Which health problems are common in the Lhasa Apso?
Lhasa Apsos are prone to eye problems, from dry eye to a gland that pops out in the corner of the eye, and to slipping kneecaps. A look at the eyes every day and a yearly eye exam help catch problems early.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Lhasa Apso owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Dry eye. Dull eyes or a sticky discharge need a vet visit, since dry eye can harm sight.
- Cherry eye. A pink lump can appear in the inner corner of the eye, most often in young dogs. It needs a vet visit.
- Retinal disease. An inherited retinal disease (PRA) slowly takes away sight. Bumping into things at night is often the first sign.
- Kneecaps. The kneecap can slip out of place. A skip in the step or a back leg held up for a few strides is the sign.
- Windpipe. A weak windpipe causes a dry, honking cough, worse with excitement or heat. A harness instead of a collar helps.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
| DNA test for PRA | A cheek swab or blood test that shows whether the dog carries a gene for inherited sight loss. Done once, at any age. | Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Lhasa Apso health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Lhasa Apso, Breed health and Breed Watch, The Royal Kennel Club
- Breed and conformational predispositions for prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (PNMG) in dogs in the UK: a VetCompass study, O'Neill et al., PLoS ONE, 2022
- Dry eye in the house: RVC research reveals breed prevalence, Vet Times, 2021
- The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England, O'Neill et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2016
- Tracheal Collapse in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
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