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Health Issues Surrounding The Chinese Shar Pei
We cannot and do not diagnose or prescribe for
your dog. This information is what we do (or would do) with our own dogs. It is offered only as "our words of wisdom and experience of 15 years with this breed". We do
not accept responsibility for use of this information in lieu of/or with the services of a veterinarian.
In alphabetical order, I will list and explain the most common ailments associated with the Chinese Shar Pei, as I, a breeder, understands them.
Remember Breeders Care - We Love Them Too!!
Amyloidosis
Please refer to Dr. Linda Tintle's Article #1
Go To Dr. Linda Tintle & Amyloidosis
Abcess
This may form when the skin is scratched or punctured, and an infection develops under the skin in the form or a pus pocket. It may rupture and release a very foul smelling pus liquid. The dog may or may not run a temperature, or require antibiotics.
Allergies and Auto Immune System
This breed has a tendency to suffer from allergies. Dogs prone to auto immune problems should not be used in a breeding program. Many have reported shar pei reactions in early spring to pollens or early fall to moulds. Scratching, hot spots, swollen face, swelling between the toes -possible reactions to stings (or could be swollen muzzle an fever associated with FSF and Amyloidosis), bites, fleas, foods can all contribute to their discomfort if they are prone to reactions. Talk to a breeder about their recommendations.
Bloat
Also known as gastric dilation. Extreme pain in the abdomen and immediate veterinarian attention. Usually involves deep barrel chested breeds, usual history is dog eats large meal, drinks alot, then exercises allowing large amounts of gas to be produced in the stomach causing it to expand and subsequently bloat or dilate. The dog may be extremely restless, salivate, and will try to vomit unsuccessfully. Bloat may pass but torsion can kill in 3 hours due to an electrolyte imbalance and shock.
Brucellosis
The canine venereal disease which may cause abortions in bitches and sterility in males. It is spread through contact of infected discharges orally or sexually, and they basiclly display no symptoms - maybe enlarged lymph nodes. All breeding stock should always be tested before breeding.
Cancer
Cherry Eye
This condition results when the tear gland on the inner surface of the third eyelid enlarges because of infection. As it swells it is forced out from beneath the lid, exposing a red cherrylike growth at the nasal corner of the eye. It is common in a few breeds and usually responds to antibiotics. If antibiotic therapy unsuccessful then the vet will try to place it back in its proper place, with a simply surgical procedure.
Dew Claws
This is the canine thumb, some shar pei breeders have them removed(preferable as they are useless and only in the way)and some leave them on.
Diaherra
This is symptom that dogs get from time to time and can be diet or stress related, however it must be watched as other more serious diseases start off with these symptoms. If it clears up within 24-48 hours then it really is not of a serious nature, however frequent recurrence or lasting any length of time warrants investigation, as cancer, amyloidosis, malabsorption are also disorders that include this symptom.
Demodex/Scratching
Shar pei may experience various parasites throughout their life. If you have a shar pei that is scratching (given they are on a soya free diet)and experiencing hair loss, or is even mutilating their skin, the following may be considered:
Fleas:
Use flea control in flea season, especially if you are cottagers or beach goers. There is now a pill for flea control called program, or mousse applications available from your vet. Indications of fleas is scratching especially around the base of the tail, possible hot spots and hair loss on the top of the rump area, and you may see little specks of what looks like sand. If you have flea infestation, they will usually start to bite people's ankles. Shar pei cannot tolerate fleas, so take whatever action is necessary to prevent them.
Mange:(demodectic)
Are mites that live in the hair follicles of dogs. These may be detected by skin scrapings, and usually Mitaban dips from the veterinarian are in order, and now I have been advised that they are using Ivermectin also in the control of this.
