How long do Lhasa Apsos live?
The Lhasa Apso is a normally healthy, robust, and long-lived dog. When well-cared-for and properly fed, he can live between 12 - 15 years or beyond. In fact, the oldest Lhasa Apso dog is 29 years old.
Like many other dog breeds, the Lhasa is susceptible to genetic and acquired illnesses like hip dysplasia and cherry eye. Other illnesses include:
Dry Eye
The Lhasa Apso dog is one of the dog breeds that are very likely to develop dry eye. It is an eye disorder, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). This is a result when tear ducts produce an insufficient amount of tears.
The usual symptoms of KCS in Lhasa Apso include pain, redness, irritation, and pus-like discharge. This condition requires lifelong treatment, which involves stimulating tear production and replacing the tear film.
Ophthalmic medications and a tear production stimulant will be prescribed by the vet to address this health problem. For dogs with inflamed and irritated eyes, topical anti-inflammatory and antibiotics are needed to relieve these symptoms.
However, if the Lhasa Apso does not respond well to medications, the next step will be a surgical correction. Note that this is a high-risk process. Thus, it should not be performed unless the other medications were unsuccessful. A Lhasa Apso with dry eye requires lifelong medical care.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is a hereditary optical disease that results in the slow degeneration of vision. If your Lhasa Apso dog has a hard time moving through the house at night, it is a sign that he is suffering from PRA. This condition can lead to eventual blindness over months or years.
This ocular disease in Lhasa Apsos does not have any cure, although antioxidant therapy is recommended to hinder vision loss. However, there is an insubstantial amount of evidence to support its effectiveness.
To prevent PRA from spreading within the Lhasa Apso breed, health screening is the best option. This process will weed out potential breeding dogs that have high chances of inheriting the disease.
Patellar Luxation
Small dog breeds like the Lhasa Apso are highly prone to patellar luxation, which occurs when the kneecap becomes dislocated.
Arthritis may gradually develop due to this condition. It puts affected dogs in extreme pain and makes movement difficult. Lameness is also another result of patellar luxation.
Depending on the disease's severity, the cure can range from medications to surgery. It also includes exercise restriction and physical therapy. For obese dogs, weight management is necessary to prevent placing strain on the affected joints.
Ear Infections
Due to the Lhasa Apso's drooping ears, he is highly vulnerable to ear infections. That's because the ears' formation is more likely to accumulate dirt and bacteria. It also makes the ear canal damp, which leads to the proliferation of bacteria.
Preventing ear infections in the Lhasa Apso requires regularly cleaning the ears and checking for signs of infection. These signs include redness, discharge, itchiness, and irritation.
After giving a Lhasa Apso a bath, do not forget to dry his ears completely. Be sure to frequently trim excess hair in the ears as well to keep bacteria from thriving.
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
It is a skin disorder that is often passed through genetics. SA happens when the immune system attacks the sebaceous glands, causing gradual hair loss on the affected dog.
The Lhasa Apso's skin will turn dry, thick, and scaly. Itchiness, lesions, and hotspots also accompany other symptoms. SA usually occurs in 1 to 12-year-old dogs.
This disease cannot be cured, but there are available treatments that can manage it. Topical therapies like keratolytic shampoo and oil baths are usually used as primary treatments. Vitamins and omega-3 supplements will be prescribed by the vet as well.
If SA triggers bacterial or yeast infection in Lhasa Apso, medications such as antibiotics and corticosteroids will be administered to prevent the condition from worsening.
The Lhasa dog is not highly active and is content to stay indoors. Unlike other breeds, the Lhasa Apso does not require rigorous activities. But he will enjoy short 20 to 60-minute walks and play sessions with the family. He is well suited for people who lead sedentary lifestyles.
Keep in mind that the Lhasa Apso is a brachycephalic breed. Excessive exercise can cause breathing difficulties, whilst hot weather can induce heatstroke. Thus, set limits on your dog's daily exercise regimen, and take him out for outdoor exercise only during the cooler time of the day.