Unlock the Secrets to Maltese Shih Tzu Dog's Eye Health
Maltese Shih Tzu eye problems are unfortunately relatively common, can be life limiting and cause significant discomfort if not treated appropriately. Being a hybrid of the Shih Tzu (a spunky Asian small-breed) and the Maltese terrier (an ancient Mediterranean companion breed), the Malshi is blessed with all the best features of both. However, they unfortunately have inherited a variety of ocular (eye) issues too, largely from their Shih Tzu ancestors.
As a first-line GP veterinary surgeon, eye problems form a bread-and-butter part of my daily workload. Very often, dog owners will arrive with concerns such as “why are my dog’s eyes red?”; “what’s this nasty-looking goo in my Malshi’s eyes?”; and “why is my dog’s eye swollen?”
My hope is that by the end of this article you will have a better understanding of the possible causes of symptoms such as these in your Maltese Shih Tzu mix, as well as an appreciation of what you can do as an owner to help prevent and overcome eye issues.
Common Eye Problems in Maltese x Shih Tzu Dogs
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
In my experience, one of the most common eye issues in Maltese Shih Tzu mix dogs is keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), a condition which also goes by the somewhat easier to digest name of “dry eye”. KCS results from inadequate production of the watery “aqueous” component of tears. Tears also contain fatty and mucus components, the production of which is usually not affected with KCS.
The most frequent cause of KCS is when the body accidentally recognises the tear-producing eye glands as foreign, resulting in the immune system attacking and destroying the functional tissues of the glands. The condition is often inherited from one or both parents. Shih Tzu dogs are known to be very prone to developing KCS1, and so Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids are often also affected.
The tears have several important jobs, not least to keep the surface of the eyes moist and wash away the particles of dust and bacteria that are constantly landing upon the surface of the eyes.
The most frequent cause of KCS is when the body accidentally recognises the tear-producing eye glands as foreign, resulting in the immune system attacking and destroying the functional tissues of the glands. The condition is often inherited from one or both parents. Shih Tzu dogs are known to be very prone to developing KCS1, and so Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids are often also affected.
The tears have several important jobs, not least to keep the surface of the eyes moist and wash away the particles of dust and bacteria that are constantly landing upon the surface of the eyes. Malshis affected by KCS are therefore very prone to developing bacterial eye infections (conjunctivitis). Because the cornea (the surface layer of the eyeball) is dry and under constant onslaught from dust and airborne bacteria, Maltese Shih Tzu dogs with inadequate tear production are also very prone to developing eye ulcers, which can progress to rupture of the eyeball in severe cases if infected ulcers are not swiftly treated.
Tear Staining
Malshis can also be prone to tear staining around the eyes. As we’ve already learned, these little guys are more likely to underproduce than overproduce tears, so why does tear staining occur?
Well, in the case of Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids, tear staining around the eyes is usually due to anatomical factors, specifically the shape of the head and face. Malshis are a relatively brachycephalic breed, meaning that they have a somewhat flat shape to their face and muzzle compared with other dogs.
Brachycephalic breeds generally tend to have a less effective tear drainage system, so rather than tears draining through these pathways (the entry into which is located at the inner corner of the eye), tears tend to spill out onto the pet’s face instead. This can produce unsightly discolouration and matting of the fur around the eyes, if regular cleaning and eye care is not carried out.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Finally, the Shih Tzu breed is considered to be genetically predisposed to developing progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a non-painful condition which affects the retinal cells of the eye and gradually causes blindness2. Given the heritable nature of the condition, it is likely that Maltese Shih Tzu mix dogs will also suffer with more than their fair share of PRA.
Difficulty seeing in low light and at night is often the first sign an owner will notice, and complete blindness will eventually follow. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatment options for PRA.
Signs and Symptoms of Eye Issues
Many of the conditions we’ve discussed that affect Maltese Shih Tzu dogs have some degree of crossover between their signs and symptoms and may be difficult to tell apart even to the trained eye (if you’ll excuse the pun).
If you notice any of the following in your Malshi, you should contact your veterinarian without delay:
- Redness or discharge (may be associated with tear staining, conjunctivitis, ulcers or KCS)
- Swelling of or around the eye (can be due to glaucoma, or an allergic reaction)
- Frequent blinking, rubbing or pawing at the eyes (conjunctivitis, ulcers and KCS are common causes)
- An eye that is squinty or closed (conjunctivitis and ulcers are usually to blame)
- Any eye that appears cloudy or discoloured (your vet will need to check for ulcers, KCS, cancer affecting the eye and uveitis, a type of inflammation inside the eyeball)
- Night blindness (a common sign of PRA)
- Bumping into things, especially in unfamiliar surroundings (indicating vision loss, for example that caused by PRA)
Overcoming and Preventing Eye Problems
Appropriate, regular Maltese Shih Tzu eye care can be of great help with warding off problems. If your Malshi is affected by tear staining, or suffering with KCS, it’s important that you familiarise yourself with correct eye cleaning technique and make time to carry this out – ideally on a daily basis.
