| The Japanese Chin is a very old Oriental breed who | | | | DCM is very common in dogs. The canine disease is |
| was considered by many to be of royalty. They | | | | acquired in life, but is influenced by genetic factors still |
| originally lived with the Chinese Aristocracy and | | | | not explained. |
| eventually lived at the Imperial Palace. It is believed | | | | Dyspnea is actually respiratory distress. It is labored, |
| that the Chinese so admired these dogs that the | | | | difficult breathing or shortness of breath. The causes |
| Chinese Emperor gave a pair to the Emperor of | | | | of dyspnea could be any of the following: |
| Japan. In Japan the Japanese Chin was kept by the | | | | - Heart disease or heart failure; |
| Noble who used them as gifts to very special people. | | | | - Lung disease; |
| In 1853 Commodore Perry visited Japan. While he | | | | - Tumors or cancer in the lung; |
| was there he was given several Japanese Chins. He | | | | - Infection such as pneumonia; |
| gave a pair to Queen Victoria, Admiral Perry's | | | | - Trauma; |
| daughter and to the President. This was the | | | | - Bleeding into the lungs or chest; |
| introduction of the Japanese Chin to England and | | | | - Abnormal fluid accumulation in/or around the lungs. |
| North America. The Japanese Chin had been known | | | | Brachycephalic breeds such as the Japanese Chin |
| as the Japanese Spaniel until 1977. In 1977, the name | | | | (short faced breeds) are predisposed to upper |
| of the breed was officially changed to the Japanese | | | | airway problems. |
| Chin. | | | | Symptoms to watch for: |
| The Japanese Chin is a dainty little toy breed with a | | | | - Coughing; |
| distinctive oriental expression. I am so amazed at | | | | - Shortness of breath; |
| how the Oriental people created these dogs with this | | | | - Difficulty breathing; |
| type of expression. I feel it was a work of art and | | | | - Weight loss; |
| genius. The Chin is a regal little dog who displays | | | | - Fatigue. |
| himself in a very proud aristocratic manner. He stands | | | | The treatment for dyspnea depends upon the |
| about 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder and weighs | | | | underlying cause. Treatment may include: |
| between 4 and 11 pounds. | | | | - Hospitalization with administration of oxygen; |
| Interesting to note about the Japanese Chin is that | | | | - Minimizing stress; |
| he uses his paws to wash his face like a cat. | | | | - Draining the fluid that has accumulated around the |
| The Japanese Chin like other Oriental breeds is a | | | | lungs; |
| fairly healthy dog with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 | | | | - Diuretics; |
| years. However, as with all dog breeds, small or large, | | | | - Combination drug therapy. |
| there are a few diseases to watch out for especially | | | | True Dyspnea is usually an emergency. When you |
| in the Japanese Chin. They are: | | | | first note your pet having trouble breathing, note his |
| - Heart disease; | | | | general activity, exercise capacity and interest in the |
| - Dyspnea; | | | | family activities. Note the presence of any coughing |
| - Dislocated knees. | | | | or severe fatigue and report these symptoms to |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by | | | | your vet for further a diagnostic evaluation. |
| dilation or enlargement of the heart chambers and | | | | Dislocated knees are a condition in which the patella |
| markedly reduced contraction. Symptoms to watch | | | | (knee-cap) no longer glides within its natural groove in |
| out for this disease in the Japanese Chin are: | | | | the femur. Dislocated knees can occur as a result of |
| - Shortness of breath; | | | | trauma or develop during the first year of an animal's |
| - Coughing; | | | | life. Congenital or developmental dislocated knees are |
| - Exercise intolerance; | | | | more common. It is more commonly found in small |
| - Collapse; | | | | dogs such as poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese and |
| - Sudden onset of pain and paralysis, usually in the | | | | the Japanese Chin. Traumatic dislocated knees usually |
| back legs. | | | | occurs secondary to being hit by a car at any age. |
| The start of these symptoms should alert you that | | | | Treatment in low grade cases can be managed with |
| your Japanese Chin is in need of emergency medical | | | | restricted exercise and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
| treatment. | | | | medication. More severe cases can be addressed |
| Treatment of DCM is usually drug therapy. Administer | | | | surgically. |
| all advised veterinary medications. Watch for difficulty | | | | When selecting your Japanese Chin it is wise to ask |
| in breathing, increase in coughing, lethargy or sudden | | | | the breeder about the history of patella problems in |
| inability to use one or more limbs. Notice the | | | | the bloodline. |
| breathing rate when your pet is relaxing. Regular | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| veterinary visits to monitor the condition are required. | | | | |