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