An American Kennel Club registered breed, the Shih Tzu (otherwise known as "shitzu") is a lively, alert, friendly, and trusting dog. Bred as a house pet for Chinese royals for over a millennium, the Shih Tzu is believed to have descended from the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. Although a royal and pleasant dog, this breed is known for being prone to a series of health problems, including eye and ear infections, allergies, hip dysplasia, and renal dysplasia.
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Eye Infections
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Shih Tzus are prone to eye infections. Even normal play for other dogs can lead to eye problems for Shih Tzus because of their eyes' sensitive nature and physical structure. Foreign objects entering the eye or being injured during play are especially risky events for this breed.
Many problems can be avoided by ensuring a safe environment for the dog and making sure his eyes are clean. Owners should remove potentially injurious objects from the environment (such as objects with sharp points or dirty objects at play level), and supervise any interactions with other animals. Dirt or crusty matter should be removed from around the eyes frequently, and hair around the eyes should be kept at a moderate length. Although it can appear cumbersome to humans, this facial hair actually provides a level of natural protection from dirt and other foreign matter.
Ear Infections
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Shih Tzus are also prone to ear infections. Owners should check their dogs' ears regularly for redness, irritation, or swelling, and keep them as clean as possible by removing dirt and debris. The good news is that ear infections are fairly easy to treat with a trip to a veterinarian and some antibiotics.
Allergies
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Dogs suffer from allergies, too, and the Shih Tzu is prone to a host of them. Shih Tzus are especially prone to food and flea allergies, and hypersensitivities to any number of substances in the environment. Allergy severity varies, but secondary issues that could arise range from overall poor health to hair loss to irritated skin. Veterinarians can check for allergies and, in most cases, prescribe medications. Owners should also try to remove allergic substances from a dog's environment as much as it is reasonable.
Hip Dysplasia
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Unfortunately, the Shih Tzu is prone to the inherited, painful, and debilitating condition called hip dysplasia, which affects the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. The condition can be mild or severe, and, of course, not all Shih Tzus will suffer from it.
If you suspect your dog has hip dysplasia, immediately take her to the vet for evaluation. Some cases can be successfully treated with surgery; some cannot. A vet should be able to prescribe pain medications either way. To prevent this problem for future generations, the best thing to do is not breed male or female Shih Tzus that suffer from this condition.
Renal Dysplasia
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Renal dysplasia, much like hip dysplasia, is an inherited and debilitating condition. Renal dysplasia affects normal kidney function and is more common in older Shih Tzus. Younger dogs can also suffer from it, however. It can be fatal, so it is important to have your pet evaluated if you suspect kidney problems.
If your dog suffers from renal dysplasia, your vet may be able to prescribe medications to ease the pain or other treatments to improve his situation. Again, the best thing to do for future generations is not breed male or female Shih Tzus that suffer from the condition.
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