Think before
you Feed

Many dog owners are ignorant of the fact that dogs have different nutritional needs to their own. They are under the impression that by giving their dogs food that they would like to eat themselves, they are providing a healthy diet. They are in fact spoiling them, but not in a good, kind or healthy manner! Dogs are different to humans - no matter how loveable and intelligent they may be - and must be fed accordingly.

Dogs need a fully balanced diet containing a variety of substances that are essential for a long and healthy life. Too much or too little of a specific food could result in a dietary imbalance or deficiency.

Maise: Avoid feeding "mieliemeel" in large quantities especially if your dog is sick. It contains phytic acid that interferes with the dog's ability to absorb calcium, zinc and certain other minerals.

Eggs: If you want to feed raw egg, feed the yolk only. Raw egg white contains avidin (an anti-vitaminic substance) that destroys biotin (one of the B-vitamins), and while it would probably take a large amount of egg white to kill all the biotin in the system, feeding raw yolk alone ensures that no biotin is unnecessarily lost. (Egg white may be boiled, chopped and safely fed in this form - the cooking destroys avidin.)

Onions: From the American Journal of Veterinary Research (Vol. 53, No. 1 Jan. '92) Onions are toxic to all dogs. While this fact has been known for over 50 years, onion ingestion is still all too common. Whether raw, cooked or dried, a substance found in all onions causes oxidation of the canine red blood cell.
Oxidation results in Heinz body formation, a defect, which triggers the removal of abnormal RBC's from the bloodstream. The amount of cells destroyed generally depends on the amount of onion that has been ingested.
Some dogs, however, can suffer severe reactions after eating only small portions. Many of you are thinking, "I feed my dog onions all the time, and he's never had a problem". Undoubtedly, most cases of onion-induced oxidation go entirely unnoticed. But, had you looked carefully at the blood one day later, you could have seen defective RBC's. By day five, you may have noticed fewer RBC's than normal. And if enough was ingested, you may even have noticed signs of anemia, including decreased activity, pale mucous membranes and an increased respiratory rate.

Bones: Although dogs love bones, be careful about the type of bones you give your Shar Pei. Just have a look at those strong jaws and big canine teeth and you will understand why! Large bones that cannot be splintered or swallowed whole are the safest - NEVER give chicken bones!

Milk: Although milk is a good source of calcium, dogs and especially puppies may react adversely to milk. Lactose (milk sugar) is not always properly digested and may ferment, causing gas and diarrhea. Give milk in moderation only.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR VET

1. Abnormal behaviour, sudden viciousness or lethargy.
2. Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings.
3. Loss of appetite, marked weight loss or gain, excessive water consumption. Difficult, abnormal or uncontrolled urination.
4. Excessive head shaking, scratching and licking or biting nay part of the body.
5. Dandruff, hair loss, open sores or a ragged or dull coat. (Remember that shedding coat twice a year is normal and your Pei may look moth-eaten!)
6. Foul breath or excessive tartar deposits on the teeth.
7. Dehydration exhibited by lifting skin which does not quickly return to its original position, but remains pulled up
   

YOUR SHAR PEI'S VITAL SIGNS

Taking care of our Shar Pei ia a great responsibility. Unfortunately our dogs cannot tell us when they are not feeling well, so it is up to us to be aware of their vital signs – we must be able to distinguish between what is normal and abnormal.

MOOD : each dog's eating, drinking and toilet habits vary. Any significant changes like depression, lethargy or loss of appetite are reason for you to suspect your Pei is not feeling well. Bloat may be indicated by constant pacing, obvious discomfort and the inability to lie down for any length of time. To identify the problem, you must check further.

TEMPERATURE : A quiet, calm dog's temperature ranges from 38 C – 38.6 C. This may rise slightly on hotter days or when the dog exercises or becomes exited.

A fever is usually indicated if the dog feels very warm and clammy inside the front or rear legs. Use a rectal thermometer to make sure.

RESPIRATION : The normal respiration rate is between 18 to 28 breaths per minute.

Rapid breathing through the mouth when it is resting may indicate trouble. Remember that panting on a very hot and/or humid day or if the dog has just exercised, is normal. However, panting should stop once the dog has cooled itself down. A dog that appears to be puffing with quick, short breaths is possibly in trouble.

