Health Issues

So what is going on with the puppy/dog? through my 30 years of raising Shihtzus I have been involved in health care for the Shihtzu, many things can be treated by you, the owner, saving you a vet bill and some things can be prevented by you, the owner, just by your knowledge of certain symptoms. I am not a veterinarian or a medical professional but I have a great passion for the shihtzu breed and study any thing I can to make their lives better and longer. I work closely with my vets to learn as much as I can to assist you in keeping your puppy/dog healthy.

Cats and Cat products: Having your puppy coexist with a cat is possible however the cat must be declawed to prevent damage to your puppies' eyes.

Cat products and their poop must be kept away from your Shihtzu. Dogs cannot eat cat food and/or their poop, it is not digestable for them because of it's ingredients being not acceptable for dogs. Symptoms will usually be throwing up and/or bloody stool. can be fatal if products are not removed. I suggest removing any cat poop from your yard and your litter box/cat food being placed up high so the puppy cannot reach it. Treatment: call me.

Humans sick or undergoing treatments; illnesses can be passed on to your little companion. Germs are germs and the puppy can catch them by touching it's eyes and nose with contaminated hands, lips or tongue or infected tissues. Colds, viruses, etc. can be passed on to your little dog.

Caution:If you are sick with a cold or virus, do not allow your pet to kiss you, lick you or be around anything that could be contaminated.   Do not EVER touch a puppy that has not had any shots in it's face area, we carry a virus on our hands that is deadly to a young puppy with decreased immunity. The rule here is no touching until the puppy has had it's 1st shot by anyone but Meemaw. I have to take great precautions. Most of the time we won't touch until after 2nd shot because of your need to kiss the puppy in the face and touch it's nose.

CHEMO/Radiation:   Recently I underwent all these treatments. During that year I had several of my dogs abort their babies, I learned I had to stay away from their direct contact when I was undergoing these treatments. In the chemo unit they told us to flush the stool twice & becareful around small children. Since that time I have discovered other people undergoing these treatments that have had trouble with their pets. I am currently studying this condition/symptoms and treatments personally in my home but here is what I have found so far:

Chemo or radiation gives off a chemical from our bodies that is poisonous and very very powerful.  It makes us nauseated and many many other symptoms, I believe that our little animals also get these symptoms and I have many factors to back this up.

A Shihtzu puppy purchased for the family as mom started chemo then radiation, the dog became so ill over the course of these treatments that she was finally unable to eat anything, black diahrea, aches and pains were obvious by her slow movements and inability to act like a young dog, no social interest to play. a 1/2 baby aspirin given would cause her to become a new dog for about 6 hours and she would play and eat. She would only eat warm food from my hand. After several months of coming off the effects of the treatments she is eating, playing running freely and fetching a toy, jumping on the couch. Her hair has started to grow again and taking on a new shine. Yes, it effected all these things just like it did the human.   Food for thought!

If your dog is experiencing unexplained symptoms and someone in your home has had chemo/radiation then consider this contamination as your cause and treat accordingly. I DO NOT recommend euthenizing the dog as some vets will, contact me and I will help you any way I can to save your precious friend.

Stress: yes many dogs get sick from stress, good and bad stress. Just like when you go on vacation and your food and water and schedule changes you often experience diarhea, stomach cramps, headaches and just plan jet lag. So does your puppy. Try to keep you puppies water the same, no matter what, distilled water is the best choice because it won't have chemicals in it for humans. Don't change your puppy/dogs food just because and never abruptly..ease them into 1/2 and 1/2 then the change. I believe a Shihtzu has allergies from the wrong foods becareful in choice, only use foods recommended by a shihtzu owner/breeder. I recommend Eukanuba Small Breed puppy food for LIFE and don't know why anyone would use anything else with a Shihtzu. It is great for them and they do Well on it, even my working dogs eat it and their puppies eat it also as soon as they can crawl to the bowl.

