Wuraola Ademola-Shanu

13 Warning Signs Your Shih Tzu Has A Heart Problem Heart disease in humans is scary not to talk of dogs. Hence, the quicker you identify the signs in your Shih Tzu, the better. These signs are not meant to be diagnosed by you, but to help you notice quickly that something is wrong with your Shih Tzu and that he needs to be taken to his vet as soon as possible. Also known as “myocardial infarction”, a heart attack occurs when blood is blocked from reaching the heart muscle. Below are 10 warning signs that indicate that your Shih Tzu has a heart problem: 1. Increased Respiratory Rate Because it is the most subtle yet the most reliable sign, this symptom can be very difficult to notice most especially when you are not looking for it. If you know your Shih Tzu has a heart problem and will most likely have a heart attack in the future, your vet might advise you to learn his normal character and breathing pattern, in order to recognize a problem in the future. Since the Shih Tzu is a small breed dog, an increased heart rate is estimated at over 140 beats per minute. 2. Cough It is important for you to know that coughing is not a normal phenomenal for a dog. The cough may be a dry hacking type that sounds like he’s gagging after coughing or an occasional dry cough. If for any reason your Shih Tzu develops a cough, especially if he’s been diagnosed of having a heart murmur, it’s best advisable to seek the attention of a vet quickly. 3. Tiring Easily If you notice that your Shih Tzu does not want to walk the usual mile when you take him out for his usual walk, but instead stops after the third or fourth block and sits down and pants, this might indicate he’s having hart issues. Even if he’s showing signs of what vets refer to as “poor exercise tolerance”, it is recommended that you take him to the vet for medical attention. 4. Pot belly When there’s a weakening of the heart muscle from heart disease, it causes poor flow of blood, which ultimately causes build-up of fluid in your Shih Tzu’s belly. There are other reasons why your Shih Tzu might spot a pot belly, regardless of the reason, you should see a vet. 5. Fainting/Collapsing Spells Although it’s less common than other symptoms, this symptom is very alarming. If you notice your Shih Tzu faints mostly when he’s excited and then recovers quickly, please take him to the vet immediately. Atimes, when he faints, it can look like seizures. Other symptoms to look out for in your Shih Tzu are: 6. Slight Fever (over 103° Fahrenheit/39.4° Celsius) 7. Vomiting 8. Head tilt 9. Lethargy 10. Rigidity 11. Collapse 12. Confusion/Anxiety 13. Immobility When you notice symptoms of heart attack in your Shih Tzu, keep calm and carefully wrap him in a blanket to keep him calm. Do not attempt CPR unless you are professionally trained and you know it’s necessary. CPR can do more harm than good when it’s not needed. If your Shih Tzu is vomiting or asphyxiating, do not give him food or water. Also, keep your kids (especially the young ones) away from your Shih Tzu as pain and panic can cause display of aggressive behavior. When your Shih Tzu collapses, keep calm and carefully wrap him in a blanket and transport him to the veterinary clinic.