Shih Tzu
Like all other breeds have a few common issues that can occur in our breed.
** I have put this page together to help answer your questions and ease you mind. **
Like all other breeds have a few common issues that can occur in our breed.
** I have put this page together to help answer your questions and ease you mind. **
Delayed Closure or Hernia?
Most "hernias" found in Shih Tzu are delayed closures. These can be found in the umbilical or inguinal (groin) area. We call it a hernia because that is what it is at that time. Most will close as their abdominal muscles get stronger. I will do my best to let you know if one is detected and won't be closed when the puppy is old enough to go home; sometimes, with the smaller ones, it just takes a little longer for those muscles to strengthen. It is not uncommon for some Umbilical Hernias to not close; almost all involve just the outer muscle wall and are purely cosmetic and do not affect the health of the puppy. If they are not closed when the puppy is spayed/neutered, they can easily be closed with a few stitches. Most vets will do this for a small fee if done at the same time as the spay/neuter.
Umbilical Hernias
Umbilical hernias are the most common type of hernias in the Shih Tzu breed. They usually show up when the puppy is around 5 weeks old and has just started walking. Most small bubble, like hernias, will close on their own by around 6 mos of age (delayed closure). If it is a large protrusion, it should probably be closed up when the puppy is spayed/neutered. If it is very large, and the vet feels necessary, we will have it repaired before the puppy leaves. It is very rare to have an umbilical hernia large enough to become strangulated or harm the dog. Many Vets will repair it or for a small fee if they are already spaying or neutering the dog. For the smaller hernias, we recommend waiting until the time of spay/neuter to get it repaired.
What is an Umbilical hernia? It is usually a small soft bump/bubble where your puppy's umbilical cord (their belly button) and, for some reason, the muscle fail to close up. There are many theories about why they are common in Shih Tzu. One reason could be that shih tzu have an uneven bite; sometimes, the moms tend to have a more challenging time "cutting the cord" and will tug, pull or even chew too close to the skin or, occasionally, a difficult delivery. I assist with all of our puppy deliveries and cut the cord, but some moms are a little aggressive with cleaning and care when the puppies are firstborn. Sometimes they simply pop up out of nowhere. Some are genetic, and if a dog continuously produces them, it likely has a genetic component. An umbilical hernia will rarely cause any health concerns.
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias are skin-covered bulges in the groin area. They can be bilateral, involving both sides and unilateral, involving only one side. Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males but occur in both sexes. Most all inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia. I recommend you push the tissue back into the cavity several times daily or whenever you notice it "sticking out" (if it is on the larger side). Small Inguinal hernias are of little concern and generally close up on their own, but I recommend having it fixed when the puppy is spayed/neutered if you are concerned about it. If it is a Large inguinal hernia and could cause a health concern, our vet will close it before the puppy leaves for its new home. Inguinal hernias are considered genetic, and if the puppy is found to have them, they should not be bred because it may cause pregnancy complications and possibly pass on this flaw to the puppies. We rarely have these show up and do not breed dogs with inguinal hernias.
Tight Nostrils or Stenotic Nares?
Tight nostrils and Stenotic Nares (pinched nostrils) are not the same thing. Tight Nostrils usually show up when the puppy is teething. They will open as the puppy grows, and the inflammation from teething resolves; they may get tight again as the adult teeth come in. Sometimes this can last until they are up to a year old. With some puppies, it makes it so they can hardly breathe out of their noses during this time. It is not a concern as long as the puppy is still active and eating and drinking normally. We recommend pure saline nasal drops to help elevate the dryness and help them breathe better. Please do not have surgery done on a puppy that simply has tight nostrils, as it will eventually go away; I always recommend waiting until the puppy is through teething. Some Shih Tzu will have tighter nostrils than others, and some will snore and snort more than others during their entire life.
Pinched Nostrils and Teething
Shih Tzu puppies often have slightly pinched nostrils that generally open with time. Bubbly, clear watery discharge from a Shih Tzu puppy's nose is very common and is caused by the inflammation in their sinuses. This problem is most acute during the teething stage. Even the nostrils of a dog that has difficulty simultaneously eating and breathing or is lethargic at this time may open satisfactorily as the dog matures. Tightness will go away usually around 12-16 weeks of age, sometimes longer.