stress from loud noises : your Shihtzu WILL react to loud noises such as a party in their home, a thunderstorm, crashing thunder/lightening, excitement (good and bad) from family members, definitely fireworks. This all confuses your SHihtzu and causes it's stomach and whole body to wrench with fear for it's life. Now if you have ever had a moment in which you feared for your life you know what I am talking about when I tell you that the dog's bodily functions will change at that moment and last for the next 3 to 5 days without treatment. remove the dog from any situation that it cannot understand and is not having a good time......you know the difference. Pepto Bismol can be used for the diarhea that will now occur within 24 hours. The best fix is to not put your dog in that situation. I have been told by humans that their dog did fine during the 4th of July only to find out a week later the dog is sick sick. Fireworks and dogs to NOT go together EVER! nor shooting of guns or any other loud popping noises. We have fourth of July at my daughters so my puppies are not subjected to the fireworks. I also play a radio for them at all times so they do not react to outside noises such as thunderstorms, rain, wind, etc. and NEVER EVER let them see you upset about a storm or domestic problems, they will react like a small child, very upset and fearing for their lives.

Never change your Shihtzu's schedule all of a sudden, any schedule, never lock them into a room with the door shut, they panic just like you would! PLEASE DO NOT LOCK YOUR SHIHTZU IN THE BATHROOM or UTILITY ROOM! Playyards in the home are very practical now and use a child gate in your doors leaving the solid door open. Never leave your SHihtzu in a cage or small enclosure longer than 4 hours, exception at night when it is dark. Prepare your SHihtzu for what change is getting ready to happen in it's life, need suggestions, I can help.

ALLERGIES: last but not LEAST: The Shihtzu is very susceptible to allergies, however, my dogs do not have any allergies and they run out in the yard, they roll in the grass, they play in the rain. So what is different?

I believe a Shihtzu reacts to what it eats and what we as humans put on it or release in our homes which the SHihtzu is then exposed to. (for instance: burning of candles is a no no).

I recommend Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy dry food for the life of your Shihtzu. Now I do moisten it with water and leave freely for the puppy then use the dry morsels for training rewards, I DO NOT USE TREATS! this alone can cause an allergy in your Shihtzu.

I recommend the use of NO CHEMICALS on your SHihtzu. Especially the topical chemicals for ticks and fleas. This attacks the nervous system of the tick and flea, that is how it works, so do you not think it is attacking the same thing on your dog? Over the years it will definitely effect your dog's health in many many ways and I believe it will effect your families' health as well. I am recommending CEDAR OIL SPRAY, LAVENDER OIL & CITRUS, or just straight alcohol, it is a natural flea and tick products. I am really starting to question the pill form of flea/tick products as many of my customers are reporting sick dogs after giving them the pill... be careful if you choose to use the pill, if it makes your dog sick, cease use immediately and do not ever administer the pill to your dog again. Symptoms appear to be like food poisoning. Intervention from your vet will be necessary to stop the throwing up and diarhea.

I bath my Shihtzus in Dawn "original" in the cloudy blue color, dishwashing liquid, left on for 15 minutes it will kill fleas, it will make your puppies hair shine, no other products are necessary. I do use Pantene Shampoo (not conditioner) as the smell good only putting a couple of drops into my hand and applying to the hair on the back bone then rinsing out immediately. THis make your dog smell good without getting it in it's face or on its skin which can cause itching and burning of the eyes. Don't use all that other stuff on your Shihtzu or you and the dog will pay greatly.

EYES: Use liquid drops, never clean their eyes with an object like tips, cotton, kleenex, etc. Dogs have an inner eyelid that traps little particles you insert into the eye and causes irritation, if you have questions about the eyes consult your vet or breeder, do not mess with this you can mess up royally without the right products. I personally use 'Eye Pro' it works very well and stops tearing within 24 hours of first use. Even applying drops before the bath has a procedure. I will be glad to help you with this.

HOPE this information helps you care for your SHihtzu.