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A Watchful Eye
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Before you treat your dog for fever, determine that he actually has one. Small
Dogs Paradise's online article on "How to Take Your Dog's Temperature"
recommends using a nonbreakable digital thermometer. Lubricate the
thermometer with water-based jelly or olive oil. If you need to, get someone to
help you restrain the dog. Insert the thermometer an inch into the dog's rectum,
being careful to angle it so the end touches the wall of the rectum. A normal
temperature for a dog is 100-102 degrees Farenheit; 103-104 degrees indicates a
moderate fever. You should see your vet soon. A temperature over 104 degrees is
dangerous and requires a vet's immediate attention.

Water
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Your dog's fever can cause him to become dehydrated, says Martin Zucker, author
of "The Veterinarians' Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs." Like all small dogs,
your Shih Tzu's higher metabolism means she needs more water per pound of
body weight than a larger dog. Encourage her to drink more water while she's
feverish, but don't force it. A splash of cranberry juice in the water or an ice cube
to crunch on might motivate her to consume more and cool her off. If cold water
doesn't appeal to her, give her warmer water. Zucker notes that water that is too
warm or too cold can cause the dog to refuse it.

Chicken Soup
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A traditional cure for the common cold in humans, chicken soup can also make
your Shih Tzu feel better when he has a fever. The experts at Natural Dog Health
Remedies says that chicken soup boosts immunity while keeping your dog
hydrated. To make a simple chicken soup, cover a small whole chicken with water
and simmer for three or four hours. Remove all bones and return it to the heat,
adding carrots, spinach or your dog's favorite vegetables.

Cool Sponge Bath


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Just like you would a child, you can bring down your dog's fever by cooling it with
water. Dampen a washcloth with cold water and apply it to his ears and feet.
WebMD's article "High Fever in Dogs" also recommends using a fan on your
damp dog to further bring down his temperature.

Echinacea
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According to Fetchdog's online article about echinacea, in one clinical trial, 39 of


42 dogs with chronic upper respiratory infections recovered within four weeks
when given echinacea. The dose is one gram of echinacea powder per 22 pounds
of body weight daily. For an average 12-pound Shih Tzu, half a gram would be an
appropriate dose. The Dachsund Magazine On-Line notes that echinacea is not
appropriate if your dog's fever is caused by an autoimmune disorder.

Fruits
Berries, particularly blueberries, make good treats to
neatly hand-feed your Shih Tzu. Plus they're rich in
antioxidants, believed to protect cells from the damage
caused by free radicals. Some banana slices or pieces of
melon are also good choices. A few chunks of apple or
pear make a tasty and healthy treat for your Tzu, but
watch that he doesn't eat the seeds of either fruit. Apple
and pear seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can
be toxic. As long as you play it safe and remove the
seeds, though, apples and pears are good sources of
vitamins and fiber.
Other healthy (and tidy) fruit treats your Tzu might enjoy
include a few pieces of grapefruit or a couple of orange
slices. Grapefruit provides your pup with vitamin C and
folic acid, and oranges supply him with potassium and
thiamin, along with a bit of calcium and magnesium.
Vegetables
Several vegetables make fine snacks for a Shih Tzu.
Some raw veggies he might enjoy include zucchini
slices, frozen peas, alfalfa sprouts, bell peppers and
romaine lettuce. A few cooked vegetables your little furfriend might like are steamed green beans, cauliflower or
broccoli, which is rich in vitamin C and calcium. He
might also be partial to a bit of baked squash or potato.
But avoid the mess that would result from giving him
either one in mashed form. Instead, offer them in bitesize pieces.
Carrots, too, make a great choice and can be offered
cooked or raw. Some people like to freeze the carrot
before offering it to their Tzu, making a healthy dog
chew and snack in one. Teething puppies will especially
appreciate this cold, soothing treat. Be aware, however,

that this option is not one of the tidier choices, since the
melting moisture, carrot juices and puppy drool can
cause the facial hair and paws to get quite damp and
temporarily stained a slight orange color.
Dangerous Fruits and Vegetables
While a number of fruits and vegetables make tasty
snacks for your Shih Tzu, some are dangerous or even
deadly. Never give your dog grapes or raisins, for
example, because they can cause kidney failure. Avoid
onions, garlic and chives. They can give your little Tzu
gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell
damage, particularly when eaten in large quantities.
Never give any part of an avocado to your furry friend.
The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain
persin, a compound that can cause vomiting and diarrhea
in dogs.
Considerations
While your Shih Tzu should do fine eating any of the
recommended fruits and vegetables listed here, it's best
to do your research and speak with your vet before you
supplement your dog's diet with any new items. You'll
want to be certain such treats are appropriate -- not only
for the species, but also for your specific dog. If, for
instance, your Tzu has or is prone to calcium oxalate
urolithiasis (stones in the urinary tract), your vet may
advise you to not give him treats that are high in oxalate.
These include potato, carrots, green beans, blueberries,
oranges and many other fruits and vegetables. Also keep
in mind that some Shih Tzus may be more sensitive than
others, so be watchful; should you see any indication of
gastrointestinal upset, stop giving him the fruit or
vegetable that caused it.

The best foods for a Shih Tzu are:

Organs - Liver, heart and brain


Lean Cuts of Meat - boneless white breast
chicken, lean hamburger, lamb
Fish
Vegetables - Tzu usually just love mashed
potatoes and other healthy veggies such as
broccoli and carrots
Starch - Given in the form of rice and pasta

Dangerous Foods
While it is always suggested to feed your Shih Tzu
a quality dog food, an owner must be aware of
basic human foods that this dog is allergic
to. Some are quite surprising:

Grapes and Raisins: It may seem odd that


such a healthy fruit for humans can be so
dangerous to your Shih Tzu; however these
foods can cause serious kidney damage and it
does not take a large amount
Chocolate: Most people have heard that
chocolate may not be good for a dog; the facts
are that it can cause seizures, coma and death
to a small dog such as the Shih Tzu
Onions. Beware of giving any meat to your
dog if it has onions on it or mixed in. This can
destroy a dog's red blood cells.
Coffee, Tea and Soda: caffeine can produce
seizures, coma and eventual death

Salt. A large quantity of salt will cause kidney


issues
Macadamia Nuts: This expensive and sought
after nut can do great harm to a Shih Tzu or
any other dog. The results of ingesting this can
be muscle tremors and paralysis.
Fruit pits and seeds: Again, a healthy food to
humans but dangerous to your Shih Tzu. All
fruit seeds and pits can cause a range of
medical issues including breathing difficulty,
and/or fluids that fill up in a dog's abdomen and
heart. Some fruit seeds can kill a Shih Tzu
within 24 hours!

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