Health

Shih Tzus are generally healthy, but like all breeds of dogs, they're prone to certain conditions and diseases:

Allergies are a common ailment in dogs. There are three main types: food allergies which are treated by eliminating certain foods from the dog's diet; contact allergies which are caused by a reaction to a topical substance such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, or other chemicals; and inhalant allergies which are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, or mildew. Treatment may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes.

Canine Hip Dysplasia an abnormal formation of the hip socket that can cause pain and lameness.

Patellar Luxation which means dislocation (luxation) of the kneecap (patella). The knee joint (often of a hind leg) slides in and out of place, causing pain. 

Juvenile Renal Dysplasia (JRD) is a genetic defect of the kidneys seen in young dogs. The dog is excessively thirsty and urinates frequently. They lose weight, vomits, and lack vigor. Currently, there is only one definitive test for the disease that can be performed on breeding dogs a wide wedge biopsy of the kidney, which is very invasive and carries a lot of risk. There have been swab tests developed by geneticists, but, to this date, none of them appear to be 100 percent reliable.

Bladder Stones & Bladder Infections can be caused by many factors, such as excessive protein, magnesium, and phosphorus in the diet, or long periods of time between urination. Bladder infections can be caused by bacterial or viral infections. If your Shih Tzu needs to urinate frequently, has bloody urine, seems to have difficulty urinating, or suffers a loss of appetite, take them to the vet for a checkup.

Eye Problems are not uncommon among Shih Tzus because their large eyes bulge. Disorders include keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can lead to a corneal ulcer and blindness; proptosis, when the eyeball is dislodged from the eye socket and the eyelids clamp behind the eyeball; distichiasis, an abnormal growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye, resulting in the eyelashes rubbing against the eye; ectopia sillia, a condition similar to distichiasis; progressive retinal atrophy a degenerative disease of the retinal visual cells that progresses to blindness; and dry eye Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca dryness of the cornea and the conjunctiva. Contact your vet right away if you notice any redness, irritation, or excessive tearing.

Ear Infections strike the Shih Tzu because their drop ears create a dark, warm ear canal, a perfect environment for infection. Check and clean the ears weekly to avoid problems.

Retained baby teeth and teeth and gum problems are not unusual because the Shih Tzu's baby teeth may remain intact when the permanent teeth emerge. Sometimes it is necessary for the veterinarian to extract the baby teeth. Because of the Shih Tzu's undershot jaw, they also can have missing or misaligned teeth. It's important to brush puppy teeth regularly and report dental problems, such as bad breath and loose teeth, to your veterinarian.

Umbilical Hernias are common among Shih Tzus. Quite often, these are caused by delayed closure of the abdominal midline. If the hernia is small, it may close as the puppy matures. Sometimes surgery is necessary to correct it, usually while the puppy is being spayed or neutered.

A portosystemic liver shunt is a congenital abnormality in which blood vessels allow blood to bypass the liver. As a result, the blood is not cleansed by the liver as it should be. Surgery is usually the best treatment.

Snuffles may plague the Shih Tzu because teething tends to be difficult. At about four months, the gums swell; since the gums are directly under those pushed-in noses, there isn't a lot of room. Puppies may snort, snuffle, snore loudly, or wheeze during this time, and may even have a clear nasal drainage.

Reverse Sneezing occurs when the dog is overly excited, gulps their food too fast, or allergens are present. Nasal secretions drop onto the soft palate, causing it to close over the windpipe. The dog makes a wheezing sound and may become alarmed. Talk soothingly to them and try to get them to relax to shorten the episode. Some say that pinching the nostrils closed so the dog is forced to breathe through their mouth is the quickest way to stop the reverse sneezing.

Pinched Nostrils vs Stenotic Nares

Shih Tzu puppies often suffer from pinched and tight nasal passages when they are teething. This can occur from about six weeks until approximately six months. Stenotic Nares is simply a term used when the nostrils are pinched upon examination. This term is used very frequently by vets and clients are frequently encouraged, by vets, to do surgery to open the nasal passages. A sure sign of an inexperienced vet is one who examines a brachycephalic breed and observes pinched nostrils during the teething stage and states the puppy needs surgery. 

Shih Tzu are bred to have flat faces and therefore the flatter the face the more likely your new puppy will suffer from pinched nostrils when he or she is teething. Just like human babies swelling takes place as the puppy teethes. Swelling of the bronchial tubes, gums, ear canals, and nostrils as well as a low grade fever, are all common. Snorting, snoring, and stuffy sounds accompanied by tearful eyes and a clear runny nose with the occasional bubble are common when a Shih Tzu puppy is teething. Again, the flatter the face the more likely your puppy will have extreme symptoms.

So how do you know a Shih Tzu is suffering from teething and not a genetic issue that will require surgery? You have to find a good breeder you can put your trust in, A Shih Tzu that is born with Stenotic nares is not a Shih Tzu who suffers from pinched nostrils while teething only.  This puppy will most likely require surgery.