Cotons de Tulear are people‑oriented “Velcro” companions and often vocal communicators; owners may describe grunts, soft “talking,” or brief alarm barking that is normal for the breed. They can become distressed with separation or sudden routine changes, which owners may report as pacing, whining, house‑soiling only when left, or destructive attempts to reach doors/confinement points. In busy spaces or during restraint, many Cotons relax best with calm, gentle handling and proximity to their person; loud noises or crowded waiting rooms can heighten anxiety. If an owner reports nonstop howling, panicked escape attempts causing injury, or abrupt disorientation or collapse, escalate immediately.
Front desk script: “Cotons often prefer quiet spaces and gentle handling. Does [Pet Name] get anxious when separated from you or in busy rooms? If you’ve noticed nonstop distress when left alone, damage from escape attempts, or sudden confusion or collapse, please tell me now so we can triage urgently. We can note preferences like ‘owner present’ and ‘minimal restraint’ for a lower‑stress visit.”
Coton de Tulears are generally long‑lived but, like many small companion breeds, show higher risk for kneecap instability (patellar luxation), inherited eye disease (progressive retinal atrophy and the breed‑specific canine multifocal retinopathy/BEST1 variant), age‑associated spinal cord disease (degenerative myelopathy), and back problems such as intervertebral disc disease; hip dysplasia is reported in some lines. Front‑desk red flags include new hind‑leg “skipping” or lameness, new night‑vision difficulty or bumping into objects, back pain or reluctance to jump, hind‑end weakness, or straining to urinate. Escalate immediately if there is sudden severe back pain, dragging/paralyzed back legs, or inability to pass urine.
Front desk script: This breed can be predisposed to kneecap issues, certain inherited eye diseases, and back/spinal conditions. If an owner reports sudden back pain, dragging back legs, or that the dog cannot urinate, advise this is an emergency and to come in now. For new limping, new night‑vision changes, or hind‑end weakness, offer a same‑day exam and note any breeder health testing (eyes/patellas/hips) in the chart.
Small, cheerful companions (about 9–11 inches tall and 8–15 lb) with a long, cottony, low‑shedding coat that needs frequent brushing to prevent mats; people‑oriented and usually good with kids and other pets; moderate daily walks and play meet most exercise needs; long‑lived (often 15–19 years); breed health points to watch include luxating patellas (knees), inherited eye disease such as PRA, and occasionally spine/hip issues—your veterinarian can advise on appropriate screening at routine visits; not truly hypoallergenic, though many allergy‑sensitive families do well; if you see trouble breathing, collapse, a sudden bloated abdomen, nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, or sudden eye pain/redness, seek emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: Cotons are small, sturdy, affectionate dogs with long, cottony coats. They shed very little but do need regular brushing; daily walks and play are usually enough exercise. They tend to live long lives, and knees and eyes are common areas we monitor—our doctor can advise on screening during routine visits. If you notice breathing trouble, collapse, a hard swollen belly, or nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, please contact us immediately or go to the nearest emergency hospital.
Front desks most often hear from Coton de Tulear owners about: eye tearing/tear staining on the white face; itchy, odorous ears or head-shaking (hairy, narrow ear canals predispose to ear issues); recurrent skin itch; dental tartar/bad breath and cleaning requests (small-breed risk); brief rear‑leg “skipping” or new lameness (small-breed knee concerns); vomiting/diarrhea after diet indiscretion; and in seniors, questions about a new heart murmur, cough, or exercise intolerance typical of small‑breed heart disease. Escalate immediately if the caller reports labored or fast breathing, collapse, pale/blue gums, a painful or suddenly cloudy eye, or repeated vomiting/diarrhea (>2 times in 24 hours) or any blood; otherwise aim for same‑day assessment for persistent ear/skin itch, squinting/ocular discharge, new limping, new cough, or appetite drop.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Coton de Tulear—those concerns (eye tearing, itchy/smelly ears or skin, bad breath/tartar, brief rear‑leg skipping, tummy upset, or, in older dogs, a new murmur/cough) are common in small breeds. Before we book, is your dog having trouble breathing, collapsed, showing pale/blue gums, a painful eye, or more than two vomiting/diarrhea episodes in 24 hours or any blood? If yes, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now. If no, I can reserve a same‑day visit so a doctor can examine the eyes/ears/skin, gait, mouth, or heart and advise next steps.
