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One of the newest health foods for pets and people is “coconut oil.” Coconut oil is a saturated-fat vegetable oil. Coconuts have always been a staple of tropical cuisines and people following a coconut-based diet. These people rarely suffered from heart disease, cancer, diabetes or other illnesses that haunt modern America.

According to the people who use coconut oil regularly it can reduce the risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions, improves cholesterol levels and helps to fight heart disease, improves digestion and nutrient absorption, contains antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents that prevent infection an disease……..some even use it to brush their and for underarm deodorant. I do believe I have seen the ingredient “coconut oil” in several of my favorite deodrants.

This is good news for people and their dogs since most of coconut oil’s human benefits are the same for canines. Try giving your shih tzu some coconut oil to see if he/she likes the taste. It has been reported that most dogs do love the taste of coconut oil, which makes feeding it to your shih tzu more pleasant. I really don’t like giving my shih tzu anything that is unpleasant even if it is for their own good.

You will need to get the right type. Most health food stores carry at least one brand and you can probably find it online. There are two main types of coconut oil. One is refined coconut oil (might be labeled RBD for Refined, Bleached, and Deordorized). It is made from copra, or dried coconut meat, then treated to remove impurities. Most RBD coconut oil is relatively inexpensive. It does not contain all the nutrients found in unrefined coconut oil and in most cases the coconuts used are lof low quality and chemicals like chorine and hexane are used in the refining process. The other type is Unrefined or “virgin” coconut oil and is made from fresh coconuts. hmmmm, sounds like the kind I would like best. I truly like coconut of anything. I want it to taste good and taste good to my dogs. I would go for the more expensive type.

Of course the better of the two is going to cost you more. Good-quality oil is colorless when liquid and pure white when solid, never yellow or pink and it should not contain residue or have an “off” or rancid odor. If you get hold of some coconut oil that gives you a scratchy throat or like a “catch” in the throat, this is probably a sign of poor quality. A smokey flavor or aroma is another indication of poor quality.

There are also hydrogenated and fractionated coconut oils. Hydrogenated coconut oil is not recommend for your dog because it contains harmful trans-fats. Fractionated coconut oil is a message oil and aromatherapy ingredient and is sold as a cosmetic ingredient.

For your shih tzu, you would need to start out with small amounts and increase gradually to about 1 tablespoon per 30 lbs. body weight daily (no shih tzu weighs this much), so you would need to adjust that dosage and ask your vet for help on that. You need to watch for changes in your dog’s energy, skin, coat, breath and body odor.

You can also apply coconut oil topically to cuts, wounds, infected ears, bites and stings for both you and your pets.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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Umbilical and inguinal hernias are very common in the shih tzu. They may be congenital or acquired. In acquired hernias, there generally is some history of trauma such is at birth with the umbilical cord being cut to short or excessive pull on the cord during the cutting process. Congenital hernias involve the diaphragm or the abdominal wall. There are three main types involving the diaphragm. They are peritoneopericardial where abdominal contents are found extending into the pericardial sac; pleuropetioneal, in which abdominal contents are found within the pleural cavity; and hiatal, in which the abdominal esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and/or portions of the stomach protrude through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.

Clinical signs vary from no symptoms to severe and depend on the amount of herniated tissue and its effect on the organ it is displacing. Hiatal hernias may be “sliding” and result in clinical signs of reflux esophagitis (anorexia, salivation, and/or vomiting) that may come and go. Definitive diagnosis is done through radiology, and contrast studies are need for confirmation. Correction of all the afrementioned hernias is best done through surgery.

