Lhasa Apsos are sentinel-type dogs that are often aloof with strangers and quick to alert-bark; busy lobbies, doorbells, sudden approaches, and face/feet handling (grooming, nail trims, mat checks) can heighten stress or resistance. Many relax with their person present, a quiet room, and slower introductions. As a moderately flat‑faced (brachycephalic) breed, excitement, heat, or tight restraint can trigger noisy/open‑mouth breathing or gagging—minimize heat/crowding and flag any breathing concern immediately.
Front desk script: “Lhasas can be wary of new people, so we’ll keep check‑in calm and quiet and you’re welcome to stay with them. Are the face or feet sensitive for handling today?” If you observe labored/noisy breathing or heat stress, alert clinical staff right away. If an owner reports struggling to breathe, blue/gray gums, collapse, or recent heat exposure, advise: “This is an emergency—please come in now or go to the nearest ER.”
Lhasa Apsos have known breed predispositions for ocular surface disease—especially dry eye (KCS), which can progress to painful, ulcerated eyes; intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) linked to their chondrodystrophic build; medial patellar luxation (loose kneecaps) that may cause intermittent hind‑limb skipping/lameness; inherited kidney disease and urinary stones; and brachycephalic airway sensitivity to heat and exertion. Red or painful eyes, squinting, sudden back/neck pain or hind‑limb weakness, straining to urinate or inability to pass urine, and noisy or labored breathing should be escalated immediately.
Front desk script: For Lhasa Apsos, we keep an extra eye on eyes, back, knees, kidneys/urination, and breathing because this breed is more prone to issues in these areas. If you notice red or painful eyes, sudden yelping or trouble walking, straining to urinate, or labored breathing/overheating, please tell us right away—these can be emergencies. We’ll alert the doctor so they can prioritize the exam accordingly.
Small, long‑coated watchdogs (about 10–11 in., 13–15 lb) that are affectionate with family and often aloof with strangers; they need short daily walks/indoor play and frequent grooming (many owners opt for a shorter pet trim). Shedding is low, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Average lifespan is roughly 12–14 years. Common owner notes: can be vocal and may take patience to housetrain. Health watch‑outs: eye problems are relatively common (e.g., tearing, “dry eye,” or cherry eye), and some Lhasas struggle in heat. Call us the same day for red, painful, or squinting eyes or persistent noisy breathing; if breathing is labored, there’s collapse, or heat exposure with distress, go to the ER immediately.
Front desk script: Lhasas are small, sturdy dogs that need frequent grooming and just short daily walks. They can be vocal and sometimes slow to housetrain—ask us for training resources. If you see a red or bulging eye, squinting, or sudden tearing, we should see them today. If your Lhasa is struggling to breathe or overheated, head to the emergency hospital now and call us on the way.
For Lhasa Apsos, front-desk calls commonly involve: eye issues (redness, discharge, squinting, rubbing), noisy breathing or heat intolerance typical of flat‑faced breeds, itching/ear odor or head shaking from allergy‑prone skin/ears, bad breath or tartar (small‑breed dental), and brief hind‑limb “skipping” after play suggestive of a kneecap concern. Flag eye pain, a bulging or suddenly cloudy/blue eye, or acute vision change for immediate ophthalmic evaluation. Escalate breathing distress (labored/open‑mouth breathing at rest, blue/gray gums, collapse, or heat exposure) as an emergency.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Lhasa Apsos often come in for eye irritation, itchy ears/skin, dental odor, noisy breathing with heat, or a brief back‑leg “skip.” Are the eyes squinting or suddenly cloudy/bulging, or is your dog having trouble breathing, showing blue gums, collapsing, or overheated? If yes, this is an emergency—please come in now or go to the nearest ER and we’ll alert the team. Otherwise, we recommend a same‑day exam; I’ll note how long this has been going on and any discharge, itching, odor, skipping steps, coughing, or appetite changes.
Lhasa Apsos have a long, dense, low‑shedding double coat that grows continuously and mats easily; advise frequent home brushing and set recurring professional grooming to prevent painful matting and hygiene issues (eyes, feet, rear). Their pendant, heavily feathered ears and facial hair can trap moisture/debris—confirm eye/ear hygiene expectations and document the owner’s preferred coat length so adequate grooming time is booked. The breed is predisposed to allergic skin disease (atopic dermatitis), so recurrent itch, paw‑licking, or ear problems may warrant dermatology referral. If owners report foul ear odor, head‑shaking, painful or extensive mats, or hot spots, route for a same‑day veterinary exam before any grooming.