Teething Problems
TEETHING PROBLEMS: Some puppies in this breed experience teething trouble. The noses swell and pinch off some, and they may have a little clear discharge. They make some snorting and snuffling sounds. They will usually outgrow this after the adult teeth come in. They are okay as long as they are playful and active and eating and drinking well. If they can't eat or drink well and are lethargic or the discharge changes color, they may have developed an infection and need to be checked and treated. Most Shih Tzu pups are fine after teething, and it is recommended not to let any surgery be done until after adult teeth are in.
Stenotic Nares
Stenotic Nares are usually detected at at birth. From the time the puppy is born, it will have difficulty breathing through its nose and struggles with nursing from early on due to the inability to breathe and eat simultaneously. It may be recommended to have surgery done to open the Stenotic Nares; if they are severe, they may cause other health concerns to develop over time. Some puppies will outgrow the condition. On most puppies with this condition, I prefer the wait-and-see approach until the puppy is over a year old, as it is possible that they could outgrow the condition as they mature. Many Vets are way too eager to perform surgery when it may not be needed; many vets will confuse teething inflammation with Stenotic Nares. I am not a Vet, but I have found that most will not need surgery over the years.
Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing describes a condition in which the dog seems unable to get its breath and begins to honk or snort. It is often caused by a slightly elongated soft palate that "sticks" until the dog takes a deep breath through its mouth. The most effective way to stop this is to put a finger over the dog's nostrils, forcing it to breathe through its mouth. Sometimes just a hug and some reassurance will do the trick! Unlike more serious problems found in brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs, reverse sneezing in Shih Tzu is not life-threatening.
Open Fontanel
An open Fontanel is the puppy's soft spot on the top of the head. Typically soft spots close when the puppy reaches 2-3 months of age, and some close right away. Sometimes you will have a puppy; the skull never quite closes all the way or takes a little longer. If the soft spot does not entirely close as they grow, you must be cautious with the puppy to avoid injury. Sometimes a soft spot may still be felt when the puppy first goes home. A puppy with an Open Fontanel may cause concern with some Veterinaries but remember that most will close as the puppy grows and develops.
Understanding Heatstroke
A Shih Tzu is very sensitive the heat. Some owners may be surprised at just how dangerous this is until it happens. Most people know never to keep their dog in the car when parked; however, your Shih Tzu can get heatstroke if:
If heat stroke is suspected, you must try to cool the dog's body temperature. This must be done by applying cool towels to your dog's body, running a fan over them if possible, and supplying water. You should rush to the vet only after you have your dog stabilized.
Hypoglycemia
Shih-tzu puppies do not have a large fat reserve, so it is essential that these puppies eat small meals frequently. Missing a meal, changing their environment, vacationing/travel, parties, excessive play, and stress can cause these puppies to have dangerously low glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Once a puppy's glucose levels are low, he might become too confused to eat and could refuse food even though it will only help him. Even a brief period of fasting in a toy breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack." The symptoms of hypoglycemia are weakness, confusion, excessive drinking with vomiting, listlessness, or wobbly gait. We recommend giving 1/2 tsp of Karo syrup, maple syrup, or honey; all work quickly and follow with softened solid food. Suppose the puppy doesn't immediately receive treatment in the form of sugar. In that case, the puppy will progress to having seizures and eventually be comatose if the puppy's glucose levels are allowed to drop too low. Your new puppy must have consistent access to food and water. Although hypoglycemia does not occur frequently, it could happen, and early detection is the key to preventing any serious problems.
If your shih-tzu puppy does not seem interested in eating, they must be coaxed to eat. Suppose it doesn't show interest in dry food. In that case, there are several different foods we recommend to stimulate their appetite: Soft can puppy food, chicken baby food, 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup, cottage cheese, and cooked diced chicken breast; all will work well and entice them to eat. If your Shih Tzu puppy is not interested in eating this from the bowl, try putting the food on your finger for the puppy to lick off, or place the food in the puppy's mouth with a syringe or medicine dropper.
