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Scratching is a common symptom in dogs, and a whole range of underlying causes can be responsible. If your dog is scratching, it is advisable to seek treatment as soon as possible, as self trauma can cause secondary injuries that may extend the duration, and cost, of treatment. So, if you have noticed your dog scratching, what should you do about it?

Firstly, ask yourself when was the last time I put anti-flea medication on him/her? Most spot-on flea products only provide protection for a month, so if it has been longer than this then you should re-apply the medication. Be aware that anti-flea products that are on sale in supermarkets and pet shops are general sales list products, and are not as effective as the products available from your veterinarian. However, Frontline® has recently been made available on general sale and so can be purchased without a prescription.

If flea treatment is up to date, with a reputable product, the next step is to rule out mites. Most anti-flea products do not kill mites. The most common type of mite infection in dogs is sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies. This mite causes an intensely itchy dermatitis that can also be transmitted to humans. It is often spread by foxes, so if you have many foxes in your area, this is one to be especially aware of. This is one you have to approach your veterinarian for. Scabies is diagnosed either by doing skin scrapes (using a scalpel blade to scrape debris from one of the affected areas, placing it on a microscope slide, staining it and examining it under a microscope) or via a blood test. Many vets though will choose to simply apply the appropriate drug and if the itchiness stops, a presumptive diagnosis is made. If your dog does have scabies, your vet might give a one off steroid injection to alleviate the itchiness in the short term until the anti-parasitic drug kicks in.

If external parasites have been ruled out, the next step is to rule out a bacterial infection, a yeast infection or ringworm. Of these, only ringworm is potentially transmissible to humans. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a type of fungus. It is usually tested for by examining the affected area with an ultraviolet light, which causes a certain type of ringworm spore to glow green. If ringworm is diagnosed, your vet will dispense either oral or topical medication to cure it. Bacterial infections are treated with a 2-3 week course of antibiotics, whereas yeast infections are usually treated with a medicated shampoo.

If parasites, bacteria, yeasts and ringworm have all been ruled out then your pet probably has an allergy. This could be a food allergy, a contact allergy or an environmental (e.g. pollen) allergy.

Source: ArticlesAlley 

There are two types of dog shows licensed by the American Kennel Club. One is the all-breed show. The all-breed show includes classes for all the recognized breeds, and groups of breeds such as all terriers, all toys. The second dog show is the specialty show for one particular breed that also offers championship points.

A benched show is one where the dog show superintendent supplies benches (cages for toy dogs). Each bench is numbered and its corresponding number appears on your entry slip that is sent to you prior to the show. When you enter the show, take your Shih Tzu to the bench. Your Shih Tzu should remain on the bench until it is time to groom him before entering the ring to be judged. After judging, your Shih Tzu must return to the bench until the show is dismissed.

At an unbenched show the club makes no provision for your Shih Tzu other than an enormous tent if outdoors or an area in a show hall where all crates and grooming equipment must be kept if the show is inside.

When you enter the show grounds, whether it is a benched or unbenched show, you are expected to keep your Shih Tzu under complete control. You should use a short lead in crowded aisles or getting out of cars. At a bench show, a “bench chain” is needed. A bench chain should allow your Shih Tzu to move around, but not off the bench.

There is always at least one professional photographer who will take your Shih Tzu’s picture along with the judge and whatever is won, the ribbons, etc. These photos make excellent advertisements in the various dog magazines.

Christmas is fast approaching and a lot of us are too busy with the Christmas shopping. If you’re too busy and don’t have enough time to drive to the malls and grocery stores, you can try the online shopping. It’s easier, no fuss and too practical. Your items will be sent at your doorstep immediately. I might try to purchase these gift baskets for pets this Christmas. My dogs will be surprised with all the pet gift Baskets that is full of goodies and treats that they will receive. I just love the site that I just visited, they have lots of items to choose from. I saved it on my bookmark, so I can buy anything for my dogs. It is the best site for pet owners like me. Try the online pet gift baskets and for sure your dog will lick you on the Christmas Day!