Coton de Tulear coats are long, cotton‑like, and low‑shedding but mat easily—especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and along the legs—so owners should expect frequent at‑home brushing (about 3–4 times/week) with true “down to the skin” comb checks and regular professional grooming to keep a manageable length. Ears often need weekly checks/maintenance because hair and moisture can build up, and tear staining of the white facial coat is common. For front‑office triage: if mats are tight to the skin, there’s odor, visible sores, or the dog cries when handled, advise a same‑day nurse/doctor or groomer evaluation; if there is sudden facial swelling, hives, or trouble breathing after a bath or grooming product exposure, direct the client to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: This breed’s coat tangles and mats quickly, so we recommend frequent home brushing and keeping regular grooming appointments to maintain a manageable coat length. If you’re noticing tight mats to the skin, foul odor, or painful ears, we can arrange a same‑day tech/doctor check or refer you to a skilled groomer. For any sudden facial swelling or trouble breathing after bathing or grooming, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now. Would you like me to schedule a visit or provide our preferred groomer list?
Coton de Tulear callers often report small-breed issues that affect intake routing: intermittent hind‑limb ‘skipping’ or new limping suggest possible patellar luxation—book a problem exam (orthopedic focus) within 24–72 hours; escalate to same‑day if non‑weight‑bearing, acute pain, or recent trauma. Head‑shaking, ear odor, redness, or discharge—route to a problem exam (ears/skin) within 24–48 hours; same‑day if severe pain, ear swelling/hematoma, head tilt, or balance changes. Marked halitosis, tartar, or oral discomfort—add dental-focused exam at wellness or schedule a dental consult; same‑day if facial swelling or refusing to eat. Ask clients to bring gait videos, note any recent jumps/falls, and confirm ability for safe transport; advise emergency care immediately for collapse, uncontrolled pain, or neurological signs.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Coton de Tulear. Based on what you’re describing, I can schedule a problem exam and note an orthopedic or ear/skin focus so the clinician is prepared. If your dog is not putting weight on a leg, has a swollen/painful ear, head tilt, or severe pain, this needs to be seen today—if we cannot fit you in, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital. For dental odor or tartar without pain, we can pair a wellness visit with a dental assessment; if there’s facial swelling or your dog won’t eat, that’s same‑day urgent.
For Cotons, plan care by life stage: Puppy (to ~12 months): book vaccine/parasite visits every 3–4 weeks from about 6–16 weeks, microchip/ID, socialization/grooming acclimation, and a pre-surgery consult window per the doctor; common owner questions center on house-training, coat care, and safe activity. Adult (~1–7 years): schedule wellness every 6–12 months with lifestyle-based vaccines and prevention refills, dental check/cleaning planning, weight checks, and travel/boarding paperwork. Senior (~8+ years for small breeds): visits at least every 6 months with doctor-directed screening labs; questions often shift to mobility, vision/hearing, dental comfort, and routines. Escalate: same-day for not eating >24 hours, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, new cough, eye discomfort, or sudden lameness; emergency now for trouble breathing, collapse/seizures, inability to urinate, or severe eye injury—advise immediate ER and notify the doctor.
Front desk script: For your Coton puppy, we’ll pre-book vaccine appointments every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks and set a check-in around 6 months to plan next steps. As an adult, we’ll see them every 6–12 months and keep vaccines and preventives current; we can pair these with dental and grooming check-ins. From about age 8, we recommend visits at least every 6 months with screening tests as the doctor advises. If you report breathing trouble, collapse, or a painful eye, we will direct you to emergency care immediately.
For Cotons, set clear expectations around coat care, teeth, and small-dog screening questions: confirm grooming schedule and any mats or tear-staining; note bad breath or chewing changes to cue dental conversations; ask if the dog ever "skips" on a hind leg or shows night-vision hesitation (flags for breed‑seen knee and eye issues); and screen for a dry, honking cough after excitement typical of small-breed airway disease. If an owner reports labored breathing, blue/pale gums, sudden non–weight‑bearing lameness, eye injury, repeated vomiting, or inability to urinate, escalate immediately and advise emergency care.
Front desk script: To help the doctor, I’ll note a few Coton-specific items: any coat mats or tear-staining, bad breath or chewing changes, or a brief ‘skip’ of the back leg on walks? Have you noticed a dry, honking cough—especially with excitement—or any trouble seeing at night? If your dog is ever struggling to breathe, has blue gums, won’t put weight on a leg suddenly, or has an eye injury, please tell me right away—this is an emergency and we’ll arrange immediate evaluation.
Coton de Tulear (small, long‑lived) patients benefit from proactive dental checks and screening for small‑breed issues: knees (patellar luxation), airway (tracheal collapse), and eyes (hereditary/pressure‑related disease). During calls/check‑in, ask about: honking or activity‑triggered cough; intermittent hind‑limb “skipping” or brief three‑legged gait; red, cloudy, squinting, or bulging eyes; bad breath/tartar. Book timely exams for cough or lameness and include dental assessments at wellness visits (increase visit frequency in seniors per clinic policy). If breathing is labored, gums turn blue, collapse/fainting occurs, or there is a suddenly painful/red or bulging eye or abrupt vision change, advise immediate emergency care.