Most "hernias" found in Shih Tzu are delayed closures. These can be found in the umbilical or inguinal (groin) area. We call it a hernia because that is what it is at that time. Most will close as their abdominal muscles get stronger. I will do my best to let you know if one is detected and won't be closed when the puppy is old enough to go home; sometimes, with the smaller ones, it just takes a little longer for those muscles to strengthen. It is not uncommon for some Umbilical Hernias to not close; almost all involve just the outer muscle wall and are purely cosmetic and do not affect the health of the puppy. If they are not closed when the puppy is spayed/neutered, they can easily be closed with a few stitches. Most vets will do this for a small fee if done at the same time as the spay/neuter.
Umbilical Hernias
Umbilical hernias are the most common type of hernias in the Shih Tzu breed. They usually show up when the puppy is around 5 weeks old and has just started walking. Most small bubble, like hernias, will close on their own by around 6 mos of age (delayed closure). If it is a large protrusion, it should probably be closed up when the puppy is spayed/neutered. If it is very large, and the vet feels necessary, we will have it repaired before the puppy leaves. It is very rare to have an umbilical hernia large enough to become strangulated or harm the dog. Many Vets will repair it or for a small fee if they are already spaying or neutering the dog. For the smaller hernias, we recommend waiting until the time of spay/neuter to get it repaired.
What is an Umbilical hernia? It is usually a small soft bump/bubble where your puppy's umbilical cord (their belly button) and, for some reason, the muscle fail to close up. There are many theories about why they are common in Shih Tzu. One reason could be that shih tzu have an uneven bite; sometimes, the moms tend to have a more challenging time "cutting the cord" and will tug, pull or even chew too close to the skin or, occasionally, a difficult delivery. I assist with all of our puppy deliveries and cut the cord, but some moms are a little aggressive with cleaning and care when the puppies are firstborn. Sometimes they simply pop up out of nowhere. Some are genetic, and if a dog continuously produces them, it likely has a genetic component. An umbilical hernia will rarely cause any health concerns.
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias are skin-covered bulges in the groin area. They can be bilateral, involving both sides and unilateral, involving only one side. Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males but occur in both sexes. Most all inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia. I recommend you push the tissue back into the cavity several times daily or whenever you notice it "sticking out" (if it is on the larger side). Small Inguinal hernias are of little concern and generally close up on their own, but I recommend having it fixed when the puppy is spayed/neutered if you are concerned about it. If it is a Large inguinal hernia and could cause a health concern, our vet will close it before the puppy leaves for its new home. Inguinal hernias are considered genetic, and if the puppy is found to have them, they should not be bred because it may cause pregnancy complications and possibly pass on this flaw to the puppies. We rarely have these show up and do not breed dogs with inguinal hernias.
Tight Nostrils or Stenotic Nares?
Tight nostrils and Stenotic Nares (pinched nostrils) are not the same thing. Tight Nostrils usually show up when the puppy is teething. They will open as the puppy grows, and the inflammation from teething resolves; they may get tight again as the adult teeth come in. Sometimes this can last until they are up to a year old. With some puppies, it makes it so they can hardly breathe out of their noses during this time. It is not a concern as long as the puppy is still active and eating and drinking normally. We recommend pure saline nasal drops to help elevate the dryness and help them breathe better. Please do not have surgery done on a puppy that simply has tight nostrils, as it will eventually go away; I always recommend waiting until the puppy is through teething. Some Shih Tzu will have tighter nostrils than others, and some will snore and snort more than others during their entire life.
Pinched Nostrils and Teething
Shih Tzu puppies often have slightly pinched nostrils that generally open with time. Bubbly, clear watery discharge from a Shih Tzu puppy's nose is very common and is caused by the inflammation in their sinuses. This problem is most acute during the teething stage. Even the nostrils of a dog that has difficulty simultaneously eating and breathing or is lethargic at this time may open satisfactorily as the dog matures. Tightness will go away usually around 12-16 weeks of age, sometimes longer.