To clean your Malshi’s eyes, wipe gently around the eyes using boiled-then-cooled water and a clean flannel which is designed solely for eye-cleaning purposes and has been washed at 60℃ or higher. Avoid cotton wool or cotton buds, as these can shed fibers which may damage the eyes. A handy alternative to a flannel is to use dog eye cleaning wipes (available from vets and online); these are single use, and should then be disposed of. Daily cleaning can really help with preventing eye conditions in Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids (especially tear staining).
You’ll also want to be vigilant when it comes to keeping an eye on your Maltese Shih Tzu to pick up any signs of problems early (that’s the last eye related pun, I promise). At the first sign of an issue, be sure to place an Elizabethan collar (buster collar) on your pet; this will prevent him or her from rubbing or scratching at irritated, sore or inflamed eyes, thereby preventing damage from paws and claws. It will also stop your dog from being able to rub itchy eyes on furniture and the floor, which again can cause eye injury.
In addition to placing an Elizabethan collar, call your vet and arrange an urgent appointment. The vast majority of vets offer emergency, same-day appointments for any eye problem, for good reason: eye issues can progress notoriously quickly and (since your dog only has two of them, and they aren’t replaceable) the consequences of untreated eye problems can be catastrophic.
Lastly, when it comes to overcoming eye problems in Maltese x Shih Tzu dogs it’s vital to follow any and all instructions given by your vet. Many conditions that affect Malshis, such as KCS, are lifelong and will require ongoing treatment for the rest of your pet’s life.
Teaching your dog to accept daily eye drops can be a tricky business, but almost every dog can be taught to allow application of drops, with time, persistence and positive reinforcement. If you’re struggling, it’s crucial that you seek advice from your vet rather than giving up; failure of the owner to stick to the treatment plan is by far the most common reason that I see dogs with KCS deteriorating, and the most frustrating, since this decline is preventable.
Importance of Veterinary Care and Early Intervention
Maltese Shih Tzu eye health is a key consideration for any Malshi owner or would-be owner, and if you’ve stuck with me then hopefully by now you will have a mental toolbox equipped with all the information you need to identify the most common eye problems in your dog, and to provide gold standard routine eye care at home.
You’ll also have an appreciation of the importance of seeking rapid veterinary attention in the event of any funny business where the eyes are concerned; again, remember that your Malshi only has two of them, and that – like your canine family member – they aren’t replaceable!
The key takeaway from this article with which every owner should now be familiar is that Maltese Shih Tzu eye problems are common; can be disastrous if left untreated; and are definitely best nipped in the bud.
References:
- Sebbag, L., Silva, A.P.S.M., Santos, A.P.B., Raposo, A.C.S. and Oria, A.P. (2022) ‘An eye on the Shih Tzu dog: Ophthalmic examination findings and ocular surface diagnostics’, Veterinary Opthalmology, 26, pp.59-71. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/vop.13022 (Accessed 27 June 2023).
- Urkasemsin, G., Pongpanich, M., Sariya, L., Kongcharoen, A., Buddhirogawatr, R., Rungarunlert, S., Ferreira, J.N., Chetruengchai, W., Phokaew, C., Srichomthong, C. and Shotelersuk, V. (2021) ‘Whole genome sequencing identifies a homozygous nonsense mutation in the JPH2 gene in Shih Tzu dogs with progressive retinal atrophy’, Animal Genetics, 52(5), pp.714-719. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34231238/ (Accessed 27 June 2023).
Daisy qualified with distinction from the University of Liverpool Vet School in 2019. During her academic years she completed a wide variety of placements, including a competitive final year elective at Chester Zoo – one of the largest zoos in the United Kingdom! Since graduating, she has hung up her zoo medicine hat and focused her attention on smaller patients, developing a particular passion for feline and canine internal medicine and dentistry.
Daisy has spent the last two years working in first opinion small animal practice as a consulting and surgical Vet. A typical day can involve anything from routine procedures, diagnostic imaging and consulting, right through to life-saving emergency surgeries. When she is not in the clinic, you’ll find her at her laptop in a shaded part of the garden, cup of tea in hand, authoring practical and easy-to-follow pet care articles to ensure top quality advice is available to each and every “pet parent” at the touch of a screen.
Daisy qualified with distinction from the University of Liverpool Vet School in 2019. During her academic years she completed a wide variety of placements, including a competitive final year elective at Chester Zoo – one of the largest zoos in the United Kingdom! Since graduating, she has hung up her zoo medicine hat and focused her attention on smaller patients, developing a particular passion for feline and canine internal medicine and dentistry.
Daisy has spent the last two years working in first opinion small animal practice as a consulting and surgical Vet. A typical day can involve anything from routine procedures, diagnostic imaging and consulting, right through to life-saving emergency surgeries. When she is not in the clinic, you’ll find her at her laptop in a shaded part of the garden, cup of tea in hand, authoring practical and easy-to-follow pet care articles to ensure top quality advice is available to each and every “pet parent” at the touch of a screen.
