Leaving dog with sitter while we go to WDW, advice needed.

[Sillyminny40]

We are leaving our shih tzu with a house sitter who has been here before and she loves him.

BUT her face is getting really smelly (in spite of weekly baths). No human food for her and it is winter so she is not rolling in anything. Same food she has been eating for 5 years (she is 6). She has clear runoff from eyes and that must be promoting a bacteria maybe but it is not infected. She has grooming/cleaning day before we leave by a wonderful person.

I have taken her to the vet for this twice in 3 years who swabs her eyes (negative) and gives us eye cream which is $50 total. So maybe you folks have ideas about this.
Our house is very clean so I do not understand why she has this from time to time.
Just would like to see what we can do before we leave our baby behind. She is so lovely but this is yucky.

 

[badblackpug]

Am I correct that a Shih Tzu has a "flat" face? I have a pug and they are the same. You have to clean the fold above her nose. We do it with a baby wipe and then apply a moisture barrier, such as A & D ointment in the fold. Moisture and bacteria build up in the nose fold causing an odor.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I have kept a friend's shi tzu and she says the same about him. I have never noticed it and love him just the same.
Have a great trip.

 

[EveDallas]

I would have her teeth checked. Bacteria in her mouth may be causing the smell.

 

[Sillyminny40]

Thanks Eve!

 

[EveDallas]

You're welcome I work in a vet clinic so it was the first thing that came to my mind.

 

[maciec]

Teeth are the first thing that came to my mind also. Has your pup ever had his teeth cleaned?