Hernias involving the abdominal wall include umbilical, inguinal, or scrotal. An umbilical hernia is secondary to failure of the normal closure of the umbilical ring and result in protrusion of the abdominal wall. In small animals, if the hernia is small, correction is best done at time of spaying or neutering and this is best done no earlier than 6 months of age. Sometimes a small umbilical or inguinal hernia will have closed on its own by the time the dog reaches 6 months of age. If not, then it most usually is recommended to be closed during the sterialization process. If you are not planning to sterialize your animal, then the hernia can be repaired at 6 months of age, and preferably not before then, unless there is a medical reason to do so.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Weekly updates of available puppies. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Tags: dog health, shih tzu, shih tzu health, shih tzu hernias, shih tzu information, shih tzu puppiesdog health, shih tzu, shih tzu health, shih tzu hernias, shih tzu information, shih tzu puppies

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The canine flu outbreak in the summer of 2005 can be thought of as equivalent to colds and flu that people get. It spreads much the same way, through direct contact, through the air, and through exposure to whatever the virus touches. The symptoms are similar as well, with infected dogs or shih tzu developing a runny nose, fever, and a persistent cough that can last for two to three weeks. The severity of symptoms varies because there are two forms of the illness. The mild form can come and go unnoticed, but the dog or shih tzu will still be a carrier. The dog or shih tzu can look and act normal and still have an active infection. The more severe form of canine flu is obvious with acute symptoms that can turn into pneumonia.

The canine flu’s signature cough is different from kennel cough. Kennel cough is a hacking cough, and the dog or shih tzu usually feels fine otherwise. With canine flu the cough is a soft, moist cough. There will be a high fiver, nasal discharge, rapid, shallow breathing, loss of energy and loss of appetite. These last symptoms appear when the illness has progressed to pneumonia. Canine flu does not normally produce vomiting, diarrhea or other intestinal problems in dogs or the shih tzu.

The canine flu virus is not related to human flu or to the avian (bird) flu that has killed people in Asia. No humans have been infected with the canine flu.

The canine flu’s mortality rate is very low with estimates of about 5 percent. Those at greatest risk of developing complications are older dogs or older shih tzu, young puppies or young shih tzu puppies, and any dog or shih tzu with a weak immune system. The canine flu is NEW, but not that new. The canine flu was first identified two years ago.

Which dogs or which shih tzu are at risk? All dogs and all shih tzu are at risk. Some areas have been hit harder than others. It is estimated that the odds are very high your dog or shih tzu has already been exposed or soon will be. Wherever you live, this flu will eventually arrive.

The virus is airborne and spreads easily. Dogs or shih tzu who develop symptoms will do so within 24 to 72 hours of exposure. The exact incubation period is unknown. A infected dog or shih tzu will be contagious for at least a few days and possibly weeks. No one knows how long the virus is viable on surfaces, but it probably survives at least 24 hours and may live even longer.

Can the canine flu be prevented? Everything boils down to the individual shih tzu or dog’s immune system. There is no vaccine for the canine flu.

The other key factor is diet. You can do a lot to improve your shih tzu or dog’s immune system just by improving the quality of his food. One supplement that may be helpful for preventing viral infections is Thymex, which is a thymus gland supplement that stimulates an immune response, and Cataplex A-C-P, which is antioxidant-bioflavonoid blend that increases white blood cells and improves lung-related respiratory diseases. HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance dog food and daily supplement is an excellent choice for improving the immune system in dogs and the shih tzu.

An herbal classic from Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the famous herbalist whose Natural Rearing philosophy has improved the health of dogs and the shih tzu for more than 60 years is an Herbal Compound supplement that contains garlic, rue, sage, thyme, eucalyptus, and wormwood - all serious infection fighters - in a base of vegetable charcoal.

Coconut oil is recommended to dogs and the shih tzu as a flu preventive. Feeding your dog or shih tzu coconut oil everyday, preferably two or three times per day is an excellent way to prevent infection. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil kill most strains of flu virus and, taken daily, should be effective against the canine flu.

Do not panic! As the canine flu virus spreads across the United States and the world, it will continue to cause shih tzu and dog owners confusion and stress. Headlines in the news and rumors always paint a worst than really is picture of anything that makes the headlines and news of our world. The worst case scenarios does not have to happen to your dog or shih tzu. With a little help, your shih tzu and dog’s immune system can respond efficiently to any contagious disease, including canine flu.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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