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[C225]Caring For Shih Tzu

by Rebecca Simpson, Reb

Are you thinking about adding a new puppy to your family? A Shih Tzu can be a good choice for a variety of reasons, as long as you know what you are getting with this type of dog. As with any breed, there are Shih Tzu health problems that are unique to this breed, and becoming aware of those health problems will help you to avoid them at the breeders and address them as early as possible. The most common types of Shih Tzu health problems tend to affect the eyes and the kidneys, and most are hereditary. This means that you can question your breeder as to genetic health problems in his lines of dogs to help prevent problems in the first place.

Another important step in Shih Tzu care is to find a veterinarian that is knowledgeable about the Shih Tzu breed and is a doctor that you and your dog are both comfortable working with. The final component in Shih Tzu health care is to learn about first aid for dogs so that you are prepared should an emergency arise.

There are two Shih Tzu health problems that affect the eyes and are seen somewhat frequently. The first is keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which is also known as dry eye. This condition occurs when there is not a sufficient production of the aqueous portion of tears in the eye, which can lead to cornea damage and even blindness if no treatment is offered.

This problem can lead to cornea damage and eventual blindness if left untreated. The brachiocephalic skull that is seen in this breed has to do with the deep eye sockets in the skull that this breed and other types of dogs have. The result of this structure feature is protruding eyes, which can have potentially damaging results for the Shih Tzu.

Another common genetic Shih Tzu health problem is renal dysplasia, which is either genetic or developmental in nature. This problem can go undetected for generations, and varies considerably in symptoms and prognosis depending on how severe the disorder is. Some puppies will not make it to their first birthday, while others with mild cases may have a completely normal life expectancy.

Learning about potential Shih Tzu health problems is only part of the process of preparing to bring your adorable new puppy home.

Choosing a vet is an important step in good Shih Tzu care, so take your time and do your research so that you find a doctor that you are completely comfortable working with.

Responsible pet owners also understand the importance of preparing for possible emergencies that might arise with a sick or inured pet. You will want to have a few supplies at home that will come in handy for treating your dog in the event of an emergency, such as bandages, antibiotic ointment or hydrogen peroxide and a rectal thermometer. Some dog owners also keep a muzzle handy so that they can safely treat their pet when it is injured. Doing your homework in regards to Shih Tzu care will mean a happy healthy relationship between you and your pet.

Every Shih Tzu owner should have a basic first aid kit. Items included in the kit should be:

?Ace bandage
?1-inch adhesive tape
?Anticoagulant powder
?Topical antibiotic ointment
?Bandage scissors
?Betadine soaked gauze sponges
?A 2-1/2 inch gauze roll
?Gauze sponges
?Hydrogen peroxide solution, 3%
?Spoon splint
?Rectal thermometer

Cuts or lacerations are one of the most common accidents. Even though most likely your Shih Tzu will be kept indoors and carefully guarded, there is always the chance of an unpredictable accident or injury. For cuts or lacerations the most important thing to have on hand is bandage material, cleaning material and anticoagulant powder (the kind of powder you and/or your groomer would use for nails being cut too short).

I keep anticoagulant powder always close at hand when I am grooming my Shih Tzu. No matter how careful I am it seems I always cut a nail too short and it makes me just want to cry and scream to see just the least bit of blood coming from my Shih Tzu nails. I reach for the anticoagulant powder and some q-tips while apologizing for the nick. I dip the q-tip in the anticoagulant powder and apply it to the spot that is bleeding, applying as much pressure as possible for several minutes. This same method will take care of most minor wounds. Larger wounds should be seen by a vet immediately. Even a very small wound, other than a toenail cut too short, should be reported to your vet.

Another problem especially with dogs and the Shih Tzu are bee stings. If this occurs your best bet is to call your vet for his advice. You can give Benadryl, but you will need to call your vet for exact dosage and the go ahead to give this. A good plan may be to ask in advance and have whatever the vet recommends on hand in case of a bee sting emergency. It is reported that most dogs do not have a problem with bee stings, but some may have respiratory difficulty. If your Shih Tzu gets a bee sting, by all means carefully watch him or her for at least 24 hours.

Since the Shih Tzu is considered to be a small breed dog, regardless of the exact pounds, the Shih Tzu may have bouts of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Signs of hypoglycemia are the Shih Tzu will be lethargic and weak. You can rub karo syrup on the gums to quickly give the Shih Tzu an extra boost of glucose. I always keep Nutri-cal on hand to use for this with my Shih Tzu. Multiple episodes of hypoglycemia can be a sign of a more serious problem that should be reported to your vet for proper evaluation.

You should be able to distinguish between choking, gagging and coughing. Coughing may be brought on by strenuous exercise and go away once your Shih Tzu has settled down. Gagging may happen if your Shih Tzu swallows incorrectly and gets food caught in the trachea. If this occurs, a modified Heimlich maneuver can be used. Bend over your Shih Tzu, wrap your hands around its chest and do a quick jerking movement. This technique may be enough to dislodge something caught in the trachea. Choking can be caused by either an obstruction or a defect in the trachea. In the case of choking you should get your Shih Tzu to a vet as soon as possible. You might try to open your Shih Tzu's mouth and remove the obstruction if this is the cause of the choking. Be aware that you could receive a bite; therefore, this is not highly recommended.

If your Shih Tzu is hit by a car, get him or her on a firm surface. If that is not available, put your Shih Tzu in a blanket. You want to move the Shih Tzu in one piece with a minimal amount of motion. In this case, you need to transport your Shih Tzu to the vet as soon as possible.

Poisonings are a major concern. There are three more common types of poisonings in dogs, they are:

?Anti-freeze
?Rodenticide
?Garbage ingestion

In all cases of poisonings, contact your vet immediately, even if you only suspect a poisoning has occurred. It takes 24 to 72 hours for clinical signs of a poisoning to manifest. In your first aid kit and nearby your phone keep the National Animal Poison Control Center number, which is 1-800-548-2423.

The treatment for heat stroke is to soak your Shih Tzu in cool or lukewarm water. Provide water, but do not force feed water. Take your Shih Tzu's temperature. Normal temperature is 101 F and 102.5F. Contact your local veterinarian for further instructions and treatment.

In all cases of emergency with your Shih Tzu keep your veterinarian informed. He or she will know best as to how to treat your pet once you have administered emergency first aid treatment.

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Both Rebecca Simpson & Connie Limon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Rebecca Simpson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets Puppies for Sale, Prospects and Puppies Dogs. About the author: Rebecca Simpson is an avid lover of the Shih Tzu and has a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved. Rebecca Simpson's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.

Connie Limon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Dogs and Colon Cleanse. Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show prospect Shih Tzu in a variety of colors. Visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. Our website provides a wealth of information. Puppies are sold with health guar. Connie Limon's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.