One of our top concerns for you as a puppy parent (or want-to-be puppy parent!) is making sure you know how to protect your puppy from Parvo.
What Is Parvo?
If you didn’t know, Parvo is a deadly virusmost common in puppies in the delicate stages from 6 weeks to 20 weeks old, before they have completed their last round of puppy shots.
If you’ve ever watched a puppy suffer from Parvo – it is truly so heartbreaking!!
The Symptoms of Parvo Are:
Watery or bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Lethargy
Fever
Won’t eat (and sometimes won’t drink)
Rapid weight loss
If puppies who have the virus don’t get immediate care from a vet, Parvo will be fatal.
That’s is why it’s so critical you know how to protect your puppy from Parvo!
How Do I Protect My Puppy from Parvo?
So how do you protect your puppy?
Well, first you need to know how the Parvovirus is spread.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Parvovirus “is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments, or people.”
Basically,your puppy can get Parvo by coming into contact with any contaminated surface.
This includes your floors at home if your shoes could’ve been contaminated by walking in public through grass, on sidewalks, in pet stores, and especially at your vet clinic!!!
If there’s a chance another dog has been there, Parvo could also be there.
Unfortunately, Parvo is very hard to kill and can remain in the ground and on surfaces for years.
It IS preventable with the Parvo vaccine – one of the core vaccines your puppy will get when you take them to the vet for their first round of shots. (Although, if you get a Sunnybelle puppy, our vet will give the first round of shots at 9 weeks old before they come home with you.)
However, what many puppy parents don’t know is just because they’ve gotten one round of shots does NOT mean they are safe from contracting Parvo!!
Your puppy has to build up immunity to the virus and that takes time.
It’s always best to wait until at least two weeks AFTER their third round of shots before you consider them safe from Parvo.
Don’t Do This….
So what does this mean for you?
Until your puppy has had their third round of shots, DON’T do these things:
DON’T take them for a walk in the dog park (or ANY public place)
DON’T let them potty outside unless you are 100% sure your grass is Parvo-free
DON’T set them down on any surface where an unvaccinated dog could have been in the past few years or where people have walked with shoes that have been worn in public
You will have plenty of time to enjoy walking your dog in public for the rest of their lives once they are fully vaccinated, but while they are young puppies, it’s not worth the risk!
Some Pro Tips to Make Protecting a Puppy from Parvo Easier:
We know it’s hard waiting to do a lot of normal things (like going on a walk) in order to protect your puppy from Parvo.
After all, you’ve FINALLY got them in your arms and you’re SO excited to do all the fun things you’ve been dreaming of with them!!
Thankfully, we have some pro tips we’re sharing in our next blog post to make this season of life easier for you, since we have lived through it MANY times over the years we’ve been raising dark chocolate Shih Tzu puppies.
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We are cheering you on in your puppy raising journey, and we hope these blogposts are so helpful for you!!
Keep exploring our blog for more tips on how to enjoy your puppy and keep them healthy.
Did you just Google “How to stop my dog from itching?”
We were asking ourselves this same question a couple of years ago.
Our sweet Shih Tzu, Misto, was miserable. She was constantly itchy (which led to developing hot spots from chewing and scratching all the time) and we didn’t know how to help her. So, we started looking for the best natural remedies for itchy dogs.
After a year of working on Misto’s health,we are thrilled to report thatMisto is doing SO much better and her health is continuing to improve every day!
Not only has she stopped scratching all the time, but she is also back to a healthy weight and a normal stool, and her coat quality, energy, and mood have improved drastically!
Today, we wanted to share what worked for Misto, so you can learn “how to stop my dog from itching” (and help them heal from the inside out!)
Working With Our Vet to Stop the Itching
Over the next few months we began working with our vet to help Misto stop itching.
While he still wasn’t sure what the root cause of Misto’s symptoms were, these were the things he suggested we do to begin giving her some relief:
In addition to these things, we used our favorite natural Skin Support Spray for dogs which also helped to heal up her hot spots quickly.
While all of these remedies for itchy dogs gave her relief from itching and chewing herself for a few weeks, we continued digging for answers.
Allergy Testing and a Limited Diet
Next, we did an allergy test which said Misto was allergic to chicken and all grains, along with many other things.
So, per our vet’s recommendation, we got her off of everything and started her on a limited diet of only:
Freeze-dried beef, and
Frozen veggies (butternut squash and green beans)
While this limited-ingredient diet helped to reduce the stress on her body and was an important step in her healing journey, we still felt Misto was missing something.
Around this same time, we began focusing on improving ALL of our dogs’ health as we learned more about what they need, which led us to take a closer look at their health history.
As we dug deeper into Misto’s history to figure out what could help her stop itching, more pieces of the puzzle began coming together.
