Shih Tzu Vet

Online Vet for Shih Tzus

Shih Tzus are affectionate companion dogs with brachycephalic features and prominent eyes. Our vets provide breed-aware online care for the conditions that affect this popular toy breed.

Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Online vet care - virtual veterinarian consultation
Shih Tzu — breed-specific online vet care with TelaVets

Breed-aware vet care for Shih Tzus

Expert online care tailored to Shih Tzus

  • Licensed vets who understand Shih Tzu brachycephalic and eye risks

  • Same-day video consultations — most seen within 1–3 hours

  • Breed-specific assessment for breathing, eyes, and skin

  • $65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges

  • Prescriptions delivered next business day when appropriate

  • Grooming-related skin and ear health guidance

Shih Tzus combine brachycephalic airway anatomy with large, exposed eyes and a dense coat that mats easily. Eye injuries, breathing noise, and skin fold infections are everyday concerns for this beloved lap dog.

From squinting eyes to noisy breathing and chronic itching, TelaVets connects Shih Tzu owners with licensed vets who understand toy-breed and brachycephalic care — via secure video, often the same day.

Common health risks in Shih Tzus

  • Eye Problems

    High risk

    Large, protruding eyes are prone to corneal ulcers, dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), and proptosis from trauma.

  • BOAS

    High risk

    Brachycephalic features cause stenotic nares and elongated soft palate — leading to noisy breathing and exercise intolerance.

  • Dental Disease

    High risk

    Crowded teeth in a small jaw make periodontal disease nearly universal without proactive dental care.

  • Skin Allergies

    Medium risk

    Environmental and food allergies cause chronic itching, hot spots, and ear infections in Shih Tzus.

  • Ear Infections

    Medium risk

    Heavy ear hair and narrow canals trap moisture, promoting bacterial and yeast otitis.

  • Renal Dysplasia

    Lower risk

    Abnormal kidney development can cause chronic kidney disease — reported in Shih Tzu lines.

Warning signs in Shih Tzus to watch for

  • Squinting, eye redness, or excessive tearing
  • Noisy breathing, snorting, or exercise intolerance
  • Bad breath, red gums, or dropping food
  • Persistent scratching, face rubbing, or ear odor
  • Matting, hot spots, or skin redness under the coat
  • Increased thirst and urination in young dogs
  • Heat intolerance or collapse during warm weather
  • Reluctance to eat hard kibble or treats

Why Shih Tzus develop these health issues

Shih Tzu health reflects their companion breed design — proactive eye, dental, and airway care prevents most chronic problems.

Brachycephalic and ocular conformation

Flat-faced skull shape compresses airways while oversized eyes sit vulnerably exposed — a combination that drives BOAS and corneal injury rates.

Coat and grooming factors

Dense, fast-growing hair mats against skin, trapping moisture and allergens that trigger dermatitis and ear infections.

Toy-breed dental anatomy

Crowded teeth in a miniature jaw accelerate plaque buildup and periodontal bone loss from an early age.

How our vets assess your breed online

Our vets evaluate visible Shih Tzu conditions effectively via video, prescribing treatment for manageable cases and directing emergency care when eyes are proptosed or breathing is critical.

  • Eye appearance assessed on camera for ulcers, dryness, and redness
  • Breathing effort and noise evaluated during consultation
  • Teeth and gums examined for periodontal disease signs
  • Skin and ears reviewed beneath the coat for infection
  • Referral guidance for corneal staining, BOAS grading, and kidney panels

Treatments we may recommend

Eye problems and skin allergies are the most common reasons Shih Tzu owners book TelaVets — both treatable effectively via same-day video consultation.

  • Prescription eye drops and lubricants for dry eye and ulcers

  • Apoquel, Cytopoint, or antihistamines for skin allergies

  • Ear medications for bacterial and yeast otitis

  • Dental care plans and oral health support

  • BOAS management including weight control and heat avoidance

  • Topical treatments for hot spots and skin infections

  • Referral coordination for BOAS surgery or corneal procedures

All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.

Preventive care for Shih Tzus

  • Keep facial hair trimmed away from eyes

  • Brush teeth daily and schedule professional cleanings

  • Maintain regular grooming to prevent matting

  • Use harnesses and avoid neck collars

  • Keep your Shih Tzu cool during warm weather

Why pet parents choose TelaVets

  • Licensed DVMs Only

    Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.

  • $65 Flat Fee

    One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.

  • Same-Day Appointments

    Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.

  • Next-Day Prescriptions

    When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.

  • Stress-Free Home Visits

    Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.

  • Secure & Private

    Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.

How TelaVets works for Shih Tzu owners

  1. Book your consultation

    Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.

  2. Connect with a licensed vet

    Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.

  3. Get your treatment plan

    Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.

What Our Pet Parents Say

Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care

"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."

DL

David Long

Verified Pet Parent

"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."

CH

Courtney Hughes

Verified Pet Parent

"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"

M

Maria

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"

JG

Jackie Gardner

Verified Pet Parent

"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."

LD

Lara Durand

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"

WW

Wanida Walker

Verified Pet Parent

"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"

AT

Amanda Tobias

Verified Pet Parent

"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"

JH

Jana Humble

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."

MK

Marilyn Kerr

Verified Pet Parent

Frequently asked questions about Shih Tzu health

Every breed has genetic predispositions. Our licensed vets understand Shih Tzu-specific health risks and can help you monitor, prevent, and treat breed-common conditions via secure video consultation.

Yes. TelaVets vets assess your dog's symptoms in context of known Shih Tzu health patterns — allergies, joint issues, heart disease, and other breed-linked conditions.

Book a consultation for new or worsening symptoms, chronic issues like itching or limping, appetite changes, or when you want breed-appropriate preventive guidance. Seek emergency in-person care for collapse, difficulty breathing, or inability to urinate.

If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue same-day prescriptions with next-day delivery — including allergy meds, pain relief, antibiotics, and preventive treatments.

TelaVets charges a flat $65 fee per consultation — no memberships, facility fees, or hidden charges. Same-day appointments are available 7 days a week.

Book breed-aware care for your Shih Tzu today

Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets