Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-pei Rescue: What is a Shar-pei?

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Shar Pei Health Topics

Shar Pei Fever
Reprinted from our July 2006, Volume XXVII newsletter

Many times I have received calls from people stating that their dog died of “renal failure”. When I ask if they had Shar Pei fever, I find that often they don’t even know about the fever. This is a disease known only to people (called Mediterranean fever in people) and Shar Pei. It is not contagious between either people or dogs. Please read the symptoms carefully and the accompanying articles from Shar Pei owners to help you identify the problem.

The most important thing is to keep the temperature down. Read the articles to see how two Shar Pei owners handle the situation.

Symptoms of Shar Pei Fever

Your Pei /puppy is very lethargic
Your Pei probably won’t eat or is less interested in eating at the beginning of the attack
Your Pei has a raging fever (anything above 104) and could be shivering. Your vet may find no cause for the temperature
Your Pei’s muzzle may be swollen as well as the eyes. This can look like a bee sting
Your Pei may scream with pain when you touch his muzzle
Your Pei may have stiffness in all his joints and have difficulty putting one or both of its back legs to the ground
The back legs (hocks) may be swollen and thickened
Some dogs have diarrhea and vomiting, may be bloody
After an attack you will notice that your dog loses his muzzle. This will come back in time.

Cutaneous Mucinosis
By Jeffrey Vidt, DVM
Reprinted with Permission

Cutaneous mucinosis is a condition in which there is excessive amounts of a jelly-like substance called “mucin” in the dermis of the skin. While this condition is abnormal in other dog breeds, it appears to be normal in the Chinese Shar-Pei. In fact, the presence of cutaneous mucinosis gives the Shar-Pei its characteristic appearance. Some individuals are more severely affected than others, although treatment is seldom necessary.

Two forms are seen:

A vesicular form in which small blister-like bubbles appear on the skin primarily on the upper legs, chest, ventral neck and flanks.
A subcutaneous form in which the mucin collects in areas producing permanent “pleats” in the skin. These also appear as “socks” around the hocks.

In the vesicular form, the “bubbles” can be easily ruptured by scratching and result in bacterial skin infection. The bubbles themselves cause no problems and treatment is not needed although steroid therapy will decrease the production of mucin and temporarily alleviate the condition.

Cutaneous mucinosis is not a problem for the dog and so treatment is not necessary. The problem is the blisters will break open when the dog scratches due to itching. The mucin then leaks out on the skin and can lead to “hot spots” or areas of bacterial skin infection. Treatment must be directed at the cause of the itching such as fleas, allergic skin disease, etc.

For more information please refer to www.jmv.com.

Amyloidosis
»An Article by Jeff Vidt, DVM
»An Article by Linda Tintle, DVM

Natural Nutrition
»Dr. Richard Pitcairn -- Animal Natural Health Center
»Find out about your dog's food

Other Health Related Links
»Health Issues Articles by Dr. Jeff Vidt
»Dog Medical Library
»Canine Diabetes

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