Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem

Heart failure is a very complex matter in canines. One day you see that your Shih Tzu is fine and then the very next day, something terrible just happened. This is because people usually don’t see the signs from before or understand them. Here, know about heart failures in a bit more depth.

What is a heart failure in Shih Tzu?

This complex matter of heart failure develops from the congenital and acquired heart diseases. It can either be a backward failure or a forward failure where the cardiac output gets low. Now, as the heart functions stop working properly, the vasculature increases as a result of activation and up-regulation of the neurohormonal system.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem

What are the causes for this heart failure in Shih Tzu?

Obesity: This is a very common reason for heart failure in Shih Tzu.
Old age: With old age, all the organs get weak, and the working or their functionality reduces.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem - messy hair

Tumor: Extra mass growing around the heart can be a huge cause for this problem. This creates an obstruction in blood flow to the heart.

Infection: It can lead to inflation and bloating of the body that stops the blood flow to the heart.
Coronary or artery disease: This happens due to hypothyroidism happening for a high level of cholesterol.
Lack of exercise: Again, if they are eating but not having the proper level of work out, then again the condition of overweight as well as high cholesterol might cause some severe result leading to heart failure in Shih Tzu.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem - lack of exercise

These are some of the major causes of heart failure or other related problem. However, it is not that these cannot be understood. You can often see some signs that will help you to realize if your Shih Tzu has heart problems or not.

Different signs to understand if the Shih Tzu is suffering from heart problems

Heavy breathing: When your Shih Tzu is suffering from heart diseases, their breathing gets very high. This can be a bit difficult to understand when they are sitting. But you can recognize if they get easily tired after playing.
Swollen belly: Another symptom is that they get bloated belly when suffering from heart disease. This happens due to less forward flow, and the fluid starts building up in their belly.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem - swollen belly

Cough: This is a bad sign in dogs. Coughing is not normal in dogs, not in any condition. So, if you notice this, then attending a doctor is pretty urgent.
Fainting: Yes, they faint too! But why people don’t understand this is because the entire episode lasts only for few hours. If you notice this, meet your vet as soon as possible.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem - fainting

Vomiting: They vomit when they are not well and cannot digest anymore. This means, their metabolic rate has decreased to a quite low level, and it is a warning sign that they can suffer from heart disease.
Fever: It is not good for dogs to get a fever. You will easily notice this and take immediate action to fix this problem.

Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has a Heart Problem - fever

The good part is all these can be avoided if you know the right things to do for your beloved Shih Tzu.

FAQ’s

How big are Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is a snugly built little animal with a solid, sound structure. It stands from about 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and should weigh from 9 to 16 pounds. Its body length is slightly greater than its height, and it should be physically proportional all over, not too short or too small, but a true miniature breed dog. In movement, it moves with effortless, smooth strides, showing good drive and reach, with the head and tail held high, giving away its ancient royal bloodline.

Where does the Shih Tzu come from, and why was the breed developed?
The Shih Tzu lineage is hotly debated; however, one theory is that the Shih Tzu descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso breeds. This cross breed that would eventually become Shih Tzus, were favourites of the Chinese royals and so prized that, for years, the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away.

The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe in 1930 and were classified by the Kennel Club as “Apsos”. The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club, and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu. The breed is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world.

How is Shih Tzu pronounced, and what does it mean?
The most common and incorrect pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: Sh*t Zoo however, that isn’t actually how the little lion breed is supposed to be announced. According to the American Shih Tzu Club, the official and publicly confirmed pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: “Sheed-zoo."

The name comes from the Chinese language word for "lion" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble "the lion, as in traditional oriental art". Interestingly they are also known by another name tied to their European introduction. The Shih Tzu is sometimes called the Chrysanthemum Dog, a nickname that describes the way the hair on their face grows out in all directions. They look like a flower with a nose for the centre.

For more than one Shih Tzu, do you say Shih Tzus?
The age-old question, it is Shih Tzu or Shih Tzus? When writing or saying the plural of Shih Tzu, it is a common mistake for a person to write or say Shih Tzus, as one would think this is the normal way to put the dog in their plural form, and in fact, it is so common that I wouldn’t be surprised if we have even made such a slip up in this very article. However, the correct way to say Shih Tzus is Shih Tzu, due it being an irregular noun, allowing the plural of Shih Tzu can be Shih Tzu, just like ‘fish and fish’. With two or more Shih Tzu, there does not need to be an ‘s’.

What colours do Shih Tzus come in?
The Shih Tzu is a breed that can be found in an array of colours and with a variety of markings. It's common for owners to not know for sure what colour their Shih Tzu is. Sometimes a puppy may be referred to as an unofficial colour that is not recognized by the AKC, or another kennel club, through which the pup is registered. And in other cases, there can be some confusion when the colour listed on the papers does not seem to match what is seen. In addition to this, it's common for Shih Tzu dogs to change colour as they grow and mature, meaning that your little snowball of joy may turn sooty in their old age.

How much attention does a Shih Tzu need?
Despite their small stature, Shih Tzu are relatively active dogs. Puppies can be extremely hyper and adults are most content when given opportunities to release stored-up energy and be out and about. Without regular moderate exercise, a Shih Tzu can start to feel pent up and frustrated. This can manifest as behaviours such as excessive barking or destructive chewing.

Aim to take your little guy or gal for a minimum of two 20 to 30-minute walks per day, along with sessions of play like fetch to meet exercise requirements for this breed. If so, this will allow your Shih Tzu to enjoy being inside at home, able to relax beside you (or at your feet) and with a calmer disposition.

Do Shih Tzu get along with other pets?
In general, the Shih Tzu gets along quite well with other dogs, large and small. Shih Tzu rarely suffer from the ‘short leg syndrome’ common in small dogs, and more often than not, are simply little bundle of love.

However, every dog has their own personality, and it will depend on how well your dog as well as the other dogs have been socialized. Overall the Shih Tzu breed is calm and very playful and enjoys a variety of canine friends. But keep in mind each dog has their unique personality and circumstances. To say they will all behave exactly the same isn’t very realistic.

How do I provide the best care for a Shih Tzu?
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch their diet, make sure they get plenty of exercise, regularly brush their teeth and coat, and call a veterinary clinic or pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual.

It is also a good idea to create a routine for your Shih Tzu to lessen their anxiety and ensure they live a happy and calm life. Build their routine care into your schedule to help your Shih Tzu live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during their lifetime. Most importantly a proper diet and exercise routine is key to the long-term health of your pet.