A Shih Tzu Whose Eyes Were Damaged and Whether Her Pups Are at Risk
by A reader
Is there something that can be done to stop this from happening?
The Mom did have 3 litters close together and could this be a cause?
I'm sorry. Shih Tzus have prominent eyes and shallow sockets, so they are prone to eye problems like dry eye, eyelids that don't close fully, and corneal ulcers. Deep ulcers can quickly 'melt' the cornea, which can look like the eye being eaten away. The shape of the face and eyes is inherited, so puppies from the same line may be more prone too, though not every pup will be affected.
For the pup, the best protection is regular eye checks, including a tear test for dry eye at every annual visit. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed, and act quickly on any squinting, redness, discharge or cloudiness. A painful eye in this breed should be seen the same day, and early treatment usually saves the eye.
Having litters close together is unlikely to have caused the eye problem, but it can wear down a dog's overall health.
See corneal ulcers in dogs and dry eye in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Eye.