Mange:(sarcoptic)
Can be a serious problem because of its increased prevalence and contagious nature. This is a canine lice that burrows into the dog's skin and is very hard to detect, even upon veterinarian examination. However, when the shar pei have this the scratching, hair loss and sores may be horrendous. People will generally experience itching and welts on the skin. Treatment is oral Ivermectin twice, strength accordingly, about fourteen days apart. Home, kennel and people must go through lice control procedures. I have seen this siutation on several occasions where pups came from unsanitary kennels.
Walking Dandruff(Chyletiella)
Loose, moving white flakes on your dog(yup, if you look long enough, they move)Itchiness and hair loss, and a round hole in the coat, may be symptoms. These too also bite people and it looks like rash. Best treated with a sulphur shampoo and again house and kennel treated accordingly.
Always remember that a certain amount of scratching is normal, especially loosing and bringing in a new coat.
Entropion
This is a condition known as the inward rolling of the lids, causing the eye lashes to rub on the cornea of the eye, and there are many breeds that have a predisposition for getting this. I believe this to be both genetic and environmental as I have seen it in both cases. Some puppies have their eyes tacked between 14 - 18 days, and some puppies don't require any eye tacks at all, I have both, and have found that even the best eyes can get entropion. Temporary entropion may be triggered off by stress, environment, such as a walk on a real windy day, where sediment has embedded in the eye, a day in the sun squinting, however either way if a shar pei is pawing at its eyes, has its eyes shut, or has a cloudy cornea, then possible eye tacks are in order, or if it has happened frequently, then eye surgery would be the preferred course of action, and this is best dealt with a veterinarian familiar with this procedure. I have found it can strike at any age, and may even strike twice. When it comes to a discomfort factor for the dog, then veterinarian attention is necessary.
Hip Dysplasia
The hip joint is called a ball and socket joint. The top of the leg bone is called the femur and is rounded into the shape of a ball. This fits into a cup like cavity called the acetabulum. The shape of the provides stability to this joint keeping the head in place as the leg muscles move back and forth. There is tremendous forced placed on this joint and proper formation is crucial throughout growth stages. Dysplasia refers to abnormal development within the hip joint and the degree of severity may be graded from a to d. Generally even though breeding stock is OFA'd or OVC'd (hips certified through different boards) does not guarantee all pups will turn out to have good hips. Many other factors contribute to to poor hip formation and many studies indicate hip dysplasis to be 30% genetic and 70% environmental. Diet, exercise, jumping, running on slippery floors etc, during crucial growth stages all contribute to this condition. Unless severe, it is usually undetectable unless done by a radiograph, and generally will never trouble the animal.
Malabsorption
This is a serious disorder occurring in either the small or large intestine that prevents the absorption of nutrients and fluids. The result is diaherra, weight loss and usuallly death. It can occur at any age and is believed to be genetic and may become evident after stress. The small bowel and large bowel symptoms - small - vomiting, weight loss, rumbling and gurgling and large - passage of red blood and mucous with the stool, no vomiting or weight loss, and needing to go to the bathroom with being able to do anything. I feel that many shar pei may have actually died from this, and it is now being passed off as amyloidosis. There are tests for this disease,and vet attention is warranted.
Megaesophagus
This is a condition which exists when the esophagus is dilated or an enlarged esophagus causing diverticulation of the pathway of food is the most common symptom and is usually evident at weaning or very soon afterwards. Regurgitation shortly after eating is the usual symptoms.
Mucinosis
This seems to be appearing more and more in the breed, it is the overproduction of mucin in body with the deposition of large amounts of this thick fluid (mucin) just under the skin, causing large bubbles to be appear, close to the surface. When these break open, thick, stringy, very sticky clear fluid seeps out. Its cause is still really undetermined, and treatment the same, however in my research, with reference to this in people, there is some relation to this and hypothyroidism, and a weak immune system. Any further developments on this, will be posted here.
