Sharpei diseases: types, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Shar pei have certain breed characteristics that make them more prone to certain diseases. Although these dogs are famous for their rather strong immunity, they are very vulnerable to skin diseases and often suffer from allergies. The article discusses the most common sharpei diseases. Their symptoms and treatments are listed. Find out how much Shar Pei costs.

Features of the breed

It is not known exactly when this breed appeared. The first mentions are found in 220 BC. Then the Chinese Shar Pei were temple animals, after they were used in battles. After a couple of centuries of breeding work, Shar-Peis have become popular with people as companion dogs. In 1978, the first exhibition dedicated to this breed was held. How much do sharpeis cost? The price depends on the pedigree of the parents and the fame of the kennel from which the dog comes. The average price for a Shar Pei puppy in Russia is 15,000 rubles.

These are strong dogs with a rectangular torso. The main distinguishing feature is the Shar Pei skin. There are many of her, and therefore she is on the bodyforms a large number of folds. In fights, the extra skin is meant to protect the dog's vital organs from damage. In everyday life, this feature can cause a lot of trouble, because the skin between the folds often sweats from the heat, and inflammation forms on it.

Dogs of this breed have a short and prickly coat, the undercoat is completely absent. Normally, an adult Shar Pei should weigh from 16 to 23 kg. Another distinguishing feature of the breed is the almost black tongue and palate. How long sharpei live depends on the correct care of the dogs. Under optimal conditions, they live 10-12 years.

Warning symptoms

Of course, the clinical picture of all diseases varies. And yet, there are key signs that may indicate that the animal needs to be taken to the veterinarian:

• inflammation and redness of mucous membranes;
• discharge of mucus and pus from eyes, nose and ears;
• drop in activity and apathy;
• excessive irritability and aggression;
• prolonged refusal to eat;
• shortness of breath, hoarse and heavy breathing;
• scabies;
• brittleness and hair loss;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• vomit;
• increase or decrease in body temperature.

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, do not self-medicate. One sign can indicate a large number of different diseases. Sharpei disease should be diagnosed in time and correctly in order to have time to take the necessary measures. The following are the maindiseases that this dog breed is prone to.

Allergy

Many owners of this breed of dogs point to this feature of Shar-Pei he alth. A negative reaction can manifest itself in anything:

• for food;
• for detergents;
• to the dust;
• for drugs;
• for wool (sometimes for my own);
• for parasites and insects.

It is believed that sharpei are most susceptible to food allergies. In this case, symptoms can appear both immediately after eating, and after a long time. The fact is that with this disease, the harm from some allergens accumulates in the body. Over time, the immune system ceases to cope with them, and signs of allergies appear. Although there was no such reaction before.

The main symptoms of Shar Pei allergy:

• severe itching;
• dandruff;
• bad dog smell;
• local skin baldness;
• increased lacrimation;
• the dog seems to be sweating, wet marks are clearly visible on the body;
• ear problems.

To cope with the disease, you first need to understand what exactly caused such a reaction. It is necessary to exclude contact of the dog with the allergen. What to feed Shar Pei? First of all, the dog needs to be transferred to hypoallergenic food. If this does not help, you should continue to search for the irritant. In case of acute attacks, the dog is given antiallergic drugs.

Amyloidosis

Hereditary Fever –sharpei inflammatory disease, which is genetic in nature. The birth of offspring with a similar pathology is possible only if both parents carry the gene responsible for this disease.

Main symptoms of amyloidosis:

1. Sudden increase in temperature in Shar Pei up to 39-42 degrees. In this case, the attack lasts 12-16 hours.
2. Severe inflammation and swelling of the joints (most often the shins). The skin at the site of swelling seems hot. The dog feels pain.
3. Swelling and inflammation of the lips, wrists and ankles.
4. Pain in the abdomen.
5. Clumsy, strange pet walk.

Fever manifests itself due to any stressful situations:

• going to the vet;
• at the male, if the current bitch is nearby;
• exhibitions;
• increased activity;
• training;
• other diseases.

Hereditary sharpei fever cannot be cured. You can only take measures to eliminate the accompanying symptoms. If your dog has a high body temperature, give him aspirin. When it does not help, and the temperature is very high, the dog is given dipyrone. Sometimes, during a period of exacerbation, intravenous drips are given to dogs to support the body. In extreme cases, the animal may need emergency medical attention. Antibiotics are not taken during an exacerbation.

For the purpose of prevention, you should try to avoid stressful situations for the animal. At the first symptoms of fever, the animal should immediately be given antipyretic drugs.