Teething Problems
TEETHING PROBLEMS: Some puppies in this breed experience teething trouble. The noses swell and pinch off some, and they may have a little clear discharge. They make some snorting and snuffling sounds. They will usually outgrow this after the adult teeth come in. They are okay as long as they are playful and active and eating and drinking well. If they can't eat or drink well and are lethargic or the discharge changes color, they may have developed an infection and need to be checked and treated. Most Shih Tzu pups are fine after teething, and it is recommended not to let any surgery be done until after adult teeth are in.
Stenotic Nares
Stenotic Nares are usually detected at at birth. From the time the puppy is born, it will have difficulty breathing through its nose and struggles with nursing from early on due to the inability to breathe and eat simultaneously. It may be recommended to have surgery done to open the Stenotic Nares; if they are severe, they may cause other health concerns to develop over time. Some puppies will outgrow the condition. On most puppies with this condition, I prefer the wait-and-see approach until the puppy is over a year old, as it is possible that they could outgrow the condition as they mature. Many Vets are way too eager to perform surgery when it may not be needed; many vets will confuse teething inflammation with Stenotic Nares. I am not a Vet, but I have found that most will not need surgery over the years.
Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing describes a condition in which the dog seems unable to get its breath and begins to honk or snort. It is often caused by a slightly elongated soft palate that "sticks" until the dog takes a deep breath through its mouth. The most effective way to stop this is to put a finger over the dog's nostrils, forcing it to breathe through its mouth. Sometimes just a hug and some reassurance will do the trick! Unlike more serious problems found in brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs, reverse sneezing in Shih Tzu is not life-threatening.
Open Fontanel
An open Fontanel is the puppy's soft spot on the top of the head. Typically soft spots close when the puppy reaches 2-3 months of age, and some close right away. Sometimes you will have a puppy; the skull never quite closes all the way or takes a little longer. If the soft spot does not entirely close as they grow, you must be cautious with the puppy to avoid injury. Sometimes a soft spot may still be felt when the puppy first goes home. A puppy with an Open Fontanel may cause concern with some Veterinaries but remember that most will close as the puppy grows and develops.
Understanding Heatstroke
A Shih Tzu is very sensitive the heat. Some owners may be surprised at just how dangerous this is until it happens. Most people know never to keep their dog in the car when parked; however, your Shih Tzu can get heatstroke if:
- They run around too much if the temperature is over 85 degrees F (29.4 C) (Whether inside or outside)
- Your dog walks for over an hour without water
- You have your Shih Tzu in your car and are driving, but the vehicle heats up inside
If heat stroke is suspected, you must try to cool the dog's body temperature. This must be done by applying cool towels to your dog's body, running a fan over them if possible, and supplying water. You should rush to the vet only after you have your dog stabilized.
Hypoglycemia
Shih-tzu puppies do not have a large fat reserve, so it is essential that these puppies eat small meals frequently. Missing a meal, changing their environment, vacationing/travel, parties, excessive play, and stress can cause these puppies to have dangerously low glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Once a puppy's glucose levels are low, he might become too confused to eat and could refuse food even though it will only help him. Even a brief period of fasting in a toy breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack." The symptoms of hypoglycemia are weakness, confusion, excessive drinking with vomiting, listlessness, or wobbly gait. We recommend giving 1/2 tsp of Karo syrup, maple syrup, or honey; all work quickly and follow with softened solid food. Suppose the puppy doesn't immediately receive treatment in the form of sugar. In that case, the puppy will progress to having seizures and eventually be comatose if the puppy's glucose levels are allowed to drop too low. Your new puppy must have consistent access to food and water. Although hypoglycemia does not occur frequently, it could happen, and early detection is the key to preventing any serious problems.
If your shih-tzu puppy does not seem interested in eating, they must be coaxed to eat. Suppose it doesn't show interest in dry food. In that case, there are several different foods we recommend to stimulate their appetite: Soft can puppy food, chicken baby food, 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup, cottage cheese, and cooked diced chicken breast; all will work well and entice them to eat. If your Shih Tzu puppy is not interested in eating this from the bowl, try putting the food on your finger for the puppy to lick off, or place the food in the puppy's mouth with a syringe or medicine dropper.