Front desk script: This breed’s coat grows continuously and can mat quickly. Let’s set a recurring grooming plan and note whether you prefer a short pet trim or a longer coat so we can book enough time. If you notice ear odor, head‑shaking, painful mats, or red/itchy skin, please tell us now—we’ll arrange a same‑day medical exam before grooming. Because Lhasas can be prone to repeat skin/ear issues, we may recommend a dermatology consult if problems persist.
Front-desk triage for Lhasa Apsos should prioritize eyes and airway: long facial hair and prominent eyes mean any squinting, holding an eye closed, rubbing, sudden cloudiness/color change, or thick green/yellow discharge warrants same-day scheduling; vision loss, a blue-white eye, or severe eye pain are emergencies and should be directed to ER immediately. For airway concerns, a persistent “goose‑honk” cough, breathing effort, blue/gray gums, or fainting is an emergency; a stable cough without distress can be routed to the next-available GP visit. Routine issues common in small breeds (itchy ears/skin, dental odor/tartar) can be standard appointments. Ask callers to bring short videos (cough/eye behavior), prior records/meds, and note that eye and airway cases often require prompt rechecks or possible ophthalmology referral per the doctor.
Front desk script: Because Lhasa Apsos are prone to eye irritation, if you’re seeing squinting, the eye held closed, sudden cloudiness, or thick discharge, we’ll prioritize a same‑day visit; if the eye looks blue/white, vision seems lost, or your dog is in severe pain, please proceed to the nearest emergency clinic now. If your dog has a harsh “goose‑honk” cough with breathing trouble, blue gums, or collapse, that is an emergency—go to ER now; a stable cough without distress can be seen at our next available GP appointment. For skin/ear or dental concerns, I can book a standard exam. Please bring any videos and current medications so the doctor can review them.
Lhasa Apsos live about 12–15 years; use puppy (<1 yr), adult (1–9 yr), and senior (10+ yr) checkpoints to guide scheduling and common questions. Puppies: plan a 3–4‑visit vaccine series finishing at 16–20 weeks, start parasite prevention, microchip/ID, and begin grooming/handling practice. Adults: book annual wellness with weight and dental check‑ins, discuss barking/alert tendencies and coat upkeep, and confirm preventives per doctor. Seniors: shift to twice‑yearly exams with age‑appropriate screening, and watch for vision changes, dental disease, mobility slowing, and heat/breathing tolerance given their short muzzle. Escalate immediately for sudden eye redness/squinting, severe breathing distress/overheating, collapse, or inability to urinate—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: For your Lhasa Apso puppy, we’ll schedule a series of vaccine visits 3–4 weeks apart through 16–20 weeks and set the first adult wellness around 12 months. As an adult, we’ll see them yearly and can add dental and grooming support as the doctor recommends. From about age 10, we recommend checkups every 6 months. If you ever notice eye redness/squinting or labored breathing, tell us right away—this requires emergency care.
Lhasa Apsos are often wary with strangers and very attached to their people—offer calm, low-stimulation check-in options (quiet room or waiting-in-car) and ask owners to keep a secure leash/harness on arrival. Their long facial hair and low-shedding coat mean regular grooming and keeping hair out of the eyes; ask when the last face/eye trim was and note any eye discharge, redness, or squinting. Set expectations that they may bark to alert; offer treats and a slow approach. For front-desk triage, flag same-day assessment for red, painful, or squinting eyes or thick discharge; escalate immediately to emergency care if vision seems suddenly reduced, the eye looks blue/white, bulging, or there is eye trauma.
Front desk script: “Lhasas can be protective and prefer a calm greeting—would you like a quiet room or to wait in your car until we’re ready?” “Because their face hair can irritate eyes and this breed is prone to dry-eye, if you ever see squinting, redness, or thick discharge, we want to see them today. If the eye looks cloudy/blue or bulging, or vision seems suddenly off, please come in immediately or go to the nearest ER.”
For Lhasa Apsos, prioritize annual eye screening (including a tear test) to catch breed‑prone dry eye (KCS) and inherited retinal disease early; book a same‑day exam for any red, painful, squinting, or suddenly cloudy eyes. Plan early and regular dentistry (first anesthetized dental assessment around 1 year, then yearly) as small breeds develop periodontal disease sooner. Have clinicians check patellas and spine at wellness visits—Lhasas are small/chondrodystrophic and over‑represented for luxating patellas and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Escalate immediately if new back pain, reluctance to jump, rear‑leg wobbliness/dragging, or loss of urination/defecation is reported. Discuss baseline and periodic kidney screening in juveniles/young adults given reported renal dysplasia in this breed.
