Sharpei have certain breed features that make them more prone to certain diseases. Although these dogs are renowned for their fairly 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 treatment methods are listed. Find out how much sharpei is worth.
Breed features
It is not known exactly when this breed appeared. The first mentions are found in 220 BC. Then the Chinese sharpei were temple animals, after they were used in battles. After a couple of centuries of breeding, sharpei have become popular with humans as companion dogs. In 1978, the first exhibition dedicated to this breed was held. How much are sharpei? The price depends on the pedigree of the parents and the fame of the kennel from which the dog comes. The average price of a sharpei puppy in Russia is 15,000 p.
These are strong dogs with a rectangular torso. The main distinguishing feature is sharpei leather. There is a lot of it, and therefore on the body it forms a large number of folds. In battles, excess skin is designed to protect the dog’s vital organs from damage. In everyday life, this feature is capable of delivering a lot of trouble, because the skin between the folds often fades from the heat, and inflammation forms on it.
Dogs of this breed have short and prickly hair, the undercoat is completely absent. Normally, an adult sharpei should weigh from 16 to 23 kg. Another distinctive feature of the breed is its almost black tongue and sky. How many sharpei live depends on the proper care of the dogs. When creating optimal conditions, they live 10-12 years.
Alarming symptoms
Of course, the clinical picture of all diseases varies. And yet, there are basic signs that may indicate that the animal must be shown to the veterinarian:
- inflammation and redness of the mucous membranes;
- secretion of mucus and pus from the eyes, nose and ears;
- decreased activity and apathy;
- excessive irritability and aggression;
- long refusal of food;
- shortness of breath, hoarse and heavy breathing;
- scabies;
- brittleness and hair loss;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- vomiting
- increase or decrease in body temperature.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should not self-medicate. One symptom may indicate a wide variety of diseases. It is necessary to diagnose sharpei disease on time and correctly in order to manage to take the necessary measures. The following are the main diseases that this breed of dog is prone to.
Allergy
Many owners of this breed of dogs point to this feature of the health of sharpei. A negative reaction can manifest itself on anything:
- for food;
- for detergents;
- to dust;
- on drugs;
- on wool (and sometimes on their own);
- on parasites and insects.
It is believed that sharpei are most susceptible to food allergies. In this case, symptoms can occur both immediately after a meal, and after a long time. The fact is that with this disease, harm from certain allergens in the body accumulates. Over time, immunity ceases to cope with them, and signs of allergy appear. Although previously there was no such reaction.
The main symptoms of sharpei allergy:
- severe itching;
- dandruff;
- unpleasant odor from the dog;
- local baldness of the skin;
- increased lacrimation;
- the dog is sweating, wet marks are clearly visible on the body;
- problems with the ears.
To cope with the disease, you first need to understand what exactly caused this reaction. It is necessary to exclude contact of the dog with the allergen. How to feed sharpei? First of all, the dog needs to be transferred to hypoallergenic food. If this does not help, you should continue your search for the irritant. In case of acute attacks, the dog is given anti-allergic drugs.
Amyloidosis
Hereditary fever is an inflammatory sharpei disease that 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.
The main symptoms of amyloidosis:
- A sudden increase in temperature at sharpei to 39-42 degrees. In this case, the attack lasts 12-16 hours.
- Severe inflammation and swelling of the joints (most often the lower leg). The skin at the site of swelling seems hot. The dog feels pain.
- Swelling and inflammation of the lips, wrists and ankles.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- A clumsy, strange pet walk.
Fever occurs due to any stressful situations:
- visit to the veterinarian;
- at the dog, if the current female is present nearby;
- Exhibitions;
- increased activity;
- training;
- other diseases.
Sharpey's hereditary fever cannot be cured. You can only take measures to eliminate the accompanying symptoms. If the dog has a very high body temperature, she needs to be given aspirin. When it does not help, and the temperature is very high, the dog is given dipyrone. Sometimes, during an exacerbation, dogs are given intravenous droppers to support the body. In extreme cases, the animal may need emergency medical attention. Antibiotics during exacerbation are not accepted.
