You might have heard that the eyes are a window to the soul. And when you look into Shih Tzu’s eyes, no doubt you will see love as they are quite loving dogs. But more often you notice that something is not right with their eyes. That’s because eye problems are pretty common in Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu dogs have cute short noses along with bulging eyes which make them more vulnerable to various eye problems. These problems result in vision loss and discomfort in severe conditions. However, you can identify symptoms before the problem becomes serious through care and attention.
If you are interested in knowing some common Shih Tzu eye problems, you are in the right place. Also, you will get to know how to care for your pet’s eyes. So, let’s jump into it.
Symptoms of Eye Problems in Shih Tzu
The large, bulging eyes make Shih Tzu look cute but can be problematic for them as well. This is because their eyes are prone to irritation because of dust and dirt. Moreover, pollens also irritate their eyes if your dog undergoes seasonal allergies. Besides, external injuries can affect their eyes as well.
Some of the symptoms that alarms you about your pet’s eyes include:
- Cloudiness in the eye
- Discharge of green color in excess from eye
- Eye sensitivity to bright lights
- Swelling around eye
- Dry or permanently closed eyes
Any of these symptoms might get worse in a short time, causing severe eye damage. So, these symptoms are quite alarming.
Common Shih Tzu Eye Problems
Some of the eye problems that are common in Shih Tzu are listed below here:
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Red Eye
In this eye condition, the white part of the Shih Tzu eye turns red. This is because the tiny blood vessels become visible and enlarge on the outer eye membranes. As a result, this leads to eye redness.
Different eye issues like glaucoma and eye irritation can be the causes behind it. This eye problem can become serious for your pet. You need to check him to a vet. You should know the true cause of this problem to get appropriate treatment for your pup.
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Cherry Eye
Another common eye problem is the Cherry Eye where prolapse of the third eyelid gland occurs. Simply put, the eye gland that makes tear film gets displaced from the eyelid. The gland appears as a pink lump at the inner eye corner due to ligament breakage.
In this condition, the eye of your puppy becomes dry making it easier to get infected. Although it is not harmful to the eye itself, you should bring your pet to a vet. Its treatment involves placing the gland back surgically.
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Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Well, your pup’s eye turns pink in this condition as the name suggests. In this case, your Shih Tzu gets uneasy because of swelling and extra discharge from the eye. How this happens to him is that bacterial infection gets into the eye via allergen or any other object and might spread between dogs. Some medications including antibiotics are usually effective in this problem.
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Ingrowth of Eyelashes (Trichiasis)
Let me tell you another eye problem common in your Shih Tzu that is an ingrowth of eyelashes. It might cause severe eye irritation resulting in impaired vision as it damages the lens. You can see the offending hair that indicates if your dog has an ingrown eyelash.
Alongside, your pup’s eye produces extra discharge to get rid of the irritant and is in a struggle with lens protection. It’s better to treat Trichiasis with antibiotics. Because plucking the ingrown eyelash will grow it again at the same location.
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Cataract
About cataracts, it’s a cloudy film that forms across the eye lens. Gradually, it covers the whole eye causing blurred vision and blindness. Being a genetic problem, it appears after Shih Tzu turns eight.
Moreover, an eye injury can also cause this eye problem. Surgically removing the cataract from the eye lens is quite helpful in this regard. However, some scarring can be left behind in the eye lens resulting in decreased vision. Unfortunately, it leads to your dog blindness if left untreated.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when liquids of the eye don’t drain away well. It leads to an increase in eye pressure which is painful for Shih Tzu. Eye swelling and blindness can also occur if left untreated. Besides, pupils can also get dilated.
Any eye infection or disease can also end up in this condition. In this case, medication can be effective to some limit. But in case of complete blindness, it’s better to remove the affected eye to reduce further swelling and pain.
Treatment of Eye Problems in Shih Tzu
The suitable treatments for eye problems depend on the disease. Depending on the initial cause of the problem, your puppy is treated in each case. Some diseases need specific medication for the cure. While others require surgery for repairing the damage.
It might be possible in some situations that Shih Tzu lives with severe eye infections that can’t be treated throughout their life. However, you can save them through eye removal which is the best solution. It’s better to discuss all these situations with your vet.
Prevention of Eye Problems in Shih Tzu
Cleaning around your pup’s eyes is an effective way to prevent eye problems in Shih Tzu. Always keep the fur around his eyes clean, even if it doesn’t look dirty. Although most of these eye problems cannot be prevented, you can prevent them from becoming severe health problems.
Keeping an eye on their adorable eyes and visiting your vet once you observe any symptom can save your Shih Tzu’s vision.
Final Thoughts
The large, bulging eyes of Shih Tzu are adorable but harmful for them as well. That’s because they are more prone to eye infections and irritations. Their eyes turn red, watery, and become sensitive to light.
It might be possible sometimes that your pup turns blind because of these issues. So, removing the eye can be the best solution. Additionally, it’s important to seek veterinary help if the situation gets worse.
Keep your Shih Tzu face and eyes clean to avoid dust, pollen, or other small particles causing eye irritation. Your pup may not suffer from these problems in case you do proper care including vet visits. To avoid vitamin deficiencies that can cause eye problems, pet nutrition is an essential element to consider.