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