dog health

Valley Fever and Your Shih Tzu

If you live in Arizona you probably have heard of Valley Fever. Valley Fever is spread through inhalation of a certain type of fungus called coccidioides. The fungus responsible for Valley Fever lives in the soil. Dogs typically come in contact with Valley Fever by digging in the dirt or inhaling fungal spores during dust storms. 

Not every dog that breathes in the fungal spores responsible for Valley Fever will become ill. Just like humans, some dogs are immune from the ill effects of the fungal spores. Now I will tell you a true story to make my point. My teenage son and my husband both went through a dust storm a few years ago. A couple of days later both my husband and my son came down with a fever. We thought it was a virus.

Fortunately, my husband’s fever went away within a day and he had no other symptoms. My teenage son was not so lucky. His fever didn’t go away, he came down with a cough, body aches, headaches, fatigue, etc. His symptoms were not getting any better so we took him to the doctor. The doctor thought it was just a virus as well. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a virus. The symptoms were sticking around long term. My son was miserable. We went from doctor to doctor without answers. His chest and joints hurt so bad at this point he didn’t want to leave his bed. Finally, I took him to Mayo Clinic Emergency in the hope of answers. The doctor did a chest X-ray. Nodules consistent with a Valley Fever infection were present in his lungs. Blood work came back and he did have Valley Fever. We made an appointment with an Infectious Disease specialist. The specialist said my son would need to take fluconazole, an anti-fungal for about a year to fight off the infection. 

As you can see from my story above, Valley Fever can be serious! Most cases go away on their own but other cases can range from fever to full-blown fungal meningitis. Our dogs are susceptible as well. As a responsible Shih Tzu breeder this is especially concerning to me. Puppies have weak immune systems and may get sick. It is important to know what symptoms to look for in your dog.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Dry cough

• Runny Nose

• Lethargy

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Limping

• Seizures

Diagnosis of Valley Fever in your pet is usually done through a blood test. If the Valley Fever blood test comes back positive anti-fungal medication is typically given to kill the fungus that is making your pet sick. Medication may need to be taken for a year or more depending on the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian will monitor the healing process by taking routine blood samples that look for the specific fungus. Once clear of the fungus your dog is usually able to come off of the anti-fungal medication.

There’s currently no vaccine to protect dogs from Valley Fever. Fortunately, most dogs are immune or fight off the infection before we ever even notice something is wrong. There are treatment options available to help with recovery if your dog becomes ill. Just make sure to look out for the symptoms that suggest a coccidioides infection. Remember to seek veterinary care right away if you suspect Valley Fever. Cases that are caught early usually respond quicker to treatment.

The Benefits of Using Prebiotics & Probiotics with Young Puppies

Good gut colonization is essential in young puppies. Prebiotics and probiotics are great at increasing good gut bacteria. Probiotics are of significant importance during puppyhood. Exposing puppies to a variety of foods that are rich in good bacteria helps to create good gut colonization in puppies according to studies. Studies have shown that good gut colonization in puppyhood follows the puppy into adulthood even if foods rich in probiotics aren’t offered anymore!

I recently took a class, “From Newborn to New Home” by the famous dog breeder and professional dog trainer, Jane Messineo Lindquist. Jane is also the author of the popular Puppy Culture videos and the book, “When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs.” Jane is a powerhouse full of knowledge. She is one of the pioneers when it comes to puppy training, socialization, and proper puppy-raising protocols. After taking her class, I am very passionate about optimal gut health in puppies. All of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program will receive prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods from this day forward.

Puppies should be introduced to prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods while they’re still young and under breeder care. The gut colonization window closes sometime during puppyhood. Nobody knows when the window closes so it is great for breeders to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

I have given prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods with my past litters. After taking this class I am going to offer a lot more foods that enhance the gut microflora. Dogs with good gut colonization have more robust immune systems and better behavioral health according to studies. Why wouldn’t I want to incorporate good gut colonization in the Shih Tzu puppies I raise in my breeding program?

Let me just tell you how grateful I am that I took Jane’s class. Otherwise, I would never have stumbled upon the importance of gut colonization in puppies. This is exactly why I feel it is important to continue my breeder education. I am always learning new things that I can incorporate into my responsible breeding program.

By introducing the puppies to prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods, I’m not only enhancing good gut colonization in the puppies, I’m also introducing them to novelty. Novelty doesn’t have to just be exposing puppies to a new item each day. It can also include exposing the puppies to different food items as well. By introducing different foods puppies get to use their senses to discover. They are introduced to new textures, new flavors, new scents, etc.

Some of the prebiotic and probiotic foods the puppies will taste while under my care include:

• Raw goats milk

• Pureed Pumpkin

• Oatmeal

• Cooked rice

• Potato

• Plain Greek Yogurt

• Kefir

Prebiotics are a type of fiber that helps increase good gut bacteria to prevent harmful bacteria from hijacking the immune system. A weak immune system is prone to illness. Prebiotics are essentially food for the probiotics. Prebiotics supercharge the probiotics which in return leads to better health outcomes.

Prebiotics and probiotics have been shown in studies to decrease the following:

• Odorous breath

• Dry skin

• Loose stools

• Ear infections

• Allergies

• Parasitic infections

• Vomiting

One may ask what they should do if their dog has already reached adulthood and the gut colonization window has closed. In this case, it is still a good idea to offer prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods. Make sure to go slow if it is the first time your dog has been introduced to the food to prevent stomach upset.

The difference is that you will need to offer prebiotic and probiotic-rich food sources or a probiotic supplement daily. To reap similar benefits after puppyhood good bacteria need daily replenishment. Puppies that already have robust gut colonization due to early prebiotic and probiotic implementation may not need to supplement daily to reap the same benefits. 