Learning How Gut and Immune HealthContribute to Itching
As a puppy, whenever Misto had a loose stool our previous vets would give her Flagyl. (Flagyl is the brand name for metronidazole, an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication.)
Since we had learned that there is both good AND bad bacteria in our dogs’ gut and that antibiotics kill BOTH kinds of bacteria, we knew it’s critical to rebuild the good bacteria in the gut with probiotics anytime our dogs’ take an antibiotic.
However, we DIDN’T know how much damage Flagyl can do, or that it takes MULTIPLE strains of probiotics to even begin to repair the gut after this strong of a blow.
We were giving Misto FortiFlora, (a single-strain probiotic recommended by our vet,) but it wasn’t enough to repair the cumulative damage to Misto’s gut microbiome after all the times she’d been given Flagyl.
Later, we also learned that the gut microbiome needs to be in balance to maintain a strong immune system.
So a healthy gut and a strong immune system are closely linked.
After reading some of the research on these discoveries, we began wondering if Misto’s itching was revealing a damaged gut and weakened immune system.
A little while later, we added our favorite immune system building vitamin for dogs back into her diet as well (even though it had chicken liver in it) and monitored her carefully to make sure she didn’t have an allergic reaction.
She responded so well to both of these supplements we knew were onto something!
A Complete Nutrition Planfor Gut and Immune Health
By this time we had switched all of our other dogs to an amazing, healthy kibble we had just discovered after years of searching for something like it!
Since Misto still hadn’t been able to regain the weight she’d lost on her extremely lean, limited diet, we felt like Misto would benefit from the more complete nutrition in this food.
We chose a grain-free recipe, the first two ingredients being turkey and garbanzo beans, which were two things she was not allergic to.
There were a few fruits and vegetables in the recipe that were on her allergy test, but we decided to try it anyway to see if her gut had been able to heal enough to handle a few of those ingredients again.
So we began to mix the kibble with her freeze-dried beef to see how she’d do.
We were pleasantly surprised at the results!
Misto’s Turn-around!
It was at this time that Misto’s health really began to turn around.
Our quest to find out how to stop my dog from itching was paying off!
We were so excited that she didn’t have any trouble with any of the fruits and veggies when we introduced the new kibble – in fact, she only continued to improve!
Around this time, we also learned that omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in supporting immune function and improving skin and coat quality.
The omega-3s in the salmon oil were another key ingredient that helped reduce inflammation and soothe Misto’s itchy skin all while boosting her immune system!
On her new nutrition plan, not only has Misto stopped itching, but also she is back to a healthy weight with normal stools, she feels good with lots of energy, and her coat is thicker than EVER!
It is such a relief to see her thriving and acting like herself again!!
NuVet Plus (immune system vitamin which also supports healthy skin and coat. Use breeder code 86223 to order)
Keep in mind, you can find a LOT of probiotic, immune system support, and salmon oil products out there, but not all of them are made from the same quality sources and with the safest production processes.
So, after doing lots of our own research, we only use the products we have linked in this blogpost to help our dogs stop itching, since we trust these companiesto be SAFE for our dogs and always made with ingredients from the BEST sources.
Here’s How to Stop My Dog From Itching…
So, if you’ve been wondering, “how do I stop my dog from itching?” we hope Misto’s story has encouraged and inspired you!
We are convinced that a damaged gut and weakened immune system were the root causes of Misto’s problems becausewe saw the biggest changes in her health when we focused on improving these two things.
If Misto’s health struggles remind you of your dog, we highly recommend trying Misto’s nutrition plan and seeing for yourself if supporting your dog’s gut and immune system helps them heal from the inside out too!
Ready to Try Misto’s Nutrition Plan?
If you’re ready to try Misto’s nutrition plan to help your dog stop itching, we created a shopping checklist with everything in one place to make it easier for you to get started!
Inside you’ll find all the links we’ve mentioned in this blogpost, PLUS instructions for portion sizes according to your dog’s weight!!
Enter your info below and we’ll send you the checklist ASAP!
(You’ll also receive notifications from us when we drop more tips and tutorials like this blog post!)
References:
Here is some of the research we dove into through this process! We’re also drawing conclusions from many conversations with several vets we’ve worked with over the years and from our personal experience with our dogs.
Did you know you need to clean your Shih Tzu’s ears regularly?
Every Shih Tzu parent needs to know how to clean Shih Tzu ears, and we are here to teach you how!
If you didn’t know, many Shih Tzu are prone to ear infections. There can be multiple reasons for this, but it is often because of the excessive amount of hair that grows inside their ears.
When left unchecked, this pesky hair traps moisture. The build-up of moisture inside your Shih Tzu’s ears contributes to infections, smelly ears, itching, and excessive wax build-up.
