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Breed profile · FDA CVM July 2026 extract

Shih Tzu adverse-event record

Adverse-event filings for Shih Tzu (Dog) in the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine openFDA extract. Browse dog breeds, reactions, and outcomes below.

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#9 of 510
by report volume (all breeds)
24,405
FDA CVM reports on file
3.6%
death-coded share of reports
#202 of 275
by death-coded share (≥50 reports)

How the 24,405 reports break down

By recorded gender -- every report on file for Shih Tzu, no filtering.

Annual report volume

Annual adverse-event report trend Yearly FDA CVM adverse-event report counts for this breed. 1,463 1,097.25 731.5 365.75 0 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Reports filed Death-coded reports
Annual report volume for Shih Tzu drawn from FDA CVM filings.

Data updated September 2026

The verdict

According to the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine openFDA adverse-event extract, Shih Tzu ranks #9 of 510 by total reports (24,405) and #202 of 275 by death-coded share (3.6%). National dual: Retriever - Labrador is #1 of 510 by total adverse-event reports (93,675) at death-coded-share rank 195 of 275 breeds with at least 50 reports (3.7%); separately, Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is #1 highest death-coded share at 99.0% (report rank #233).

93,675
Retriever - Labrador reports (#1)
99.0%
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) death share (#1)
#9
This breed, reports of 510
#202
This breed, death share of 275

Report volume reflects how common a breed or drug is and how often owners and vets file — not actual risk. Death-coded share ranks are limited to entries with enough reports to be meaningful. The two maps do not agree at #1.

Release-over-release change

What changed in the latest FDA data snapshot

PlainBreed reconstructed the prior snapshot from dated openFDA partitions through 2025 Q4, then compared it with the 2026-07-27 openFDA export. Shih Tzu has 24,405 reports now versus 24,189 in that prior snapshot: 216 more (0.9%).

Report change
+216
Death-coded reports
+13
Death-coded share
+0.0 pts

This compares reported-event counts in two source snapshots. It does not establish a change in real-world risk, product safety, or disease incidence.

Subscribe to Shih Tzu changes

Total Reports

24,405

Highest-reported breed

Deaths Reported

878

of 24,405 reports

Death-coded share of reports

3.6%

Below-median death-coded share

Avg Age at Report

6.0 yr

6.4 kg avg weight

Breed Safety Scorecard

B+ (77/100)

A weighted composite across 4 of 4 dimensions, each benchmarked against every tracked breed with at least 200 reports (n=185). Dimensions with insufficient data drop out and their weight redistributes to the rest, so a missing input never silently deflates the score.

Death rate B+
3.6%

Share of reports coded as a fatality

Euthanasia rate B+
1.6%

Share of reports resulting in euthanasia

Full recovery rate A+
38.2%

Share of reports coded "Recovered/Normal"

5-year trend C+
-5%

Change in annual report volume over the last 5 complete years

Death-Coded Outcome Share

Shih Tzu death-coded reports 3.6%
Cross-breed median

3.6% of 24,405 shih tzu reports involved a death outcome.

How to read this number

Read alongside breed popularity, veterinary access, and owner awareness, these shape how many events ever reach the FDA. The comparison line marks the cross-breed median death-coded share (4.8%) among breeds with 50 or more reports; values above it suggest higher reporting bias toward severe outcomes, not necessarily higher true mortality.

Where Shih Tzu's death-coded share sits among indexed breeds

Death-coded share of FDA CVM reports, breeds with ≥50 reports (July 2026 extract)

4% 27th percentile Higher share than 27% of 275 indexed breeds

5%–10%: 1 indexed breeds (0%). This entry sits in this band. 20%–25%: 2 indexed breeds (1%). Above this entry. 25%–30%: 3 indexed breeds (1%). Above this entry. 30%–35%: 4 indexed breeds (1%). Above this entry. 35%–40%: 5 indexed breeds (2%). Above this entry. 40%–45%: 6 indexed breeds (2%). Above this entry. 45%–50%: 3 indexed breeds (1%). Above this entry. 50%–55%: 7 indexed breeds (3%). Above this entry. 55%–60%: 7 indexed breeds (3%). Above this entry. 60%–65%: 21 indexed breeds (8%). Above this entry. 65%–70%: 11 indexed breeds (4%). Above this entry. 70%–75%: 15 indexed breeds (5%). Above this entry. 75%–80%: 13 indexed breeds (5%). Above this entry. 80%–85%: 11 indexed breeds (4%). Above this entry. 85%–90%: 12 indexed breeds (4%). Above this entry. 90%–95%: 12 indexed breeds (4%). Above this entry. 95%–100%: 142 indexed breeds (52%). Above this entry. Shih Tzu 5% 100% every breed with ≥50 FDA reports, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more indexed breeds. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, openFDA adverse event extract (PlainBreed) · July 2026 extract

This histogram uses the same ≥50-report cohort as the highest death-coded share ranking. A higher share means more of this breed's reported events were death-coded, not a mortality rate for living animals.