Front desk script: For Lhasa Apsos we recommend a yearly comprehensive eye exam and early dental care—first anesthetized dental assessment at about 1 year, then annually. If you ever notice squinting, red or suddenly cloudy eyes, we need to see your dog today. New back pain, wobbliness/dragging in the hind legs, or trouble urinating/standing is an emergency—go to the nearest ER now and call us on the way. During wellness visits we’ll also check the kneecaps and may run baseline kidney screening based on age/history.
Small, alert watchdogs—loyal to family, often aloof with strangers, and prone to vocalizing. Handling: greet slowly at a low angle, avoid reaching over the head/face, let the dog approach first, use high‑value treats, and have the owner place on the scale/table; a quiet room helps. What usually matters most at check‑in: face/eye sensitivity from long facial hair and breed‑prone dry eye (ask about redness, squinting, thick discharge), itchy skin/ear history consistent with atopy, and any heat or exercise intolerance or noisy breathing seen in brachycephalic breeds. Escalate painful red eye or sudden vision concerns for same‑day evaluation; if the owner reports labored breathing, blue/pale gums, collapse, or heat distress, treat as an emergency and alert the medical team immediately.
Front desk script: “Lhasas can be wary with new people, so we’ll keep things calm and let [Name] come to us while we use treats. Any eye redness, squinting, or thick discharge today, or recent itchy skin or ear issues?” “Has [Name] had noisy or labored breathing or trouble in the heat?” “If you ever see labored breathing, blue gums, collapse, or severe eye pain, that’s an emergency—please tell us right away so we can act immediately.”
Long-coated Lhasa Apsos may arrive with mats that hide skin and ear issues; the breed is predisposed to allergic skin disease/otitis and to dry eye (KCS), so at intake look for persistent scratching, ear odor/debris, facial rubbing, squinting, redness, or thick mucoid eye discharge and keep facial hair clear of the eyes. They were bred as watchdogs and can be aloof with unfamiliar people—use slow, treat-based handling, avoid reaching toward the face, leash with a harness, and kennel in a lower-traffic area. Arrange prompt grooming support after placement. If staff observe a painful, red or cloudy eye, marked squinting, or sudden vision concern, escalate for a same-day veterinary exam.
Front desk script: This breed can be wary with new people at first, so we’ll go slow, use treats, and leash with a harness instead of reaching toward the face. Their long coat and lashes can irritate eyes, and they’re prone to allergy-related skin/ear problems—please tell us if you see redness, goopy eyes, or persistent scratching. If you notice a painful, red eye or constant squinting, we’ll prioritize a same-day vet exam.
Lhasa Apsos are alert, independent, and often aloof with unfamiliar people; many will bark as watchdogs, so greet calmly, avoid leaning over or reaching toward the face/eyes, and minimize fast approaches. For check‑in and waiting room flow, ask owners to keep a snug leash/harness and space from other pets; if vocal or wary, seat in a quieter area and room promptly. For handoff, ask whether treats are permitted, let the owner place/remove any slip lead, use a slow approach with low-key voice, and note any sensitivity around the head/eyes for the clinical team. Escalate immediately if the owner reports labored/noisy breathing, heat stress/collapse, or sudden eye pain/squinting, bulging, or blue/cloudy eye—notify medical staff for emergency triage. ([vcahospitals.com](https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-breeds/lhasa-apso))
Front desk script: Hi! Some Lhasas can be a little wary with new people and may bark to alert—how is [Pet Name] with strangers or face/neck handling? We’ll keep things low-key, seat you in a quieter area, and get you to a room as soon as possible; please keep a snug leash and give space from other pets. Are small treats OK to offer if needed? If you notice any noisy breathing, overheating, or sudden eye squinting today, please tell me right away so our medical team can triage immediately.
Escalate immediately for any breathing difficulty (open‑mouth breathing, blue/gray gums, collapse) or a harsh “goose‑honk” cough progressing to distress; eye emergencies (sudden squinting, bulging/cloudy eye, visible injury, or the eye out of socket); seizures lasting >5 minutes, occurring in clusters, or without full recovery; inability to urinate/straining with no urine; sudden collapse/extreme weakness; suspected toxin exposure; or repeated vomiting/diarrhea with lethargy or blood. For Lhasa Apsos, note the breed’s association with renal dysplasia—puppies/young adults showing increased thirst/urination, vomiting, weight loss, or foul breath should be seen the same day. If any of these are reported, tell the client this is an emergency and to come in now or proceed to the nearest emergency hospital; call ahead so the team can prepare.
Front desk script: Based on what you’ve described, this needs immediate veterinary attention. Please bring your Lhasa Apso in now; if breathing worsens or there’s collapse, go straight to the nearest emergency hospital and call them on the way. If your dog is young and has increased drinking/urination with vomiting or weight loss, we need to see them today. If you’re unsure, we will triage over the phone, but do not delay care.