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**DISCLAIMER** Please seek the advice of your veterinarian before administering any medications. DO NOT treat your pet without veterinary confirmation!!! Shar-pei fever syndromes and other serious illnesses should be be evaluated and closely monitored by a vet. If you need help finding a veterinarian, CLICK HERE for a Shar-pei friendly vet list. Please note, this is NOT a professional referral or endorsement, but merely a lead to seeking known Shar-pei knowledgable veterinary care.
NOT ALL SHAR-PEI WILL HAVE THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS, but some Chinese Shar-pei can have sensitivity or reactions to allergens such as insect stings; fleas; contact with yard, plant, or house chemicals; pollen; grass; unhealthy or spoiled food; incorrect use of medications; and changes in household stress. Keeping your pets' immune system strong will help prevent many of these health issues. Living in a high allergy area, we have personally experienced (in both our personal and fostered Shar-pei) excessive scratching especially on the face or feet, sneezing, itchy or runny eyes, shaking head, and red, itchy rash and hives. Here are some at-home treatments that have worked for us and detailed links to further educate yourself on each subject:
| AID FOR MISC. INJURIES / ILLNESSES |
ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT: Treat all small cuts and scratches to prevent infection. Larger cuts caused from abscesses or bite injuries may require stitches or other surgical procedures available through your veterinarian. CLICK HERE for more information about preparing a first aid and emergency care kit for your pet.
IMMODIUM-AD: relieves mild diarrhea. Changing food brands too quickly is one of the most common causes for loose stools, but call your veterinarian first if you think your dog has been poisoned or if symptoms are severe and/or persist more than a few days! Veterinarians may choose to prescribe Metranidazole (Flagyl) or may need further testing / monitoring for more serious complications. CLICK HERE for more information about diarrhea & vomiting.
| ALLERGIES AND SKIN PROBLEMS |
BENEDRYL: Relieves itchy/runny eyes, ears, nose, or hives. Talk to your veterinarian prior to use, for it can cause potential fatigue or lead to injury if not monitored properly. If the allergy symptoms are severe or develop into chronic symptoms, there are many other types of prescribed histimine blockers and immunotherapy treatments available for pets. CLICK HERE for more information about allergies.
BENZOYL PEROXIDE OR PREPARATION "H": To relieve and heal "hot spots". More generalized skin problems often require medical shampoos and/or prescribed medications after further testing to diagnose the cause. CLICK HERE for more information about hot spots.
HYDROCORTISONE/ANTIHISTIMINE CREAM: Relieves itchy rashes or insect bites. In cases where dogs don't like lotions, powders or sprays are also available. Also try grooming off any loose hair to reduce other common itchy causes. Seek veterinary assistance if condition does not improve accordingly. CLICK HERE for more information about bites and stings.
SOAP-FREE DOG SHAMPOO: to prevent flaking and other residue irritation. Please note: most skin problems are commonly secondary to other more serious health issues. Please seek the advice of your veterinarian before treating any undiagnosed skin condition. CLICK HERE for more information about the function of ingredients in various dog shampoos.
VASELINE (OR FAVORITE HAND LOTION): Immediate relief of minor flaking or dry skin. Please note: this is not necessarily a lasting or effective treatment. CARMEX lip ointment also helps to remove nasal build-up found around some Shar-pei noses. Persistently dry skin or hair loss may be a sign of low thyroid problems that will require veterinary evaluation and testing. At-home dry skin treatments include adding fatty acids, i.e. safflower, sunflower, or fish oils to your pet's food if the chosen dog food brand does not already provide these supplements. CLICK HERE for more information about fatty acids.
| EAR CARE / DISEASE |
MINERAL OIL: Use on a cotton ball once a week to gently clean the inside of the ear (Q-tips not recommmended) OR use a favorite ear cleaner to flush out the ear canals regularly. If heavy wax or black yeast formations are present, clean daily (until gone) with a gentle ear cleaner which includes a drying formula and/or check with your veternarian for prescriptions that treat any symptoms of bacterial or yeast infections. To avoid infection recurrence, continue all prescribed treatments for at least 7 to 14 days, even if symptoms seem to disappear. Be forewarned that extreme cases or dog with allergies may need regular veterinary treatments on a frequent basis. Ask your veterinarian for any more specific treatment advice. CLICK HERE for more information ear care & disease.
| EYE CARE / DISEASE |
EYE DROPS: Clears drainage from eyes and relieves redness. If drainage is infectious or ulcers have started, ask for your vet for recommended treatment options of eye antibiotic ointments or prescribed eye drops. Dogs with entropion, cherry eye, or dry eye syndrome will require additional care and tests to verify any eye damage incurred. Cherry eyes are caused by the prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, which may be tacked or surgically removed, depending on the severity. If entropion troubles persist, eye tacks are completed on puppies and permanent surgery usually after 1 year of age. Both general veterinarians and canine eye specialists are available in most areas to complete these surgeries. For more information about these eye problems, please visit these links: entropion, cherry eye, and dry eye.
| TOOTH / GUM DISEASE |
CANINE DENTAL: including regularly brushing teeth and having professional exams and cleanings. The importance of proper dental care for pets has received considerable attention in recent years, and for good reason. By the age of four, more than 70% of domestic dogs show signs of gum disease. Gum disease can cause dogs pain and serious dental problems later in life, as well as possibly lead to more serious illnesses, such as heart and kidney disease. For more information about these teeth problems, please visit this article.
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