Chinese Shar-pei Health Tips
The main concern of prospective owners is how to maintain a healthy
Shar-pei. Unfortunately, since Chinese Shar-pei are relatively new to the
United States, much of this information has come from the actual experiences of
breeders and owners.
The best advice is that of choosing a Chinese Shar-pei of your
own personal tastes and expectancies. Meaning, if you want a very typey dog (very
wrinkly), you must have the proper support and financial capabilities to care for
such a dog. If you are more concerned with health and less expense,
it would be advised to stay with a more moderate look, for they usually are easier
to care for medically.
Most importantly, find a breeder that knows and cares about
the breed. They will have information and experiences to share and
should be able to suggest a veterinarian that has the proper knowledge and
experience to care for your Chinese Shar-pei. While I do not like to generalize about Shar-pei health, do not let any
breeder convince you their bloodline is completely free of the common health problems, or that there's no
potential for their puppy's health to change. As the old saying goes, "the apple never falls far from the tree."
Puppies have a very high percentage of turning out exactly like one of their parents in health, temperament,
and looks. Breeding is not normally a genetic mixing, but a 50/50 chance of reproducing the same type of dog,
especially in line breeding or genetically matched bloodlines.
One pet peeve I have in particular is the subject of Shar-pei eyes. I don't care what a breeder says,
any puppy that requires eye tacks is predisposed to entropion, whether or not it actually requires surgery.
Tacking is not a cure, but simply a delay measure to protect Shar-pei eyes while young and extra wrinkly.
Now I don't want this comment to scare breeders into lying about tacking, but I've heard some really
ignorant comments passed on to unsuspecting owners. The same goes for amyloidosis or any other genetic
disease. Breeders Beware: it only hurts the breed to hide the truth about your bloodline. Breed wise,
research you bloodline and sacrifice kennel profits for animal welfare and owner happiness.
Here are a few basic rules to keeping a Shar-pei
healthy:
(1) DIET: Shar-pei require a food which promotes good health for the skin and
coat. Your generic brand dog food does not. Staying with a good brand will reduce the
problems from the start; refer to our information package on Raising
your Shar-pei.
(2) GROOMING: All Shar-pei require regular grooming year long. Special bathing
during flea season and extra brushing during coat changes are mandatory for keeping the
coat healthy. For general dog grooming information, see Grooming Tips.
(3) INJURY: Special care to any cuts or scrapes is necessary, especially within
the wrinkles, for to avoid infection. Shar-pei skin can be cut or torn easily, especially
during playtime with other dogs. Treat all cuts immediately with antibiotic ointment and get
oral antibiotics for any serious injuries. Watch for yeast infections caused by moisture.
For procedures on first aid treatment, see peteducation.com by Drs. Foster & Smith.
(4) ENVIRONMENT: Shar-pei are better suited as indoor pets to reduce any other
health problems that can affect the skin. Allergens such as pieces of grass, pollen, insect
bites, fleas, and harsh flea or shampoo products can cause skin/coat irritation or allergic
reactions. Any outdoor time should be followed by brushing out the coat and a check for
irritants. See Home Care for more information.
(5) IMMUNIZATIONS: Chinese Shar-pei are not equipped with the strongest immune system and are more susceptible than the average dog. It is highly recommended to keep every Shar-pei fully immunized against known viruses to try to prevent illness/possible death
of a loved pet. See Starburst's recommended Vaccination
Schedule.
(6) PREVENTATIVE CARE: The best way to avoid any health problems is by learning
how to prevent them. Eyes and ears need to be kept clear and dry, the coat must be kept free of dead hairs,
skin bathed on a regular basis, and nails cut every couple of weeks. Please refer to the site of
Dr. Jeff Vidt for more health information.
(7) LOVE YOUR PET: Chinese Shar-pei are very loving, but sensitive creatures-- requiring
a stable environment and stress-free love from its family to encourage good health for years
to come. We recommend all pets be altered at six months of age to avoid the complications of intact animals, including cancer and unwanted puppies.
See Facts about
Spay/Neuter for details.
Have specific health questions? Visit USA Shar-pei Network Blog
Health Through Education Guide http://www.cspca.com/OwnerGuide.pdf
Looking for holistic alternatives?? Visit
http://www.pets4homeopathy.com/
Shar-pei Health Education Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SharPei-Health-Education
Shar-pei Vet List http://www.sharpeiforums.com/resources/shar-pei-vets.asp
** Please note, this is not an endorsement or replacement to veterinary care, merely a lead to online resources. We always recommend
you ask questions when first meeting a new vet, about qualifications and experience with treating Shar-pei before any treatment is given.
VIEW ADOPTION LISTINGS FROM:
Alabama -
Arkansas -
Arizona -
California -
Colorado -
Connecticut -
Delaware -
Florida -
Georgia -
Idaho -
Illinois -
Indiana -
Iowa -
Kansas -
Kentucky -
Louisiana -
Maine -
Maryland / DC -
Massachusetts -
Michigan -
Minnesota -
Mississippi -
Missouri -
Montana -
Nebraska -
Nevada -
New Hampshire -
New Jersey -
New Mexico -
New York -
North Carolina -
North Dakota -
Ohio -
Oklahoma -
Oregon -
Pennsylvania -
Rhode Island -
South Carolina -
South Dakota -
Tennessee -
Texas -
Utah -
Vermont -
Virginia -
Washington State -
West Virginia -
Wisconsin -
Wyoming -
other
| 
