Treatment options depend on how severe the luxation is-grades two to four are often treated with surgery. There are four grades, the highest grade being the most serious. Unfortunately, several small and toy breeds are susceptible to a luxating patella 1, including the Shih Tzu, Maltese, and Bichon Frise. This term is used to describe a dislocated kneecap. Treatment includes managing the condition at home with moderate exercise and weight control, medication, vet-prescribed supplements for the joints, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. This results in discomfort and pain and leads to degenerative joint disease and/or arthritis. Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes the hip ball and socket to loosen because they did not grow at an equal rate during the growth stage. This condition is treated with surgery and/or medication. Symptoms include a dry cough that’s persistent in nature and sounds somewhat like a “goose honk.” When pressure is applied to the neck, the coughing may get worse. Shih Tzus are one of the most commonly affected breeds, along with Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles among others. When the cartilage rings in the windpipe weaken and flatten down when the dog breathes in, this is what’s known as a collapsing trachea. In some cases, a vet may recommend surgery to help your dog breathe more easily. If you have a brachycephalic breed, it’s important to manage things by keeping your dog out of hot, humid temperatures, keeping them at a healthy weight, and making their environment as stress-free as possible. In the long term, the extra effort Brachycephalic breeds have to make just to breathe can result in the heart struggling to keep up with the demands. Unfortunately, brachycephalic dogs are prone to breathing problems and symptoms of severe cases include a loud, pronounced noise in the airways, getting tired quickly, collapsing or fainting after exercise, retching, coughing, gagging, and vomiting.īrachycephalic dogs tend to struggle in hot and humid weather due to being more at risk of overheating. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndromeīecause Shih Tzus have short faces, they are a brachycephalic breed, along with Pugs, French Bulldogs, and others. The 12 Common Health Problems in Shih Tzus 1. In this post, we’ll explore 12 health conditions to keep an eye out for if you have a Shih Tzu. Nevertheless, if you’re a Shih Tzu parent or are considering making one a member of your family, there are some health issues this breed is prone to that you should be aware of. They bring a lot of joy and countless laughs to any household they’re a part of for many years (their long-expected lifespans of 10–18 years are a bonus). Shih Tzus are very popular family dogs thanks to their fun-loving, spirited, and affectionate natures.
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