It was my dog’s 2nd birthday last May 16. I was planning to gave her a party but I didn’t have enough money for it so we just stayed at home and play. Then, I noticed her lying on our floor rubbing her right eye, so when I approached her I was shocked to see that her right eye was shut and she couldn’t open it….she was so uneasy and she got a fever on that night

My mum’s friend who happens to be a vet advised us to gave her a paracetamol for her fever and we should go to the vet to check Sushi’s eye.

We went to the vet after that night to have a consultation. The vet prescribed us the following, an eyedrop (eye mo or visine refresh) to clean the infected eye, but before dropping this the infected eye should be cleaned…then put 3-5 eyedrops followed by 2 drops of GARAMYCIN every four hours, it’s an antibiotic eyedrop…and it really works!!! Sushi’s right eye is getting better and she can really open it now she’s back to her activities, playing with Kiko and bumming at our window, hehehe

My male shihtzu snores a lot when he sleeps, haha. Before, his vet found out that he has a respiratory problem so she sent him with antibiotic to cure it. After two weeks, he was better, but he’s still snoring, hahaha…according to our vet it’s normal to some shih tzus to snore when they sleep. While writing this post..I can really hear his snore, hahaha…

My Sushi doesn’t eat too much. So, I tried switching her dog food, from Proplan to Alpo then to Holistic. Her appetite is still the same….it doesn’t change unless you put some chicken bits and stock on it….her dog food is a bit pricey and if I’ll add some chicken it would cost me a lot! So, I just serve her with the Holistic Science Diet (it’s Kiko’s favorite food) and she would just eat it if she’s too hungry….

I browsed on the internet and saw this NutriCal…some of my friends told me that I should try this to boost Sushi’s appetite…

Or I should try San Diego restaurants’ menu…Sushi might like it too….

As I’ve said on my previous post shih tzus are prone to eye diseases. Dog owners should check their dogs’ eyes every now and then to prevent infections.

For my Sushi, I maintain her puppy cut to prevent matting and eye diseases.

For Kiko, I’ll let his hair grow long so I can tie it, so cute…

Check this article from Shih Tzu Health Problems

Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca, also known as KCS or "dry eye." In this particular condition, the eye does not produce a sufficient amount of the amount of aqueous (watery) portion of the tears to keep the eye properly lubricated. It is a common condition in older dogs and in older people. Certain breeds are predisposed to KCS because of the shape of their eyes and how they sit in the sockets. For instance, Pugs and Shih Tzu both have large, protruding eyes and are especially susceptible. Previous eye surgery may also predispose the dog to dry eye later on in life.

The normal tears of a dog consist of the aqueous (watery) portion secreted by the lacrimal glands, and the lipid (oily) portion secreted by the meibormian glands. When properly mixed, the tears form a thin coating, or film, that covers the entire exposed portion of the eyeball. When this film becomes insufficient to keep the eye moist, the cornea dries out. The eye then becomes uncomfortable and will eventually develop corneal damage, scarring, and finally blindness. The lipid portion of the tears continues to be secreted and forms a thick, pus-like substance, which can “glue” the eyelids, closed. In humans, dry eye is treated with artificial tears, applied in drop form whenever the patient feels the eye becoming dry, normally every hour or so. For most dogs, however, this type of schedule is impractical, unless the animal’s caregiver is with the patient all during the day. In all other cases, the cornerstone of treatment for dry eye is a drug called cyclosporine, originally marketed as an anti-cancer agent. When it is diluted in oil and applied to the surface of the eye, it frequently stimulates the existing gland(s) to produce tears again.

Cyclosporine does not work for all patients with KCS, but when it does, it is a real miracle cure. Many dogs are then able to maintain vision for years with a single or twice daily application of cyclosporine. Other medications may also be prescribed, such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, or artificial tears to combat concurrent ocular conditions.

There have been some reports of adverse side effects to treatment with cyclosporine (many only after years of successful therapy) so if your dog is being treated with this agent, and seems to develop health problems, contact your regular veterinarian as soon as possible. There are a few patients, which simply cannot tolerate the prescription in any dosage.