For the purpose of prevention, you should try to avoid stressful situations for the animal. At the first symptoms of a fever, the animal should immediately be given antipyretic drugs.
Century inversion
In sharpei, eye diseases are most often associated with excess skin on the dog's face. Most often they have a twist of the century. At the same time, eyelashes scratch the cornea of the eye, because of which it is severely injured and inflamed. The main symptoms of a twisted eyelid:
- combing a sore eye;
- increased lacrimation;
- redness and inflammation of the eye;
- rapid blinking.
Inversion of the eyelid in an adult sharpei 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, eyelid filing in puppies is practiced. In this case, 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 eyelid stepping, in which the veterinarian fixes the skin with a medical stapler.
Ear, nose, and jaw problems
Sharpei quite often have problems with bite. They are associated with improper arrangement of the front teeth.
Another bite problem is associated with tight lip syndrome. Due to excess tissue in the lower lip area, she closes her teeth. It becomes uncomfortable for the dog to chew food. Correction requires surgical intervention.
According to the breed standard - sharpei have small neat ears. In this regard, the dog has a narrow ear canal, due to which it is quite often contaminated. Breeders recommend rinsing their ears with sharpei at least twice a month. For cleaning, do not use ear sticks, because they only push the dirt deeper and compress it.
Due to excess skin in the area of the nose, sharpei often snore. The reason for difficulty breathing can be a wide sky. In this case, only a surgeon who can remove excess tissue can help the dog.
Skin diseases
Large skin folds are located throughout the body of sharpei. In the hot season, after active walks, the space between the folds begins to shine. The dog develops irritation and inflammation. The result can be sharpei skin diseases. To avoid inflammation, the space between the folds should be sprinkled with baby powder. Treat the resulting redness with a healing anti-inflammatory ointment.
The Demodex canis tick causes demodicosis. Sharpei on the head, torso and legs can see areas of dry skin. The dog feels a strong itch, begins to itch. Reddened and bald patches of skin appear. Sharpei disease is treated with special shampoos and ointments.
Obesity
Sharpei tend to gain weight quickly, which often leads to big health problems. Obesity can cause shortness of breath, problems with the heart, liver, and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It can lead to the death of the animal. If the dog's weight has exceeded the breed standards, you need to pay close attention to this.
How to feed sharpei? To combat obesity, it is necessary to use feeds intended for animals overweight. In case of feeding with natural food, you need to use low-fat beef, chicken and turkey. Food should not be in the bowl all day, and you should not respond to the begging of the animal. Feed should be given in the proportions indicated on the package. A dog cannot be fed human food. It is worth increasing the activity of the animal. You can increase the time of walks. During them, you need to often play with the dog.
Overheat
A walk under the scorching sun can end in failure. The main symptoms of heat stroke: the dog lies on its side and often breathes with its mouth, fever, apathy, lack of reaction to the call of the owner. First of all, the dog needs to be moved to a cool dark place. Wool should be wetted, a cool compress should be applied to the nose and face. If the condition of the dog does not improve, it must be urgently shown to the doctor. To prevent overheating, you should not walk for a long time at high air temperature and under the scorching sun. You need to take water with you for walks, and periodically offer it to your dog.
Hypothyroidism
Due to a malfunction of the thyroid gland, there is a decrease in the hormones responsible for the metabolism in the body. The main symptoms of sharpei disease:
- fast weight gain, despite moderate nutrition;
- hair loss;
- peeling of the skin;
- secondary skin infections;
- drop in activity;
- fluid flows from the ears;
- loss of immunity.
With accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism, hormones are prescribed to the animal that help normalize the thyroid gland.
Gastrointestinal diseases
Sometimes during walks, dogs can pick up from the road what will later cause them to be poisoned. Expired and stale feeds are no less dangerous. The main symptoms of poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, refusal to eat. To help the dog should be given activated charcoal, or Smecta.
Congenital idiopathic megaesophagus is most often characteristic of 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 sharpei has become the reason for their predisposition to certain diseases. The skin of the dog 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 health problems can be resolved by contacting a doctor on time.
How many sharpei live depends on the care and responsibility of their owners.