Author: Dr. Vidt

Permanent ENTROPION SURGERY is often done in Shar-Pei after they reach the age of 6-8 months old. This is the age at which most pups are full grown and have “grown into” their heads. Permanent repair is a surgical procedure that will result in correction of the eyelid problem. Its success depends on the experience and artistry of the surgeon and often times referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended. The procedure involves various techniques to remove excessive eyelid tissue from the lids, tighten up the eye opening and sometimes remove extra folds of skin around the eyes. Typically the...

The term “elbow dysplasia” encompasses a complex of orthopedic disorders involving the elbow joint of the dog. In order to differentiate among the different causes of “elbow dysplasia” a combination of diagnostic tools are used including physical examination, orthopedic examination, radiology, gait analysis, CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), arthroscopy and exploratory joint surgery. Treatment options vary with the condition and will be discussed under the next section. Components of elbow dysplasia: Ununited anconeal process – The anconeal process is a small piece of bone making up the back part of the trochlear notch where the humerus articulates with...

DMG is a glycine receptor agonist that is thought to have anticonvulsant activity in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – deficient seizure models. Although DMG is in popular clinical use, controlled trials to date show little anticonvulsant activity. DMG is a normal, physiologically active nutrient found in low levels in foods such as cereal grains, seeds and meats. It is a common intermediate in cellular metabolism of choline and betaine to methionine and participates indirectly in transmethylation reactions through the oxidation of its methyl groups to formaldehyde and subsequent transfer of these one-carbon fragments to folic acid. DMG is not a vitamin...

Information has existed for many years in Shar-Pei circles concerning the use of soy in diets for Shar-Pei and adverse effects. I can find no information in the nutritional literature, which would support this notion, and I actually found some information indicating the potential protective effects of soy in the diet against cancer. Certainly dietary sensitivity and allergic disease due to soy in the diet is possible and can occur in any individual in any breed. One major problem in this area is the lack of objective tests for food allergy in animals. The gold standard is still the use...

One of the major defining physical characteristics of the Chinese Shar-Pei is the large muzzle. This is due to the hyaluronan levels in the breed which contributes to the wrinkling, large padded muzzle and cutaneous mucinosis. All Shar-Pei can deflate to some degree although some have a more padded muzzle than others and the deflation would be more noticeable. It may be a good idea to measure the circumference of your dog’s muzzle using a sewing flexible tape measure. Muzzle deflation is caused by decreased hyaluronan production and there are three causes: Anti-inflammatory drug therapy is a major cause. This...

Colchicine has been proposed as a treatment for amyloidosis in animals. It has been used in man to prevent amyloidosis in Familial Mediterranean Fever. It apparently blocks the synthesis and secretion of serum amyloid A (an acute -phase reactant protein) by the liver thereby preventing the formation of amyloid-enhancing factor and preventing amyloid deposition. To be effective it must be given early in the course of the disease and it will be ineffective once kidney failure has occurred. Effects of colchicine: Increases collagenase activity. Anti-inflammatory by decreasing leukocyte migration. Potent inhibitor of cellular mitosis. Prevents many cellular functions such as...

“Cherry eye” is properly called PROLAPSE OF THE GLAND OF THE THIRD EYELID. Dogs have a third eyelid in the inner corner of the eye nearest the nose. It serves as a “windshield wiper” distributing the tear film over the eye. It also contains a tear-producing gland which accounts for about 50% of the tear production in the eye. In young Shar-Pei puppies, this gland will occasionally break loose from its attachment in the third eyelid and “pop” up and appear as a swelling in the corner of the eye. It often will appear red and inflamed, although it doesn’t...