Lhasa Apso care for the coat, kidneys and eyes

The American Kennel Club names hereditary kidney dysfunction as the most serious health problem in the Lhasa Apso, ahead of dry eye, progressive retinal atrophy, slipping kneecaps, hip dysplasia and cherry eye. The breed is small, 12 to 18 pounds (about 5.5 to 8 kg), with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Lhasas served as sentinel dogs at palaces and Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas, and the traits that suited that job still show: alert, independent and aloof with strangers. Care for this breed comes down to a demanding coat, the eyes, the kidneys and a dog that will only cooperate on terms it finds reasonable.

Coat care, long or clipped

The Lhasa's coat is long, heavy and straight, and it mats quickly once it is neglected. Whether to keep it long or in a short puppy cut is an owner's choice. The AKC is clear that both still need regular work.

• Long coat: the AKC advises bathing at least every two weeks and brushing at least once between baths. Brush in layers down to the skin, then run a metal comb through to find mats, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and under the collar.
• Bathing: rinse thoroughly, because shampoo residue irritates the skin. Work out any mats before the bath, since water tightens them.
• Drying: dry and brush the coat completely. Damp hair mats even when it is clean.
• Puppy cut: much less time, but the dog still needs brushing and baths between groomer visits.
• Face: keep the hair around the eyes trimmed or tied up so it does not rub the eye surface.

Matting is not cosmetic. A tight mat pulls on the skin and holds moisture against it, and it can hide sores, parasites or infection for weeks. If daily brushing is not realistic, a short clip is the kinder option.

Hereditary kidney disease

Lhasas can inherit a kidney disorder, often referred to as renal dysplasia, that ranges from mild to severe. The AKC notes that there is no reliable test to detect carriers, so breeders rely on removing affected dogs from breeding programs. It also says breeders have made good progress and that the risk of getting an affected puppy from a knowledgeable breeder is slim. When buying a puppy, ask directly about kidney problems in the parents and related dogs.

Kidney disease is easy to miss early, because the first signs are vague:

• Drinking and urinating more than usual, or new accidents in the house
• Poor appetite or picky eating
• Weight loss, or a puppy that grows slowly
• Vomiting, bad breath or lethargy

Any of these warrant blood and urine tests. For a breed with this history, it is reasonable to ask the vet about baseline kidney values in a young adult and repeat checks as part of routine care, so a change shows up before the dog is ill.

What diet can and cannot do

Diet has good evidence once kidney disease is diagnosed. In a double-masked trial in 38 dogs with chronic renal failure, dogs fed a renal diet had fewer uremic crises, lower mortality and a slower decline in kidney function than dogs on an adult maintenance food, in the mild and moderate stages. Renal diets are lower in phosphorus and adjusted in protein, and the vet decides when to start one and whether a phosphate binder is also needed.

Evidence is limited for the other direction. There are no studies showing that a renal diet fed to a healthy Lhasa prevents inherited kidney disease. A complete and balanced adult food, fresh water at all times, and testing that finds a problem early are the practical approach.

Eyes

Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), happens when the glands do not produce enough of the watery part of tears. In UK primary-care records covering more than 360,000 dogs, Lhasa Apsos had about 21 times the odds of KCS compared with crossbreds, among the highest of any breed. Risk also rose with age. The authors recommend a quantitative tear test as part of the yearly check for predisposed breeds, and the Lhasa is one of them.

Signs to watch for:

• Thick, sticky or yellow-green discharge that keeps coming back
• Red eyes, squinting or rubbing at the face
• A dull or cloudy look to the surface of the eye

Untreated dry eye can lead to corneal ulcers and scarring, so these signs need a vet rather than repeated wiping. Treatment is usually lifelong eye medication.

The AKC also lists two other eye conditions to ask a breeder about. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited degeneration of the retina that causes gradual vision loss, often noticed first as clumsiness in dim light. Cherry eye is a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid, a red swelling at the inner corner of the eye, and is usually corrected surgically.

Teeth

Small dogs have a lot of teeth in a small jaw, and crowded teeth trap plaque. The Veterinary Oral Health Council says daily oral hygiene keeps the gums healthy and calls brushing the gold standard. Chews and diets that carry its seal have submitted data showing plaque or tartar control, and they can help alongside brushing. Many dogs, especially from middle age, also need periodic professional scaling under anesthesia. Use a dog toothpaste, never a human one.

Meals and portions

The AKC's breed notes say most Lhasas use their food very efficiently, and even slight overfeeding can cause digestive upsets. They also say dogs do best with consistency, so pick a routine and keep to it. Two measured meals a day make it easy to notice when a Lhasa stops finishing its food, which matters in a breed where poor appetite can be an early sign of kidney trouble.

For portions, the Merck Veterinary Manual formula is a starting point: resting energy requirement (70 times body weight in kilograms to the power 0.75), multiplied by 1.8 for an intact adult, 1.6 for a neutered adult or 1.4 for a dog that gains weight easily.

These are estimates. Merck notes that individuals of the same weight can need 30% more or less. A full coat hides the body, so feel for ribs under a light covering and a waist behind them, and weigh the dog monthly. A small-breed kibble is easier for a small mouth to manage.

Temperament, training and exercise

The AKC describes Lhasas as highly intelligent dogs that will do what is asked if it suits them. They dislike repetitive drills and can become stubborn if bullied or badgered. Short, varied sessions with food or play rewards work far better than harsh corrections. Their wariness of strangers is part of the breed, so puppies need plenty of calm, positive meetings with new people, places and other dogs.

Exercise needs are moderate. According to the AKC, Lhasas are good at exercising themselves, racing around a room or a fenced yard, and enjoy brisk walks, and mental work matters as much as physical. Some do well in agility and scent work. In hot weather the heavy coat is a burden: walk in the cooler parts of the day, provide shade and water, and consider a shorter clip for summer.

Sources

1. Lhasa Apso dog breed information. American Kennel Club.
2. Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous chronic renal failure in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002.
3. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK: an epidemiological study. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021.
4. Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC.
5. Nutritional requirements of small animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.