Common In the Shih Tzu Breed

Hernias

Umbilical Hernias or Delayed Closures are extremely common in the Shih Tzu breed, regardless of what size they are. About 50% of the breed have them. These are right at the belly button area and appear as a tiny bulge, feel squishy, and you can push them back in. A weak area or hole in the abdominal wall of the umbilicus allows a small amount of fat to pass into a pocket under the skin. This creates a small bulge over the belly button. Very small umbilical hernias close with maturity. They are not a health issue, and do not affect the puppy's quality of life, much like an "outie belly button" in a human being. If the umbilical hernia has not closed by the time they are at the age to get spayed / neutered, that is the time to correct it if you so choose. The Companion Animal Center in Hayden adds $20 to the spay /neuter bill to take care of them.

Inguinial hernias are rare and can be a fluke, the combination of two dogs can pull out something uncommon as well. They are sometimes fatty pockets that regress on their own. While they are less common than umbilical hernias and are internal, they can easily be fixed at spay or neuter time, if they haven't regressed on their own. If they appear after the puppy has gone home, the breeder would like to be informed as mentioned above it can be a fluke, but the breeder may choose not to combine those 2 parents for breeding again. They may not produce this with any other pairing, just like other traits.

Common In the Shih Tzu Breed

Stenotic Nares

Stenotic Nares and Tight Nostrils occur occasionally in the Shih Tzu Breed. Tight nostrils due to teething and Stenotic Nares or pinched nostrils are not the same thing. Although when puppies are starting to teeth, if the nostrils are smaller and/or more tight, the swelling of teething can cause some struggling in their breathing. Tight Nostrils will generally come on when the puppy is teething and sometimes not go away until the adult teeth have fully come in and may come and go as the puppy's gums are swelling from the teething process. Some puppies have a difficult time breathing out their noses during this time, but as long as they are active and eating, sleeping and drinking normally, it is of little concern. Swelling of the bronchial tubes, gums, ear canals, and nostrils are all common while teething. During this time, they may snore, snort, sniffle, and breath through their mouths more often. Puppies will outgrow this once their adult teeth have fully come in. Do not let an over zealous vet talk you into surgery for a teething puppy or simply a puppy/dog, who does not have tight nostrils and because their flat face and internal nasa structure, makes some snorting sounds or they snore when they sleep. A few of mine over the years snore when sleeping or snort sometimes and they breathe just fine. Stenotic Nares are common in the brachycephalic breeds. The collapsed nostrils can lead to the obstruction of the dog's airways, if they are extreme, taking the nostril flaps back is recommended or surgery to enlarge the nasal openings in order to improve the dog's respiration.

Common In the Shih Tzu Breed

Stenotic Nares

Stenotic Nares and Tight Nostrils occur occasionally in the Shih Tzu Breed. Tight nostrils due to teething and Stenotic Nares or pinched nostrils are not the same thing. Although when puppies are starting to teeth, if the nostrils are smaller and/or more tight, the swelling of teething can cause some struggling in their breathing. Tight Nostrils will generally come on when the puppy is teething and sometimes not go away until the adult teeth have fully come in and may come and go as the puppy's gums are swelling from the teething process. Some puppies have a difficult time breathing out their noses during this time, but as long as they are active and eating, sleeping and drinking normally, it is of little concern. Swelling of the bronchial tubes, gums, ear canals, and nostrils are all common while teething. During this time, they may snore, snort, sniffle, and breath through their mouths more often. Puppies will outgrow this once their adult teeth have fully come in. Do not let an over zealous vet talk you into surgery for a teething puppy or simply a puppy/dog, who does not have tight nostrils and because their flat face and internal nasa structure, makes some snorting sounds or they snore when they sleep. A few of mine over the years snore when sleeping or snort sometimes and they breathe just fine. Stenotic Nares are common in the brachycephalic breeds. The collapsed nostrils can lead to the obstruction of the dog's airways, if they are extreme, taking the nostril flaps back is recommended or surgery to enlarge the nasal openings in order to improve the dog's respiration.

Common In the Shih Tzu Breed

Spay/Neuter, Deciduous Teeth, Teeth Cleaning

Puppies are to be spayed or neutered at approximately 6 months of age, unless deciduous / baby teeth or tiny size/ weight is the reason you and your vet decide to postpone the spay or neuter by a month or two, sometimes more.

Keep in mind with males, we suggest by 7-8 months, since lifting their legs/marking can start at approximately 6-8 months old, if they are still in tact. There are exceptions regarding timing with some of my customers, who have teacup babies, tracking in the 4-5 lb range. Some customers have opted to wait to spay or neuter up until a year and a half because of their tiny size, and that is their prerogative. In that case, if a females a heat or a male potentially starts marking, there are disposable and washable diapers for girls and belly bands for boys.

Regular tooth brushing should start as early as 8-10 months with a soft thimble made for a dog's teeth and /or a small toothbrush for dogs. Toys breeds have significantly smaller mouths than larger breeds, while having the same amount of teeth, so they are more prone to dental issues. It is crucial to get them used to a regular brushing and is recommended a minimum of twice a week or more for life. This will prevent anesthetic teeth cleanings, and they will live longer, healthier lives.