HEART : At rest the heartbeat of a dog ranges from 90 to 100 beats per minute (slower in older dogs, faster in pups). A resting dog's heart usually beats irregularly – faster on inspiration and slower on expiration. A regular beat in a quiet dog may be indicative of heart trouble. The easiest place to feel the heartbeat is through the chest wall just behind the front legs or the inner side of the hind leg. When all else fails, press your ear to the dog's chest.

EYES : The white on the top half of the eye should be bright and clear with a few small vessels – more vessels will be noticeable if the dog is exited or exercising. If the upper half is too white, the dog may be anaemic. The lower half of the eyeball should be a bright, healthy pink. The cornes (clear part) should be bright, glistening and perfectly clear. Any matter coming from the eyes may indicate entropion, conjunctivitis or other eye problems.

EARS: The inside of the ear should be smooth and pink under the hair, with the canal perfectly clean. Dust and dirt may form a black or grey deposit around the folds at the top of the canal. A brown or reddish brown waxy-looking substance in the ear canal almost always indicate ear infection. Infection may also be indicated by an odor or if the dog is shaking its head a lot.

NOSE: Should be black or self-coloured. Whether it is moist or dry has little to do with the dog's temperature or health.

GUMS AND TONGUE : In other breeds this should be a bright, clear pink. With the Shar Pei's black/blue tongue it is difficult to tell. However, the tongue and gums will appear paler or greyer if the dog is sick.

STOOL: The stool should be well formed. Slight diarrhea may occur if the dog is overexcited or stressed. Frequent watery eliminations or signs of blood and/or mucus may indicate trouble.

* this articals are from
Gauteng Shar pei club

Health Dictionary

ALLERGIES Some Shar Pei can be susceptible to allergies caused by food, grass, plants (indoor and outdoor), flea-bite dermatitis an allergy-based condition where the dog develops an itchy rash in reaction to flea saliva after being bitten. Try to keep the dogs living quarters and play-area as flea-free as possible. Other allergies are “inhalant allergies” that causes the dog to lick his/her paws, scratch, and rub its muzzle. Eliminating the allergy's cause, using the correct type of shampoo and administering antihistamines or cortisone are common forms of treatment. Always consult a Shar Pei knowledgeable veterinarian for proper treatment and care. Some breeders believe the Shar Pei has a weakened immune system that makes it more susceptible to and less able to recover from airborne viruses such as parvo. This condition makes timely inoculation especially important.

CANCER Several forms of cancer have a high incidence in the breed. Discuss treatment with your vet.

CARPAL LAXITY This is a weakness of the carpal ligaments which causes instability and bowing forward in young puppies. Decrease the protein level and exercise on a non-slippery surface. In severe cases soft wraps will be in order. Discuss treatment with your vet.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Often complicated by food allergies and or Chronic stress diarrhea. Usually responds to a strict hypoallergenic diet.

CUTANEOUS MUCINOSIS Mucin is the substance in the Shar Pei skin that causes all the wrinkling. It is clear and stringy and acts like glue in fight wounds. Some Shar Pei have an excess of Mucin causing it to form clear bubbles on the skin that may rupture and ooze. May be associated with possible allergies and can be treated by an alternate day steroid therapy.

DEMODECTIC MANGE The mite, Demodex canis, starts off as small dry areas on the head, chest, and legs of the Shar Pei. Because the dog scratches to relieve the intense itching, the skin becomes red and raw with a leathery look about it. Check with your veterinarian for prescribed medication, shampoos, and other appropriate treatment.

DIET: Food allergies may cause skin and stomach diseases. This breed should have a well balanced, preservative free diet and one that is low in protein, approximately “(16-21%)”. Some alternatives to rawhide and store bought treats are raw or cooked veggies when ever you are steaming some up for yourself, nothing from the cabbage family or onions, and most fruits such as bananas, apricots, apples etc. No table scraps because we as humans tend to dress up our veggies with butter, margerine, salt, sugar, and/or gravy. Anything with soya or beef, dyes, or chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT, or Exthaxyquin should be avoided. Instead look for foods that are preserved with vitamins A, C, or E. A chemical free food is often enough to make a huge difference in a dog's health.

EARS: Shar Pei have very narrow ear canals. This can cause infections, problems with mites, or a very heavy build-up of dark wax. Ears should regularly be cleaned with an ear solution prescribed by your vet. If left untreated, surgery or permanent deafness can be the end result.

ENTROPION: The Shar Pei are 1 of 14 breeds that can have this where one or both eyelids roll in, scratching and irritating the cornea. Watery eyes, infection, even a corneal ulcer, may occur. Surgical correction is usually required.