Health

Why Is My Shih Tzu Squinting?

Understand why squinting can signal eye pain, irritation, injury, ulceration, dry eye, foreign material, or pressure problems in a prominent-eyed breed.

Treat new or persistent squinting as an eye warning sign and seek timely veterinary examination.

Both Eyes In Good Light Without Touching Them

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Notice Redness Discharge Cloudiness Rubbing Or Light Sensitivity

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Prevent Face Rubbing And Pawing

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Contact A Veterinarian Promptly For Persistent Squinting

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Only Prescribed Eye Medication

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Urgent Care For Trauma Sudden Cloudiness Or A Closed Painful Eye

Interpret this step against the dog’s normal baseline and the speed of change. Eye comfort, breathing effort, gum color, appetite, movement, awareness, and recovery after activity provide more useful information together than any one sign by itself.

When symptoms are sudden, severe, painful, or worsening, contact a veterinarian rather than continuing to experiment at home. Bring a concise timeline, current medications, and photographs or video when they can be collected safely.

Common Errors That Make This Harder

  • Using leftover eye drops
  • Waiting several days with a tightly closed eye
  • Trying to remove embedded material
  • Allowing hair to rub the eye
  • Assuming tearing means the eye is adequately lubricated