Inversion of the century

Shar pei eye diseases are most often associated with excess skin on the dog's muzzle. Most often they have a volvulus of the eyelid. In this case, the eyelashes scratch the cornea of \u200b\u200bthe eye, because of which it is severely injured and inflamed. The main symptoms of eyelid volvulus:

• combing the sore eye;
• increased tearing;
• redness and inflammation of the eye;
• faster blinking.

A torsion of the eyelid in an adult Shar Pei can lead to the development of conjunctivitis. Previously, to solve this problem, dogs underwent surgery in which part of the skin was cut out. Now, among breeders and many veterinarians, filing the eyelids of puppies is practiced. At the same time, excess skin on the eyelids is sutured with a thread without anesthesia to reduce the risk of death of the animal. A more humane method of stepping the eyelid, in which the veterinarian fixes the skin with a medical stapler.

Ear, nose and mouth problems

Shar pei quite often have bite problems. They are associated with the wrong location of the front teeth.

Another overbite problem is related to tight lip syndrome. Due to excess tissue in the region of the lower lip, it covers the teeth. It becomes uncomfortable for the dog to chew food. Correction requires surgery.

According to the breed standard, Shar-Pei has small neat ears. In this regard, the dog has a narrow ear canal, which is why it gets dirty quite often. Breeders recommend washing the Shar Pei's ears at least twice a month. Forear sticks should not be used for cleaning, as they will only push the dirt deeper and compress it.

Due to excess skin around the nose, Shar-Pei snore quite often. The cause of difficulty breathing can be a wide palate. In this case, only a surgeon can help the dog, who will remove the excess tissue.

Skin diseases

There are large skin folds all over the Shar-Pei's body. In the hot season, after active walks, the space between the folds begins to rot. The dog develops irritation and inflammation. The consequence may be sharpei skin diseases. To avoid inflammation, the space between the folds should be sprinkled with baby powder. Treat any redness with a healing anti-inflammatory ointment.

The Demodex canis mite causes demodicosis. In Shar-Peis, areas of dry skin can be seen on the head, torso and legs. The dog feels a strong itch, begins to itch. Reddened and bald areas of the skin appear. Sharpei disease is treated with special shampoos and ointments.

Obesity

Shar pei tend to gain weight quickly, which often leads to major he alth problems. Obesity can cause shortness of breath, problems with the heart, liver, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It can lead to the death of the animal. If the weight of the dog exceeded the breed norms, it is necessary to pay close attention to this.

What to feed Shar Pei? To combat obesity, it is necessary to use feed intended for overweight animals. In case of feedingnatural food, you need to use lean beef, chicken and turkey. Food should not stand in a bowl all day, and you should not react to the begging of an animal. Feed should be given in the proportions indicated on the package. Dogs should not be fed human food. It is worth increasing the activity of the animal. You can increase the walking time. During them, you need to often play with the dog.

Overheating

Walking under the scorching sun can end badly. The main symptoms of heat stroke: the dog lies on its side and often breathes through its mouth, fever, apathy, lack of response to the call of the owner. First of all, the dog must be moved to a cool dark place. Wool should be wetted, a cool compress should be applied to the nose and muzzle. If the dog's condition does not improve, it must be urgently seen by a doctor. To prevent overheating, you should not walk for a long time at high air temperatures and under the scorching sun. You need to take water with you on walks, and periodically offer it to the dog.

Hypothyroidism

Due to the failure of the thyroid gland, there is a decrease in hormones responsible for metabolism in the body. The main symptoms of sharpei disease:

• quick weight gain despite moderate eating;
• hair loss;
• skin peeling;
• secondary skin infections;
• decrease in activity;
• fluid dripping from ears;
• falling immunity.

When accurately diagnosing hypothyroidism, the animal is prescribed hormonal drugs thathelp to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Sometimes when walking, dogs can pick up something from the road that will later become the cause of their poisoning. Expired and stale food is no less dangerous. The main symptoms of poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, refusal to eat. To help the dog, you should give activated charcoal, or Smecta.

Congenital idiopathic megaesophagus is most common in puppies. The main symptoms: belching, delayed digestion due to the expansion of the esophagus, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing food. The most effective is surgery.

Thus, the unusual appearance of Shar-Peis has become the reason for their predisposition to certain diseases. Dog skin needs special care, because it is prone to inflammation and infections. Due to the shape of the muzzle, the dog may have problems with eyes, ears and breathing. Most he alth problems can be solved if you see a doctor in time.

How long Shar Peis live depends only on the attentiveness and responsibility of their owners.