Female Shih Tzus in particular have this issue. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. However, sometimes itching and scratching is only one problem among many that Shih Tzu can experience as a symptom of a serious health problem. Dogs on a dry kibble diet are in need of more moisture in their diets than dogs that eat a home-cooked, raw, or wet food diet. can make a positive difference for your dogs health by improving their immune response. Your shih-tzu will thank you. If your dog is has really itchy skin due to fleas, your vet may need to put them on anti-itch medications such as steroids. One common indicator of a food allergy is if your Shih Tzu is consistently scratching at its mouth. You might also find that the first thing you notice will be your Shih Tzu scratching intensely, before you even see a flea. If your shih-tzu is experiencing. If your Shih Tzu is suffering from any of the issues above and has developed a habit of constantly scratching and itching, several solutions can help! Catching a skin reaction early can help prevent infection. All products mentioned on this web site are registered trademarks of their respective owners. With skin infections like this, vets tend to prescribe medication and will show you how to use an antifungal wipe on your Shih Tzu. Below you can see a list of the most frequent Shih Tzu skin issues. Your vet will also explain how you can help to reduce the allergic skin reaction by cleaning your dogs belly and paw down when they come into contact with an allergen. Vets prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication for more serious cases, with some milder dermatitis being treated at home. Olivry, T., Mueller, R. S. & Prlaud, P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (1): duration of elimination diets. Read our Website Accessibility Statement. Calendula is a member of the sunflower family and offers several benefits to dogs with allergies. Research also shows that. Like many of the skin problems already referenced, you might see some red patches on your dogs stomach, or again, they could start chewing at their own paws and skin. Its almost impossible for your Shih Tzu to not get fleas at some point; they tend to jump on when youre out taking them for walks! But the more natural your dogs diet, the better their bodies are able to fight off and heal from allergies and external stressors. With their characteristic skin folds, its easy for skin allergies and infections to develop when moisture and gunk gets stuck trapped. When dogs go into heat you will be witness to a lot of changes. please email me. Anti-itch lotions, creams, and paw balms these can all help keep your pups skin and paw pads moisturized so that the itching is lessened! (Long-Term Memory Stats). The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Outside, shih-tzus frequently react to grass, pollen, and lawn products. This same spray will help repel fleas and ticks a common allergen for many dogs. Now he has really bad hives the vet told me to give him benadryl which isnt really helping cuz hes scratching himself practically raw. Here are some of the most beneficial tips and tricks for reducing itching and maintaining your Shih Tzus healthy skin: While we strive to give the most accurate and helpful information about your pets health that we can, this article is meant to be informational only and not medical advice. Poor nutrition can also lead to hair loss, a dull coat or dry, irritated skin. With Nom Nom, your dogs meals are delivered weekly in pre-portioned packages that consider your furry friends life stage, health and size. These abrupt changes in hormones that result in the skin becoming dry can also cause hot spots to occur, which become extremely uncomfortable for the dog. TIP:Playing with your Shih Tzu more often, taking them outside, and giving them entertainment can be critical in ensuring that they dont develop an obsessive habit of licking, biting, etc. If your dog has hot spots or itchy skin, you can T 10 [], Your email address will not be published. link to Why Are My Dogs Nipples Enlarged After Heat? If you shih tzu is suffering from an allergy, the first sign to watch out for will be some sort of scratching or chewing. Please help. The shih-tzu has a wide range of skin allergies, which can affect their eyes, muzzle, feet, and paws, as well as their belly and underside. Fleas are simple enough to treat, with oral and topical medicines available as well as anti-flea collars from companies such as Seresto. Common Shih Tzu Allergies in Vancouver, BC | Veterinarian. No waiting! Owner Handlers: Why Do We Go to Nationals? Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. With Nom Nom, youll get fresh food for your dog without the time or hassle. Nom Nom food contains our special Nutrient Mix, a powerful boost of minerals and vitamins designed to keep your dog happy and healthy. Shih Tzus can also develop skin problems due to things in their environment. Also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis (see definition, hot spots are where your Shih Tzu has created a self-inflicted wound, through excessive itching or rubbing. I have a shih tzu that had terrible skin allergies/yeast issues and her hair would not grow, always scratching..we tried many things and found edible Diatomaceous Earth (DE)!! I use it for 5 days. He is constantly licking and stratching himself, Yogurt is sugar based inspite it bening yogurt and is a culprit in yeast infections..also feeding grained based kibble will give dogs weepy eyes I suggest very little kibble (grain free)if none at all , and witness the improvementeggs cooked in olive oil, 3 times a week helps.crock pot chicken, Turkey necks and feed the meat only to your dog..forget the kibblegive him a real raw rib bone once in a whileno cooked bones of any kindyou also may doing a 100% salmon oil capsules cut open and squeezed on his food I suggest 1 10 lbs and under EVERY DAY2 CAPS UP TO 30 LBS 3 There after, I have an Australian Shepherd and hes recently getting dry skin and chewing like crazy. Your Shih Tzus tail is often the place where dermatitis will occur most, as moisture and dirt can become trapped under the tail, leading to inflammation. He got a hot spot about a month ago and I got that cleared up with antibiotics. Catching a skin reaction early can help prevent