How do I care for shih tzu eyes?

[Tundra_Queen]

Hi

I have noticed that Mindy's eyes (shih tzu) run a bit and she licks her nose quite often too. I just thought it was becaue of her eyes sticking out like they do that they run. But the past few days I have noticed her lashes are very hard and stuck together with gunk! Because she already has a cornea scar I worry about her eyes.

Her eye lashes were sort of poking towards her eyes so I wanted to fix them. But I had no real idea how to do it.

I got a face cloth with warm water and just sort of tried to wipe the lashes clear. I eventually had to pull at the worst one to get the worst gunk off.

Can someone tell me if I should get the eye wipes and do her eyes every day so this doesn't happen? Or is there something else I should be doing? Does anyone else's shih tzu dogs have this trouble?

Thanks
Debbie

[BusterBoo]

Sorry Mindy is having eye problems.....

I can't remember the proper terminology, but there is a condition where the eyelashes grow inwards and causes some nasty eye problems. If this is what is happening with Mindy, you might want to get her to the Vet. This can be corrected surgically.

I have never had a tzu that had that bad a problem, unless it was an actual eye infection, in which case.... a visit to the Vet would be in order.

Good luck!

[Dr Lee]

There can be many different things that go on with Shih tzu eyes. If there is a small amount of clear or brown mucoid discharge without any other signs, then it can be "normal" build up that can be keep clean with a warm wash cloth. Saline can also be used to flush around or on the eyes. Do not use Visine as many dogs can have an allergic reaction to it.

What to watch out for:
1) discharge that is not typical. If there is a sudden increase in the amount of discharge or if the "gunk" is bunching up then a veterinarian exam is recommended. It is important to make sure that there is not an infection, corneal disease, nasolacrimal duct obstruction or KCS (dry eye) condition that is occuring.
2) If the discharge is yellow or green in color. This implies an infection and/or worse.
3) If the pink tissue next to the eye (conjunctiva) or the white part of the eyeball (sclera) is red/inflammed, then a veterinarian exam is indicated.
4) If the eye appears uncomfortable or squinty.
5) If there are any changes to the clear portion of the eye (cornea), then a veterinary exam is indicated.

Hope that helps.

[Shaykeija]

She probably has staining, which is not a serious. Tyra gets the crusties also and I just wipe her eyes with a damp warm cloth. But just to be safe, have your vet take a peek at them. You haven't taken her for a check up yet have you? A wellness check is a good thing...

[pugsrule]

The eyelashes growing inwards or rubbing on the cornea is called entropian. I dont know much about other breeds, but it is very common in pugs. I have had 3 entropian surgeries, and the eyes have cleared up in weeks.

Dry eye also can cause a mucous type discharge, as when the eye cannot lubricate itself normally with enough tears, then it produces mucous to do the job. Your vet can do a schmeir test, only takes a few minutes to tell if the dog has adequate tear production. If it is dry eye, it can be treated with cyclosporin drops or tachrolimus.

If I were you, I would get this dog checked at the vets. Either condition can lead to loss of vision, and scarring. This is much easier to prevent than to reverse. JMO

Joan

[Tundra_Queen]

Originally Posted by BusterBoo

Sorry Mindy is having eye problems.....

I can't remember the proper terminology, but there is a condition where the eyelashes grow inwards and causes some nasty eye problems. If this is what is happening with Mindy, you might want to get her to the Vet. This can be corrected surgically.

I have never had a tzu that had that bad a problem, unless it was an actual eye infection, in which case.... a visit to the Vet would be in order.

Good luck!

Thanks. I don't think Mindy would have those ingrown eye lashes as I'm sure the lady I got her from would of told me. Also, seeing as Mindy was a show champion and was used to breed other champion dogs I think that would of shown up in her pups so they wouldn't of kept breeding her.

I know they had a male pup there when I picked Mindy up and he had the eye lashes disease and she was talking about him needing a family that could afford special treatment for this condition and he was going to be neutered.

When I carried her downstairs today I had a few spots of brown gunk on my shirt sleeve and I think that must of come off her eye.

I've only had Mindy for 5-6 weeks and her eyes are tons better since I used the warm face cloth on them. But because I've never had a shih tzu before I just wanted to know if that is what I was suppose to do.

Dr. Lee, thanks for your suggestions. She doesn't seem to have any gunk under her eyes, just a bit of staining. It just seems to be sticking to her eye lashes and making them stick together in places. And that is why I was wondering if a warm face cloth would be ok to use on her regularily.

Thanks Busterboo, I don't think she has that disease.

Shay, do u use the eye wipes on your pups and if so, does it stop the staining? I know in cats the eye wipes are suppose to get rid of the stain marks.

I'm going to make a vet appointment this coming week and have her checked out. And now that I know using a warm damp cloth is ok for wiping her eyes I will start doing that more often. She didn't seem to mind it when I did it before.

Thanks Joan for your suggestions I will also ask the vet about that schmeir test.

Debbie

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by Tundra_Queen

...will also ask the vet about that schmeir test.

Quick note. It is a Schirmer Tear Test. Here is a link: Schirmer Tear Test.

Sometimes certain cytology tests may be referred to as a "smear" and wouldn't want any confusion.

[Shaykeija]

I was using Angel Eyes to keep Tyra's face white, but she has an eye condition that need meds every second day. Has something to do with the blood vessels in her eyes. But for cleaning Tyra's face, I just use a warm wet soft cloth. I kind of like the stained look. Makes her face look like a pansy.LOL I asked Linsay about Mindy's eyes and she said there were no ingrown eye lashes. If she would have had those, they would have been taken care of. As for the little male dog, he has so many that the vet was concerned about scarring the cornea, so Linsay just plucks them during grooming. But the lucky person that adopts this little boy could take him to Guelph and get a optometric doctor to get rid of them.

[Love4himies]

Maybe if you post some pics of Mindy we would have a better idea of what you are up against . Not that I would have any idea, but another member may, I just want to see pics of that sweet face

[Tundra_Queen]

Thanks Dr. Lee for the link. I'm having trouble with that website right now, but I will keep trying it.

Shay..Where do u get Angel Eyes? I wonder if Walmart would have it..I'll look next time I go there.

Tyra looks like a pansy? Now u have to show me her pic... I like pansies.

I didn't think Mindy would have the ingrown lashes as I'm sure I would of been told about them.

Shay.. but has the mini pin been back for a visit?

Oh geeze L4H *smackin self in forehead* I never even thought about taking pics of her eyes... I did take a pic of her playing with a cat toy last night though.

[Shaykeija]

Angel eyes can only be ordered on line.. and that little bitey face was loose again today...had my net ready lol

[Tundra_Queen]

@ shay Maybe bitey face feels bad that he bit u and wants to be friends now?