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maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:08 AM

I would like to know, the puppy I would like to get her nose is not develop yet, I'm just scared I may have to drill her nose just so she can breathe. The breeder said the mom is the same way, and her nose is fine. The dad has a big nose and sister already has a nose, the pups are right now are 5 weeks old. Can you help?:confused:

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:09 AM

She should have a fully developed nose when she was born. It is a defect and may need surgery to correct it. I suggest you go to the vet asap if the dog is having trouble breathing because of it.
Edited because I only just read that the puppy is 5 weeks old! Just asking if the breeder sold you a puppy at 5 weeks old? Or haven't you taken the puppy yet?

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:12 AM

Are they really hard shih tzu to potty train. And how often do you take them out. And for how long and what is the best food to give them as puppy, so they don't have diarrhea?
This is my first pup and I just want to do it right. I already love her so much that I can smell her. But than I don't want pee and poo all over my house.:)

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:15 AM

I think you need to sort out the health issues before you start thinking about that. Get the puppy vet checked before you take it home.
And I probably can't help you with food brands as I think we would have different ones here in Australia.

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:15 AM

I won't get the pup until mar 14 she'll then be 7 weeks, I mean you can see opening in her nose there is just no cartilage like her sister.

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:16 AM

You are confusing me... why did you disagree with my original post? I know it's a shih tzu

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:19 AM

It is actually illegal to sell puppies younger than 8 weeks old.
Although shih tzus are prone to breathing problems I would still get it checked out by a vet.

Go to this site: it is all about shih tzu puppies development and the stages of growth
How A Shih Tzu Puppy Grows

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

You are confusing me... why did you disagree with my original post? I know it's a shih tzu

I'm sorry I didn't realize that was your name.:rolleyes:

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:29 AM

Lol that's all right then :)

carolbcac · Mar 4, 2009, 07:32 AM

I think the breathing problem you are describing is called stentotic nares. If you look at the other pups, they have round nostrils, and this one probably has more vertical slits. The little extra flaps of tissue sort of act like a one-way valve, and they try to shut when the pup breathes in. They can generally breathe out fine. It is not uncommon in a lot of the "push-face" dogs and is fairly easily corrected with surgery. It is probably genetic and I would certainly not consider breeding this dog.
See if the breeder will let you take her to the vet for a pre-purchase exam--and be very wary of a breeder who won't agree to this!

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:39 AM

Stentotci nares? Her sister nose is black, put the other has no blackness but u can see the opening of her nose. Is that still concerned stentotci nares?

Also is 7 weeks to early to release from mom?

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:43 AM

You really should wait until 8 weeks old to take the pup.
The color of the nose is irrelevant, that is just the pigment, some dogs have pink noses when they are born and turn black as they get older, others will have pink spots.

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 07:48 AM

Pink spots? There is no nose, except holes? Is that stentotic nares?

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 07:54 AM

This is off the 'how a shih tzu puppy grows' site... this puppy is 28 days old its nose should look like this ones. You will probably have to get Carol back for a technical explanation!

And thisis a picture of stenotic nares (this picture was too big to post)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St...es_before1.jpg

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 08:27 AM

Thanks for that pic, that is exactly how the other pup looks like but not the other I'm interested in her nose looks nothing like that. So that is a defect right?:confused:

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by maria_ramirez64

thanks for that pic, that is exactly how the other pup looks like but not the other im interested in her nose looks nothing like that. So that is a defect right?:confused:

This is a awesome site and you have help out tremendously. Thank you:)

shazamataz · Mar 4, 2009, 08:31 AM

I would say it is yes. But in saying that the puppy might be fine and grow up perfectly happy or it could need corrective surgery. There is no way to say exactly what is wrong with the puppy without seeing a photo or anything. The only way you are really going to know is with a vet check. Sorry I can't help you out more...

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

She should have a fully developed nose when she was born. It is a defect and may need surgery to correct it. I suggest you go to the vet asap if the dog is having trouble breathing because of it.
edited because I only just read that the puppy is 5 weeks old! Just asking if the breeder sold you a puppy at 5 weeks old? or haven't you taken the puppy yet?

No I have not purchased the pup

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by maria_ramirez64

Stentotci nares? her sister nose is black, put the other has no blackness but u can see the opening of her nose. Is that still concerned stentotci nares?

Also is 7 weeks to early to release from mom?

Thanks for answering

maria_ramirez64 · Mar 4, 2009, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

You really should wait until 8 weeks old to take the pup.
The color of the nose is irrelevant, that is just the pigment, some dogs have pink noses when they are born and turn black as they get older, others will have pink spots.

You have answered my questions