Patella Luxation
The patella or kneecap, is located only on the back legs, half way up the knee at the bend and the tiny kneecap fits into a small groove. A kneecap that pops out of this grove due to an accident or over exercising is called a luxating patella and may cause temporary lameness or limping on both or one of the back legs, until it pops back in place. If the problem persists, we put the dog on kennel rest for about 2 weeks, with minimal exercise, to allow it to heal. If this is not effective, then veterinarian attention will be necessary, when both patellas are involved is usually considered genetic.
Shar Pei Fever FSF or Fever of Unknown Origin
Please see Dr. Linda Tintle's Article on Amyloidosis - she has covered fever in this section. Shar Pei With Fever and Swollen Hock Syndrome SHOULD NOT USED FOR BREEDING!!!Fevers may be caused or offset by many different things however when combined with swollen hocks, may be associated with Amyloidosis.
Stenotic Nares
Compressed nostrils usually causing difficult breathing, especially after exercise. Generally when the puppy or dog inhales, you can see the nostrils closing. Usually a minor surgical enlargement of the nostrils is required. However, please remember, that shar pei are generally a snoring, slightly nasal breed.
Shar Pei Swollen Hocks & Muzzle
Please see Dr. Linda Tintle's Article on Amyloidosis - she has covered fever and swollen hock syndrome in this section. Shar Pei With Fever and Swollen Hock Syndrome SHOULD NOT USED FOR BREEDING!!! Hocks may swell after vigorous exercise or a day where they have had more activity or long walks and may not be accompanied by fever, o rmany shar-pei do have what is called baggy booties.
Shar-Pei and Stress
It has been my experience that stress bouts that may be triggered off by pet owners leaving their dog in a kennel on vacation, a move of house, etc. may also contribute, if the dog has already exhibited, a bout(s) of fever and swollen hocks, to further bouts of fever and swollen hocks.
Toxic To Shar Pei
Many of us are either familiar or unfamiliar with what is growing in our gardens or closeby. Many flowers, bulbs, shrubs, indoor plants are/or have toxic effects on our dogs, however most dogs will not die from this, but may feel hot, lethargic, vomit, have diaherra, have running puffy eyes, exhibit temporary rashes, etc., and unless you catch them in the act, they may be treated or mistaken for something else. These are only guidelines of toxic plants, bugs, toads, snakes, mushrooms etc., depending where you live, as well, and are for your information.
Reverse Sneezing
This appears to be a condition that also does not have much in the way of an explanation. I have experienced reverse sneezing several times with no side effects. It is a very loud unrecognizable sound, almost like a honking. Usually lasts about 30 seconds to about one minute, and then they are fine. It is possibly related to a slight elongated soft palate, allergies, or possibly something they have inhaled, from what I can surmize. Does not appear to be any more serious than a sneezing attack.
Tight Lip
Shar pei that suffer from this, generally have a little bit of a difficult time eating, you can tell by pulling down the bottom lip - if you can pull the lip down, then lip is ok, if it is hard or impossible then, dog may have tight lip. Usually these dogs have a bad bite as well. Sometimes dogs with this are just fine and sometimes surgery is required.
Vaginitis(Puppy)
This is common in female puppies. If you happen to notice a slight yellowish discharge from your puppy after she/he urinates which may be accompanied by a very strong pungent odour that drips out throughout the day, it is not a bladder infection. It is a simple discharge that they will outgrow anywhere from onset until first heat or spaying/neutering.
Vomiting
Vomiting may indicate something so simple as an allergy to the food or eating too quickly in puppies, however alot depends on what the vomit looks, how long it has been going on, did the dog ingest any grass, twigs, pebbles, or is it nibbling on any garden plants or house plants, or it can be the start of a more serious illness. It is normal for a dog to throw up on rare occasions, however any continuance of this warrants medical advice.
Yeast/Ear Infections (Ears)
May or may not be triggered off by allergies or immune system weakness, light cleaning and the use of Otomax generally takes care of this. Should problem be severe please talk to a breeder for their recommendations.
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