Front desk script: For Cotons we keep a close eye on teeth, knees, eyes, and breathing. Have you noticed a honking cough, any skipping/three‑legged moments, or red/squinting/cloudy eyes? If there’s trouble breathing, blue gums, collapse, or a suddenly painful or bulging eye, that’s an emergency—please come in now or go to the ER while I alert the doctor. Otherwise, we’ll schedule a prompt exam and include a dental check; seniors are seen more frequently.
Gentle, people‑oriented toy breed that thrives on calm, low‑stress handling and owner presence; often clownish, friendly with kids/pets when well socialized, and may be vocal but very trainable. Front desk priorities: ask about grooming frequency and matting (long, cottony coat tangles easily), dental history (small breeds are prone to periodontal disease), and any history of knee issues or genetic/eye screening. Watch‑fors to triage: reports of sudden hind‑limb skipping or new lameness (possible patella issue) and new night vision hesitation or eye discomfort—offer same‑day assessment; if the caller notes labored breathing, collapse, severe unrelenting pain, or acute eye injury, direct to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: “Thanks for bringing your Coton de Tulear in—these guys do best with gentle, quiet handling, and we’re happy to keep you with them and use treats. Before we start, how often is their coat professionally groomed or brushed at home, and have you noticed any mats? Have you seen any ‘skipping’ on a back leg, new limping, or eye squinting, and do you know if prior breeders did knee or eye screening? If you’re seeing trouble breathing, collapse, or a sudden painful eye today, please tell me now so we can fast‑track care.”
Coton de Tulear are people‑oriented companion dogs that may struggle with time alone; set adopter expectations for gradual alone time and enrichment. For intake or early post‑adoption checks, look for coat matting (especially behind ears, armpits, and groin), tear staining, and ear irritation (odor, head‑shaking), as long hair and hairy ear canals can predispose to otitis. Small‑breed dental buildup is common—recommend a timely dental evaluation. Breed‑linked risks reported include patellar luxation (watch for a hind‑limb “skipping” gait) and progressive retinal atrophy (night‑vision changes); flag these findings for a veterinarian. If a dog is acutely non–weight‑bearing, shows severe pain, has an eye injury, or has breathing trouble, escalate to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: “Cotons are affectionate, people‑focused dogs and can become anxious if left alone; we suggest planning gradual alone time and enrichment. During intake, we’ll check for mats (ears/armpits/groin), ear odor or head‑shaking, and note any ‘skipping’ hind‑limb gait or night‑vision issues so we can schedule a vet exam. If you observe sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, severe pain, eye trauma, or breathing difficulty, please alert us immediately—we’ll route for emergency care.”
Coton de Tulear are typically friendly, people‑oriented, and easy to handle, but many are sensitive to separation and may vocalize (“talk”) at novel noises or movement; keep them with their handler when possible and consider fast‑tracking to an exam room. Seat away from boisterous dogs; use a well‑fitted harness/leash and a non‑slip scale, allowing the owner to stay nearby for weighing and handoff. Approach calmly, speak softly, and use treats for cooperative handling. If a Coton appears anxious, offer a quiet area and minimize staff changes during transfer. Escalate immediately if you observe acute distress (collapse, open‑mouth breathing at rest, pale/blue gums, intense continuous trembling, or unrelenting retching).
Front desk script: Hi there—Cotons are usually very social but can be uneasy if separated, so we’ll keep your dog with you and move you to a room as soon as one opens. If you notice any signs of sudden distress—collapse, trouble breathing, blue or very pale gums, or nonstop retching—please tell us right away so we can alert the medical team immediately. We’ll weigh on the small non‑slip scale with you nearby and then do a gentle handoff to the tech.
For Coton de Tulear (small breed), immediately escalate to an emergency clinician for any breathing trouble (labored/noisy breathing, blue or very pale gums, collapse), a sudden honking cough with respiratory distress (possible tracheal collapse), active seizures or repeated seizures, heatstroke signs (extreme panting, drooling, confusion, collapse), unproductive retching with a tight or distended belly, or suspected toxin ingestion (xylitol/sugar‑free products, chocolate, grapes/raisins, human meds/rodenticides). Escalate same-day for persistent vomiting/diarrhea (especially with blood), eye injuries, inability to urinate/defecate, or in puppies showing extreme lethargy, disorientation, tremors, weakness, or seizures suggestive of hypoglycemia.
Front desk script: Based on what you’re describing, we need to escalate your dog to a clinician now. If there is any breathing difficulty, blue or pale gums, collapse, seizures, or a known/suspected toxin exposure, this is an emergency—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital while we call ahead. If the dog is a puppy with sudden lethargy, wobbliness, tremors, or seizures, or there is ongoing vomiting/diarrhea or blood in stool, we will book a same-day urgent exam. If you’re unsure whether this is life‑threatening, we will treat it as an emergency.