Shih Tzu among report-volume vs. death-rate peers

Every breed shown has at least 50 filed reports. Volume reflects how often a breed is reported, not how common it is; death rate is the share of a breed's own reports coded as a death outcome.

Source: FDA openFDA Animal & Veterinary Adverse Events database 2×2 strategic matrix plotting 30 entities by Total Reports (X) and Death Rate (%) (Y), with a crosshair dividing the plot into four quadrants. High volume, high death rateLow volume, high death rateHigh volume, low death rateLow volume, low death rate 020,00040,00060,00080,000100,000 0%5%10%15% Total Reports Death Rate (%) Shih Tzu vs. all breeds, report volume and death-coded share Retriever - Labrador-93675, 3.7%Crossbred Canine/dog-70591, 3.2%Domestic Shorthair-65226, 7.2%Dog (unknown)-48820, 8.8%Retriever - Golden-35980, 3.7%Shepherd Dog - German-32220, 4.4%Chihuahua-31521, 4.2%Terrier - Yorkshire-24924, 3.7%Shih Tzu-24405, 3.6%Boxer (German Boxer)-19405, 4.4%Beagle-17970, 3.6%Pit Bull-17865, 3.1%Shepherd Dog - Australian-16274, 3.7%Terrier (unspecified)-14058, 3.1%Maltese-13940, 3.2%Dachshund (unspecified)-13512, 4.6%Cat (unknown)-13248, 9.3%Terrier - Jack Russell-10423, 3.7%Collie - Border-10130, 4.3%Siberian Husky-9811, 4.5%Domestic Longhair-9615, 7%Pug-9224, 5.2%Spitz - German Pomeranian-9086, 4.9%Terrier - Bull - American Pit-8769, 4.7%Cattle Dog - Australian (blue heeler, red heeler, Queensland cattledog)-7871, 3.6%Terrier - Boston-7737, 4.5%Spaniel - Cocker American-7640, 4%Domestic (unspecified)-7576, 13.4%Poodle (unspecified)-7534, 3.4%Schnauzer - Miniature-7513, 4.4%
Source: FDA openFDA Animal & Veterinary Adverse Events database
Average weight at time of report: 6.4 kg (14.1 lbs)

Top Reported Reactions

Vomiting 6,022
Emesis 2,888
Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') 2,587
Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea 2,310
Diarrhoea 1,975
Lack of efficacy - NOS 1,152
Seizure NOS 1,007
Anorexia 934
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - hookworm 838
Emesis (multiple) 699
Behavioural disorder NOS 663
Pruritus 629
Not eating 621
Other abnormal test result NOS 555
Decreased appetite 537

Most Referenced Drugs

Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad 4,841
Spinosad 2,427
Afoxolaner 1,599
Ivermectin + Pyrantel As Pamoate Salt 1,526
Pyrantel Pamoate;Sarolaner 1,240
Oclacitinib Maleate 1,211
Fluralaner Chew Tablets 1,201
Moxidectin 1,036
Trilostane 823
Fluralaner 13.64% 12-Week Chew 777
Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel 636
Sarolaner 593
Imidacloprid + Moxidectin 459
Selamectin 453
Nitenpyram 431

Outcome Breakdown

Recovered/Normal
9,322 (40.9%)
Outcome Unknown
6,796 (29.8%)
Ongoing
5,155 (22.6%)
Recovered with Sequela
657 (2.9%)
Died
492 (2.2%)
Euthanized
386 (1.7%)

Gender Distribution

Female 11,966 (49.0%)
Male 11,895 (48.7%)
Unknown 477 (2.0%)
Mixed 67 (0.3%)

Reports by Year

Year Reports Trend
2010 820
2011 1,308
2012 1,963
2013 1,992
2014 1,860
2015 2,013
2016 1,964
2017 1,911
2018 1,569
2019 1,463
2020 1,365
2021 1,245
2022 1,119
2023 1,161
2024 1,319
2025 1,186
2026 147

Shih Tzu: low death-coded share in the FDA CVM extract

Signature read: 24,405 reports place Shih Tzu in the upper third of breed filing volume (#9 of 510). According to FDA CVM filings indexed on PlainBreed as of July 2026 extract, Shih Tzu sits at #9 of 510 by report volume among all breeds and #8 of 298 among dog breeds, with 24,405 reports and 878 (3.6%) death-coded. On death-coded share among breeds with ≥50 reports, it ranks #202 of 275. Mean age at report: 6.0 years, average weight 6.4 kg (14.1 lbs).

Top reported signs: Vomiting (6,022), Emesis (2,888), Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') (2,587). Most-referenced drug: Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (4,841 reports), followed by Spinosad (2,427) and Afoxolaner (1,599).

Outcome coding on 22,808 status-recorded reports is dominated by Recovered/Normal (40.9%). Annual submissions ranged 147-2,026 across 17 years on file.