infection. Wild Earth has also be reported to help improve itching and scratching, improve joint health, improve digestive issues, and much more! I bathe them in either tea-tree oil shampoo or coal tar. We also had to put them on a salmon and rice-based food which has helped skin and stomach problems no end., Ive tried everything including steroids from the vets and honestly, the best thing that still works for our Shih Tzu is Piriton twice a day and Sudocrem. It is always important to talk to your veterinarian about signs of allergies, but if you notice extreme signs of allergies then your vet might decide to prescribe your dog medicine. Thankfully a veterinarian can check to see if your Shih Tzus hormones are out of balance and find a fix that will provide your pup more comfort. If your Shih Tzu is itching and scratching even after all minor and serious issues have been ruled out, they may just be bored, anxious, or depressed. I took over my dads dog named Blue when he passed away a year ago. anyone with similar situation that can help me? It is normally very easy to see if your Shih Tzu has fleas on its body. Use a clean and damp cloth, or a dog friendly wipe to help prevent infection. There are several ways you can calm your dog such as calming treats and sprays. Dog food that contains high-quality, (a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA) has been suggested to improve skin and coat health. Allergic reactions to food can show in a different number of skin conditions with your Shih Tzu, and treatment will mean figuring out what food is causing it. Needless to say regular walking and stimulation helps with the scratching of skin., Our Shih Tzu gets skin bumps and rashes due to food allergies. I had a yorkie terrier small breed who was twelve years old nalways itching his paw Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen or other plant particles that your shih tzu comes into contact with every day, causing their noses to become irritated and inflamed. New dog owners will quickly observe how their pets appear to learn from repetition. Heres how you can help your shih-tzu once you know whats ailing them. [] Read Review 27 apr. Have you tried Zyrtec or a Claritin? Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, filtered water. Thyroid hormones can also affect Shih Tzu, if they develop hypothyroidism, a Shih Tzu will oftentimes begin scratching and itching. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. It also has natural anti-fungal and anti-yeast properties. I am a member in various Shih Tzu Facebook groups, and they can be a great resource for tips and advice. It is our goal to continue this legacy by providing as much information and education as possible to ensure that purebred Shih Tzu and their owners will always be held in the highest esteem by all who encounter them. You May Be Surprised, Team Shih Tzu, Doing Their Thing During the Pandemic. Here is a list of 5 reasons why your Shih Tzu is itching and scratching: Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I have a 6 month old rat terrier who, despite giving her monthly Revolution liquid on neck, has developed some fleas and itchy paws. Skin allergies can occur anywhere on the shih-tzu, but you should keep a close eye on their eyes and muzzle, feet and paws and underside, especially when contact allergens are suspected. Thank you for such helpful information. I think the one that would help you is called Yeasty Beasty or they have an ear spray as well. Dog owners who have switched to Wild Earth dog food have seen great improvements of skin allergies in their dogs. It can be something as simple as a plastic bowl they drink from, to grass touching them, or to something in the air such as smoke. Seasonal allergies Can affect the skin or cause a reaction from an inhaled allergy such as pollen. Nom Nom uses no chemical additives and all ingredients are human-grade. If your Shih Tzu is uncomfortable with their hormone changes, they may just be scratching out ofgeneral discomfort and not because they are itching. Dermatitis is one of the more common Shih Tzu skin issues and can arise for various reasons including a food allergy or something in the home. But since his death he hasnt wanted to do much and is started to lose his hair and is biting himself. Talking with your vet is always a good idea to see if switching their food should be the first step, or if there is another step that should be taken first to ensure your dogs allergies are taken care of. If your shih-tzu is experiencing allergies, you may notice itching, biting and scratching at the source of their discomfort. I found a few questions on there that people has asked concerning skin infections and rashes, so have replicated those below with some of the best responses. If your Shih Tzu suddenly begins to itch and scratch, fleas are oftentimes the reason. The Animal Health Foundation does not provide veterinary services or guidance via the Internet. The majority of the itching will take place on the skin around your Shih Tzus tail and neck. Shih Tzu are known for their sensitive skin. ,tried all home remedies n vet shots but after few weeks starts itchy again. Here is our best recommendation!24/7 Online Vet Appointments Ask a Vet Vetster. These may include prednisone or cyclosporine, and some pets need to be on a combination of medications to be effective treated. This is part of the reason behind their often short shedding seasons and why its easy to get them groomed at home too! I write about the things I've learned about owning a dog, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips I've picked up along the way. Nom Nom uses no chemical additives and all ingredients are human-grade. Its not unusual for Shih Tzu skin allergies, rashes, and bumps to develop over their lifetime. Shih-tzus can be found in any color and often have dark patches around their eyes. The shih-tzus long coat can be a trap for a wide variety of allergens. Organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider offers many benefits to dogs suffering from allergies. Good nutrition is important for maintaining your shih-tzus luscious coat and skin. TIP:If your Shih Tzu is experiencing a food allergy, you may consider switching the current food they are eating. Unfortunately, many Shih-Tzus have skin issues and other allergy-related ailments.