Your Shih Tzu and Your Veterinarian
By JoAnn White

     As no individual can possibly be totally familiar with the quirks of every breed, here are some Shih Tzu peculiarities you might like to share with your veterinarian.

1. Shih Tzu puppies often have slightly pinched nostrils that generally open with time. The bubbly discharge from a Shih Tzu puppy’s nose is NOT serious if the discharge is clear and watery and the dog is otherwise thriving. This problem is most acute during the teething stage. Even the nostrils of a dog that has difficulty simultaneously eating and breath-ing or is lethargic at this time may open satisfactorily as the dog matures, but a few dogs this severely affected may require surgery later on.

2. Small umbilical hernias (a bubble-like protrusion of fat at the navel through an opening no larger than the tip of your little finger) are common in Shih Tzu and are often due to excess stress on the umbilical cord during delivery. Such hernias often close naturally over time, although you may want to have them surgically closed while your pet is being neutered. Unlike inguinal (groin-area) hernias, they are not a reason to avoid breeding a dog.

3. Shih Tzu quite often cut their teeth relatively late and lose them relatively early. Undershot bites (lower jaw protruding beyond the upper one) are characteristic of this breed, and crowded, poorly aligned, and missing incisors are common.

4. Reverse sneezing describes a condition in which the dog seems to be unable to get its breath and begins to honk or snort. It is most often caused by a slightly elongated soft palate that “sticks” until the dog takes a deep breath through its mouth. The most effective way to stop this is to put a finger over the dog’s nostrils, thereby forcing it to breathe through its mouth. Sometimes just a hug and some reassurance will do the trick! Unlike more serious problems found in brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs, reverse sneezing in Shih Tzu is quite common and is not life-threatening.

5. Eye injuries are common in short-faced, large-eyed breeds, and require immediate veterinary attention. If your dog’s eye is red, or if it is squinting or pawing at one eye, take it to the vet at once.
Article from the American Shih Tzu Club website.

More About Hernias in the
Imperial Shih Tzu

HERNIAS IN SHIH TZU PUPPIES as well as other breeds is very common, and is not a medical condition or cause for immediate concern. Please be informed before you agree to surgical hernia repair on your SHIH TZU PUPPY.

The following information is copied from Bullwrinkle.com and is being offered as an educational tool:

"A hernia is a protrusion or bulge of a part of the body tissue, fat, or an organ through an abnormal opening of the surrounding tissue. There are numerous types of hernias, each type named after its affected area.
A hernia which can be pushed back into the abdomen is called reducible. Hernias which are not reducible are called incarcerated. If the blood supply to an incarcerated hernia is pinched off, the hernia becomes strangulated. A strangulated hernia is an emergency situation and must be brought to the attention of your veterinarian."

The most common types of hernias in shih tzu puppies are:

"An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies. In case of umbilical hernias, a portion of fat or internal organs protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring. Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired. The most common means of acquiring an umbilical hernia is a result of the umbilical cord being severed too close to the abdominal wall. In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows. Generally, by the time the pup is six months old, the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own. "

"An inguinal hernia is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring. Inguinal hernias are presented as skin-covered bulges in the groin. They can be bi-lateral, involving both sides or unilateral, involving only one side. Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes. As with umbilical hernias, most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows."

Open Fontanels

Some puppies are born with what is called, "open fontanels". The fontanel is the location on the skull where all of the skull plates join. It is the "soft spot" at the top-center of a baby's head. When babies (human and dog) are born the bony plates of the skull a somewhat soft and separated. As the puppy grows these bones will become more rigid and will gradually fuse together. It will take 2 to 3 months for the skull plates to fuse and the soft spot (fontanel) to close. In some pups the fontanel never closes. This means that the owner has to be particularly aware as to the sensitivity of this area. It should be noted that even though the fontanel never closes, the affected pup can still live a full, energetic and active life. The major difficulty with owning a dog with an open fontanel is for the owner - the constant concern that the spot will be damaged. The dog is unaware that there is a problem and will be as rambunctious as any "normal" dog.
It is important to note that while many Imperial puppies are born without an open fontanelle, there are probably just as many born with one, and its presence is nothing to become alarmed over. An open fontanel in an Imperial Shih Tzu will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.

Unfortunately, many lay people (and some Veterinarians not familiar with the Imperial Shih Tzu) have tried to link the mere presence of an open fontanelle with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many new comers to the breed serious concern and undo worry. The truth is that a domed head with a soft spot present does not predispose the Imperial Shih Tzu to this condition.

Along with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement:

In "Diseases of the Brain"(1989), Green & Braund stated that many clinically normal toy breeds may have open fontanelles without associated hydrocephalus. *

Drs. Walters and Rivers, Veterinarians at the University of Minnesota, concluded that there did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of a fontanelle and the condition of hydrocephalus. *

Dr. Alexander de Lahunta of Cornell University in New York, one of the top neurologist in this country, stated that it would be wrong to conclude that any opening is abnormal.

While it would be impossible to list all the medical documentation in this paper, these few included here are perfectly clear: the presence of a shot spot does not mean the dog has a medical problem.

The Imperial Shih Tzu is a little dog! They belong in the house, at their owner's side, returning all the love they deserve to receive. With or without a soft spot, the healthy Imperial that is loved and given proper Veterinary care will live well into its teens as a beloved member of the family.

Contact Information
Telephone: 509-607-0302

Postal address: Cle elum, WA

Electronic mail
General Information: bobbi@theshireshihtzu.com
Puppy Lifetime Support: bobbi@theshireshihtzu.com