Health Articles

The Shih Tzu is a very healthy dog and is unlikely to suffer from the issues described in these articles. This section of the website is designed to enable you to educate yourself about a wide variety of diseases and conditions just in case your Shih Tzu—or any other dog you own—might have a problem you would like to learn more about.

Note that although it is a brachycephalic breed, studies have shown most Shih Tzu to be unaffected by the problems seen in some other brachycephalic breeds. A well-bred Shih Tzu that conforms to the breed standard (meaning that it has a broad round head, large eyes that do not protrude, a broad square unwrinkled muzzle with wide open nostrils, and a broad strong underjaw) is unlikely to have breathing difficulties. Some Shih Tzu puppies may sniffle and snort while teething, but they almost always grow out of it with no veterinary intervention.

VETERINARY CARE AND GENERAL CONCERNS

  1. Protect Your Dog From Common Hazards
  2. Discussing the Internet with Your Vet
  3. How To Trust An E.R. Vet You Just Met
  4. Giving Medications
  5. 10 Symptoms That You Should Never, Ever Ignore
  6. Dealing with Animal Emergencies
  7. TIP: Toy Choking Hazards
  8. Senior Dogs: Aging Gracefully
  9. Canine Car Sickness
  10. Managing Senior Pet Medication
  11. Preventing Summertime Dehydration
  12. Current Spay Neuter Advice
  13. Plan for Your Pet's Future
  14. Why Has Veterinary Care Become so Expensive?
  15. Heartworm: A real and present danger
  16. 5 Questions to Ask Before Saying 'Yes' to Expensive Surgery
  17. 2021 AKC CHF Parent Health Club Conference
  18. 10 Ways to Slow Down a Food-Gulping Dog
EYES AND EARS
  1. Ocular Disorders Proven or Suspected to be Hereditary in the Shih Tzu
  2. Dry Eye
  3. Distichiasis (Ingrown Eyelashes) in the Shih Tzu
  4. Early Treatment for Corneal Ulcers Helps to Save Vision
  5. Improve Outcome for Dogs with Ocular Diseases
  6. Living With A Blind Dog
  7. The Hidden Message Behind Your Pet's Tear Stains
  8. Ear Disease in Dogs
  9. Yeasty Ears
  10. Coping with Age-Related Hearing Loss
  11. Cataracts in Dogs and Cats
  12. Preventing Ear Infections
  13. Eye Color Warning Signs
  14. Corneal Ulcers
  15. Why Does Your Pet Run Her Face Along the Couch or Floor? Could Be This
  16. When To Visit A Veterinary Ophthalmologist
  17. What’s Causing My Dog’s Eye ‘Goop?
  18. Breeding Advice for Eye Diseases
GASTROINTESTINAL
  1. Fussy Eaters
  2. I Can't Believe He Ate That!
  3. Avoiding Pancreatitis During the Holidays
  4. Dogs and Mushrooms: A potentially Lethal Mix
  5. A Primer on Vomiting
  6. Eating Grass? Normal or Abnormal
  7. Diarrhea: Causes and Cures
  8. Giardia and Chronic GI Issues
HEART DISEASE
  1. A Guide to Heart Diseases in Dogs: Valves and Holes
  2. Mitral Valve Disease
RESPIRATORY
  1. Coughing and Sneezing
  2. When Is Panting Abnormal?
  3. Tracheal Collapse
  4. Reverse Sneezing
  5. ASTC Response to Dutch Kennel Club Brachycephalic Rules
SKIN AND COAT
  1. Lumps and Bumps
  2. Follow Up Lumps and Bumps: Sebaceous Adenomas
  3. Yeast Infections
  4. 5 Common Dog Skin Problems
TEETH
  1. Your Pet's Dental Health
  2. Talking Teeth
  3. Teething Issues
  4. Canine Dental Disease
  5. Your Dog's Teeth Are Not Like Yours
  6. Bad Breath? Please Don't Make This Mistake
  7. Cleaning Your Pet's Teeth, Step-by-Step
  8. Dangerous Chew Toys
TESTING AND VACCINES
  1. Diagnostic Testing
  2. Using Genetic Tests
  3. Is the Kennel Cough Vaccine a Wise Choice
  4. Facts About Canine Parvovirus
  5. To Titer or To Revaccinate
  6. Update on Canine Vaccines
  7. Duration of Immunity
  8. ASTC Recommendations for CHIC Certification
  9. What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know About Rabies
UROGENITAL
  1. Bladder Stones “Urolithiasis”
  2. Bladder Infections Parts I-IV
  3. Pollakiuria: Why is My Pet Urinating More Often Than Normal?
  4. Renal Dysplasia in Shih Tzu
  5. Kidney Failure
OTHER
  1. Understanding Umbilical Hernias
  2. Canine Liver Disease
  3. Canine Liver Shunts
  4. Hypoglycemia Requires Quick Intervention in Toy and Small Breeds
  5. Open Fontanels
  6. When Pets Experience Seizures
  7. Scooting
  8. Thunder Struck
  9. When Diagnosis is Cancer
  10. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
  11. Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
  12. Cushings Disease
  13. Let’s Talk about Anal Sacs in Dogs
  14. 7 Ways to Help Your Noise-Sensitive Dog
  15. Canine Compulsive Disorder
  16. Debarking Dogs