tension.

More serious cases do need surgical treatment, consisting of eliminating tissue from the nostrils, surgically reducing a lengthened taste buds, or eliminating everted laryngeal saccules, according to the VCA.

Hip Dysplasia

While more typical in big breed dogs, hip dysplasia can likewise take place in little breed dogs, consisting of the Shih Tzu.

The condition is hereditary however other elements, consisting of an extreme development rate, particular kinds of workout, incorrect weight, and an out of balance diet plan can likewise add to the start 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 specialist at K9 of Mine, an instructional website about dog training, composed in an email to Forbes Advisor.

Other signs of hip dysplasia consist of the following:

• Decreased activity
• Decreased variety of movement
• Difficulty or hesitation rising, leaping, running, or climbing up stairs
• Lameness
• Swaying gait
• Grating in the joint throughout motion
• Loss of thigh muscle mass
• Enlargement of the shoulder muscles
• Pain
• Stiffness or hopping

The most efficient treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs is an overall hip replacement, according to the AKC.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation happens when the knee cap flights outside the femoral groove while the dog bends its knee. It is likewise among the most typical orthopedic conditions in dogs, according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

A 2018 medical research study on patellar luxation discovered the Shih Tzu is amongst the most typical types impacted by the issue.

Owners need to keep an eye out for signs consisting of lameness, avoiding in one or both hind legs, or their dog operating on 3 legs, says Dr. Caroline George, D.V.M. at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic, a veterinary care center in Laguna Beach, California.

“This condition is generally mild and does not require treatment,” George composed in an email 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 popular eyes make them prone to a variety of eye-related illness, consisting of the following:

• Epiphora: This is among the most typical eye issues brought on by an obstructed tear duct. This is typically due to the skin folding that prevails in short-faced dogs and their big, extending eyes. This condition results in the tears overruning onto the face, triggering red-colored tear-stains.
• Ocular proptosis: This is another condition typical to Shih Tzus since of the size of their eyes. It happens when deteriorated muscles around the eye trigger the eyeball to press out of the socket.
• Pigmentary keratitis: This usually appears as swelling or staining in one or both eyes. It is brought on by pigment migration onto the cornea and can result in loss of sight.
• Progressive retinal atrophy: This condition is brought on by a steady progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which results in steady vision loss, and ultimately, overall loss of sight.
• Cataracts: This condition usually happens in older Shih Tzus and is hereditary. It results in a white movie over the eye and can result in loss of sight.
• Dry eyes: This condition, likewise called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is brought on by swelling of the cornea and insufficient production of the tear movie. It is thought to be a congenital disease and typically discovered 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.

Does Pet Insurance Cover These Common Health Issues for Shih Tzus?

Whether breed-specific and genetic conditions are covered by your animal medical insurance will depend completely on your protection.

“Brachycephalic airway syndrome and luxating patellas are considered genetic and unlikely to be covered by most pet insurance,” George says.

It’s constantly a good concept to examine your policy protection and do your research to see just what your animal insurance coverage will cover prior to you pick a strategy.

Just like medical insurance for individuals, animal insurance coverage differs depending upon the protection you’ve selected. Here’s what’s typically covered by animal insurance coverage strategies:

• Accidents and injuries
• Chronic diseases
• Common diseases
• Serious diseases
• Hereditary conditions
• Testing and diagnostics
• Procedures
• Holistic and alternative treatments
• Wellness treatments
• Behavioral treatment
• Accidents and injuries

Dog owners should bear in mind that animal insurance coverage will usually not cover particular things, consisting of:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Experimental treatments
• Grooming
• Food, dietary and dietary supplements
• Non-veterinary expenditures

Are Shih Tzus Right for Me?

Shih Tzus typically make fantastic additions to a family, specifically because they are little, friendly packages of cuteness.

They are fantastic buddies for somebody who resides in a home and is reasonably active, Conrad says.

Anyone thinking of including a Shih Tzu to the family should think about the following about the breed:

• They don’t need a great deal of workout, however do require routine everyday strolls
• Shih Tzus have a heavy coat that needs everyday brushing to prevent tangles, and routine grooming
• Their big eyes require to be carefully cleaned up with a damp fabric
• Keep their leading hair cut brief or bound to prevent eye inflammation
• Trim their nails regularly
• They succeed with kids and make an excellent family animal
• With appropriate training and socializing, Shih Tzus succeed with other dogs
• Shih Tzus are exceptional lap dogs
• This breed needs routine health and preventive check outs to the veterinarian

Shih Tzu Health Concerns FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION