Author: drjwv_writer

In this issue of the Shar-Pei News I want to begin a discussion of the history of the Chinese Shar-Pei. Most of the information presented is based on my own research and the conclusions reached are solely my own opinion. I get a lot of questions concerning the background of the breed and I thought this series would provide some interesting details and insight. Further newsletters will contain more on the history of the breed. Remember heartworm season is just around the corner! Call the hospital to schedule your dog’s heartworm test soon. Another article in the newsletter deals with...

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) *There is a PowerPoint presentation in the VetsOnly Section that contains more pictures and information for veterinarians. While the vast majority of the episodes of Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) seen in Shar-Pei run a fairly benign course there are occasional exceptions which can have live-threatening consequences.  Over the last few years Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) has been seen more frequently as a complication of FSF in the Chinese Shar-Pei.  STSS involves infection with a group G streptococcus called Streptococcus canis. In the Shar-Pei cases I’ve seen this streptococcal infection is a rapidly progressing, highly...

This issue of the newsletter deals with cancer in the Shar-Pei. Cancer research in people has discovered the underlying cause of cancer – genetic mutations in the instructions in the instruction book for our cells, the genes. Genes are made up of chromosomes and chromosomes are composed of the basic building blocks of life, DNA. Any mutation in the DNA translates up the line to give bad information to the cells. Cancer can result. Research is being conducted into how we can reverse or correct this process. The question now is how can we prevent cancer? Certainly good diets, a...

Greetings I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season and are ready to begin the new millennium with energy. I’m taking some time in this column to thank you, my Shar-Pei clients, for your continued support over the years. Many of you started with me at LaGrange Park in 1983 and many have just been with me over the last few weeks, but I want you to know that I value each and every one of you. And of course that applies equally to your Pei. This past year has been a tough one for many of you...

Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) has been reeconginzed problem in the Chinese Shar-Pei breed since the early 1980’s. Research has given us much information concerning the hereditary aspects of the disease and some of teh pathophysiology of the condition, but unfortunately, no blood test to diagnose the disease. Recent advances in molecular genetics have demonstrated that FSF is not the same disease as Familial Mediterranean Fever in man, even though the symptoms are very similar. With advances in melecular biology and break throughs in other genetic diseases, it is only a matter of time before we have enough information to make...

What’s new? Sentinel® — You may be hearing a lot about this particular product which is a combination heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and flea preventative made by Ciba Geigy. It actually is a combination of their heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative, Inerceptor® and their flea preventative, Program®. It’s a good product although you still need a flea adulticide product such as Advantage®, Frontline®, etc. as Program® does not kill adult fleas. I think in most cases using a heartworm preventative such as Heartgard®, Heartgard-Plus® or Interceptor® plus a flea adulticide (my favorite is Advantage®) will work better. Year ’round heartworm...

Skunk-Off       If your dog gets “skunked” wash him or her in the following solution and then rinse with tap water: 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide ¼ cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) 1 tsp of liquid soap This Solution must be mixed up fresh and cannot be stored. DO NOT MIX IN A CLOSED CONTAINER Referrals Veterinary medicine has become more sophisticated over the years and specialization has increased. In the greater Chicagoland area we are fortunate to have a number of specialists including surgeons, opthalmologists, internal medicine specialists, specialists in alternative medicine (holistic, acupuncture, etc.), specialists in...

Ear Problems and the Chinese Shar-Pei Shar-Pei have one of the most unique ear conformations in the dog world. The tight ear flap and a predisposition to narrow ear canals (“stenotic ear canals”) can spell disaster in trying to maintain a healthy ear. The normal ear anatomy is similar to an ice cream cone. The cone represents the vertical ear canal and this connects to a short horizontal ear canal which leads to the ear drum. Most problems involve the vertical ear canal. I consider it normal for the Shar-Pei to have what I call “yeast over growth”. This is...

Spring time is heartworm testing time. Spring time is heartworm-testing time and I just want to briefly review the life cycle of the heartworm and the preventatives that are available. Heartworm disease is transmitted by the mosquito. An infected mosquito bites the dog and in the process of taking a blood meal, some of the baby heartworms (known as microfilaria) enter the dog through the bite wound. These microfilariae migrate in the tissues of the dog for 2-3 months undrgoing development and finally reach the heart and lungs where they mature into adult. Fertilized females produce microfilariae which are released...

Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) is a disease that appears to be unique to the Chinese Shar-Pei breed. The chief clinical sign is a very high fever of short duration. The temperature generally runs between 105 – 107°F and lasts 12 – 36 hours. Often this is accompanied by painful swelling o one or both hock (ankle) joints in the rear legs. The hock is often very warm to the touch. It is important to remember that the hock swelling is an inconsistent feature of FSF – the fever is always present. The disease is hereditary and...