| Some common parasites affecting shih tzu and | | | | can also act as temporary hosts in tapeworms' |
| dogs in general are: Chiggers, coccidiosis, | | | | life cycles. A dog can acquire a tapeworm as |
| fleas, flies, giardia, heartworm, hookworms, | | | | it chews and ingest the fleas. Tapeworms can |
| lice and mange. | | | | be effectively treated by your vet. The best |
| | | | protocol is to avoid fleas altogether. Flea |
| There are three basic forms of parasitism: | | | | control is comparatively easy through a wide |
| Internal organs, blood and skin. The | | | | selectin of products including soaps, |
| geographical region in which you live will | | | | shampoos, sprays, powders, dips, natural and |
| determine which parasites can affect your | | | | herbal treatments. |
| shih tzu. | | | | |
| | | | Giardia is usually found around remote bodies |
| Worms are a common parasitic infestation and | | | | of water. It can occur in dogs or shih tzu |
| one cause of diarrhea. The presence of | | | | of any age and can be transferred to humans. |
| diarrhea, however, does not mean a definitive | | | | Onset is usually sudden. Symptoms are |
| diagnosis of "worms." Definite diagnosis is | | | | diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite and |
| made by a veterinarian, under microscopic | | | | weight loss. Diagnosis is made by fecal |
| examination, of a fresh fecal or blood | | | | microscopic examination. Resolution is |
| sample. Only a veterinarian who has made the | | | | successful provided treatment is initiated |
| determination of the type of parasitic | | | | early. |
| infestation should prescribe medications to | | | | |
| treat the infestation. | | | | Heartworm occurs in two forms throughout the |
| | | | lower forty-eight states. One is harmless, |
| Chiggers affect man and dogs and are | | | | the other if left untreated is deadly. The |
| prevalent in southern U.S. Areas. | | | | heartworm is carried by mosquito bites. |
| Eradication if chiggers is generally best | | | | Diagnosis is made through a blood test. |
| achieved by manual removal. Prevention is | | | | Regular prophylactic treatment is available |
| somewhat effective if you will limit your | | | | and highly recommended. |
| shih tzu to manicured grass. | | | | |
| | | | Hookworms are found primarily in the southern |
| Coccidiosis cause an enteritis condition of | | | | portions of the United States. Infection may |
| cats and dogs. Coccidiosis is most common in | | | | also be transferred to puppies from the |
| puppies and kittens. Symptoms are mild to | | | | mother's milk. For this reason, all newborn |
| severe bloody diarrhea, lethargy and weakness | | | | puppies need to be regularly dewormed |
| from dehabilitation of nutrients caused by | | | | starting at 2 weeks of age up until at least |
| the diarrhea, anorexia and death if not | | | | 12 weeks of age following the recommendations |
| treated. Coccidiosis is seldom fatal when | | | | and schedule of your own personal vet. There |
| treated with the proper medication by the | | | | are a variety of dewormers available that |
| veterinarian who diagnoses the parasite in a | | | | completely eradicate the problem of |
| timely manner. Coccidiosis is always present | | | | hookworms. |
| among canines. Some canines become carriers | | | | |
| and have no symptoms themselves. Excessive | | | | Mange occurs in one of two forms: Demodex or |
| stress can cause symptom producing coccidia | | | | Sarcoptes. Positive diagnosis can be made |
| in very young puppies and kittens that can | | | | only by a veterinarian under microscopic |
| become life threatening if not treated | | | | examination of skin samples taken from an |
| properly. | | | | affected area. If treated early, mange can |
| | | | be completely cured. Treatment is usually by |
| Fleas are most common to dogs of any breed | | | | therapeutic shampoor or dips once a week for |
| including the shih tzu. Fleas constantly | | | | several weeks. Prevention of the mite |
| bite and can produce allergic reactions in | | | | infestations that can cause Sarcoptes mange |
| some shih tzu or any breed of dog. A | | | | is recommended. Ask your vet for appropriate |
| sensitive dog will scratch and chew to | | | | mange mite medication to prevent the disease. |
| relieve the itch, only to produce a "hotspot" | | | | The same mites that cause mange in dogs and |
| or some other type of skin dermatitis which | | | | shih tzu can cause ear mites and ear |
| can lead to a secondary infection.. Fleas | | | | infections. |