Lhasa Apso health problems

Lhasa Apsos may be wary of unfamiliar pets and people, thanks to their history as ancient watchdogs, but they’re fiercely loyal to their families!

What they lack in size the Lhasa Apso makes up for in intelligence. But, it’s essential to provide them with a range of mental stimulation activities (like puzzle games), because the Lhasa Apso typically enjoys keeping their mind active.

To make sure your Lhasa Apso’s coat stays shiny and tangle-free, it’s important to brush them every day. Sometimes, Lhasa Apsos may also need to visit a professional groomer to have their coat clipped or trimmed, to help them feel more comfortable – especially in hot weather.

Explore our Lhasa Apso breed guide for more information about this regal breed!

Which health conditions can affect Lhasa Apsos?

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in Lhasa Apsos, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by Lhasa Apsos. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Lhasa Apso for more information.  

Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.   

Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Cherry eye

Cherry eye describes a condition in which a dog’s nictitans gland (a tear gland) that’s usually contained within their third eyelid prolapses (pops out of place). 

While the exact cause of cherry eye is currently unknown, vets believe it’s an inherited condition, which is why it’s often seen in specific dog breeds – like the Lhasa Apso.

The main symptom of cherry eye is a red swelling in the corner of your Lhasa Apso’s eye, nearest their nose. However, due to the irritation caused by cherry eye, your Lhasa Apso may end up scratching or rubbing their eye and developing other conditions like corneal ulcers or conjunctivitis.

If your Lhasa Apso has been diagnosed with cherry eye, your vet is likely to perform surgery to put your dog’s tear gland back into place. After their surgery, your Lhasa Apso will probably require an inflatable/buster collar, anti-inflammatory medication, and eye drops for a few weeks.

Skin allergies and infections (Atopy) in Lhasa Apso

Atopic dermatitis, also known as ‘atopy’, describes a range of skin allergies frequently seen in dogs that can sometimes lead to skin infections.

For Lhasa Apso, the most common type of dermatitis they tend to experience is ‘skin fold dermatitis’ or ‘intertrigo’ – which usually occurs between the wrinkles of their face. The folds of an Lhasa Apso’s face provide the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which can lead to a foul smell, pain, and itchiness, along with redness and inflammation. To treat skin fold dermatitis, a vet is likely to recommend cleaning your Lhasa Apso’s face folds regularly, as well as prescribing anti-microbial shampoo and/or anti-inflammatory medication.

While skin fold dermatitis is one of the most frequently seen types of skin condition in Lhasa Apso, atopic dermatitis is common in this breed, too. Dogs with atopic dermatitis are likely to scratch, chew, and/or lick the parts of their body that are itchy, inflamed, or irritated, which could include their:

• Face
• Ears
• Armpits (axillae)
• Tummy (abdomen)
• Paws

Vets can diagnose atopic dermatitis by evaluating your Lhasa Apso’s medical history and symptoms, alongside performing a thorough assessment of your dog’s skin.

Just like human allergies, such as hayfever, that require ongoing treatment to manage symptoms, canine atopic dermatitis will probably need to be treated throughout your dog’s life, too.

It can take some trial and error to work out which treatments (or combination of treatments) will work best to ease your dog’s symptoms – for example, medication and/or soothing shampoos. Though, thankfully, the majority of atopic dermatitis cases can be managed effectively to make sure your Lhasa Apso is able to enjoy life to the full.

Patellar luxation

Despite its complicated name, patellar luxation (or sometimes called a luxating patellar), is the veterinary description for a dog’s knee cap slipping out of place’.

There are four grades of severity for patellar luxation. A grade one patellar luxation describes a kneecap that almost instantly pops back into place – whereas grade four is when a kneecap can’t fit back into place (which is rare).

Symptoms of a patellar luxation include a ‘skipping’ lameness and/or ‘bow-legged’ appearance.

Treatments for patellar luxation depend on the grade, though treating low-grade patellar luxation could involve anti-inflammatory medication, adjusting exercise routines, and physiotherapy. High-grade patellar luxation in dogs usually requires surgery.