2943. Three Shih Tzus with different diseases

March 10, 2016


2 Shih Tzus today.

Case 1. Male, Neutered, 5 yrs, 10 kg (good bodily condition as judged from the well-groomed coat, ear hair plucking and the weight). Came for annual vaccination and check up. Many Singapore owners do not bother after puppy vaccination.  Left ear painful. Right ear occasionally painful but no foul smell or discharge. Lady owner is a hair-dresser proprietor who told me she worked 7 days a week when she first started her saloon. But she had clientele and referrals. "Young Singaporeans will never work 7 days a week," I said. "They want a work-life balance."
The itchy ears could be due to commercial ear drops.

"After plucking the ear hairs, the groomer will put some ear drops and the dog would scratch and scratch," the owner said. So, the solution is ear surgery called lateral ear canal resection which opens up the side wall of the ear, permitting ventilation and drainage. "I have near heard of it," she said. So, a change of ear drops.  


Case 2.  
Male, Not neutered. 14 years. Serious ear infections with crusty edges. Complaint of itchy skin. Large amount of scales. Thin. Around 7 kg. Front and back legs are wet due to licking. In Oct 2015 and May 2015, same ear problems.  Ear surgery would have prevented recurring ear infections as Shih Tzus have floppy ears which cover up he ear canals 

Case 3 on March 9, 2016.
Female, Not spayed. 11 years. Very thin.
Dirty vaginal discharge. Cloudy reddish brown vaginal discharge. Open pyometra is easily diagnosed. Owner did not want blood test or spay surgery as the dog is old. She had applied Ectopic skin wash for the hairless areas.

CONCLUSION
3 Shih Tzus. Different fates.