Title: Early Shih Tzu Puppy Eye Development
Author: Connie Limon
The average puppy or Shih Tzu puppy's eyes open between 12 and
15 days of age. The ear canals open soon thereafter, usually
within a day or two. All puppies are born with their eyes and
ears sealed shut. Do not try to open them. If you force or pry
open the puppy's eyelids during any development stage, you can
cause the puppy irreversible injury. Shih Tzu puppies are
unable to see or hear before this time. Shih Tzu puppies are
receptive to the stimuli of light and dark, noise and quiet.
Some Shih Tzu puppies will open their eyes before 12 days; some
are even later than the 15 days.
If all but one or two Shih Tzu puppies have their eyes open and
functioning well, check with your veterinarian about the slower
developing Shih Tzu puppies. A Shih Tzu brood matron's eggs
become fertilized during the breeding process at different times
due to multiple inseminations. Some Shih Tzu puppies that
develop later may be just simply because they were conceived at
a later time.
Keep the Shih Tzu puppy area under subdued lighting conditions
during the eye-opening period. Use heat lamps with caution once
Shih Tzu puppies' eyes have begun to open. If you need to
continue using a heat lamp, construct a large aluminum foil
"basket" or "hood" around the light. Punch numerous tiny holes
in the fabric with a pin, thin, sharp pen or pencil tip.
Check the Shih Tzu puppy's eyes as they first open to see if
the ear ducts are functioning properly. Wash the eyes and keep
them moist with a warm washcloth. The glands do not always
initially function adequately. Well-functioning tear ducts are
indicated by glisteningly bright "reflective" eyes. Sometimes if
the Shih Tzu puppy's eyes open early or if the Shih Tzu puppy is
premature they do not have fully developed and functioning tears
ducts. In these cases apply an ophthalmic ointment just under
the eyelid, or consult with your vet for an appropriate routine
to follow. If you use the ointment, apply it five or six times
daily or according to your vet's instructions. It is important
to treat unproductive tear duct glands. Blindness can result if
left unattended. Treatment is usually only a few days. A sterile
5 percent boric ophthalmic ointment solution can be purchased
from your vet or pharmacy (under your vet's instructions)
ointment can be applied every four hours. Treatment should
continue until the Shih Tzu puppy's eyes lose the dry "flat"
(non-reflective) appearance.
Shih Tzu puppies' eyes when first opened will have a protective
film, bluish in color. If the Shih Tzu puppy's eyes are white or
solid blue consult your veterinarian.
By three weeks of age, Shih Tzu puppies' should be able to
focus fairly well.
Use extreme caution when photographing Shih Tzu puppies between
8 and 20 days of age. Prior and after this time a flash may be
safer. Extreme and bright light can damage a Shih Tzu puppy's
delicate eye tissues.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
About The Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies.
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