Common Health Issues With The Shih Tzu

Although diseases affect all breeds of dogs, specific breeds are more prone to certain ailments than others, due to their physical structure, genetic make-up, and other factors. We will briefly describe some of the more common problems that affect the Shih Tzu.

Eyes and Ears: Because of the physical structure of the Shih Tzu's head, their eyes are more susceptible to being injured. This can be caused by many things such as collisions with foreign objects, rough play, encounters with other animals, etc. Eye injuries are generally the most avoidable of all problems that affect the Shih Tzu and can be prevented to a large degree by providing a safe environment for your dog to play in, with special care taken to remove any potentially injurious objects. A Shih Tzu should always be supervised when playing or interacting with other animals and should always be discouraged from rough play. Another preventive measure is to keep the eyes as clean as possible. Avoid crustiness or dirt accumulation. When grooming, it is always recommended that the hair covering the eyes be left at a reasonable length because it acts as a natural form of protection for the eyes from dirt and debris.

Shih Tzus are also very susceptible to ear infections. Ear infections are normally not serious and can be treated easily by visiting your veterinarian. Some preventive methods include keeping the inside of the ears as clean as possible and free of hair and other debris.

Bones, Joints, and Internal Organs: Another genetically linked disease that affects the ShihTzu is Hip Dysplasia. Hip Dysplasia is a degenerative disease that affects the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. This can be an extremely debilitating and painful disease and cannot always be corrected by surgery. Dogs suffering from Hip Dysplasia should not be bred.

Renal Dysplasia is also an inherited disease that affects the normal kidney function which, in turn, affects the overall health of your dog. Although Renal Dysplasia is more common in older dogs, it can also affect young puppies and has been known to be fatal. Dogs with Renal Dysplasia should not be bred.

The Shih Tzu also seems to be prone to certain types of allergies, the most common are food allergies, flea allergies, and hypersensitivity to environmental substances. This can lead to any number of secondary issues, such as hair loss, irritated skin, and overall poor health. Allergy testing can be performed by your local veterinarian and can be treated with medication if your test results are positive.

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