Category: Health Issues

This article by Dr. Vidt presents a plan to monitor Shar-Pei with the goal of uncovering renal amyloidosis as early as possible and then instituting appropriate dietary and medical intervention. It does contain some technical terms which your veterinarian may be able to simplify for you. The author urges you to discuss this article with veterinarian and then both of you can work together in dealing with this troubling disease. Renal amyloidosis has hit the Shar-Pei fancy in recent years and left many of us feeling helpless as we watch young Shar-Pei sicken and die before our very eyes. We...

Post-Mortem Post-Mortem Examination in the Chinese Shar-Pei – Find out why it is important to do this. Health Survey The Health Survey is being conducted by the CSPCA Health Through Education Committee. So if you have a Shar-Pei please take a moment and download the health survey form and send the form to me via e-mail or by the post office. Thank you. Health Survey Results 2007 – From sent in replies. Health Survery Form (survey.pdf) Tumor Registry  Tumor Registry Form (tumoreg.pdf)  Articles References – Used to write the articles (ref.pdf). UPDATED 07/30/06

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. Sores that do no 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 a sign of illness. Bleeding or discharge from any...

Pardon me while I preface this discussion with the following disclaimer. I often get inquiries about sick Shar-Pei and “the blood work is normal”. I will be talking about what I do in such cases. The material contained herein is based on my experience, what I’ve read in the veterinary literature, opinions and observations. Any comments, criticism or questions should be directed to me. I also look at this as a work in progress and fully expect to add to it as experience, new information and discussions with colleagues further enlightens me. I present this material now to provide some...

Due to advancements in veterinary medicine and surgery over the last several decades our pets are living longer and experiencing more issues related to degenerative joint disease (arthritis) and physical rehabilitation issues following orthopedic joint surgery. There also is a more recent increase in dogs entering performance events such as agility, free-style dancing, obedience, rally, flyball and service dogs participating in search and rescue, police work, military dogs, etc. When these dogs experience injuries they often return to function quicker with physical rehabilitation equipment and techniques taken from the human side. “Laser” stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of...

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 invasive process which results in a necrotizing faciitis and/or STSS leading to a shock-like syndrome and multi-organ failure.  If not recognized early...

Masticatory mysositis appears to be a breed problem in the Chinese Shar-Pei. While I’m hesitant to say it’s an inherited condition I have seen it in lines and in litters of affected individuals. This condition used to be described as two separate disorders: (1)eosinophilic myositis and (2) atrophic myositis. It is currently felt that these are manifestations of the same disease now called masticatory myositis. This is an inflammatory muscle disease, most likely immune-mediated, involving the muscles of mastication – these muscles are used to grind and chew food prior to swallowing. Five muscle groups in the dog are involved...

      Inflammatory bowel disease is not so much a disease as it is a group of clinical signs related to a large number of underlying causes. The clinical signs primarily involve the gastrointestinal tract and can vary somewhat based on what part of the GI tract is affected. Vomiting is the primary sign if the stomach is affected. If the small bowel is affected the signs are related to a protein-losing enteropathy – diarrhea or loose stools, weight loss, loss of appetite, etc. If the large bowel (colon) is affected signs are related to colitis such as loose stools (cow-pie...

Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) is a hereditary inflammatory disorder seen in Shar-Pei. It appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. Clinical signs: Episodic fever is the most important and consistent clinical sign of this disorder. The temperature commonly is in the 105-107°F range. The fever is generally self-limiting lasting 12-36 hours. Another common clinical sign often accompanying the fever is swelling of a joint, usually the hock (tibiotarsal) joint and is known as Swollen Hock Syndrome (SHS). This painful, hot swelling can also involve the carpus (wrist) and the lips. Dogs with FSF are sick — they are...