Although most good groomers will know to pluck and clean a Shih Tzu’s ears, those unfamiliar with the Shih Tzu breed may not be checking your pup’s ears. And even if they do, your Shih Tzu might need their ears cleaned more frequently than a once-a-month trip to the groomer.
For this reason, if you own a Shih Tzu (or plan to one day!) you need to know how to clean their ears!
So today, we wanted to show you how to clean Shih Tzu ears from home!
We’ve used this method for years and it has worked well for all our dogs.
Repeat these three steps about every other week and your Shih Tzu will have healthy ears in no time!
You Will Need…
You will need a few simple tools to make the job quick and easy for you AND less painful for your Shih Tzu.
We use Epi-Otic, since it’s the solution that our vet recommends.
If you want to make your own ear cleaning and drying solution, you can mix one part 91% rubbing alcohol and one part white vinegar in your own bottle and use that. (See our handy-dandy checklist below to get links to all the tools you need in one place!)
To clean your pup’s ears, simply fill their ear canal with the Epi-Otic solution, massage the ear a little bit, and then dump it out.
Our Truffle LOVES the massage part, as you can see in these photos! LOL!
Then, twist one half of the cotton ball inside your pup’s ear to dry.
If the cotton ball comes out dirty, (see image below) repeat step 2 and 3 as many times as needed until the cotton ball comes out clean.
And that’s it! Now you know how to clean Shih Tzu ears in three simple steps.
Your Shih Tzu may not like it at first, but they’ll thank you later when their ears feel clean and dry!
How Often Do My Shih Tzu’s Ears Need Cleaning?
For most Shih Tzu, we recommend cleaning their ears every other week and plucking as needed when you notice the hair growing back.
However, if you notice your Shih Tzu’s ears get dirty more often, you might need to clean them once a week instead.
Note: Typically, if your Shih Tzu’s ears are sluffing gunk constantly, it may be a sign that their body is trying to detox because of a deeper issue. So if your Shih Tzu is showing signs of major ear irritation (you may notice them rubbing their head on the floor, frequently shaking their head, or trying to scratch inside their ears with their foot) always consult your vet.
Ready To Clean Your Shih Tzu’s Ears?
We created a checklist with all the tools and links mentioned in this blog post to make shopping easy for you!
Enter your info below and we’ll send you the checklist ASAP!
(You’ll also receive notifications from us when we drop more tips and tutorials like this blog post!)
Want more tips for keeping your Shih Tzu healthy?
See this blogpost to learn how to put together your own Shih Tzu puppy first-aid kit!
If you have any questions for us, please feel free to drop a comment below! We LOVE hearing your thoughts!
Want to know the six things we recommend every Shih Tzu mom keep stocked in their pantry?
Over our 10+ years as East Texas Shih Tzu breeders, we have learned some natural home remedies for the most common Shih Tzu health issues. Today we’d like to share some of those natural remedies with you!
While we always recommend checking with your vet whenever you’re concerned about your dog’s health, there are times when your Shih Tzu has diarrhea from a stressful day, won’t eat because they’re nervous, or just needs a little help with itchy skin so they don’t get a hotspot from licking and chewing.
Having some of these home remedies in your back pocket can help them recover quickly in times like these, and might even save you a trip to the vet!
Think of it like putting together your very own Shih Tzu puppy First-Aid kit!
1. Coconut Water
Coconut water is a natural electrolyte rescue to fight against dehydration when your dog doesn’t want to eat or drink. It’s the next best thing to Sub-Q fluids from the vet!
If your Shih Tzu is acting a little lethargic or hasn’t eaten in more than 24 hours, it’s a great time to give them some coconut water as a pick-me-up.
The good electrolytes can help them regain some energy and eventually feel like eating again.
We like to give coconut water to our dogs (slowly) using a syringe, being careful not to accidentally cause them to aspirate.
DISCLAIMER: If your puppy is vomiting, has diarrhea, and is lethargic, they could have parvo and you should take them to a vet immediately.
2. Canned Pumpkin:
Canned pumpkin is a natural remedy for dogs with mushy stools.
The fiber content in pumpkin is what helps firm up the stool.
Sometimes diarrhea points to a serious issue like giardia, but most of the time it’s something mild (like nerves from environmental stress.) These everyday cases can be treated simply with a home remedy like pumpkin.
Canned pumpkin is great for puppies too!
Our vet has told us it is very common for puppies to have soft stools on and off for a myriad of reasons. He always suggests we try canned pumpkin before giving a more targeted medicine (like Flagyl or Metronidazole) that can be hard on their little immune systems.
Note: Watery stools are different than the “soft” or “mushy” stools we’re referring to here. Watery stools are not as common and usually mean there’s a more serious problem that needs to be addressed by your vet.
Most of our dogs love pumpkin and will eat it off a plate! You can also try encouraging them to lick it off your fingers.
