Dr. Jeff Vidt

With a special interest in the medical problems of the Chinese Shar-Pei

Author: Dr. Vidt

Frequently Asked Questions

Stem Cell Therapy

In recent years there has been a lot of discussion concerning the use of stem cells in both animals and humans. The initial work with stem cell therapy has been done in horses for the treatment of ligamentous and skeletal muscle injuries resulting in lameness. In the last five years this technology has carried over into the companion animal field primarily in dogs. At the animal hospital I work at we’ve been doing stem therapy for osteoarthritis for 3 years in 20 dogs. I’ve also had opportunity to treat a Shar-Pei in early kidney failure with systemic stem cell therapy...

Frequently Asked Questions

Mast Cell Cancer

MAST CELL CANCER seems to be a particularly aggressive and troublesome problem in the Shar-Pei breed. The following discussion hopefully will provide you with some useful information. CAUSE: Mast cells are a normal component of the body. These cells contain granules in their cytoplasm which contain heparin (an anticoagulant), serotonin (an inflammatory mediator), histamine, bradykinins, TNF-α and a number of other substances. The release of these vasodilator, nociceptive and proinflammatory molecules cause inflammation, itching, edema, vasodilation and attract other cells such as macrophages and white blood cells to the area. This response is usually helpful in responding to allergic reactions,...

Frequently Asked Questions

Canine Parvoviral Enteritis – Important Features

Canine parvovirus was first identified in dogs in the late 1970s and was named CPV-2 (CPV type-2) It was quickly recognized world-wide but was replaced in the early 1980s by an antigenically and genetically distinct strain, CPV type 2a (CPV-2a). Since then, novel antigenic and genetic strains have continued to evolve and have been named CPV-2b and CPV-2c. CPV-2c was recognized in 2001. Results of some studies indicate that CPV-2c causes more severe disease, infects properly dogs, may not be detected by in-clinic diagnostic tests and frequently results in poor patient outcomes. Results of other studies indicate that dogs vaccinated...

General

The Answer!

  An important paper published March 17, 2011 in the journal PLoS Genetics has given important new information concerning the relationship between hyaluronan (as present in the folds and wrinkles of the Chinese Shar-Pei), FSF and amyloidosis. The link to the article “A Novel Unstable Duplication Upstream of the HAS2 Predisposes to a Breed-Defining Skin Phenotype and a Periodic Fever Syndrome in Chinese Shar-Pei Dogs” is at http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1001332 . An international research group at Uppsala University, Sweden and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard including Linda Tintle, DVM of Wurtsboro, New York has uncovered a copy number variant mutation...

Health Issues

Mast Cell Cancer – UPDATED 8/24/10

MAST CELL CANCER seems to be a particularly aggressive and troublesome problem in the Shar-Pei breed.  The following discussion hopefully will provide you with some useful information. CAUSE:  Mast cells are a normal component of the body.  These cells contain granules in their cytoplasm which contain heparin (an anticoagulant), serotonin (an inflammatory mediator), histamine, and a number of other substances.  The release of these vasodilatory, nociceptive and pro-inflammatory molecules cause inflammation, itching, edema, and attract other cells to the area.  This response is usually helpful in responding to allergic reactions, foreign objects, infection, etc.  This also explains why mast cell...

General

Lens Luxation Study at the University of Missouri.

Primary lens luxation is an eye problem which is hereditary on the Chinese Shar-Pei. The lens is held in place in the eye by fibers called zonules. If these fibers are weak, not located properly around the circumference of the lens capsule, or break, the lens can fall out of its normal position or “luxate”. The lens typically moves forward against the iris blocking the pupil and interfering with movement of aqueous fluid into the drainage angle which is located around the base of the iris. This can result in an increase in intraocular pressure known as secondary glaucoma which...

Health Issues

Shar-Pei Triad Disease

Over the years in working with Chinese Shar-Pei I have seen severe skin disease characterized by lichenification (“elephant skin”), hyperpigmentation, thickened plaques or plates of skin, pruritis (itching), rancid skin odor, hair loss (alopecia) and seborrhea (oily skin) due to underlying allergic skin disease with secondary bacterial and Malassezia infection. I call it “SPTriad Disease” as these three skin diseases tend to occur together. The major underlying disease is allergic whether due to hay fever-type allergies, food allergies, flea bite dermatitis and/or contact allergies. I also feel it is possible for Shar-Pei to be “allergic to themselves” because of the...

Health Issues / Shar-Pei Info

Signs Of Cancer

Top ten warning signs of cancer in pet animals: Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow Pet your pet! This is the best way to find lumps, bumps or swellings that could be anywhere on the body. Sore that do not heal Non-healing sores can be a sign of infection or cancer. Your veterinarian can determine the reason why the sore is not healing. Weight loss If your pet is not on a diet but is losing weight, illness could be to blame. Loss of appetite It is not normal for pets to lose their appetite. This may be...

Research

Update on Familial Shar-Pei Fever and amyloidosis research

In the latest issue of The Barker (July/August 2004) Dr. Linda J.M. Tintle published an update on Familial Shar-Pei Fever and amyloidosis research. The major points of the update are as follows: 1. Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., PhD., Chief, Genetics and Genomics Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland will be investigating the genetics of FSF. As part of this project the first planned studies involve examining the DNA of Shar-Pei crosses (mixed breed Shar-Pei dogs). Anyone who owns a Shar-Pei mix is asked to participate...

Research

Recently Funded Study

I received information about a recently funded study to be done into the immunopathology of Familial Shar-Pei Fever/Amyloidosis in the Shar-Pei by Dr. Anne Avery at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. Acute phase cytokines IL-1b, TNFa, IL-6 and IL-10, and the acute phase proteins C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A will be measured. The goals of the study will be to develop a specific biological test for identifying individuals susceptible to FSF and to aid in the diagnosis of FSF. A second goal will be to study the immune system function of Shar-Pei dogs. This will better...