The Absolute Shih Tzu

We tend to blame food or seasonal allergies for our dogs’ skin allergy issues. A new study shows that poor air quality in our homes may actually be to blame.

If you have a dog with atopic dermatitis you may want to rethink the cleaning and scented products you may be using in their environment.

Indoor particulate matter induces epigenetic changes in companion atopic dogs The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing and environmental factors are receiving attention as contributing causes. Indoor air pollutants…

Many of our Shih Tzus share this common problem. Find out if further investigation is needed as to the “why” behind all that licking.

Why Dogs Lick Excessively - Whole Dog Journal Dogs licking their lips are cute, but dogs who lick excessively may be bored or can have other health issues that need attention.

Are you using a Seresto flea and tick collar on your beloved four-footed family member? You may want to read the following…for their safety and your own.

Seresto Pet Flea and Tick Collars Still on the Market but with Mitigation Measures | Hemopet Seresto pet flea and tick collars are still on the market after being tied to possible deaths. Find out the new measures the EPA has implemented.

Once opened, kibble should be used within 4-6 weeks. How you store the kibble is very important so as to keep it from going rancid. Rancid kibble is a major reason dogs quit eating their regular food. With their heightened sense of smell, dogs know when their food has gone bad before we humans do.

How Long Does Dry Dog Food Last? - Whole Dog Journal Dog kibble has a 12- to 18-month shelf life, but once it’s opened, you must use proper storage to avoid the dog food going bad.

“Tracheal collapse is a degenerative, progressive and, more than likely, genetic condition in dogs that primarily affects the Chihuahua, Lhasa Apso, Pomeranian, SHIH TZU, Toy Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier.”

There are things we can do to help manage the problem.

Tracheal Collapse in Dogs: Treatment Options | Hemopet Tracheal collapse is a degenerative, progressive, and possibly genetic condition in some dog breeds. Find out about tracheal collapse, management and treatment.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) a/k/a dry eye in our dogs is typically treated with an ophthalmic solution of cyclosporine. Because our pups are so small, this drug is usually compounded at a veterinary pharmacy for us.

The typical go-to is a 2% solution of cyclosporine in corn oil as the carrier oil. If you can, please ask for this to be changed to MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil if possible.

Corn oil is an inflammatory oil and can cause discomfort in the eyes of our pups which are already super sensitive to all manner of potential allergens in their world. The MCT is an anti-inflammatory oil and our Tzus do much better with it.

I share this as a Tzu mom who knows first hand how irritating corn oil can be in the eyes of her pup. This is the squinty fur face I had to look at most of the day when corn oil was used instead of MCT oil.

We have used garlic for years to successfully help deter fleas and ticks!

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, garlic is indicated for Food Stagnation, cancer, diabetes, and asthma. Most commonly, garlic is used for natural prevention of parasites like fleas and ticks. It enters the spleen, lung, stomach, heart, liver and large intestine channels. Garlic is sweet, salty and pungent. It tonifies Yang (adds warmth to the body) and promotes energy circulation which is especially helpful for senior pets that have a hard time getting going in the morning. Garlic resolves dampness, resolves phlegm, promotes both healthy digestion and intestinal flora, helps eliminate toxins, expels Wind, and is especially good for Wind cold.

Garlic can be beneficial for both dogs and cats in appropriate doses. I use fresh crushed cloves.
🐱 For cats: 1/4 clove (crushed) daily, 3-4 days per week.
🐶 For dogs: 1/2 clove (crushed) per 20 pounds of body weight daily, with a maximum of 3 cloves. Best to take at least 1 day per week off.
*Please make sure to note the difference between a clove and a bulb/head of garlic.

Not recommended for puppies and kittens. Long term use is contraindicated in pets with vision issues. If your pet has a history of anemia, it would be safer to avoid use of garlic in any form.

Woof Creek | Flea + Tick Defense is a supplement containing garlic that naturally repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, available here: https://drjudymorgan.com/products/woof-creek-flea-tick-defense