Many Shih Tzu owners in Singapore are unaware that
continual irritation of the cornea by hairs from the
prominent nasal folds daily result in painful corneal
ulcers in the eyes. These progress to brown pigments
forming in the cornea if the owner ignores the dog
scratching and rubbing its eyes. After a few months, the
pigment on the cornea obstructs vision. After a few
years, the corneal surface is nearly flooded by the
brown pigments and the dog can't see clearly. In other
cases, the rubbing causes the eyeball to pop out or
rupture. Once the eye ball is ruptured, the dog
can't see anymore.
Ask your vet to
excise the two nasal folds if you don't have time to
trim away the hairs regularly to prevent the hairs
sticking onto the cornea daily. It is really painful for
your Shih Tzu but the dog can't talk and therefore
tolerates the pain by rubbing the eyes or head against
the bed, floor or wall. Blindness or loss of
vision is not good for your companion. Therefore, check
your Shih Tzu's eye cornea daily and get your vet to
treat for early corneal ulcers. Nasal fold excision is
highly advised if you don't have time to trim away the
long inward growing hairs of the nasal folds.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
