With their name meaning “little lion”, it’s perhaps little wonder that Shih Tzu’s are popular with both families and doting dog owners alike. However, despite the rather macho image the thought of a lion might well conjure up in the mind’s eye, there’s certainly nothing aggressive about this adorable dog breed. In fact, on the contrary, the Shih Tzu is a lover, not a fighter and you’ll typically find them following their owner from room to room, complete with waggy tail and plenty of affection to share!

That said, as with any dog breed, the Shih Tzu also comes with certain hereditary health issues and here we look at the top ten health issues you might not know about!

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

Unfortunately this particular breed is prone to brachycephalic airway syndrome – and in fact, some puppies are simply born with it. This basically means that they have breathing issues which are primarily related to their general body structure and can include at least one of four main issues:

Stenotic nares (where the opening of the nostrils are effectively ‘pinched’)
Elongated soft palate (involving abnormal growth of the issue tissue in the back of the throat)
Collapsed larynx (whereby the neck cartilages are weakened) and
Trachea issues (which can either be abnormally small or completely collapsed)

Typically, around half of Shih Tzu’s suffer from this particular syndrome and it perhaps goes without saying that treatment (which can usually involve surgery) can be extremely expensive.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

Because they have shorter legs, the Shih Tzu is also a prime target for IVD (or ‘intervertebral disk disease’) whereby the dog’s back disk slips and presses on the spinal cord. Unfortunately, if anti-swelling drugs and muscle relaxants prove ineffective this can often lead to total paralysis.

Patella Luxation

Particularly troublesome for dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, patella luxation is a condition whereby the entire kneecap slips out of place. Whilst puppies can be born with this condition, it can occur at any time during their lifespan and in more severe cases can lead to deformity. In most cases steroid medication can often lead to a vast improvement although in others, surgery is required to alleviate further stress on the knee area. In cases such as these the prognosis is generally good and the dog can go on to lead a normal, healthy life.

Hip Dysplasia

In addition to knee problems, the Shih Tzu can also suffer with hip dysplasia. This is basically an abnormality involving both the ball and socket joint around the hip which can cause it to slip out of place. This condition can start as early as 4 or 5 months although, since it’s primarily a degenerative disease, clear signs might not appear until the dog’s later years. Basic treatment can often necessitate basic weight management, controlled exercise and applying warmth to the affected area. If this fails to prompt signs of improvement then surgery can often assist, albeit at a price.

Harderian Gland Prolapse

Another common ailment, which often appears before the Shih Tzu reaches two years of age, is the harderian gland prolapse. This particular condition affects the dog’s eyes which can ultimately lead to swelling, excessive discharge and conjunctivitis. Left untreated this often causes temporary blindness in the affected eye so it’s important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. In most cases the problem can be rectified with surgery.

Irregular Thyroid Glands

Unfortunately the Shih Tzu is also prone to irregular thyroid glands – the common term for which is ‘hypothyroidism’. This particular condition is more common in older dogs and can result in weight gain, hair loss and weakness. If detected early enough the condition is easily controlled through medication although if left untreated can certainly lead to fatality.

Cataracts

Because the Shih Tzu naturally has larger eyes and fairly shallow eye sockets this makes them prone to all sorts of conditions – not least of all inflammation, infections, corneal ulcers, cataracts and entropion.

In the case of cataracts, it’s sadly not unusual for the Shih Tzu to lose vision and can even result in permanent blindness if not treated promptly.

Because they have such a short face, this particular breed is also prone to ‘wet eye’ (or ‘epiphoria’) which simply means that the tear ducts fail to drain properly. The condition can also be brought on by other eye issues, however, which means they should be checked on a regular basis for any signs of infection.

Heat Stroke

Due to their brachycephalic face shape, the Shih Tzu easily suffers from heat stroke so it’s imperative to keep your dog out of the sun for any prolonged period of time.

Urolithiasis

As with some other dog breeds, the Shih Tzu is also quite prone to urolithiasis – or crystal and bladder stones, which almost always lead to infection. This is usually detected quite easily since dogs with this condition have a frequent need to urinate and may show signs of straining whilst doing so. Again, it’s advisable to seek medical advice on this since it can also lead to further problems in the longer term.

Allergies

Finally – and as cuddly as they might look – the Shih Tzu is also prone to a number of allergies which in turn can lead to dermatitis and other skin conditions. Allergies can come from a wide range of sources (and some of which might not be obvious) such as pollen, washing powders, bites and even wheat. Another major skin problem, quite literally meaning ‘infection of the skin’, is ‘pyoderma’. This is usually caused by bacteria, ringworm or yeasts. Fortunately, most skin disorders are easily treated using various methods (which are often required long-term) and can certainly help ease any discomfort for your dog.

Fortunately, overall the Shih Tzu is a healthy dog and has a life span of around 10 plus years so, whilst you certainly shouldn’t let these conditions put you off, it’s advisable to know what to look for and more importantly, when to seek veterinary or expert advice.

10 Common Shih Tzu Health Issues You Probably Don't Know About

Urolithiasis