The Shih-Tzu will
live a fairly long and healthy life, up to 15 years
with the proper diet and care. The long, beautiful
hair of this breed misleads some into thinking they
are a very delicate dog, but in truth this is a
sturdy little animal. If the new owner works
closely with a top breeder and a veterinarian to
make sure the puppy gets a good start, the Shih-Tzu
should not present exceptional health problems.
Just remember that
all purebred dogs have some inherent health
troubles. The Shih-Tzu tends to have some issues
with breathing because of the shape of its face and
nose. Some in the Shih-Tzu breed develop eye and
ear conditions as well. In addition, the Shih-Tzu
should not be overfed because the dogs tend to gain
weight easily.
Shih-Tzu
organizations are distributing information about a
condition called renal dysplasia that can affect
this breed. This genetic defect of the kidneys can
lead to symptoms such as excessive thirst, weight
loss and even lack of appetite. Ultrasound may help
identify the condition because it may show the
kidneys to be smaller than normal and may also
indicate some scarring in the kidneys.
Organizations, breeders and veterinarians are
searching for the genetic marker to identify this
condition. You may want to ask your breeder or
veterinarian about renal dysplasia.
Another inherent
problem for the Shih-Tzu is the genetic eye
condition that arises because of the shortened nose
and the prominent eye in relation to the skull.
Some dogs have trouble closing the eyelid
completely, which may lead to inflammation of the
cornea. Another problem with the Shih-Tzu’s
prominent eye is the restriction of oxygen to the
retina that may lead to vision problems. Dry eye is
also of concern to Shih-Tzu owners. This is
basically an abnormal amount of tear film on the
eye, which can lead to visual impairment and
scarring. These conditions should be among the
items a prospective owner discusses with a breeder
and with the veterinarian.
An eye condition
that new owners should be aware of is distichiasis.
This occurs when the eyelashes are abnormally
located in the margin of the eyelid. Tearing,
redness and inflammation are common symptoms of this
condition. More serious damage to the cornea may
develop over time. A veterinarian should be able to
make the diagnosis and help the owner correct this
problem.
Some Shih-Tzu may
have a tendency toward liver problems, including
chronic hepatitis. This potentially fatal disease
sometimes occurs without the cause being known.
Research continues to identify dogs with chronic
hepatitis caused by an autoimmune disorder in which
there are specific antibodies that work against the
liver.
Many owners of
Shih-Tzu and other purebred dogs have recently
started to feed their dogs only fresh foods without
preservatives. Often this food is fresh meats,
vegetables and some fruits, similar to what the
owner brings home from the store for the family. A
small amount of effort to learn about the natural
requirements of the Shih-Tzu may save money and
problems later in the dog’s life. Each breed may
have certain protein, fat and mineral requirements
that are not available in the commercial foods.
Some experts suggest a diet of poultry, pork, rice
and smaller amounts of soy and corn.
New owners of
Shih-Tzu puppies should begin to develop a program
of feeding that does not offer the pet too much
food. This breed will overeat sometimes and can
gain weight easily. Continuing the feeding program
of a top breeder may be the best plan of all.
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