Shih Tzu Age Calculator

An abnormal blood vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver, preventing proper detoxification and metabolism. Shih Tzus are one of the breeds most commonly affected by congenital liver shunts. Affected dogs typically show symptoms in the first two years of life, including poor growth, neurological signs (especially after eating protein-rich food), and urinary tract issues. The condition ranges from manageable with medical therapy to life-threatening without treatment.

Prevention: Source puppies from reputable breeders who test breeding stock for liver shunts. Bile acid testing can screen puppies as early as 8-12 weeks of age. Early detection is critical for the best outcomes. Single extrahepatic shunts (the most common type in Shih Tzus) can often be surgically corrected with excellent results. Medical management with a low-protein diet, lactulose, and antibiotics is used when surgery is not feasible or as a bridge to surgical correction.

Symptoms: poor growth or failure to thrive, confusion, circling, or seizures after eating, excessive drooling, vomiting, urinary tract infections or crystals, stunted body size compared to littermates, head pressing

Shih Tzus have a shortened skull that can cause varying degrees of upper airway obstruction, including stenotic nares (narrow nostrils), elongated soft palate, and narrowed trachea. While generally less severely affected than breeds like Bulldogs or Pugs, many Shih Tzus have mild-to-moderate breathing compromise that worsens with heat, exercise, excitement, or obesity. Snoring and snorting are common but should not be dismissed as 'normal' without veterinary assessment.

Prevention: Maintain a lean body weight, as excess weight significantly worsens breathing difficulty. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid tracheal pressure. Avoid exercise in hot or humid conditions, and ensure access to air conditioning in warm weather. For dogs with significant breathing compromise, surgical correction (nares widening, soft palate resection) can dramatically improve quality of life and is best performed while the dog is young.

Symptoms: snoring (may be loud), noisy breathing during exercise or excitement, exercise intolerance, gagging or retching, blue-tinged gums in severe cases, heat intolerance, sleep-disordered breathing

Shih Tzus have large, prominent, forward-facing eyes that are highly vulnerable to injury due to their shallow eye sockets. Corneal ulcers from minor scratches (playing, bushes, even grooming accidents) are very common. Proptosis (the eye being displaced from the socket) can occur with surprisingly little trauma. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) is also prevalent, as the breed's eye conformation affects tear distribution.

Prevention: Keep facial hair trimmed away from the eyes or use a top-knot to prevent irritation. Avoid situations where branches, tall grass, or other dogs' claws could contact the eyes. Use a harness (not collar) to prevent pressure that could contribute to proptosis. Clean around the eyes daily. Schedule annual ophthalmologic exams. If your Shih Tzu squints, has discharge, or appears painful in the eye, seek veterinary care immediately — corneal ulcers can progress rapidly. Keep artificial tear solution on hand for dogs prone to dry eye.

Symptoms: squinting or holding one eye closed, excessive tearing or discharge, pawing at the eye, redness of the eye or surrounding tissue, cloudy or blue-tinged cornea, visible injury or foreign material, eye appearing larger or displaced (emergency)

Shih Tzus are extremely prone to dental disease due to severe tooth crowding in their shortened jaws. Their teeth are frequently misaligned, overlapping, and prone to trapping food and bacteria. Periodontal disease develops earlier and progresses faster in this breed than in most others. Without proactive dental care, many Shih Tzus experience tooth loss, jaw bone deterioration, and secondary health effects on the heart and kidneys by middle age.

Prevention: Daily tooth brushing with enzymatic dog toothpaste is essential for this breed — not optional. Schedule professional dental cleanings annually starting by age 2-3, and potentially more frequently if tartar accumulates rapidly. Dental radiographs are important, as problems often exist below the gum line. Provide appropriate dental chews and consider water additives. Early extraction of severely crowded or retained deciduous teeth can prevent worse problems later.

Symptoms: bad breath (halitosis), red or bleeding gums, visible tartar buildup, difficulty eating or dropping food, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling (tooth root abscess), loose or missing teeth, nasal discharge (from oral-nasal fistula)

Degeneration and potential herniation of the spinal discs, causing pain, nerve compression, and in severe cases, paralysis. Shih Tzus are predisposed to IVDD due to their chondrodystrophic (short-legged) body type, which causes premature disc degeneration. The thoracolumbar spine (mid-to-lower back) is most commonly affected. Episodes can range from mild back pain that resolves with rest to acute paralysis requiring emergency surgery.

Prevention: Prevent jumping on and off furniture by providing ramps or steps. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce spinal load. Support the full body (front and rear) when lifting your Shih Tzu. Avoid activities that stress the spine, such as standing on hind legs or rough play. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid neck strain. If any neurological symptoms appear, seek veterinary care immediately — early intervention significantly improves outcomes.

Symptoms: reluctance to jump or climb stairs, crying out when picked up or touched on the back, arched back or tense abdomen, wobbly or uncoordinated gait, dragging rear legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, reluctance to move