Shih Tzu Reporting Concentration Profile

Shih Tzu is a high-volume FDA CVM cohort (24,405 reports) - enough filings to measure how concentrated the reaction and drug mix is, not just the headline totals. Across 20 named reaction terms in the stored top list, the leading three (Vomiting, Emesis, Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')) account for 44.6% of listed reaction mentions. The Herfindahl index on that list is 0.102 (1.0 = a single reaction owns every mention; lower = a broader clinical mix).

On the drug side, 20 referenced products appear in the top list; the leading three (Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad, Spinosad, Afoxolaner) cover 42.3% of those mentions. That multi-product footprint is the profile thin-report breeds cannot show - their pages stop at a short bar list because the sample cannot support a concentration read.

Outcome coding on 22,808 status-recorded filings splits roughly 3.8% severe (died or euthanized - 878 reports) versus 43.8% recovered or recovered-with-sequela (9,979). Read that split next to the 3.6% death-coded share above - both track reporting severity bias in a popular breed, not a proven mortality rate.

Peak filing year was 2015 (2,013 reports); the lightest year on file was 2026 (147). From 2024 to 2025, annual volume fell 10.1% (1,319 → 1,186). Year-to-year swings at this volume usually track product launches, owner awareness, and reporting campaigns more than sudden breed-health shocks.

Dog Breeds With a Similar Report Volume

Showing 6 of 297 dog breeds in our dataset, ranked by closest report volume.

Terrier - Yorkshire
24,924 reports · 3.7% death-coded
Boxer (German Boxer)
19,405 reports · 4.4% death-coded
Beagle
17,970 reports · 3.6% death-coded
Pit Bull
17,865 reports · 3.1% death-coded
Chihuahua
31,521 reports · 4.2% death-coded
Shepherd Dog - German
32,220 reports · 4.4% death-coded

Nationwide breeds with similar profiles

High-volume peer sets for Shih Tzu drawn from openFDA outside the Dog family so the neighborhoods are not species containment (the similar-volume list above stays within species).

Similar death-coded share

Nearest other-species breeds with ≥50 reports (3.6% death-coded here).

American Curl Shorthair 3.5% · Cat British cat 3.8% · Cat Oriental 3.1% · Cat Birman (Sacred Birman) 3.1% · Cat

Similar average weight

Nearest other-species breeds by reported average weight (6.4 kg here).

Maine Coon 6.1 kg · Cat Norwegian Forest 5.8 kg · Cat Turkey (unknown) 5.7 kg · Turkey Turkish Van 5.7 kg · Cat

What to do with this dog

A report does not prove a drug caused the reaction, and popular breeds simply generate more reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many FDA adverse event reports involve Shih Tzu? ▼
There are 24,405 adverse event reports involving Shih Tzu in the FDA database, of which 878 were death-coded (3.6% of those reports). That is a share of REPORTED events, not a mortality rate for the breed: adverse events reach the FDA when something goes wrong, so the denominator is reports, never the population of animals. According to the same FDA CVM extract, Shih Tzu ranks #9 of 510 by report volume among all breeds PlainBreed indexes (#8 of 298 among dog breeds).
Where does Shih Tzu sit among other breeds in PlainBreed's corpus? ▼
According to FDA CVM report volume, Shih Tzu is #9 of 510 breeds indexed on PlainBreed (same ordering as the most-reported-breeds ranking). Inside Dog, it is #8 of 298. Among breeds with at least 50 reports, its death-coded share ranks #202 of 275 (same cohort as highest-death-rate). These are placement ranks in the reporting corpus, not clinical risk scores.
What are the most common adverse reactions reported for Shih Tzu? ▼
The most commonly reported adverse reactions for Shih Tzu are Vomiting (6,022 reports), Emesis (2,888 reports), Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') (2,587 reports), Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea (2,310 reports), Diarrhoea (1,975 reports).
What drugs are most frequently associated with Shih Tzu adverse events? ▼
The drugs most frequently referenced in Shih Tzu adverse event reports are Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (4,841 reports), Spinosad (2,427 reports), Afoxolaner (1,599 reports), Ivermectin + Pyrantel As Pamoate Salt (1,526 reports), Pyrantel Pamoate;Sarolaner (1,240 reports).
What is the average age of Shih Tzu in adverse event reports? ▼
The average age of Shih Tzu at the time of adverse event reports is 6.0 years, with an average weight of 6.4 kg (14.1 lbs).

Compare a breed's report volume against how common the breed is before drawing conclusions. See our methodology for how the death-coded share and rankings are computed, or read breed-specific reporting patterns and FDA CVM reporting.

Source: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine openFDA Animal & Veterinary Adverse Events (CVM AER) · 2025

openFDA Animal & Veterinary Adverse Events (FDA CVM) for Shih Tzu (Dog), extract as of July 2026 extract. 24,405 reports · 878 death-coded (3.6% of reports, not a mortality rate) · #9 of 510 by volume.

Informational only. FDA adverse-event reports are voluntary and do not prove causation; consult a veterinarian before acting on them. Verify with FDA CVM →