"Cherry eye" is a common inherited condition in some breeds in which the nictitans gland becomes enlarged and projects from under the lower eyelid. It is very unsightly and is usually treated surgically. Historically, the surgery involved total removal of the offending gland, and it was a very quick and simple procedure. Unfortunately, many of these patients developed dry eye later on in life. It was soon discovered that the nictitans gland was an important organ involved in proper tear production, which needed to be preserved.

The surgical procedures employed today entail "tucking away" the errant gland and suturing it in place. It is much more difficult and time consuming (i.e. costly) than before, but also much better for the dog in the long run.

KCS can also be caused by a reaction to medications. Sulfonamide antibiotics have been implicated as contributors to this condition.

In summary, KCS (or dry eye) is a condition caused by decreased tear production. Previous eye surgeries or genetic predisposition may influence the manifestation of the syndrome. Most cases are controllable with regular treatment. Except for some instances of drug or allergic reactions, KCS generally requires lifelong management.

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I’ll be leaving so soon… and I can’t bring my pets with me, so my mum will take good care of them while I’m away. It’s safer if they’ll stay at our home rather than bringing them in a new place. They will adjust to everything, and they might have depression….yes, dogs have depression too. They might suffer if they are not used to a certain place, weather, people, etc. Well, I’ll post an article here about dog’s depression so we’ll have an idea on how to handle it if our dogs have problems.

Also, check this real estate agent news..this might help you too..

There are two concepts that mark the posterior development of the puppy: the mother’s dependence and the imprinting. At the beginning the puppy is very dependent of the mother, before the owner comes into the picture. The mother is the first physical image that imprints between the puppy’s third and eighth weeks. This period is known as imprinting, it will allow the puppy to recognize its kind and especially to recognize the later on when mating. If these links have not been established normally, the puppy has no references and that harms its balance. The depressions are usually the last evolving step of anxiety. There are depressions familiar with puppies and those with adult dogs.

The Puppy’s Depression or Indifference Depression: These are very serious problems. The puppy is in the stage of development and any error in its development can lead to fatal consequences. The depressed puppy is very calm. It rapidly shows indifference toward the outer world, it doesn’t look at us in the eyes, runs away from visual and physical contact. The puppy does not stand being held in our arms, it howls and doesn’t play. It will not be capable of going out for a walk and if it does it won’t even move 1 centimeter.

Adult Depression: The dog is completely insensitive to its surroundings and it is incapable of reacting on its own. The following types of depression are show below:

Reaction based depression: it is the consequence of an important shock or a state of stress. It can be due to the loss of a companion, an accident or an important change in the dog’s surroundings. The dog stays still, it doesn’t eat and can be moaning constantly.

• Regression depression: the dog seems like its back to its infancy and has forgotten everything it has learned. This usually happens in the old dog that enters the phase of senility. The animal is dirty and doesn’t stop moaning.
  Antidepressants have good results, as long as the owner has the patience to wait a little. It is clear that prevention is the way of avoiding these types of problems, which can lead to aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness: This is another type of behavioral upheaval which is very feared by the owners. It can be expressed in different ways and have different etiologies. A normal type of aggressiveness exists; it is an instinct of survival that works when the dog is in its wild state. Aggressiveness is not harmful for the rest and its objective is not to rebel against the rules. We have to be able to differentiate between the inter-specific and the intra-specific conducts of aggression.

The Intra and Inter Specific Aggressions: Intra-specific aggression defines the threat and clash behaviors between 2 individuals of different species. A clear example is the relationship between the predator and the prey, which is not the case of aggressiveness toward humans. The inter-specific aggression concerns the individuals of a same species while defending a territory, hierarchical position, etc.

Aggressive Attitude: Independently from the motive of aggression, the dog usually presents the same attitudes: prickled hair, retracted lips and growling. If the dog is sure of itself, the tail is straight up; if it is scared, its tail will be down. The most dangerous dogs are the ones that show no signs before they attack.