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, most notably the Bulldog. 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. Protecting Against Heat Stroke
  2. Protect Your Dog From Common Hazards
  3. Discussing the Internet with Your Vet
  4. How To Trust An E.R. Vet You Just Met
  5. Giving Medications
  6. Canine Anesthesia
  7. Pet Poisons
  8. 10 Symptoms That You Should Never, Ever Ignore
  9. What Would You Do?
  10. Socializing Your Young Pup
  11. Dealing with Animal Emergencies
  12. TIP: Toy Choking Hazards
  13. Senior Dogs: Aging Gracefully
  14. Canine Car Sickness
  15. CHF Webinars and Podcasts
  16. 2017 Updates on Canine Influenza
  17. Report from 2017 AKC/CHF Parent Club Conference Part I
  18. Report from 2017 AKC/CHF Parent Club Conference Part II
  19. Treating Seasonal Allergies
  20. Managing Senior Pet Medication
  21. Preventing Summertime Dehydration
  22. Current Spay Neuter Advice
  23. Plan for Your Pet's Future
  24. Why Has Veterinary Care Become so Expensive?
  25. Heartworm: A real and present danger
  26. 5 Ways to Cover Rising Veterinary Costs
  27. 5 Questions to Ask Before Saying 'Yes' to Expensive Surgery
  28. Choosing More All-Natural Tick Repellents
  29. 2021 AKC CHF Parent Health Club Conference
  30. Is My Dog Getting Enough Sleep?
  31. 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
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. Jerky Treats For Pets
  8. Diarrhea: Causes and Cures
  9. Giardia and Chronic GI Issues
HEART DISEASE
  1. A Guide to Heart Diseases in Dogs: Valves and Holes
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. Hot Spots
  2. Canine Skin Problems
  3. Itchy Dog or Cat? Could be Food Allergy Dermatitus
  4. Itchy Pet?
  5. Lumps and Bumps
  6. Follow Up Lumps and Bumps: Sebaceous Adenomas
  7. Holistic Tips for Pet Allergies
  8. Does Your Pet Have Allergies or Is It Something Else?
  9. Yeast Infections
  10. Seasonal Allergies
  11. 5 Common Dog Skin Problems
  12. What's Causing Your Dog's Itchy Paws?
  13. Dog Paw Inflammation
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
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. Revised Recommendations for Annual Heartworm Testing
  6. To Titer or To Revaccinate
  7. Update on Canine Vaccines
  8. Duration of Immunity
  9. ASTC Recommendations for CHIC Certification
  10. 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. Mitral Valve Disease
  13. Cushings Disease
  14. Let’s Talk about Anal Sacs in Dogs
  15. 7 Ways to Help Your Noise-Sensitive Dog