If that doesn’t work, try gently squeezing a tiny bit at a time in the corner of their mouth using a syringe and see if they will start to accept it and swallow. (Don’t continue to force feed if they refuse to swallow.)
As with coconut water, always look for 100% canned pumpkin (no sugar added) when buying pumpkin for your dogs.
If giving pumpkin doesn’t make a difference within about 24 hours, try Kaopectate.
3. Kaopectate
Kaopectate is a good option for treating diarrhea when pumpkin doesn’t work.
Our vet told us that Kaopectate is also a safe option for dogs when you don’t want to give them antibiotics (such as nursing moms or young puppies.)
For example, sometimes our Shih Tzu moms have soft stools after giving birth, and we know giving antibiotic medicine would be dangerous for the nursing puppies.
This is one of the times we pull Kaopectate out of our pantry!
For Kaopectate, give 1 tsp (5ml) four times a day for a 5-10 lb Shih Tzu.
(Keep in mind, it may take 2-3 days before you see improvement.)
Don’t be surprised if your Shih Tzu is a bit constipated for a couple of days after you’ve stopped giving the Kaopectate.
That just means the medicine is doing its job. They will be on a regular schedule again after a few more days.
4.Nutri-CalGel:
Nutri-Cal is a high-calorie nutritional gel supplement that can help prevent hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia, (a condition caused by low blood sugar) is a common and dangerous issue for small breeds like the Shih Tzu, especially for young puppies.
Supplementing with Nutri-Cal gel will stabilize your pup’s blood sugar when they’re not eating well.
For example, we give Nutri-Cal to our puppies anytime we travel with them.
We also ask our Sunnybelle puppy families to get a tube of Nutri-Cal before bringing their baby home, since puppies don’t always want to eat right away while they are still adjusting to their new environment.
We recommend giving a pea-sized dose of Nutri-Cal to your puppy twice a day for the first week, then once a day the second week after bringing them home.
And Nutri-Cal isn’t just for puppies! Feel free to give your adult Shih Tzu a dose of Nutri-Cal anytime they aren’t eating well and need a blood sugar boost.
5. Probiotics
Probiotics are super important for your Shih Tzu’s gut health.
Giving your pup probiotics with their daily meals promotes good digestion, which helps soothe upset tummies.
In addition, whenever your dog has taken a major antibiotic like Flagyl, it is essential to follow up with a multi-strain probiotic (like Gastro Pro Plus) to restore their healthy gut flora.
There are two probiotics we always have on hand.
The first is Gastro Pro Plus, a digestive enzyme and multi-strain probiotic which includes the prebiotics that probiotics feed on.
We sprinkle a half capsule of Gastro Pro Plus on our Shih Tzu’s kibbles daily to support their overall health.
Another probiotic we always have handy is FortiFlora.
FortiFlora is a single-strain probiotic with an irresistible taste (liver flavor) that you can sprinkle on your dog’s kibbles to entice them to eat if they don’t have an appetite.
Skin Support Plus is a natural remedy for itchy, red, or irritated skin. It works as a natural antiseptic to keep cuts or abrasions clean — WITHOUT stinging.
We love that it’s made up of only three ingredients: tea tree oil, aloe vera, and chamomile.
These ingredients work together to soothe, heal, and clean the skin all at the same time!
We pull it out anytime our dogs have a topical skin issue, like a raw spot from scratching, licking, or chewing. (Which could be the beginnings of a hotspot.)
Simply spray the affected area with Skin Support Plus 1-4 times a day. We can usually see improvements by the next day after using the spray!
It’s so good, we even use it on ourselves sometimes! 🙂
Bonus Pantry Item – Oral Syringes:
You’ll need an oral syringe to give coconut water or Kaopectate. (You can also syringe-feed pumpkin if your dog won’t lick it off of a plate, as we mentioned earlier.)
Sometimes your vet will give you an oral syringe if you ask. However, we recommend ordering this variety pack from Amazon to keep in your handy-dandy Shih Tzu First-Aid kit. It’s so nice to have several different sizes on hand!
These syringes can be washed and reused. (Pro tip: Washing them with warm water instead of hot water will make them last longer.)
We hope having these pantry items on hand and knowing how to use them gives you confidence that you can help your pet.
Although these home remedies aren’t meant to replace your veterinarian’s care and expertise in the case of an emergency, they can be incredibly helpful when your Shih Tzu is dealing with discomfort from everyday stressors.
Want more?
We created a resource for you to make shopping for your new Shih Tzu puppy SIMPLE and FUN!
With our “New Puppy Guide,” you can be confident you have everything you need before bringing your new puppy home!
In the guide, we share our favorite potty training tools, our favorite healthy dog food, the best toys for teething, and more.
Enter your info below and we’ll send you the PDF Guide ASAP!
Much love,
Interested in getting a Chocolate Shih Tzu puppy from us?