Please don’t panic if your dog doesn’t receive prebiotics and probiotics as a puppy. Most of my adult dogs didn’t either and they’re very healthy. My goal as a Shih Tzu breeder is to do everything in my power to give the puppies the very best start in life. Good gut colonization is simply another novel way for me to give the puppies a head start.

The time will most likely come when your beloved puppy will vomit. It happens to almost all dog owners at some point in time. Vomiting can be alarming for the first-time pet owner. Vomiting is an even bigger concern if you’re dealing with a young puppy. Puppies are much more vulnerable compared to adult dogs due to their small size and immature immune system. 

Below, I will go over some of the common reasons that puppies vomit. Please remember to contact your veterinarian right away if your puppy is vomiting frequently, displaying lethargy, and not taking in enough food and water. These are symptoms that need to be addressed by a veterinarian right away!

Common reasons for puppy vomiting:

• The puppy ate something that didn’t agree with his or her stomach. Puppies are notorious for getting into everything! If your puppy ate something rotten or toxic he or she will likely vomit. There are a great deal of human foods that are toxic to dogs. Food items such as chocolate, xylitol, avocado, onions, and grapes are poisonous to dogs and may lead to sickness and even death. It is essential that puppy owners safety-proof the home and always watch over their puppy. If you’re not able to supervise the puppy then he or she is safer in a playpen or gated-off area. Also, take time to educate yourself on items that may be toxic to your puppy before you bring him or her home. Check out my post on safety-proofing the home before you bring your puppy home.

• Puppies may vomit if they have an empty stomach. Small-breed puppies should never go too long between meals. Make sure your puppy is eating enough at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If the puppy isn’t eating enough you may consider offering an extra meal or free feeding until the puppy is well acclimated to his or her new home. Also, offer a small snack before bedtime to prevent an empty tummy. Puppies may vomit yellow bile if they are suffering from an empty belly for too long. This is a common occurrence in the morning when the stomach has been empty for some time overnight.

• The puppy has contracted a viral infection. Viral infections like Parvovirus are very serious in puppies. This is why I recommend that all clients who purchase a Shih Tzu puppy from my breeding program avoid taking their puppy to places where there may be unvaccinated animals until the puppy vaccine series is complete at 16-18 weeks. 

• The puppy has contracted intestinal parasites. Puppies should be dewormed along with puppy vaccines to prevent parasites. A parasitic infection may lead to vomiting in a young puppy.

• The puppy is suffering from heatstroke. I am a Shih Tzu breeder. Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed. Brachycephalic breeds and heat don’t mix. Puppies in general must have plenty of shade and water on hot days. Heat stroke can cause vomiting and may prove deadly in dogs.

• The puppy swallowed a foreign object. If your puppy swallows a toy or a rock this could cause vomiting. This is considered a medical emergency. The object could cause a serious intestinal blockage. It is important to always supervise your puppy to prevent this type of emergency.

Puppy owners must try and figure out the cause of vomiting when possible. Minor, single-episode cases of vomiting can usually be treated at home. Make sure to offer your puppy plenty of water or an electrolyte solution that is safe for dogs to prevent dehydration. I use Puppylyte as my go-to electrolyte replacement solution whenever I’m faced with dog vomiting or diarrhea. You can purchase Puppylyte on Amazon. 

Please remember, if your puppy has thrown up several times or is lethargic and refusing fluids to contact your veterinarian right away. Your puppy may need intravenous fluids, antibiotics, or surgery in the case of an intestinal blockage. As I mentioned before, puppies can fade fast due to their small size and underdeveloped immune system.

The short answer is yes! You must be prepared if your Shih Tzu is ever faced with an emergency. As a responsible Shih Tzu breeder and dog owner, I always have a dog first aid kit in my home, in the car, and a spare for walks or travel. A well-stocked first aid kit will come in handy if a situation should ever arise. A properly stocked first aid kit will cover everything from minor scapes to bee stings. Below I will go over the basics essentials that every first aid kit should have inside. You can make your first aid kit or purchase a ready-made kit and add on items.

Some of the items I feel are essential to a good first-aid kit include:

• Hydrogen peroxide (Your vet may have you induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide if poison was ingested.)
• Activated Charcoal (May be administered to absorb toxins or poison if ingested.)
• Unflavored Benadryl (Great for allergic reactions. Talk to your vet about proper dosage.)
• Antibacterial ointment (Neosporin is great for minor cuts and scrapes.)
• Nutrical or honey (Both are helpful if your Shih Tzu ever has low blood sugar.)
• Styptic powder (Stops bleeding quickly.)
• Unflavored Pedialyte (Useful to have around in case your dog is struggling with vomiting or diarrhea. Make sure it is xylitol-free!)
• Scissors
• Hydrocortisone cream (Helps stop itching.)
• Diarrhea aid (Check with your vet for safe options.)
• Canned or powdered pumpkin for dogs (Great for loose stools.)
• Ice pack
• Tweezers
• Gauze
• Cotton balls
• Medicine syringe
• Thermometer
• Latex gloves
• Alcohol wipe pads
• Saline eye wash
• Flashlight
• Vetwrap
• Magnifying glass
• Heating pad
• Washcloths
• Bottled water
• Important phone numbers (Including local emergency veterinarian phone numbers.)

Always remember, to contact your veterinarian or local animal hospital if a true medical emergency takes place. The first aid kit should never be a replacement for veterinary care. The kit is simply meant to assist with minor nuances such as cuts and scrapes. A true medical emergency should receive professional medical attention immediately. If you think your pet may have been poisoned contact a poison control center such as https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control right away! Swift action could save your pet’s life.